Owlfolk (5e Race)

Owlfolk

“	The sight of an owlfolk is mysterious and intriguing. Their legs are equipped with talons meant to rend flesh. With wings ending in human like hands. The owl head able to swivel 180 degrees and unreadable expression. Owlfolk are always quite the spectacle.	”
—Volo

Physical Description

By Juliet Parker

Owlfolk resemble anthropomorphic owls, with humanoid bodies and limbs. Their legs retain the angular bend which raptors have, as well as a foot full of razor sharp talons. Their wings end in human like hands. Owlfolk have developed longer legs and thicker bodies, where the plumage is fluffier than other avian races. This development has made their wings proportionately smaller, unable to carry their weight. They have developed good running skills, using their wings as enhancers for ground speed instead. Full grown adult owlfolk grow full wingspans and are eventually able to fly.

History

The owlfolk are a race of peoples from the Elemental Plane of Air that are speculated to have migrated originally from Frostfell. Their polar cousins retain more of their arctic qualities and pristine feathers. These normal owlfolk are colored with spotted feathers of browns and speckles. They had clashed with aarakocra over territory before, but this proved futile in their part due to aarakocra having aerial advantages. Owlfolk are thus regarded as kenku are in the eyes of those who can fly. In migrating to the Material Realm, owlfolk looked for a more grounded life to escape their inferiority compared to beings of the air. It is not entirely clear what made them evolve to lose their wings. Some believe it a mistake of the deity which created them, or perhaps an adaptation which pushed for them to develop wings only later in life.

Society

Owlfolk prefer to be efficient and intelligent in their designs and machinations. They are ruled by a leader with the title of Talon Lord, who consults a Council of Feathers. They are a society of hunters. Older Owlfolk who can fly usually accompany fledglings on the ground to catch what they allow to escape. They put these skills to work in their villages usually built within the confines of pine forests and chilly alpines, preferring colder weather. The virtues of efficiency and knowledge allow for them to be excellent trappers and procurers of the best game, which they sell in trade to others. Owlfolk are fairly peaceful, and they are social enough with many other races within proximity.

Owlfolk Names

Males and Females have names commonly based on actions.

Such as Bewilder, Dive, Endeavor, Gust, Screech, Sing, Soar

Owlfolk Traits

Wise humanoids with plumage, claws, wings, and other features reminiscent of owls
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. They typically reach maturity at 30 and rarely live beyond two centuries. Usually, they are considered elderly after 150.
Alignment. Owlfolk have a tendency towards lawful.
Size. Owlfolk are between 6 and 7 feet in height, but quite lightweight for their size. 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.
Predator Senses. Like owls, you can see very well and spin your head about to see very well. You have advantage in Wisdom (Perception) checks using your sight.
Bone Eater. Owls have tough digestive systems to process bones and all animal parts. You are immune to diseases or being poisoned by food or drink.
Light Feathers. You will eventually gain flight. But for the meanwhile, your feathers still provide marvelous muffling for speed. You are proficient in the Stealth skill. Starting 5th level, you gain a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you must not be wearing medium or heavy armor.
Talons. Your talons are sharp and lethal natural weapons for unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier.
Languages. You can speak Owlish (racial language), and read and write in Common.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 0''	+2d12	100 lb.	× (1d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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