Aarakocra

Aarakocras, also called bird-men, were a race of avian humanoids.

Description
Aarakocras resembled humanoid birds. The average specimen stood about tall and had a wingspan of. Halfway along the edge of each wing was a hand with three human-sized fingers and an opposable thumb. An elongated fourth finger extended the length of the wing and locked in place during flight. The hands could not grasp while flying, but they were nearly as useful as human hands when an aarakocra was perched and its wings were folded back.

Their powerful legs ended in four sharp talons that could unlock and fold back to reveal another pair of functional hands. These humanoids had hollow, fragile bones. Their faces combined the features of both parrots and eagles. They had gray-black beaks and black eyes. Plumage color varied, but males generally had red, orange, and yellow coloration, while females tended towards brown and gray.

Personality
Aarakocras were generally peaceful creatures who cherished their solitude. They were known to be extremely claustrophobic.

Male aarakocras tended to have very short tempers and had been known to fly into fits of rage when a perceived wrong occurred. They also were notorious romantic flirts, regardless of whether or not they were married.

Combat
Since aarakocras avoided melee combat when possible, their combat tactics revolved around attacking opponents from above. Javelins were the weapon of choice for many aarakocras, so much so that they developed their own unique type of javelin called a flight lance. A single aarakocra could comfortably carry up to six javelins at a time, stored in a special sheathe that was strapped to its body. Other weapons used by aarakocras included darts and daggers. Their sharp talons and beaks were effective weapons as well. Occasionally they wore studded leather, but they never used shields.

Society
On Toril, aarakocras lived atop the highest mountain peaks in small tribes that controlled hunting territories and shared a communal nest. The eldest male served as leader, assisted by the tribe's shaman.

Aarakocras were also one of the major races on the inner planet Coliar. On that planet, it was the females who were always chosen as leaders, as society deemed them far more controlled emotionally. These aarakocra females were chosen by democratic elections, and each ruled over one of over 100 extended families. Males were not forbidden from running for office, but society was strongly against their election, and as of the late 14 century DR, no male had ruled for over 1,000 years. Male aarakocras from other worlds sometimes took offense at this societal trend.

Aarakocras of Toril almost all worshiped Aerdrie Faenya. She appeared to them as a giant white bird.
 * Religion:

The small number of aarakocras living in the North mainly worshiped Syranita as their goddess but also paid homage to Akadi, Remnis of the giant eagles, and Stronmaus of the giants, in addition to Aerdrie Faenya.

Many aarakocra tribes avoided contact with other species, and many individuals rarely, if ever, left their home territory. The aarakocras had strong ties with the avariels as they shared the same patron deity and had the same respect for nature.
 * Relations:

Aarakocras understood and spoke common, but when they spoke it, they punctuated their speech with caws, whistles, and other bird-like sounds.

They were an immigrant race to Faerûn from Maztica. Known aarakocra settlements in Faerûn were:
 * Known Settlements:
 * The Star Mounts in the High Forest. This tribe was almost totally slain by the green dragon Elaacrimalicros.
 * The Storm Horns in Cormyr.
 * The Cloven Mountains in the Vilhon Reach.
 * The Mistcliffs in Chult.
 * The Adder Hills in Chessenta.

As of the, the last settlement of aarakocras in the High Forest was the Last Aerie, on the slopes of the southernmost Star Mounts, near the headwaters of the Unicorn Run.

History
In, following generations of travel between Maztica and the islands of the Trackless Sea, the first aarakocra colonists successfully crossed to northern Faerûn.

In, the last aarakocras living in the Riders to the Sky Mountains was killed by Chessentan mercenaries, who hunted them to extinction for sport.

Uses
A Netherese archwizard discovered that the feathers and other body parts of an aarakocra could be used as components in the brewing of a potion of extra-healing.

Notable Aarakocras

 * Asharra, a druid who led the community of Kir Sabal in the late 15 century DR.
 * Kazra, an aarakocra taken prisoner by the Feathergale Knights in the late 15 century DR.
 * Alekra Donakkis, leader of the largest family of aarakocras on Coliar.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Princes of the Apocalypse • Tomb of Annihilation • The Howling Void


 * Board Games
 * Tomb of Annihilation


 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards


 * Comics
 * A Darkened Wish #1 • A Darkened Wish #2 • A Darkened Wish #3


 * Novels
 * Son of Thunder


 * Video Games
 * Gateway to the Savage Frontier • Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms • Neverwinter • Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace • Tales from Candlekeep: Tomb of Annihilation