Featherkin (5e Race)

Featherkin

“

If you live with birds, maybe you'll become one too.

”

Physical Description

By Ronald F

Featherkin are humanoid creatures with avian features. Their faces are that of eagles, with sharp beaks. They have tongues, and thick manes of soft, long thin feathers surrounding their necks and lining their faces and brows. Males have three pairs of horns that sprout from the maxilla of their skull, around the lower jaw, which curve and stick out at the back of the head. Females grow this appendage from their temple, and they only have two pairs. Set on their bodies, along their arms and in their chest, are gems among feathers. Females have blue sapphires, while males have red rubies. This gem is also found at the end of their black, feathery tails. Their hands and feet are bare of feathers, with three fingers and four toes. The feathers on their bodies are a mix of black, gold and browns.

History

The featherkin are an odd race of creatures that seem avian, but have no wings. People at first suspected they were some sort of refugee from a god's curse like the kenku, with their wings stolen in the Plane of Air. In truth, featherkin are humans cursed as a result of having eaten the flesh of griffon. The magnificent creatures bear immense hatred and ire in their bodies, and those who eat them or their young do not get off lightly. Their children are born with feathers, beaks, and talons. Usually, featherkin are regarded as extremely unlucky and thrown out to be killed by exposure. However, many develop ambulatory skills near birth and wander away. Many places now have taboos placed on griffon meat. However, this has not stopped bushmeat practices, nor those with exotic tastes.

Society

Unlike griffons with their powerful wings and aerial ability, featherkin only have feathers, and no wings. They cannot build suspended nests or aeries. Instead, they dwell in small abodes of wood, like teepees or huts. Featherkin are not the most socially organized group, and live in a very loosely formed community when large numbers of them congregate. Many try to fit in among other avian creatures in human societies, like the kenku and aarakocra often do somewhat. They are regarded as inferior by them, not having wings like aarakocra, or the servile craftiness of kenku. It is even said that the reason behind their name is because they have nothing but feathers, without which they would not have anything in relation to. However, they show a hardiness one would not expect from birdbrains.

Personality

It is assumed the worst traits of an avian were cursed onto the featherkin by the flesh of the consumed griffon. Featherkin often mean well, and are very hard workers, always trying to curry favor to fit in. Therefore, many end up being taken advantage of. They are persistent, though not very intelligent. Their wit leaves much to be desired, and thinking sentences or topics ahead can leave them tongue-tied. It takes a certain patience and kindness to bring out and see the charm in featherkin. This is usually overlooked, and many featherkin turn to hermits or toward darker powers out of resentment.

Featherkin Names

Featherkin often take tribal-sounding names once they come of age. Names are generally agender in nature.

Names: First Light, Earthborn, River Flower, Night Sky, Greeneye, Yellowtail, Ravenclaw

Featherkin Traits

Descendants of those who dared eat griffons
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution and Dexterity scores increase each by 2.
Age. Featherkin also have tragically shortened lifespans in addition to their other detriments. They mature at 10 and live to be only about 50.
Alignment. Bonded over their feeling of being thrust into an unforgiving world, featherkin are gently lawful, deferring often to the needs of their own.
Size. Featherkin are about as tall as humans, if not a little over. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Talons. You have sharp talons on the end of your hands that can be used to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, they deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Merrymaker. You try to enjoy yourself in life, even if others put you down. You are proficient in one instrument of your choice.
Tenacity. No matter how the world dumps on you, you keep getting back up. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can't use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can read, speak and write in Common.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
5′ 8''	+2d8	125 lb.	× (1d4) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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