Kenku

The Kenku are race of crow-like, wingless Avians that communicate through their ability to flawlessly imitate any sound they hear. These flightless people often form thieves guilds, referred to as "flocks" in major cities and quite often work as burglars, pickpockets, and assassins. A kenku could accurately mimic all kinds of noises, voices, and accents. A gifted kenku mimic could fool a foe into believing they had heard a voice they were well familiar with.
Although they evolved from avians, kenku had no wings or capacity for flight. Instead, they had arms in place of wings and bird-like talons for hands and feet. They retained bird-like features, however, with black and beady eyes and a long dark-hued beak. Head and torso were covered with soft feathers, a dark russet-brown color, while their scrawny limbs were bare and scaled like a bird's. They most resembled ravens.
Kenku tended to be slightly smaller than the average human, standing at around 5  feet. Because they had partially hollow bones, they were lighter than most creatures their height, averaging only 75 pounds. They were therefore not as strong, but they were more agile and dexterous. They typically wore nondescript brown robes, under which they concealed tools and weaponry.
Kenku were by habit secretive, self-seeking, and cunning creatures. They tended to adopt neutral or unaligned views and behaviors; the majority were evil, but true neutral and good kenku could be found among them. They were opportunistic and unscrupulous, not stopping at illegal or immoral acts. Although they were selfish, kenku actually operated surprisingly well together and with allies. A kenku was most effective when aided or aiding an ally.
A kenku fought well alongside allies, and not just with others of its kind. They were most dangerous when aided or when flanking a foe with an ally. Kenku sneaks and assassins backstabbed their victims this way. Kenku could be vicious in a fight but were cowardly by nature. They would usually flee the moment a battle turned in their opponent's favor, and even surrender if it meant staying alive. 

Kenku in Society

Kenku lived in close-knit gangs, family groups, or clans, commonly called "flocks". These flocks were distrusting of outsiders, even of other kenku. They established aeries or nests, usually hidden and often near large cities or at least in civilized lands. Kenku had their own language among one another, but typically spoke Common in mimicry to strangers.
These kenku gangs made their homes in the cities, where they loitered in dark alleys or roamed the streets together. Thanks to their skills and habits and lack of scruples, they flourished in the criminal underbelly, hatching schemes to get rich and strong. They could operate all kinds of illicit enterprises, but preferred confidence tricks and scheming. Violence was rarely their first choice. They hoarded their stolen, shiny gold. 
Typical kenku ruffians were unsophisticated warriors who depended on numbers to overwhelm a foe. A true kenku warrior cultivated a martial art in which they flitted here and there, apparently at random, but striking quickly as they did. They also made brutal attacks against those they had the advantage over. Serving as assassins and spies, kenku sneaks were often rogues who especially depended on stealth and cooperation, and on acting first. Some could disappear amongst their fellows, before they would resurface and strike again. Some dedicated themselves to the path of assassin.

General Information

Size

Medium

Type

Humanoid (Minor Race)

Average Lifespan

Up to 60 years

Homeland

The Cities of Xedaris

Languages

Understands Common and Auran, but can only mimic

Appearance

Average Height

5ft

Average Weight

75lbs