Kenku

The Kenku are small, flightless bird like creatures that often live amongst the ruins of the old world. As a race, they are fascinated by the idea of death and the dead. They hoard the belongings of the dead in attempt to ‘grow closer’ to the afterlife and ‘the honoured dead.’ Kenku rarely live within society, rather residing in ‘plagues’ in ruins and graveyards. They are seen as being dirty and disease ridden by society.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kenku are not as small as gnomes or halflings, but are not as tall as triton or elves, usually standing between 3-5 feet tall when fully grown. They have rubbery grey skin that is covered by black feathers on their head and forearms. Furthermore, they have long black beaks and they have 4 long toes on their feet and 5 fingers covered by hardened black callouses.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kenku eat almost everything they can find, plants, berries, insects, and the like, however, it is noted that Kenku enjoy the taste of carrion above anything else.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Kenku speak in a harsh bird like tong that is mostly indecipherable to outside species. When interacting with outside races, many Kenku take on the names of long dead warriors.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Kenku are almost universally reviled for their living and eating habits.

Kenku were created by the evil god Diavalo to act as servants to clean the battlefields of the dead. The Kenku hold no special reverence for their now dead god, only treating him with the same respect they would for any other dead creature.

Scientific Name

Avibus Omnique Comedenti

Lifespan

45 years

Average Height

.8 - 1.2 meters

Kenku rarely build anything. And when they do, most of their architecture tends to be ramshackle houses or tents.