Aarakocra

Aarakocra are the most commonly encountered bird-people of the Tablelands. Some aarakocra are from Winter Nest in the White Mountains of the far north, while others are from smaller tribes scattered all throughout the Ringing Mountains and elsewhere.

Seldom seen in the cities, these freedom-loving creatures rarely leave their homes high in the mountains, but sometimes, either as young wanderers or cautious adventurers, they venture into the inhabited regions of the Tablelands.

These bird-people can spend hours riding the wind currents of the mountains, soaring in the olive-tinged Athasian sky. While travelling, aarakocra prefer to fly high above to get a good view all around of their location and detect any threats well in advance. When they stop to rest, they tend to perch on high peaks or tall buildings.

Enclosed spaces threaten the aarakocra, who have a racial fear of being anywhere they cannot stretch their wings. This claustrophobia affects their behaviour. Unless it is absolutely necessary, no aarakocra will enter a cave or enclosed building, or even a narrow canyon. As beings intimately connected to high mountain peaks and the open sky, aarakocra have a great love of freedom. In some ways, this love is even more intense than a similar emotion experienced by elves.

Aarakocra stand 6 1/2 to 8 feet tall, with a wingspan of about 20 feet. They have black eyes, gray beaks and, from a distance, resemble lanky dishevelled vultures. Aarakocran plumage ranges from silver-white to brown and even pale blue. Male aarakocra weigh around 100 pounds, while females average 85 pounds. An aarakocra’s beak comprises much of its head and can be used in combat. At the centre of their wings, aarakocra have three-fingered hands with an opposable thumb, and the talons of their feet are just as dexterous. While flying, aarakocra can use their feet as hands, but while walking, they use their wing-hands to carry weapons or equipment.

Aarakocra have a solid breastbone which provides protection from blows, however, most of their bones are hollow and brittle and break more easily than most humanoids. The aarakocra’s unusual build means they have difficulty finding armour, unless it has been specifically made for aarakocra. Aarakocra usually live between 30 and 40 years.

Aarakocra zealously defend their homelands from all intruders. They are distrustful of strangers that venture onto their lands, although few are those who are able to scale the lofty heights that the aarakocra call home. Many of the southern tribes exact tolls on all caravans passing through their lands, sometimes kidnapping scouts or lone riders until tribute is paid. Tribute can take the form of livestock or shiny objects, which aarakocra covet. Some evil tribes may attack caravans without provocation. Aarakocra have great confidence and pride in their ability to fly, but have little empathy for land-bound races.

Most aarakocran communities are nomadic. Some prey on caravans, while others build isolated aeries high in the mountains. The least xenophobic come from Winter Nest, in the White Mountains. Most land-bound creatures are suspicious of strange creatures that fly over their herds or lands unannounced, and templars often have standing orders to attack creatures that fly over the city walls without permission.

Aarakocra speak their own language but have no written language, though some of the more sophisticated tribes have borrowed alphabets from their land-bound neighbours. Regardless of the language spoken, aarakocra do not possess lips and therefore cannot even approximate the ‘m’, ‘b’ or ‘p’ sounds. They have difficulty also with their ‘f’s and ‘v’s, and tend to pronounce these as ‘th’ sounds.

The civilised tribes of Winter Nest form the largest known community of aarakocra in the Tablelands. Though their communities are lead by a chieftain, the aarakocra have a great love of personal freedom. So while the chieftain makes all major decisions for the community, unless she consults with the tribal elders and builds a strong consensus within the tribe first, her decisions may be ignored. Air and sun shamans play an important role in aarakocra societies. Aarakocra worship the sun because it provides them with the thermals they need to soar. The air shamans of Winter Nest lead their community in daily worship of the air spirits. Aarakocra of Winter Nest have a deep respect for nature and little patience for those who abuse it. They look after their natural resources and punish those who despoil them. In more primitive societies, female aarakocra rarely travel far from the safety of the nest, and focus solely on raising the young. In Winter Nest, both sexes participate in all aspects of society, with females more often elected by the elders to be chieftains. Aarakocra believe that their ability to fly makes them superior to all other races. Though they express sympathy for people unable to fly, this often comes across as condescending. Aarakocra are carnivores, but do not eat intelligent prey, considering this type of behaviour to be savage.

Loneliness doesn’t bother you. You are comfortable riding the thermals high above the land. You loathe the heat and stink of the cities, and long for cold, clean mountain air. The spectacle and movement of so many beings in a city fascinates you, but watching them from above satisfies your curiosity. The very thought of being caught in a crowd of creatures, pinned so tight that you can’t move your own wings, fills you with terror. Your bones are fragile and break easily; protect them. You are friendly enough with people of other races, provided they respect your physical distance and are willing to be the ones that approach you. You form relationships with individuals but don’t involve yourself in the politics of other racial communities – in such matters, you prefer to watch from above and to keep your opinions to yourself unless asked. You prefer to enter buildings through a window rather than a door. Your instincts are to keep several hidden nests throughout areas you travel regularly: one never knows when one might need a high place to rest. Always remember your love of heights and claustrophobia. In combat, rely on aarakocran skills and tactics (particularly the technique of dive-bombing). Take advantage of your flying ability to scout out the area and keep a bird’s eye view of every situation. View the world in three dimensions, not the simple, lateral movement of other races.

The following game statistics apply to the aarakocra

-2 Strength, +4 Dexterity, –2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence: Aarakocra are swift and elusive, but tend to be fragile and skittish.
Medium: Aarakocra are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Aarakocra have a base speed of 20 feet on land. They also have a fly speed of 90 feet (average).
Low-Light Vision: Aarakocra can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
Natural Armour: Aarakocra gain a +1 Natural Armour Class bonus.
Claustrophobic: When forced to fight in an enclosed area (any area where the aarakocra can’t spread his wings and fly), an aarakocra suffers a –2 to all attack rolls. An aarakocra will not enter an enclosed building unless absolutely necessary.
Natural Weapon: An Aarakocra has a bite primary natural attack that deals 1d4 points of damage and two Claw secondary natural attacks that deal 1d4 points of damage each.
Fragile Bones: Because aarakocra bones are light and fragile, any damage caused by a bludgeoning weapon is increased by 1d4 points.
Flyby Attack: Aarakocra Gains Flyby attack as a bonus feat and fly is alwayse a class skill for Aarakocra.
Languages: Aarakocra begin play speaking Aarakocra. Those with high Intelligence scores can choose any of the following languages: Auran, Common, Elven, Giant, and Infernal.