Species - Falkin (Patreon)

Soar above the clouds with the Falkin species!

PDF

GMBinder

This is last month's supporter poll winner, then titled "Aarakocra (Revised)". And it is definitely intended to be a replacement for WotC's Aarakocra species, offering better balance and a little more choice. It's not revolutionary design by any stretch, but it should give you a better way to include birdfolk in your games.

The most important difference between aarakocra and falkin is that falkin only get two limbs: legs and arm/wings. This is how aarakocra were designed from their first appearance, in 1981, until the 2014 Monster Manual. In that book, WotC changed their design, giving them a standalone pair of wings attached to their shoulder blades. I don't know why they did this; my best theory is so it'd be easier to reuse MtG Aven art for them (though WotC hasn't actually done so).

On to our features! The noticeable flavor change from aarakocra is that Falkin live a little longer (40) and mature a little slower — it always felt goofy that adventuring aarakocra might count their age on one hand. Their walking speed is slow, 25', to compensate for the Falkin Flight headline. That gives you a 30' flying speed, as long as you're not wearing medium or heavy armor, and you can't wield two-handed or heavy weapons while flying. They also get Talons, fittingly, letting you make slashing attacks. And all falkin have Eagle Eyes, granting advantage on faraway Perception checks.

We have four subspecies for falkin, based on adaptations for different types of terrain. None of them have a huge amount of power, as flight is already occupying most of our species power budget. (But the reason we've got budget for any sort of subspecies is thanks to our nerfs versus standard aarakocra flight.)

Coastal falkin gain a few features for life adapted to seacliffs. Seafaring Culture grants proficiency with navigator's tools and water vehicles, and one bonus skill prof. Trained Diver lets you hold your breath for 15 minutes.

Mountain falkin get the Giant language and one skill prof. And when they rest under the open sky, they get advantage on the next ability check (which may include initiative checks, keep in mind).

Arctic falkin get Nature proficiency and cold resistance. In addition, they get advantage on saves vs. blindness, to reflect their natural need to cope with snow blindness in their frigid homes.

Earthbound falkin are the most unusual, having lost some of their flight in exchange for sturdier bones and tougher bodies. Heavy Frame reduces their flight to mere gliding, but in return lets them wear armor while they do it. Powerful Talons grants a fast walking speed and higher-damage talon attacks. And Wing Buffet is analogous to a minotaur's hammering horns, letting them knock an enemy backwards.

For species feats, we've got three. Practiced Flyer gives you back the base aarakocra's 50' speed, medium armor flight, and a small dive bomb attack. Wind Shaman lets you pick up a couple storm spells and get a speed boost when you use them. And Falcon's Feet lets you fully embrace the "fly above and fight with your feet" playstyle.

As always, you're invited to come discuss and offer feedback on Discord!

Art: Steelplume Marshal, by Cristi Balanescu, © Wizards of the Coast