Kenku
In the dark places of many cities, hidden by the refuse of those who walk the streets by day, stretch ominous markings. scores in the stone left by the unseen passage of powerful talons. Although dark figures lurk within the alleys of any city, in some skulk deadlier avian intruders.
These interlopers are kenkus, a vagrant people akin to crows and other filthy avian scavengers.
Hidden by shadows and tattered rags they plot in larcenous flocks, taking what they please and preying off their unsuspecting neighbors. Without homes of their own these greedy, cruel beings scheme against their enemies from within, thieving and murdering for even the most trifling copper. Yet, beneath the guise of murderous vagabonds kenkus hide far darker secrets and ties to powers both ancient and foul.
Secretive and reclusive, kenkus reveal little about their true origins-if indeed their scattered communities even know them. Scholars who delve into their history find that for centuries kenkus have existed as a ubiquitous part of most large urban areas-the largest cities always having aeries of kenku lurking in the darkest parts of town.
What few details the eldest and most learned kenkus let slip to outsiders indicate that their race came into existence as the result of tragedy piled upon tragedy. Long ago, kenkus existed as a race of large. intelligent ravens that lived in the shadows of other races. During a time of strife, a great plague spread among their hosts. In desperation, these proto-kenku resorted to theft and blatant raids. and in doing so spread their disease among the neighboring peoples. Infuriated, many races took up hunting these sentient birds and destroying their mountainous nests-almost universally aided by giant eagles, who bore a long-standing rivalry with the massive ravens. Driven nearly to extinction through assaults on their homes, the ravens' various aeries came together into a single massive flock. Their numbers blackening the sky, they squawked and cried out to something, anything, to save them from their unrelenting enemies and seemingly incurable disease.
The answer came in the form of an enormous raven, its unnaturally white feathers soaked and stained red with gore. Descending from the moonless sky and speaking in all the languages of
the world, this raven agreed to grant the petitioners their wish; but at a price. In that single night, the ravens' plague was miraculously cured and all giant eagles and their eggs within 100 miles were laid to bloody ruin-a nightmare that race vengefully remembers to this day.
In exchange, the cruel birds agreed to call one lord, Pazuzu, their true master and spread his name among the creatures of the world. Yet even in those times, the creatures that would be kenkus were a fickle, deceitful lot Their proselytizing in honor of the Prince of the Lower Aerial Kingdom proved to be short-lived as their attentions were drawn to the treasures of those to whom they preached. Within a generation the ravens grew bored with their piety, some even turning to the worship of humanoid deities promising greater wealth and power. Enraged, Pazuzu returned, slaughtering many of the ravens and cursing the survivors with an affliction far greater than that whkh he removed. From that day on, the giant ravens' fledglings hatched without wings, instead possessing scaly arms and legs, forever exiled from the skies for their
betrayal. Thus, kenkus were born.
Although humanoid, kenkus clearly come from avian stock and retain many features common to birds. Kenkus average 5 feet in height, but because of their partially hollow bones, commonly weigh a mere 75 pounds. Their heads are the most distinctive part of their bodies-resembling those of oversized ravens or crows complete with large, inquisitive black eyes and short beaks. Lacking wings, kenkus possess scrawny arms that end in powerful claws and legs supported by taloned feet (As a result, kenkus are unable to don normal shoes or other footwear, magical or otherwise, unless such items were created to fit taloned wearers.) Born from large eggs, young kenkus naturally have soft, dark feathers, typically a shiny black in color, which cover their beads and torsos, although variations do occur in certain individuals.
As kenkus age, their feathers-beginning on their heads and slowly extending to the rest of their bodies-turn a pure, ivory white. These aging creatures typically retain their intellect and cunning until the moment of their death, becoming true masterminds and pulling the strings of entire aeries from afar. Despite their kin's superficial loyalty, however, the competitive nature of kenkus requires elders to maintain a constant vigil as there is always a potential rival or ambitious child plotting to take over.
Kenkus are omnivores perfectly adapted to eating the abundant scraps found on and under city streets. They enjoy carrion intermixed with the occasional bit of rotting vegetable or fruit. Although they possess beaks like birds, the throat and tongue of kenkus resemble elongated humanoid structures, granting them the ability to mimic almost any sound, voice, and even accent that they overhear.
Kenkus might not understand the meaning of the words they mimic, but they do so with astounding accuracy. They typically use this ability to guide unsuspecting victims into ambushes, frequently by tempting victims with the voices of allies or threatening them with monstrous growls. Kenkus speak flawless Common, but possess their own language filled with squawks, caws, and other sounds similar to crows and ravens. An angry or excited kenku sometimes slips, interspersing these sounds with the Common tongue.
Light does not harm kenkus, but they commonly only venture onto the streets at night, where their black coloration and natural stealth suit them well. Kenkus seriously dislike traveling in sunlight and garb themselves in dark, tattered clothing to shield them selves from the sun's rays, in addition to helping them blend into surrounding throngs of people. Regardless, only the
most elaborate disguises allow kenkus to hide their prodigious beaks.
Unlike many fractious evil humanoids, kenkus get along well and work best with others of their own kind. This tight-knit attitude ensures that they never lack for allies to assist them in their sinister schemes. Kenku society resembles that of some birds. with several family units dwelling together in communities called aeries located in or near large cities. Like other avians, kenkus prefer creating lairs on the highest ground possible in order to keep an eye out for
attacks-towers and minarets proving the most valuable real estate in their minds. Failing to find a tall place to make their lair, kenkus go the opposite route, squatting in sewers and long·for·
gotten basements. Because they never announce their presence unless sorely pressed, kenkus have secretly migrated into such places for millennia, with the original occupants none the wiser.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and other power groups, kenkus excel at getting into places they aren't wanted. Once an aerie establishes itself, it's extremely difficult to root out.
Even in these communities, kenkus stick close together and spend most of their time interacting with their immediate family or in coteries of like-minded individuals. Kenkus rarely
travel anywhere alone, preferring multiple eyes to warn each other of danger or to watch for opportunity.
Kenkus greatly desire wealth, and much like crows and ravens they become obsessed with col·
lecting shiny things. Status within kenku society is measured almost exclusively by ostentatious displays of wealth, regardless of how it was amassed. Theft is perfectly acceptable among kenkus and most aeries are rife with petty bickering as the result of one kenku stealing from another.
Kenkus desire knowledge almost as much, particularly the dark secrets of individuals that they can use for blackmail and extortion. Ever mindful of their duty to the aerie, even the most selfish kenkus offer a portion of what they find or pilfer to the rest of the flock. Such distributions of food and treasure become true tests of the kenku pecking order as elder kenkus squawk, squabble, and fight for the finest scraps, while the young and weak look on greedily until their chance to clean up anything that remains. Unsurprisingly, even in a city filled with garbage and abandoned food, starvation proves the primary cause of death among kenkus, followed closely by disease and death by violence.
While many races might seek to change their ways in the face of such pointless deaths, kenkus have no sympathy for their brethren who lack the cunning and skill to survive. Reproduction and child rearing is an odd ruchotomy of protectiveness and negligence in kenku society. Kenku females lay eggs like regular birds, but leave the protection of their group's
aerie to do so. Creating nests in high, hidden places, mothers seek to avoid scheming eyes and hungry mouths, especially those of their own race.
Commonly laid in clutches of three to seven, these eggs hatch after only a month. Once the eggs hatch, the nest is abandoned and the newborns are introduced to the rest of the aerie. Staying close to the communal nests for nearly nine years, the young kenkus learn the valuable skills of hiding, taunting others, and stealing unattended objects. all the while forced
to fight for even the most meager scraps of food. Attrition is high among young kenku: typically only half survive the first month. Kenkus commonly show little remorse for the dead.
The bodies of young kenkus who have not yet proven themselves valuable to the community are dumped in some lonely, forgotten spot or given to the aerie's clerics for unspeakable purposes. However, older kenkus who die undergo anelaborate ceremony in which the corpse
is placed upon a significant height for winged scavengers to feed on and carry the remains aloft. In this way, all kenkus hope to regain their lost ability to fiy after death. The height at which a kenku is placed is directly proportional to its usefulness and respect within the community, with most kenku corpses being placed upon tall hills or castle spires.
Particularly honored elders might have their bones borne all the way to a mountain top, while the greatest insult is for a body to be deposited merely on the street, left for the dogs and other
land-bound scavengers. In all cases, of course, the bodies of the dead are thoroughly stripped of valuables first. Pious kenkus are a rare sight and few feel the desire or inclination to become clerics. Those who do find themselves drawn to darker deities, most notably Vecna, the god of secrets, whose dogma parallels the kenku lust for the forbidden. Some particularly sinister kenku-hoping to garner his favor and return to the skies-turn to the worship of Pazuzu.
The demon prince has not forgotten the kenkus' ancestors' betrayal, however, demanding far
more of these cults who in tum seek to placate him with grotesquely elaborate and creative sacrifices. Among kenkus, such demon cults are known as "murders.
Kenkus possess a well-deserved reputation as devious, dangerous opponents who work extremely well with one another. They prefer to attack only when the chance for victory sits squarely on their side. Although not particularly strong or dangerous as individuals, kenkus congregate and attack in groups, posing a serious threat to those who fail to keep an eye
out for danger or consider them beneath attention.
RPG Datasheet
Kenku
Volo's Guide to Monsters page 111Much of this section, by necessity, ties into the Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game by Wizards of the Coast. Any non-original material that is found herein remains under the ownership of the originating author and is not intended to violate any laws. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of any person, living or dead or undead, real or fictitious, male or female, religious or atheist, bald or full head of hair, stubbled or fat-bearded. No people or animals, other than the author's sanity, were harmed in the creation of this article. Please wash your hands after going to the washroom. For entertainment purposes only.
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