Half-Kenku (3.5e Race)

Half-Kenku moodboard created with Hotpot.AI Art Generator

Half-Kenkus

The Half-Kenku are a unique people descended from the cunning Kenku and resourceful Human. As Kenkus and Humans normally can not procreate the Half-Kenkus to not naturally appear and are a result of experiments and slavery.

Origin

Dark Origins: Half-Kengus are a grim reminder of a bygone era. Their lineage stems from horrific experiments conducted by a cruel kingdom, where predominantly enslaved humans and captured Kenkus were forced to breed. These undertakings led by a human kingdom aimed to create a race of agile servants for battle. Though the kingdom crumbled, the legacy of these experiments lives on and Half-Kenkus are still bred in the shadows.

Relations, Familiy and Community

Many hide their heritage, living amongst humans or reclusive groups who understand their plight. Kenkus are usually less accepting of Half-Kenkus then the Humans. Kenkus view the half-breeds as a reminder of human cruelty and are disgusted be the human side of them. Few lawful Kenku-communities view it as their duty to proof themself better then Humans and are contrary very accepting of an Half-Kenku. They also hold good relations with Elves. Due to their close proximity to mountain-dwelling Dwarves, the Half-Kenku are known and more easily accepted by such races. Half-Kenku are rarely comfortable around orcs or goblinoids of any form, and it is hard for them to remaining polite around these creatures.

Half-Kenku communities only exist scarcely in the shadows, fearing persecution and prejudice. The Half-Kenku accept - though they cannot stand any group which partakes in slavery - and are accepted by most human races out of pity. Despite their scattered existence, they form strong bonds with those who share their heritage. They rely on each other for support and protection in a world that may shun them. Such communities thrive by new members of unknown origin since they themselves would not be able to procreate.

Some Half-Kenkus view themselves as a living testament to the evils of the past. They fight for acceptance and justice, hoping to forge a new future for their ostracized race. A few Half-Kenku, particularly those with stronger Kenku features, feel a connection to the wild or they may be drawn to criminal underworlds, drawn to the shadows and the freedom they represent.

Personality

The Half-Kenku inherit the kenku's cunning and knack for mimicry, but their human ancestry adds a layer of ambition and adaptability. They are still drawn to cities and form close-knit communities, but they can also integrate with human society more easily.

Physical Description

Half-Kenkus are considered unsightly and unworldly in both human and Kenku or avian communities resulting in their lower charisma.

Height and Weight

Similar to a Kenku but merely taller yet heavier, ranging from 5 to 5.5 feet tall and weighing around 95 pounds due to some partially hollow bones. A Half-Kenku reaches Adulthood with 12 years and lives to be around 82.

See Vital Statistics.

Feathers and Extremities

Half-Kenkus have small, soft, dark feathers covering their head, torso, and upper arms, similar to a Kenku. However, the feathers transition to fine, downy plumage or wanton black hair on their forearms and legs, leaving their hands and feet bare and human-like. The do bear five fingers and toes yet no fingernails. Unlike human hands, theirs resemble pointed fingers, a curved claw tipped with black keratin.

Facial Features

Their faces are a blend of Human and Kenku. They have large, expressive eyes in which the iris extends all the way leaving barely any white like seen in human eyes. Their beaks have softened and shortened into a small, hawk-like nose. Their ears are smaller than a humans and grown onto their heads, usually disappearing beneath their feathery-plummy hair.

Alignment

Half-Kenku can range across the moral spectrum. While some retain the Kenku's greed and secrecy, others embrace a more human desire for connection and a sense of right and wrong. They can lean towards neutrality or good, unlike the primarily evil-aligned Kenku.

Lands

Due to their history of persecution and their secretive nature, Half-Kenkus tend to gravitate towards specific types of settlements. Since they can not procreate it is rare to encounter an Half-Kenku not born in captivity, these settlement tend to move over time and are usually temporary.

Hidden Cities: Within sprawling human metropolises, communities can only thrive in the shadows. Abandoned districts, labyrinthine sewers, and forgotten rooftops become their havens. They utilize their mimicry and agility to blend in, forming hidden networks for trade and information.

Underground Enclaves: Carved into mountainsides or nestled deep within caverns, settlements offer a sense of safety and seclusion. Here, they can live openly without fear of prejudice. These enclaves may trade with nearby towns or act as neutral outposts for travelers.

Ruins of the Kindgdom: The remnants of the fallen kingdom that created them hold a dark allure for some Half-Kenku. They may scavenge the ruins for knowledge of their past or even establish strongholds within these decaying structures, a symbolic reclamation of their history.

Religion

Religious beliefs are as diverse as their origins and scattered communities.

Language

All Half-Kenku usually speak only either Common or Kenku or even Auran. Depending on their captors intelligent individuals might converse in the tongues of those who held them captive.

Names

Upon birth an Half-Kenku is not given a name and just called "Kenku" or "Half-Kenku" in captivity. An Half-Kenku might have the opportunity to take a second or own name upon achieving adulthood or freedom, though few normally get the chance to do so.

Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength, -2 Charisma

The Half-Kenku inherit the nimbleness of their kenku Ancestors, but are less physically imposing than humans. Due to their heritage, prosecution and resulting low self-esteem the are less charismatic.

• Type: Humanoid (Human, Kenku, Avian)

Half-Kenku are humanoids with no wings but other bird-like features.

• Size: Medium

An Half-Kenku receives no bonus or penalty for being Medium.

• Half-Kenku base land speed is 30 feet.
• 1 extra feat at 1st level. General is the only type of feat that can be chosen here.

As Half-Kenku were bred for combat, their inherent talents lie in honing their martial prowess. This is reflected in their racial feat selection at 1st level, where only General feats are available.

• Imitation (Ex): An Half-Kenku is very talented with their vocal cord and can easily produce bird sounds of the Corvidae family like the Caw of a raven.
• Natural Weapons: 2 claws (1d3).
• Automatic Languages: Choose either Kenku or Common. Bonus Languages: Auran, Undercommon
• Favored Classes: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue.

Racial Variants

Unlike races shaped by evolution, a Half-Kenku exhibits distinctive biology from their unnatural creation. This diversity allows for variations to emerge within the race, influenced by both dominant genes and the social factors.

These variants retain the same racial traits, except as follows:

Low Light Vision

Some phenotypes of the Half-Kenkus did not inherit the claws but developed the black eyes of an Kenku. Besides the different eye color these individuals might have less bird-like features on their arms but more distinct facial features.

• Gains Low-Light Vision
• No Natural Weapons

Mimicry

A slight variation in vocal cord development grants some Half-Kenku a natural edge in mimicry. However, this ability truly shines when nurtured. Raised by their Kenku kin or within Half-Kenku communities, they learn from the best and hone their mimicry skills

• Gains: Mimicry (Ex): Half-Kenku possess an uncanny ability to mimic sounds they have heard before. They can perfectly replicate familiar voices, accents and any sounds. To perfectly imitate a specific individual's voice, a Half-Kenku must make a Bluff check (opposed by a listener's Sense Motive check if the listener is familiar with the voice).

Note to DM: In critical scenarios where successful mimicry of a sound could grant a significant advantage, the ability to perfectly replicate a sound might be limited to a situational bonus of +8 to a Bluff check only.

• No Imitation (Ex)
• Automatic Languages choice is limited to Kenku only. Common can only be chosen as Bonus Language.

Vital Statistics

Table: Half-Kenku Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
12 years	+1d4	+1d6	+2d6

Table: Half-Kenku Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
31 years	47 years	58 years	+2d12 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Half-Kenku Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	4’ 9”	+2d6	19 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
Female	4’ 8”	+2d6	17 lb.	× (2d4) lb.

---

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Races