Aarakocra (CBOH)

*For other Aarakocra, see Aarakocra (disambiguation).*

## Aarakocra (Complete Book of Humanoids)

**Ability Score Adjustments.** The initial ability scores are modified by a +1 bonus to Dexterity, and a -1 penalty to Strength and Constitution.

Ability Score Range
 Charisma | 3 | 18

**Hit Dice.** Player character aarakocra receive hit dice by class.

Alignment. Aarakocra tend toward neutral good. PC aarakocra may be of any alignment.

**Natural Armor Class.** 7.

**Background.** Aarakocra are a race of intelligent bird-men that live among the highest mountain peaks. The average aarakocra stands about five feet tall and has a wing span of twenty feet. Halfway along the edge of each wing is a hand with three human-sized fingers and an opposable thumb. An elongated fourth finger extends the length of the wing and locks in place during flight.

The hands cannot grasp while flying, but are nearly as useful as human hands when an aarakocra is perched and its wings folded back. Their powerful legs end in four sharp talons that can unlock and fold back to reveal another pair of functional hands.

These humanoids have hollow, fragile bones. Their faces combine the features of both parrots and eagles. They have gray-black beaks and black eyes. Plumage color varies, but males generally have red, orange, and yellow coloration, while females tend toward brown and gray.

Aarakocra live in small tribes which control hunting territories and share a communal nest. The eldest male serves as leader, the second oldest as shaman.

**Languages.** Aarakocra, giant eagle, common.

**Role-Playing Suggestions.** Aarakocra are reluctant to engage in ground or grappling combat because of their fragile bones. They love gems and other shiny objects. Their religious ceremonies are simple affairs involving whistled hymns. Sunset on the first day of each new month is of religious significance.

These bird-men enjoy peace and solitude. They love their freedom, and are extremely claustrophobic. Most of them will not enter a cave, building, or other enclosed area without a very good reason.

Aarakocra PC adventurers must have clear motivations. Some leave on a quest to aid their people, others because they do not fit in with the rest of their tribe.

Aarakocra who learn common intersperse the language with their native bird-like sounds. Caws, screeches, and whistles punctuate their broken sentences in typical bird-like fashion (like a parrot mimics human speech).

Aarakocra fighters prefer heavy fletched javelins when they must go to battle. An aarakocra can carry up to six javelins in individual sheathes strapped to his chest. While flying, he can clutch a javelin in each of his lower hands, throwing them or stabbing opponents as necessary. Aarakocra who have left their home territory and traveled to more civilized lands will sometimes wear pieces of studded leather armor to provide additional protection. They never carry shields.

Some tribes of aarakocra carry a special weapon, called a flight lance. See Chapter Seven: Arms and Armor, for more details.

**Special Advantages.** The bird-men have the ability to fly, with a movement speed of 36 and a maneuverability class of C.

Aarakocra talons cause 1-3 points of damage and can strike twice in a round. Their beaks also cause 1-3 points of damage. They receive no attack penalties for aerial missile fire. When using two javelins, an aarakocra can make a diving attack. They must dive at least 200 feet to use this special attack. The attacks are usually accompanied by a blood-curdling shriek, gain a +4 bonus to the attack rolls, and cause double damage.

An aarakocra shaman of 7th level can, with four other aarakocra, summon a friendly air elemental in three rounds of chanting and aerial dancing. It will perform favors, although it will not endanger its life for them.

**Special Disadvantages.** Aarakocra are very claustrophobic. Those who engage in combat in enclosed areas (buildings, dungeons, etc.) receive a -3 penalty to their attack rolls.

**Monstrous Traits.** Monstrous speech; aarakocra make bird sounds when speaking, even if talking in the common tongue.

**Superstitions.** Fear of enclosed spaces.

**Weapon Proficiencies:** Dagger, dart, javelin, flight lance (if available).

**Nonweapon Proficiencies:** Alertness, animal noise, danger sense, direction sense, hunting, survival (mountains), weather sense, weaving.