Ornithura

Also known as Aarakocra, Avians or Birdfolk

Sequestered in high mountains, in settlements masked by perpetual storm clouds, the ornithura, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke fear and wonder. One of the oldest races of Kraal, the ornithura are often considered aloof and removed from the goings-on in the lands below their mountaintop homes. These events are not beneath the notice of their keen eyes, however, and ornithuran records of the lands and peoples below go back many centuries.

Beak and Feather

From below, ornithura 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, ornithura might reach 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Their complex forelimbs possess three-digit hands, but are rendered relatively unwieldy by the large pinion feathers that make up their flight surfaces. For this reason ornithura are just as likely to manipulate items with their lower limbs.
Feathers cover their bodies. Their plumage varies widely along family lines, and over the centuries, several distinct subraces have emerged. Males are often more brightly colored than the more subdued plumage of the females. Their heads complete the avian appearance, and these can vary from the wide face and hooked beak of an owl, to the slender and pointed profile of a jay.

Sky and Storm

Ornithura are at their most comfortable when they are beneath open sky. Their usual wingspan is unsuitable for prolonged flight of more than a few hours at a time, but when going about their business in their homes and settlements, short flights to and fro, from ledge to ledge, perch to perch and back are the norm. They are uneasy in enclosed terrestrial buildings and confined spaces. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a fear deep in their hollow bones. 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. In battle, they prove dynamic and acrobatic fliers, moving with remarkable speed and grace, diving to lash opponents with weapons or talons before turning and flying away.
When interacting with earthbound races, ornithura sometimes forget or ignore that wingless peoples are incapable of navigating vertical distances. This can be frustrating for both parties and contributes to the birdfolk reputation for haughtiness and superiority.
The birdfolk race is innately tied to storm and tempest magic. Storm sorcery bloodlines flow strong, and their clerics are masters of weather manipulation. Magical tempests are used by ornithuran cities to protect their borders, and on the rare occasions a birdfolk army goes to war, their airborne strikes are preceded and masked by ferocious storms. A faction of ornithuran sky bandits known as Storm Raptors use this tactic extensively in their hit and run raids.

STORM RAPTORS

Human settlements on the southern coasts of Revis have long learned to fear and hate the flocks of raiders and pirates known as the Storm Raptors. Striking from cloud cover with lightning speed, these ruthless birdfolk bandits swoop down in great numbers, seize their quarry, and withdraw before the town can mount a defense. Over generations of conflict, Revis's peoples have developed the construction of masterfully crafted bows, crossbows, and ballistae to combat this threat. Ornithuran adventurers in Calven and surrounding lands may be treated with distrust or outright hostility.

The Great Thunder Bird

Much of ornithuran religion and magic centers around the figure of the Great Thunder Bird of Mount Tempest, called Kauilaheqili in their language. A primordial creator entity of great power, she is the mother of the ornithura race, the central deity of their religion, and a figure in the folklore of many other races besides. Said to dwell at the very peak of the mountain island in the Sea of Squalls, her domain is considered forbidden holy land by the ornithura. The region is shrouded in perpetual storms of preternatural ferocity, and even the birdfolk, experts at navigating stormy skies, have not passed into the Thunder Bird's territory for many centuries.

Homelands

Most ornithura live in cities and towns built on the peaks and slopes of tall and treacherous mountains. Almost all major ranges in Revis and Gaiel are home to one or more ornithuran settlements, and many of these have stood uncontested for centuries, even in hostile lands. The altitude and terrain are enough to discourage most attackers, but major settlements also employ enchantments of storm magic to create a weather barrier against would-be invaders. Settlements are often built on the natural peaks and chasms of different height and spacing, and little thought is put into bridges, walkways, or stairs, making traversing such locales difficult or impossible for those rare outsiders granted a visit.
Many ornithuran structures are woven from vine and twig, similar to wicker. They are built with spacious, open interiors, multi leveled, often with open roofs or large side openings to permit airborne entrance and exit. Some older, more prestigious buildings are coated with a form of plaster, and the grandest churches and cathedrals are shaped by magic out of the living rock of the mountains.

THE CITY OF AERIE

Near the top of Mount Tempest in the Sea of Squalls stands the ornithuran ancestral homeland of Aerie. There, it is said, with talon and lightning, the Great Thunder Bird carved out the caverns and crags that act as foundations for the great city.

Ancient Scholars

It is said that the ornithura created the art of written language, and taught it to the other fledgling races of the world. The feather quill remains a symbol of this art, and ornithuran settlements usually contain one or more buildings devoted to scriptoriums and libraries of books, scrolls, and codices. The ornithura study the world below as quiet observers, cataloging and preserving histories and events further back than any other culture. Accounts and texts considered by earthbound cultures to be lost to time may lay hidden still in ornithuran libraries, to be found by those privileged enough to gain access.

Ornithura Names

As with much of their speech, ornithuran 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, ornithura may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.
An ornithura 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.

Ornithura Adventurers

Ornithura enjoy their lofty peace and solitude, having long observed the chaos of war and upheaval that occurs among the flightless races. Most of them have little interest in dealing directly with other peoples and less interest in spending time on the ground. For this reason, it takes an exceptional individual to leave his or her mountain home and undertake the adventurer’s life. Some are motivated by treasure or glory, and they may join bands of raiders and pirates in the pursuit of these. Some are propelled by curiosity of the ground races, wishing to understand them by living among them. In recent decades, as flightless races, such as gnomes, have developed magics and technologies to ascend to ornithuran altitudes, diplomatic and cultural exchanges have become more commonplace.
Backgrounds that are most appropriate for ornithura include the far traveler, the outlander, the hermit, and the sage.

Ornithura Traits

As an ornithura, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing an ornithura requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Ornithura reach maturity by age 15 and live slightly longer lifespans than humans, about 90-120 years.

Alignment

Most ornithura stay out of the affairs of the lands below, tending toward neutrality.

Size

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

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor. Your wing-arms are occupied by this task, and while you can hold and carry small items and weapons, you must land or perch to use items effectively or make attacks.

Talons

The talons on your feet and wing-hands are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Ornithuran, and Auran.

Sub Races

Raptor Ornithura

Generally resembling hawks, falcons, eagles, and other birds of prey in physical appearance, this stoic species of ornithura focuses on thriving in combat. Their eyesight allows them to easily spot and eliminate targets at high speeds.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Keen Sight

You are proficient in the Perception skill. In conditions of clear visibility, you can make out details of even extremely distant creatures and objects as small as 2 feet across.

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Songstrel Ornithura

This species of ornithura is lively and extroverted, and may resemble parrots or cockatoos, or jays, finches, and other songbirds. In ornithuran societies, songstrels often serve roles as diplomats, orators, and entertainers.
Sometimes these silver-tongued ornithura might turn their charms to acts of lies and secrecy, acting as spies and political manipulators.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Melodic Voice

You are proficient in either the Persuasion or Deception skill. If you are proficient in the Performance skill, you may double your proficiency bonus when making Performance skill checks that involve singing or using your voice.

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Strix Ornithura

Resembling owls in physical appearance, this species of ornithura is wise and tranquil. They focus on the pursuit of knowledge rather than fighting and use spellcasting as a means of defense.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Magically Inclined

You are proficient in the Arcana skill and may double your proficiency bonus when making Arcana skill checks that involve the Elemental Plane of Air or magic that is related to the air element.

Lifespan

Mature by age 15 and live 90-120 years.

Average Height

4 - 5 feet

Average Weight

80 - 100 lbs