Hello everybody Jorphdan here the PH is silent. Today I’d like to talk about the avian race
in D&D known as the Aarakocra. Now you might suspect fowl play in this video, but I’m
absolutely quail-ified for this job. It’s not much of a Birden, and honestly people
can’t stop raven about the videos! Well this got a little hawkward… let’s dive
in.
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The Aarakocra exist in many of the fantasy worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. Primarily though
they are found in the Plane of Air. They are very intelligent birdlike people who live
in mountainous regions when found on the Prime Material Plane. Typically the males are more
colorful and the females are brown or gray. But that’s up to you and your Dungeon Master
really. In the Forgotten Realms it is hinted that the Aarakocra came from Maztica. Which
is the land across the ocean to the west. Flights of them migrated from island to island
across the Trackless Sea until they arrived in Faerun. Maztica needs its own video eventually,
but I was surprised reading the Maztica Campaign Boxed Set that it didn’t mention the aarakocra.
Perhaps the majority of aarakocra migrated leaving behind very few in Maztica.
Or despite the Forgotten Realms saying that they came from Maztica, perhaps the aarakocra
are more in touch with the Plane of Air than previously thought. Many might have migrated
to or from the Plane of Air. See my video on the elemental planes by clicking the link
in the doobly doo or the top right corner of this video. If you love the intro to that
video, give it a like!
The elemental plane of air has constant air currents which is how many creatures, including
aarakocra are able to tirelessly fly. They ride these air currents. Known as the Labyrinth
Winds, there are hidden realms that can only be reached by knowing the path of winds to
take. Within the Plane of Air there are bits of earth to rest upon, where some aarakocra
make their home.
Back in the Forgotten Realms the first aarakocra arrived in northern Faerun in 418 DR. From
this migration four major colonies were eventually created. The Star Mounts in the High Forest,
the Storm Horns in Cormyr, the Cloven Mountains on the Vilhon Reach, and the Mistcliffs in
Chult. As of 5th edition it looks like the Star Mountain colony was nearly wiped out
by a green dragon. The descendants of these aarakocra have sworn vengeance against the
dragon. They fly across the north looking for signs of his whereabouts. Could be an
interesting plot hook for some adventurers!
These birdfolk are claustrophobic and rarely go underground. They seek the open sky and
live in high places such as mountain tops. They also have a need to travel, but not in
the exploration sense. They simply enjoy seeing the world zip underneath their feet. They
are a proud people with the eldest male serving as the leader of the tribe.
Traditionally aarakocra become fighters, they spend their youth learning to hunt. Later
on they make tools and weapons to aid in this hunt. They speak the language of Auran, (no
not that one….) the primordial language of air elementals. It should be noted that
most aarakocras speak common, but NPC aarakocra are traditionally illiterate. Player aarakocra
being the exception to that.
The aarakocra worship few deities. Aerdrie Faenya also known as the
Queen of the Avariel (or winged elves) is an elven goddess. Aerdrie does not stay in
one place for long and she delights in unpredictable weather. A chaotic good deity her symbol is
a bird silhouetted against a cloud. She has few and scattered small temples across Faerun.
Aerdrie would sometimes appear to the aarakocra as a giant white bird. Feathers that fell
from this goddess are some of the most treasured items in an aarakocran nest. They also worship
the elemental wind goddess Akadi. This is not as prevalent but any aarakocran would
know and respect Akadi.
It is possibly this connection with an elven goddess that aarakocra feel closest to elves.
They tend to keep their distance from other races. They enjoy the fact that most elves
have a love of nature, and respect it. They dislike orcs, goblins, and the like because
these creatures have in the past captured and tormented aarakocra.
A hermit or sage background would fit an aarakocra well. They enjoy peace and solitude. It would
be a very large or important reason to leave home behind and adventure, especially with
strangers. Treasure holds little sway to them, and truly they will only seek out conflict
when it comes knocking on their door. As reluctant as these creatures are they are also burdened
with great purpose.
These creatures these aarakocra have a historical tie to the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. Also known
as the Vaati, they are a race of immortals who have a long history within the multiverse
of Dungeons & Dragons. The two races have a connection with the Plane of Air. If the
Wind Dukes needed aid the aarakocra would assist. This actually ties heavily to my new
D&D campaign I’m streaming on Twitch “The Rod of Seven Parts.” As the story becomes
uncovered, in that game, I’ll post more lore videos about the Vaati, the Plane of
Air, ect! So stay tuned.
The aarakocra have a sworn hatred of earth elementals. Being on the opposite side of
the Plane of Air they detest the underground tunnels of the Plane of Earth. Most of all
they hate gargoyles, who are a perversion of flight. Earth-like creatures should not
be allowed to soar up in the air. The two fight, as the rivalry between air and earth
is as old as the Planes themselves.
The race of aarakocra was introduced to 5th edition D&D with the Elemental Evil Player’s
Companion. If you play the adventure Tomb of Annihilation you may run into some aarakocra.
Afterall a tribe of them lives down in Chult. If you enjoyed this video please give it a
like, and share it with your gaming group. Hit the bell icon to be notified of new videos.
If you’re interested in where I get my research from check the reference section in the doobly
doo below! Thank you patrons for all your support! I’ll see you all in the next video!