Aeriad
The Aeriad are an avian-descended race in the midst of a biological transition from a winged to a ground-dwelling species. They are divided into two distinct sub-species: the taller, more aggressive Blue Aeriad and the shorter Green Aeriad.
Appearance and Biology
Both sub-species share several distinctive physical traits:
- Physique: Slender and frail in stature.
- Skin: Glistens with a metallic sheen.
- Head: Features a crested coxcomb of soft feathers and a vestigial beak.
- Wings: Their vestigial wings have atrophied from disuse and are now primarily decorative, though they can still be used to glide short distances. [^1]
The Two Sub-Species
Though of the same race, the two groups have diametrically opposed outlooks on their biological state:
- Blue Aeriad: View their transition as a tragic "devolution." They yearn for the past when their ancestors flew free, often seeking companionship with Gryphs to reinvigorate their avian line.
- Green Aeriad: Regard the transition as "evolutionary." They embrace a future as ground-dwellers, focusing their efforts on horticulture and botanomancy to enrich their forest home of Vardune.
Aeriad Characters
| Attribute | Blue Aeriad | Green Aeriad |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | 5’5”–6’, 80–120 lbs (Blue skin/plumage). | 4’10”–5’2”, 70–90 lbs (Green skin/plumage). |
| Base Attributes | INT +0, PER +1, STR -1, CON -1, SPD +2 | INT +2, PER +1, STR -3, CON -3, SPD +0 |
| Hit Points | 18 | 18 |
| Combat/Magic | CR +1, RC +2 | MR +2 |
- Skills: Language (Low Talislan - native), Cultures (Aeriad) +5, Cultures (Seven Kingdoms) +3, Fashion (Seven Kingdoms) +2, Survival (forest) +2.
- Quirks: Glide, Speech Impediment. [^2]
- Starting Equipment: Viridian linen tunic/cloak, gourd of vinesap, 20 gold lumens.
Religion and Burial
- Faith: They revere the Creator, depicted as a great winged humanoid with rainbow plumage.
- Worship: Both groups gather to "roost" in the branches of great span-oak temples, singing ancient songs about the "Tree of Life."
- Burial: The dead are shrouded in woven vines and laid to rest in the uppermost branches of great viridia trees.
Language and Names
- Tongue: Aeriad speech is characterized by a slight stutter on hard "C" or "K" sounds, a result of their vestigial beaks.
- Names: Common names resemble bird-calls (e.g., Kree-Kya, Cha-Chik, Kee-Ree).
Adventurers
- Blue Aeriad: Often serve as aerial reconnaissance for the Borderlands Legion.
- Green Aeriad: Frequently travel to seek rare plant life or practice their botanical arts.
[^1]: The Aeriad attribute this irreversible process of devolution to the long-term effects of The Great Disaster. [^2]: Blue Aeriad characters also receive a unique magic item: Bracers of Levitation.