Aarakocra

Noble Birdfolk Divided by Betrayal

We were once united under one banner. The Aarakocra had a pact: never fight another Aarakocra. And that turned to us serving under the banner of the greatest monarch in Faenum. We fought against evil together. We fought for the crown together. But that unity didn't last. And now we are fractured. Across the cosmos, we've spread. And we will never unite again.

— Zaluk, chief of the Aeros tribe

Basic Information

Anatomy

From below, aarakocra look much like large birds. Only when they descend to roost on a branch or walk across the ground does their humanoid appearance reveal itself. Standing upright, aarakocra might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons.

Ecology and Habitats

The Aarakocra usually reside in high mountains and atop tall trees, keeping apart from other races usually. They build massive networks of nests and treehouses that can be flown between, making it hard for non-fliers to get around unless designed for them.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

As with much of their speech, aarakocra names include clicks, trills, and whistles to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, aarakocra may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

An aarakocra of either gender may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Aarakocra's native language is named after them but they also know the Auran dialect of Primoridal, owing it to their servitude under Air Elements. The majority of them also learn languages of races around them.

History

The Aarakocra first appeared in Faenum, soaring through the endless skies. Supposedly they were at first birds who resided in the realm but were transformed by either Djinni or a mischievous fey. At first, they were mercenaries of the sky, fighting in different factions against different sides. They usually fought for rare materials or even artifacts should a patron have any.

However, that attitude began to change with the rise of the Auran King, Celes. An air elemental of much renown, they hired the Aarakocra more and more. To the point to where the Aarakocra began to serve them more than the different factions. Soon, the Aarakocra became the soldiers of Celes officially.

That turned out to be an excellent decision when the Elders  came to eradicate the cosmos. The Aarakocra were united on the frontline when they threw themselves against the Aberrations and the monstrosities they commanded. While there are countless losses for their kind, the valiant birdfolk never backed down and never retreated from battle. It was said their efforts were what stopped the Elders and their forces from getting so far into Faenum.

Celes rewarded them greatly after the war against the Elders but... things began to change. Celes's good nature and love of the Aarakocra began to fade. Due to some punishment, a group of birdfolk were cursed to forever be the Kenku , wingless and voiceless. This horrified the Aarakocra and they were divided on what to do. Most of them were driven by loyalty to Celes and stood by while they continued to punish other traitors.

That was until a group of Aarakocra grew tired of the tyranny and sneaked into the monarch's air palace. While they slept, the 4 Aarakocra slew the monarch and forever shattered the unity of the Aarakocra. Since that day, the Aarakocra splintered into different factions and the birdfolk could never be united again. The groups, not able to live with each other, dispersed to different parts of Faenum and even to other realms such as Avestra, joining the other Aarakocra who had already fled there and the Kenku.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Aarakocra don't care much about the other races unless they actively aid or hinder them. The only race the Aarakocra have felt a true bond to have been the Kenku and the Lunari. The Kenku are either the one race the birdfolk want to protect the most or the one they hate the most. It was their existence that fractured the species after all.

The Lunari also originated from Faenum, serving as guardians of the realm on the ground. They see them as fellow protectors who have lost their purpose and stay in a land that isn't their home. They aren't trustful of the gods the Lunari follow, especially the one who pushes them to do evil acts. But maybe if the two sides of the Lunari can join together, maybe the Aarakocra can do the same.

Genetic Descendants

• Kenku

Lifespan

Adulthood by age 3, average lifespan of 30 years

Average Height

About 5 feet tall

Average Weight

Between 80-100 pounds

Average Physique

Thin, lightweight bodies to aid in flying

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Male Aarakocra: Bright colors
Female Aarakocra: Subdued/Duller colors