Aven

Aven are a type of formed demihuman of the Avian subgroup. They are distinct from other avians in that their bodies, aside from their head and wings, appear like that of a normal human.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Aven have humanlike bodies, arms, and legs, along with birdlike wings and heads. Two distinct varieties of aven are found in Idgypt. One has the head of a hawk or similar bird of prey, with short wings allowing fast flight. The other variety has the head of an ibis atop a long neck, with wide, angular wings better suited to soaring. All aven have lean bodies with feathers extending from their heads down to their shoulders.

Biological Traits

There are two distinct types of aven. One has the head of a hawk or similar bird of prey, with short wings allowing fast flight. The other variety has the head of an ibis atop a long neck, with wide, angular wings better suited to soaring.

Growth Rate & Stages

Like humans, aven reach adulthood in their late teens and can theoretically live into their 80s.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Spellcasters are common among ibis-headed aven drawn to follow the teachings of Thoth. Their physical resemblance to the god of knowledge is reflected in the metal discipline, focus, and confidence for which aven spellcasters are known. They wield magic of air, wind, and sometimes water to buffet their foes, enhance their own flight, and counter enemy attacks. Hawk-headed aven who follow the path of the mage are more likely to learn sand-based magic that can cloud the air, blast their foes, or bury enemies in living dunes.
Hawk-headed aven are often drawn to master techniques of long-range combat, whether the javelin that is the preferred weapon of many, the bow, or other thrown weapons. Whatever weapon they use, aven hover and swoop in the air above the fray, seeking the opportune moment to strike in exactly the right place. In line with the teachings of the god of solidarity(?), they often fly in tight formations with other aven in their crops, supporting and protecting each other. Aven take great pride in the precision of their attacks, relying on their keen vision and superior vantage points. They view the sharp tip of a javelin or arrow as a symbol of their love for precision, and some initiates maintain carefully tended collections of spearheads or arrowheads.
A relatively small number of aven of both varieties end up focusing on hand-to-hand combat. Even there, they use their ability to fly to great advantage, often swooping down on their foes from a great height. The speed and power of a blow from a diving aven can be utterly devastating, but such a strike poses a tremendous risk to the aven as well as the target. An aven who fails to pull up from the dive in time can suffer even worse injuries than the target of the attack. Aven often minimize this risk by hurling javelins while they dive, then pulling up early after a successful throw.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Aven are primarily found within the borders of the Idgyptian Empire, and are not often seen outside its desert heartlands.

Civilization and Culture

History

Their exact origin is not known, though due to the physical similarities it is believed they are connected to the Idgyptian gods Thoth and Horus (depending on the type), possibly created in their image.

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

5 - 6ft.

Average Weight

They are relatively light for their size, due to their hollow bones needed to facilitate flight.

Plane-Shift Amonkhet

Aven

Aven have humanlike bodies, arms, and legs, along with birdlike wings and heads. Two distinct varieties of aven are found in Idgypt. One has the head of a hawk or similar bird of prey, with short wings allowing fast flight. The other variety has the head of an ibis atop a long neck, with wide, angular wings better suited to soaring. All aven have lean bodies with feathers extending from their heads down to their shoulders.

ability score increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

age: Like humans, aven reach adulthood in their late teens and can theoretically live into their 80s.

alignment: Most aven lean toward some form of neutrality. Ibis-headed aven, focused more on knowledge than any other virtue, are usually neutral. Hawk-headed aven are inclined toward lawful neutral.

Size: Medium

speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet. You have a flying speed of 30 feet. You can’t use your flying speed while you wear medium or heavy armor. (If your campaign uses the variant rule for encumbrance, you can’t use your flying speed if you are encumbered.)

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Aven.

race features:

Ibis-Headed Aven

A majority of ibis-headed aven, drawn to the teachings of Thoth, specialize in spellcasting. They take great pride in all the qualities they share with the god of knowledge—not just their avian heads, but their quick wit, self-confidence, cunning, and spellcasting prowess.
Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Thoth’s Blessing: You can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any Intelligence check you make that doesn’t already include your proficiency bonus.

Hawk-Headed Aven

Following the example of Horus(?), hawk-headed aven often focus on the techniques of long-range combat. Most prefer javelins, but some are skilled with bows, spears, and throwing axes.
Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2.
Hawkeyed: You have proficiency in the Perception skill. In addition, attacking at long range doesn’t impose disadvantage on your ranged weapon attack rolls.