Kenku

Haunted by an ancient crime that robbed them of their wings, the flightless yet avian kenku wander the world as vagabonds and burglars who live at the edge of human society. Kenku suffer from a sinister reputation that is not wholly unearned, but they can prove to be valuable allies.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Despite their avian appearance, kenku have no wings or ability to naturally fly. Instead, they have arms where their wings should be and bird-like talons for hands and feet. They resemble crows or ravens with black and beady eyes and a long dark-hued beak and are rumored to have a natural affinity with the creatures. A kenku's head and torso are covered with soft feathers, a deep black color, while their scrawny limbs are bare and scaled like a bird's.
Kenku tend to be slightly smaller than the average human, standing at around 5 feet. Because they have partially hollow bones, they are lighter than most creatures their height, averaging only 75 pounds. They tend to be physically weak yet dexterous.
A peculiar affliction suffered by all kenku is their speech; or lack thereof. A kenku is cursed to only be able to mimic sounds it has recently heard, being forced to communicate using a patchwork of words spoken in other's voices. There is an advantage to this, however, as a kenku can mimic other sounds than speech, using their ability to lure curious travelers into traps or distract foolhardy guards.

Genetics and Reproduction

Female kenku usually lay 2-4 eggs that hatch around 60 days after being fertilized.

Growth Rate & Stages

Kenku are considered mature at age 12 and elderly at age 50. As a kenku ages, their feathers grey starting from the beak. Ancient kenku tend to have ghostly white feathers and red-blind eyes.

Behaviour

Kenku are an elusive race. Little is known about them directly, and what is known is a jumble of fact and fiction. Second and third-hand tales depict them as a playful and mischievous group who love to play mean-hearted tricks on travelers. They do enjoy puzzles and word-play, with riddles being a special favorite, and do occasionally play tricks on travelers, though these tricks almost always have meaning. Contrary to popular belief, kenku do not usually play tricks just for the fun of it.
Kenku have few true friends, though none pass down one's help. A kenku is usually rather prudent, as they like to think in the long term - often straight to the final end. This is certainly considered morbid by other races, though they don't let this opinion bother them. When a Kenku does make a true friend, they are loyal to the end. A kenku sees friendship as an investment; the longer they are friends, the longer each has an ally in their endeavors. Kenku value both individuality and the community, often becoming ingrained in groups of misfits and outcasts. Unfortunately due to their poor reputation, kenku often end up falling in with bandits or other unsavory folk.
Kenku constantly long for the one thing that they lack: their flight. Many kenku pursue paths of magic to try and gain the ability to fly, even if only for a short time.

Additional Information

Social Structure

When together, kenku usually travel in groups called "flocks" with a traveling merchant lifestyle. They enjoy adorning themselves and their caravan in eccentric silks and color, most of which are stolen from various places around the world. Kenkus without a flock usually take up banditry, though some are able to find a group of trustworthy friends to travel with. No matter what position a kenku is in, they are naturally inclined to wander and are considered a nomadic people. For this reason, they are not usually found in cities unless passing through.

Domestication

Kenku slaves are valued as domestic servants, and a fertile kenku egg can sell for a lot of coin on the black market.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most kenku retain and pass down their ancestral language: Auran.

Lifespan

60

Average Height

5 ft

Average Weight

75 lbs