Kenku
The kenku are vagabonds and robbers who live on the outskirts of human society. Kenku have a dark reputation that is not entirely undeserved, although they can be useful allies. Kenku are virtually completely devoid of originality and creativity, but if given enough time to study an object or sound, they can flawlessly imitate the noises and creations of others.
Kenku have a profound biological need to be able to fly, beyond all else. Every kenku is born with the urge to fly, and those who study spellcasting do so in the hopes of mastering spells that will enable them to take to the air. Rumors about magical artifacts like flying carpets, flying brooms, and other similar items arouse a strong desire in the kenku to obtain them for themselves.
Kenku, despite their lack of wings, prefer to live in towers and other high-rise structures. They seek out tall ruins, despite a lack of ambition and imagination to repair or fortify such structures. However, they are able to live in rickety structures that would collapse under a human or an orc due to their light weight and small size. Kenku are used by some thieves' guilds as lookouts and messengers. This allows them to keep watch over the city below from the highest levels of the buildings and towers that the guild controls.
Kenku, due to their lack of creativity, are happy to serve a powerful master. Flock leaders are skilled at resolving conflicts and discipline, however they are unable to plan effectively or devise long-term strategies. Similarly, kenku cannot come up with new ideas or invent things. Kenku can copy existing items with exceptional skill, making them excellent artisans and scribes. They can copy books, make replicas of objects, and thrive in other situations where they can produce large numbers of identical items but because of their inability to settle into a routine, few kenku find this work fulfilling.
Flocks of kenku are a common occurrence. Sometimes called Master, the oldest and most experienced kenku in the flock is in charge. Kenku aren't able to create new things, but they have a knack for learning and remembering details, which they use to their advantage. Ambitious Kenku can be excellent spies and hunters. Other creatures' clever schemes and plans can be put to good use by a kenku. However, wise Masters set multiple plans in motion at the same time, confident that their underlings will follow orders to the letter.
Consequently, many kenku earn a comfortable living as messengers, spies, and watchmen for thieves' guilds, bandits, and other criminal cartels. In the event of an approaching guard patrol, kenku can alert their allies by relaying a bird call or similar noise across the city. Since kenku can precisely reproduce any sound, the messages they convey are rarely distorted in meaning. Human messengers may inadvertently switch words or phrases, but the kenku produce perfect copies of whatever they hear.
Kenku adventurers are usually the survivors of a flock that has suffered heavy losses, or a lone kenku who has grown tired of a life of crime. More ambitious and daring than their peers, these kenku are not afraid to take risks and try new things. As for the rest, they set out on their own to discover the secrets of flight or to master magic. It is common for Kenku adventurers to seek out a companion they can emulate and follow, in spite of their relative independence. They enjoy mimicking the voice and language of their chosen companion.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Given that kenku can duplicate any sound, their names are drawn from a staggering variety of noises and phrases. Kenku names tend to break down into three categories that make no distinction between male and female names.
Kenku thugs, warriors, and toughs adopt noises made by weapons, such as the clang of a mace against armor or the sound made by a breaking bone. Non-kenku refer to the kenku by describing this noise. Examples of this type of name include Smasher, Clanger, Slicer, and Basher.
Kenku thieves, con artists, and burglars use animal noises, typically those heard in urban settings, to disguise their identities. It is through such communication that kenku can pass for common animals to those who hear them. Rat Scratch, Whistler, Mouser, and Growler are examples of non-kenku names that refer to the sound made by kenku or the animal it mimics.
A small number of kenku turn their backs on criminal activity in order to pursue legitimate business interests instead. People outside of the Kenku communites refer to them by their profession, such as Sail Snapper, Hammerer or Cutter.
Kenku Rogue
Lifespan
Kenku reach adulthood around 15, and live roughly as long as humans.
Average Height
5 ft.
Average Weight
35-50 lbs.
Related Ethnicities
Kenku
Ability Score Increase +2 Dex
Size Medium
Speed 30 ft.
Mimicry
You can mimic any sounds you hear including voices. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful Insight check against your Deception check. Natural Liar
You gain proficiency in the Deception skill. Kenku Ethnicities
Kenku come from one of three ethnicities: Nightcrier , Tengu , and Shinefeather.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common Tongue and Auran.
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