Avians
Avians originally come to Amantia from the endless storm of winds and lashing rains that surrounds the legendary tranquil realm of Aaqa in the Elemental Plane of Air. On Amantia, they build aeries in remote regions — often near portals to the Elemental Plane of Air — and patrol the skies for signs of elemental incursion.
Avians prefer to live like the wind: unburdened and ever-moving. Yet when they commit to guarding something, they can watch over an area for years if that is what it takes.
Racial Traits (All Avians)
Size: Medium | Walk: 30 ft | Fly: 50 ft (cannot fly in heavy armor) Age: Adulthood in late teens; live nearly a century Alignment: Tend toward good; rarely evil; driven by curiosity Languages: Auran and Arcadian. Additional choices: Nesian, Sikassan, Al’ Malik, Aislandtic, Giant, Dwarf, Draconic
Avian Arrest: Advantage on saves vs. falling traps. On success, catch themselves with wings (no damage). Requires 10 ft of space to fully extend wings.
Avian Types
Raptor Avian
Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, Vultures, Condors, Kites
The most martial and sharp-eyed of the avians. Plumage matches their raptor subtype.
Ability Score Bonus: +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity
Eagle Eyes: While airborne and outdoors, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.
Dive Attack: If you are flying and dive at least 30 feet straight toward a target before hitting with a melee weapon attack, the attack deals an extra 1d6 damage.
Found in: Most common avian type; appear in records across the Republic of Arcadia, the Prydain Highlands, the Molruss Tzardom, and northern kingdoms.
Corvid Avian
Crows, Ravens, Jays, Magpies
Cunning and quick — the tricksters and ambushers of the avian peoples. Plumage reflects their subtype (glossy black for ravens; multicoloured for jays).
Ambusher: In the first round of combat, you have advantage on attack rolls against any creature you have surprised.
Corvid Mimicry: You can mimic the speech, sounds, and mannerisms of another person or creature after studying them for at least 1 minute. A listener can detect the faking with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check contested by your Charisma (Deception).
Found in: The High Kingdom of the Green Stars, the Molruss Tzardom, Vanaheim, and other northern kingdoms.
Strigi Avian
Owls
Silent, perceptive, and artisanal. The scholars and craftspeople of the avian peoples.
Strigi Artisan: Proficiency in your choice of Artisan’s Tools.
Strigi Observation: You can read lips if you can see the speaker’s mouth and understand their language. You also gain advantage (+5 bonus) to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and Intelligence (Investigation).
Found in: Primarily in northern and forested regions; the Prydain Highlands, Molruss Tzardom.
Psitti Avian
Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, Toucans
Flamboyant and fast — the duelists and performers of avian culture. Vivid, tropical plumage.
Bonus Equipment: Choose one: (1) +1 Rapier; (2) +1 Whip; or (3) 3 Potions of Healing.
Psitti Defense: When you are wielding a finesse weapon with which you are proficient and a creature hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to your AC for that attack.
Psitti Mimicry: Same as Corvid Mimicry — mimic speech and sounds after 1 minute of study.
Found in: Warm southern regions; the Jewel Coast, parts of the Shessian Empire, Roselandt.
Cygni Avian
Swans, Geese, Ducks
The diplomats and navigators of the avian peoples. Elegant, calm, and supremely well-oriented. Often larger-wingspan than other avian types (+2” height).
Cygni Diplomat: Proficiency in Persuasion and Insight.
Cygni Navigator: You always know which direction is north and the number of hours until sunrise or sunset.
Found in: Coastal and river regions; the Green Star Islands, the Eismeer coast, Roselandt.
Physical Stats
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 58” + 2d8 | + Con Mod | 1.4(Hgt) + 5d20 | + 10(Str Mod) |
| Female | 54” + 2d8 | + Con Mod | 1.4(Hgt) + 5d20 | + 10(Str Mod) |
Raptor and Cygni Avians add 2” to base height.
Society & Culture
Avians form aeries — elevated communities in mountains, cliffs, or tall ancient trees. They are organised into loose communities that prize individual freedom but pull together fiercely against elemental threats. Their connection to Aaqa and the Elemental Plane of Air means many have an instinctive distrust of elemental evil intrusions.
Most avian adventurers leave their aeries out of a mix of wanderlust and duty — either to seek new knowledge, carry a message to the wider world, or investigate a threat that has caught their sharp eyes.
See also: Species Index | Cosmology & The Planes | ChapterTwo_RacesOfAmantia_09March2024.pdf