Character Crunch: Birdfolk & Bonus: Lord Garuda, Lord Stryg, Huitzilin and Alkonost & Sirin

The birdfolk are races of bird people descended from the ancient avian races that once ruled in great sky cities. Each of three ancient avian races were advanced civilizations that rose and fell between the Titanic Age and the Wyrd Wars. They were worshiped as gods by those they ruled from above and grew too proud. This pride would be their fall as they built more and more attractive monuments and became too bold. The last of their great cities were destroyed by an assault from dragons. Since then, their civilizations have become scattered and hold little influence like they once did, but they are still impressive creatures.

From afar, usually not wearing much clothing that would restrict their movement, they look large birds. Standing around five feet tall, birdfolk usually resemble birds of prey with beaks, predatory eyes, feathery plumage, short arms and long legs ending in talons, and a pair of large wings sprouting from their shoulder blades.

Today, they live in isolated roosts and aeries far from humans in the mountains of the world. They live simply, enjoying the joy of flight, hunting for fish and other prey, and guarding themselves against potential danger. They mostly keep to themselves and are so rarely sighted among the diverse peoples of Sublanarya that they are sometimes treated as a myth. Usually, those drawn to live among the "land dwellers" do so out of a greater purpose either inspired by their gods or to help their kin.


They still worship the gods that raised each of their three ancient civilizations: the proud eagle mount of the all-mighty god Sahasranama,



As a society, most birdfolk value freedom and safety while opposing all forms of a evil. This makes them excellent allies BUT they have a notorious fear of confinement and may become anxious in dungeon environments. Those that live in the society of other humanoids prefer open spaces, such as in villages or towns, and provide services that utilize their flight to great success.

Birdfolk are found in mountainous regions, primarily the Shield mountains of the Hold, but are also said to have large flocks in Raj-Hamut, Ptah-Hamut and Tazlani. They reach maturity by age 5 and rarely live past age 50.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity increases by 2.
Age. Birdfolk reach maturity by age 5 and rarely live past 50.
Alignment. Birdfolk are generally drawn to doing good with each subrace varying between law and chaos: garuda warriors tend toward law, stryg scholar monks tend toward neutrality, hapau tribesman and alko-siri nomads tend toward chaotic alignment.
Size. Birdfolk are usually around five feet tall with light builds with appearances made bulkier by their feathers. Your size if medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Flight.  You have a flying speed that is equal to 1.5 times your walking speed (min. 40 feet). You cannot fly while wearing medium or heavy armor.
Claws. Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Extra Languages. You can read, write, and understand the Bird-Song language.
Subraces. There are four subraces of birdfolk:

GARUDA

Garuda are descended from Lord Garuda, the all-mighty eagle mount of Sahasranama. They are a proud and noble warrior race with eagle, hawk and falcon features.


Ability Score Increase. Increase your Wisdom by 1.
Garuda's Eyes. You have proficiency in the Perception skill. Attacking at long range doesn't impose disadvantage on your ranged weapon attack rolls.

STRYG

Stryg are particularly wise and reclusive birdfolk descended from Lord Stryg the Philosopher. They have owl-like features. They seek out, protect and pass on knowledge to their descendants and acolytes that seek truth in their temples.

Ability Score Increase. Increase your Intelligence by 1.

Stryg's Scrutiny. You have proficiency in the Insight skill. You can add half of your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any Intelligence check you make that doesn't already include your proficiency bonus.

HAPAU

Hapau are a tribal race of birdfolks known for their large and powerful legs, capable of picking up and dropping their pray, and colorful plumage. They are the wildest race of birdfolk and do not trust outsiders.

Ability Score Increase. Increase your Strength by 1.

Terror of the Sky. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

ALKO-SIRI

The Alko-Siri are a graceful and strange race of fortune-telling birdfolk that worship the sisters Alkonost and Sirin. They are known for their delicate features, with white or black feathers. They travel in groups guided by their dreams.

Ability Score Increase. Increase your Charisma by 1.

Grace. You have proficiency in the Performance skill.

Fortune-Teller. Alko-Siri often see subtle hints of the future in their dreams. While conscious, you can reroll the roll of any player or monster and must use the results of the new roll. You regain this ability on a long rest.

CREATOR'S NOTE:  Flying pcs, especially at low levels, can be a bit overwhelming for many game masters. You reserve the right to ban them from your games but, you should consider that there are cons to flight and ways to counter it.

• Ranged weapon attacks and spells
• Falling is a serious threat. Being knocked unconscious or falling prone can be devastating to most flying creatures without hover.
• No dark vision makes flying at night difficult
• Flying enemies
• Weather can make flying difficult, either slowing the flyer OR moving them against their will

Another balance is to add the following variant rule.

OPTIONAL VARIANT ADDITION: 
Claustrophobia. Birdfolk do not fair well in dungeons. When you start your turn in a confined area with two parallel squares that are occupied by terrain, you must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or you gain disadvantage on all ability checks and attack rolls. You may repeat this saving throw at the end of each turn. The effect ends when you move into a more open area or save ends.

LORD GARUDA THE KING OF BIRDS

Title(s)

The Sky-Lord, The Heavenly Mount, The Serpent Slayer, The Golden Clawed, The Red Feathered

Pantheon(s)

Hamutian

Power Level

Lesser Deity

Alignment

Lawful Good

Symbol

A red and gold eagle

Portfolio

Battle, birds, flight, hunting, creator of avian races

Domains

War, Nature

Worshipers

Hamutians, vanara, haathraji, tigerfolk, leopardfolk, garuda

Favored Weapon

Bows

LORD STRYG THE GRAND PHILOSOPHER

Title(s)

The Fate-Wielder, The Starry-Eyed, The Wandering Star, The Calculator, The Wise

Pantheon(s)

Naryan

Power Level

Lesser Deity

Alignment

Neutral

Symbol

A white owl on a night sky filled with stars

Portfolio

Philosophy, space, birds, stars, knowledge

Domains

Knowledge

Worshipers

Birdfolk, magic users, scholars, monks, advisors

Favored Weapon

Staves

HUITZILIN THE DIVINE HURLER

Title(s)

The Dart-Thrower, The Terror, The Humming-Bird, The Left-Handed, The Bleeding Sun

Pantheon(s)

Matal

Power Level

Greater Deity

Alignment

???

Symbol

A rainbow bird in the center of a golden sun

Portfolio

Sun, war, defense, time, family

Domains

War, Light

Worshipers

Birdfolk, warriors, Matalese, athletes,

Favored Weapon

Darts and spears

LADY SIRIN OF SORROWS & LADY ALKONOST OF HIGH HOPES

Title(s)

The Black Bird & The Golden Bird, The Sisters of Fortune, The Truth-Singers, Pity and Mercy

Pantheon(s)

Naryan

Power Level

Lesser Deity

Alignment

Chaotic Neutral

Symbol

A golden crown surrounded by gold and black feathers

Portfolio

Future, fortune-telling, birds, sisters, song

Domains

Nature

Worshipers

Birdfolk, singers, sisters, widows, mourners

Favored Weapon

Unarmed (Claw)