Aarakocra (Desert)

## Snow Aarakocra

The **desert aarakocra** is a subrace of the anthropomorphic avian race, the aarakocra. They are specialised for hot and arid environments, spending much of their time in flight or roosted amidst dry, rocky mountains, and as such are adapted to bear the high temperatures and decreased water availability such habitats present.

## Origin

The original aarakocra, the common ancestor between the subraces, was initially created by Avo, in the image of Tilo's beloved birds, as a gift. Over time, this subrace diverged from the main ancestor, drawn to warmer climates.

## Physicality

### Anatomy and Physiology

Desert aarakocra share much of the biology of their cousins: namely the anthropomorphic, bipedal bird appearance, with lightweight feathered bodies, hollow, strutted bone structures, and the same closed circulatory system and flow-through respiratory system. Their main divergence comes from their size: desert aarakocra are the smallest of the aarakocra subraces at only 5 to 5½ft. tall and 80-100lbs, allowing them to find shade easier and conserve water more efficiently. Their fat distribution also differs, preventing heat retention across the whole body by storing fat specifically in dedicated humps towards the base of their tails. In addition to this, desert aarakocra have developed salt glands, a physical adaptation that allows the secretion of salt without the loss of water. Their feathers take on darker hues than their cousins, mostly in shades of browns, russets, dark greys and blacks, though they exhibit similar sexual dimorphism, with males sporting colourful tail and crest plumages in an assortment of colours, mostly of a warm palette. Their reproductive systems and behaviours remain the same, exhibiting similar breeding and roosting habits, same age of maturity (three years), and thirty-year lifespans.

### Attributes and Abilities

Due to their proclivity for extended flight and requirement for balance and sharp reflexes, aarakocra tend to be markedly dextrous, and their introspective natures pair perfectly with the wisdom-garnering culture they exist in. However, a culture of vigilance and worship does not render them harmless - the tapered limbs bear sharp talons, capable of striking akin to a dagger.

## Distribution

Desert aarakocra are rarely found amongst humanoid civilisations, preferring their reclusive mountaintop outposts, though some may trade with travelling merchants from time to time if they come peacefully within their territories. Within Illandor, the established desert aarakocra outposts are located within the eastern portion of the Redreach Mountains and the southern face of the Brothers' Ridge, as well as a small cluster on Ragarnvald's Island.

## Culture

### Language

The native language of the aarakocra bears the same name, and strongly resembles various predatory bird calls and caws. Alongside Aarakocra, many aarakocra learn Auran, the primordial language of air, in worship of their creator Avo. Auran is based upon the sounds of air and wind, and proves difficult to accurately speak without the necessary vocal and lingual adaptations. Thankfully, being children of Avo, the aarakocra do meet such requirements. Many aarakocra learn to speak Common out of necessity, as the ability to communicate with humanoid society avoids the risk of conflict due to poor communication where territory disputes may arise.

### Society and Customs

Much of the aarakocran culture revolves around the sky and being airborne. Their settlements are built in open spaces at high altitudes, favouring mountain outcrops or upper tree canopies. They revere Avo as their creator and Tilo as their inspiration, and hold great reverence for the air and sky. There is a race-wide pity for those who cannot fly, and an interesting phenomenon of an ingrained racial claustrophobia and fear of confinement. Many aarakocra tend towards open isolationism to combat this. There is a noted emphasis on defense and combat in aarakocran culture, their roles as 'defenders of the skies' taken entirely seriously.