Aarakocra (a-ruh-kow-kruh)

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the aarakocra evoke fear and wonder. Many aarakocra aren’t even native to the Material Plane. They hail from a world beyond, from the boundless vistas of the Elemental Plane of Air. They are immigrants, refugees, scouts, and explorers, their outposts functioning as footholds in a world both strange and alien.

Appearance

From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called birdfolk. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Feathers cover their bodies-sporting all manner of colours. Their heads are also avian, often resembling those of parrots or eagles.

Sky Wardens

Nowhere are the aarakocra more comfortable than in the sky. They can spend hours in the air, locking their wings in place and letting the thermals hold them aloft. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatics fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons and talons before turning and flying away.

Avian Mannerisms

The resemblance of aarakocra to birds isn’t limited to physical features. Aarakocra display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds. They are fastidious about their plumage, frequently tending their feathers, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. Many aarakocra punctuate their speech with chirps, sounds they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures.

The idea of ownership baffles most aarakocra. After all, who owns the sky? Even when explained to them, they initially find the notion of ownership mystifying. Confinement terrifies the aarakocra. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few aarakocra can withstand. Even when perched on a high branch or at rest in their mountaintop homes, they appear alert, with eyes moving and bodies ready to take flight.

Homelands

Most aarakocra live on the Elemental Plane of Air, however some are drawn into the Material Plane, sometimes to pursue enemies or thwart their foes’ designs there. Accident might also send a nest of aarakocra tumbling into another world or plane of existence; and a few even end up traversing strange portals intentionally, hoping to establish new nests in high mountains or in the canopies of old forests.

Small pockets of aarakocra a continuously discovered by explorers and adventurers scaling the highest points of Aolara. One such tribe sits atop the secluded peaks of The Endless Summit in Eltera. They call themselves the Ra’Na tribe, and reside where the walls between the Material Plane and Elemental Plane of Air are thin, allowing passage under the right circumstances. Stationed as both guardians to the entrance and surveyors of Aolara, the Ra’Na tribe will often choose their strongest and most promising amongst them to travel the world in an attempt to expand the aarakocra’s knowledge and understanding of other planes of existence. For the sake of their home, these travelling aarakocra aim to seek both friend and foe for the betterment of their people.

“Allies bring strength and support when needed, enemies can and should be eliminated before their threat reaches our flock.” - Thru’un Sikash

Aarakocra Traits

Ability Score Increase

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You cannot increase an ability score above 20.

Age

Aarakocra reach maturity by age 15 and live similar lifespans to humans.

Size

Aarakocra are about 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Flight

Because of your wings, you have a flying speed equal to your walking speed. You can't use this flying speed if you're wearing medium or heavy armour.

Talons

You have talons that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Wind Caller

Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the gust of wind spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast the spell with this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of 2nd level or higher. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it when you cast gust of wind with this trait (choose when you select this race).

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character.

Aarakocra

Type - Humanoid
Size - Medium
Alignment - N/A
Preferred Terrain - Mountains
Abilities - Flight, Wind Caller

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