Alright here we go, the meat and potatoes, the good stuff, the pizza pie!
The first entry in the Monster Manual is that of the great avian race of Aarakocra. I had a lot of fun writing this one. I leaned in hard to what I thought would be the creepiest thing you could find while roaming in the pitch black of a cave.
The movie Descent definitely came to mind a couple times while putting this together. I love the idea of adventurers going underground and all they hear in the dark are clicks and taps coming from an unknown source.
I don't know how many more monsters will be completely flipped on their heads like this one ended up being, but I hope it's a lot.
But without further adieu, I present the completely fucked up Aarakocra.
History
Once a proud avian race that traveled Simul on warm winds from high in the mountains in the north to the canopy's of the great jungles in the south. Their culture built majestic city's high in the mountains that no other race could reach, only marveling at the architecture from below.
However during the Great Drought, cut off from the plane of Air the Aarakocra changed. Because of their short life spans they evolved quickly and began to lose their wings. As generations passed their feathers began to fall out, their beaks grew longer and sharper however as they used them to both hunt and dig. Their once beautiful mountain homes fell into disrepair as they could not fly up to fix the crumbling structures. The less and less they flew their wings became no more than boney protrusions on their backs. Their featherless skin burned easily in the sun with no protection, so they withdrew into the mountains and jungles, as far from the harsh rays as they could.
They grew to hate those from the surface. It began as jealousy for what they once had but turned into an unknown wrath for any that lived on the surface under the great sun.
Appearance
Since retreating underground their featherless skin turned pale and grey. Their beaks grew long, and hard as iron as they were used to hunt and dig tunnels and homes. Their arms grew long and lanky to reach into crevice's and cracks in the rock in search of food. Aarakocra are now very sensitive to light and can see extremely well in the dark. Since loosing the capability of flight their "wings" are now used to sense vibrations in the wind. Giving them an almost 360 view around them at all times.
Personality and Alignment
Aarakocra are skittish and do not like outsiders. They are constantly on the lookout for danger and only trust those in their tribes.
They are very territorial. And will fight fiercely for their land and home. The other denizens of their terrain know this and give them a wide berth.
Because of their innate hate for others most would describe them as neutral Evil.
Abilities and Traits
Aarakocra skin is a tough hide and acts as a natural camouflage when around stone.
They have impeccable dark vision but only a short distance of 10 feet. Their back wings allow them to sense movement within 50 feet of them acting as a blindsense.
Their beaks are hard as iron and can be used to stab prey and also break rock.
Their fore claws have lost much dexterity but are made of the same sharp material as their beaks and are very deadly.
They do not communicate verbally but use their front claws to tap and scrape on their beaks using a sort of Morse code to communicate with one another in the pitch black.
They do not "hear" as most creatures do but instead pick up vibrations in the air with their wings.
Ecology
Life Cycle
Aarakocra lay eggs, which take 5 months to hatch. Their eggs are soft with no shell only a lining which the babies use their beaks to cut through when hatching.
Females do not incubate the eggs but they are laid near underground hot springs to keep warm.
They are considered Adults at the age of 1 and live short lives, not beyond 20 years.
Diet
Living underground or in the small caves in forests has restricted the Aarakocran diet. They live mainly off grubs, moss, mushrooms, and small cave dwelling animals. Occasionally Aarakocra will group together to take down larger prey like a hibernating bear, or in the Underdark an Ankheg or if they're luck an Umberhulk.
Environment
Aarakocra live mainly in caves and mountains. Some have dug deep enough to find homes in the Underdark. Those that used to reside in the canopies of dense jungles before the Great Drought moved deeper into the jungles thick canopy where the sun never reaches the ground.
Culture
Society
Aarakocra live in tribes which sizes vary on the amount of space they have. In smaller caves and hovels the tribe may only be six or so. But in the Underdark and in deep recesses in the jungles tribes may grow to be 100 or more.
Tribes mean safety and security. A lone Aarakocra will not last long. So working together and providing for the tribe is paramount.
If a tribe member is seen as a problem or is not providing enough they will be cast out, which is basically a death sentence.
Each tribe has a leader that makes the final decisions when it comes to the tribes welfare. This position is usually filled by the strongest and smartest of the tribe. There is no vote or consensus. If an Aarakocra wishes to take the role they will. And if there are disagreements, they are ended quickly by a sharp beak.
Religion
Ironically enough Aarakocra worship the sun. When the Great Drought began and Aarakocra slowly migrated underground they carved pictures of the sun into the rock walls of their homes, dreaming about flying and the warmth on their wings. But as time went on the stories of life above faded. The sun was all but forgotten, but the carved pictures remained.
They do not believe this is a deity or being watching over them. This is a symbol that represents themselves. And they will carve it on walls to mark their borders, in their homes as decoration, or even on their skin for protection.
Language
Aarakocra have long since forgotten their native language Auran, and the language of above, Common. They now speak their own created language which uses a mix of guttural sounds and percussive notes created by tapping their claws on their beaks.
A rare few in the Underdark have learned Undercommon to communicate with those that would tread on their lands.
Allies and Enemies
Aarakocras are a solitary people and do not look for allies. They are mistrusting of all outsiders and see them as a threat to their people. The only time they will work together with another species is if there is a common enemy. And after the threat is gone the alliance is quickly severed.
The greatest enemy of the Aarakocra are those that wish to take their territory. Warmongering species like Orcs, Hobgoblins, Duergar, and Mindflayers pose the largest threat to them.
Names
Aarkocran names are almost impossible to pronounce in the common tongue, as they involve percussive tones that most species can't recreate. Also, as there is not much need for individuality many Aarakocra do not have names. Usually only the most important Aarakocra are given names by the tribe.
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