Plumes (5e Race)

Plumes

Physical Description

Harpy Lady from Yu-Gi-Oh!

Plumes are avian humanoid creatures. They have three talons functioning as their hands and feet. Feathers line their arms and work as gliding wings. They have particularly large craniums and pointed, elven features like a thing nose and pointy ears. Their hair is actually thin feathers. Plumes are so named for basically being one big feather duster. Their bones are light and allow them longer distances of pseudo-flight. However, it thus can make them brittle like others of avian kind. Plumes are therefore a bit more exceptional because their musculature allows for lithe bodies where the muscle is connected along multiple points of bone. Therefore, even if a fracture should occur, plumes have more versatility in holding together than the average bird.

History

Plumes are a cousin of the raptoran and harpy races. They are not so avian as aarakocra or kenku. The unique build and musculature of plumes leads people to believe they came of a place of rock and stone. Flying creatures often did not fare well where single boulders would be their end and canyon walls provided only the narrowest of flying space. However the plume defied expectation. They survived in mountainous rocky terrains despite being only gliding fliers due to their tenacious natures which is evident in their physiology. The fact that a broken wing bone does not fully stop them from moving. Unlike true fliers, plumes could not only glide, but also climb and jump, getting much better use of ledges and eaves in stone. Plumes have actually been known to be able to take down a roc if hunting in a large enough group. Their inability to fly along with mockery from the flying races has served to galvanize them so they are not only adept hunters of prey but also avid killers of sky-dwellers.

Society

Plumes live in a matriarchal hierarchy where the females do most of the hunting and rule over their large nest-like villages. They bring home the kills while the males do the grunt work of upkeeping the nest, which includes preening females. These encampments are usually built in concealing stone or cave structures that still let in plenty of light. Inside, the plumes build many houses made of wood and their own excrement, which is a binder material. People remark often of the smell of ammonia near their nests due to this construction method.

Plumes are known to armor themselves, which is odd for a feathered race, as that inhibits flying. However, because they normally are unable to fly anyway, they can afford stronger defenses as well as extra weapons like tipping their claws with metal to make them more deadly. Plumes have been known to swoop in and nab humans right off hiking trails, bringing them back to the nest where they will feast on the innards. Efforts to root out plumes are costly due to the difficulty in locating these hidden nests.

Plumes Names

Plumes often use Auran or Sylvan names that are mixed.

Male: Shaoshetsil, Fethesefessa, Panganan

Female: Yan-Din, Ashul, Kzaackbail

Plumes Traits

Bird armed people with gliding ability
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Plumes live usually up to about 50 years. The oldest recorded was almost 80.
Alignment. Plumes act chaotic outside their own society, where they tend to be lawful.
Size. Plumes are thinner than humans and a hair shorter on average. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 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.
Winged Arms. You cannot fly, but you can still land with style. You have a glide speed of 30 feet. Additionally, you do not take falling damage from falling down heights of 60 feet or less.
Talons. Your talons are wicked sharp natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Armor Tailors. Plumes are very well known for their stylish yet functional armor pieces. They are considered to be odd artisans for armor among avian races and are surprising well adapted to wearing even heavier pieces. You are proficient with light and medium armor.
Languages. You can speak, read and write in Common, Auran and Sylvan.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
4′ 6''	+2d8	110 lb.	× 1 lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

Suggested Characteristics

When creating a Plume character, you can use the following table of traits, ideals, bonds and flaws to help flesh out your character. Use these tables in addition to or in place of your background's characteristics.

Plume can vary mainly based on their sex, as females are very flamboyant and confident whereas males tend to be more withdrawn.

d8	Personality Trait
1	So I hear from people I'm chatty...
2	Strength is my pride!
3	I can be very confident in my decisions.
4	I feel better always at the helm of operations.
5	I don't like to raise my voice
6	People are kinda intimidating to talk to...
7	When I want to, I can be really mean.
8	I like to be around comforting people.

d6	Ideal
1	I want to be able to fly someday...
2	I want to get out and get to the top dog seat
3	Power. That's all I want.
4	There is someone I swore to get back at...
5	There's a lot of treasure in the world I'd like...
6	I want to raise a family.

d6	Bond
1	I just need to obey my orders.
2	I don't like connecting with people.
3	Materials drive what I do.
4	There are lots of people I'd like to meet.
5	Everyday is a gift.
6	People are all hard to read.

d6	Flaw
1	Good gossip is my weakness.
2	I have clumsy coordination.
3	I don't like to think, just hit.
4	Old age terrifies me to no end.
5	I cannot speak in public.
6	I have a crippling phobia.

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