Birdman for Peer Review

[Verrain]

Well since Abzu simply has to see it, here is the prototype birdman that I am inthe process of building a culture and lifepath system around. Feedback is welcome.

Birdmen

Concept:

Friendly intelligent avain natives of the mountains surrounded by lush forests. Based on the aarakocra of D&D

Hook: The birdmen fall into the category of 'friendly native villagers' when the more 'civilized' races decide to penetrate the deep forests and jungles that are home to the birdmen.

As befits a flying race they have an affinity with the air and believe that higher up something is found, the more important it is. This is seen clearly in their mountain homes. Those at the bottom are the hunters and foragers providing food and materials to those above. The lower nests of the mountains are home to the weavers and fletchers and other craftsman. Above them in the Aerie are the leaders and the shamans who are said to be able to speak to the air itself.

Beliefs: Birdmen are meant to soar high, All feathered creatures are our kin, Be wary of outsiders: some bring sparklies, others death

Instincts: Observe from a distance anything new, Collect food and sparklies whenever found, if attacked swoop, throw, and fly away.

Traits: Beaked, Eyes of the Eagle, Feathered, Talons, Prehensile Feet, Bony Chest Plate (Plated leather armor for the chest), Winged, Fine Boned

Stats Will B3, Per B6, Agil B5, Sp B6, Power B3, Forte B3

Attributes Health: B4, Ref B5, MW B9, Ste B4

Skills: Brawling B3, Foraging B4, Hunting B4, Observation Training, Survival B4, Javelin B5, Bird-wise B4, Sky-wise B4, Animal-wise B4

So there is John Q. Birdman. What do you think?

[Manicrack]

sice bird and the like are interested in being as light as possible (such as hollow bones)
the bony chest plate seems out of place. It collides wiht your finboned trait, IMHO. I seems like you put in because of low MW, but I would think you should raise that a little anyway.
Great stuff though

-Crack

[luke]

::puts on Ultra Biology Nerd hat::

Actually 'crack, the hollow bones of a bird aren't what we think they are. They are, in fact, honeycombed and built in such a way so as to be lighter but stronger.

In order to support the stress on the dorsal ligature and frame, avian ribcages are fused together, creating something like a boney plate!

::takes off Ultra Nerd hat::
::looks around for Bitter Grave Digger (who is an even bigger biology nerd)::
::throws hat in open grave::

Anyway, this is a good start, Verrain.

Justify me them 6s! What grants them high Perception? Is that Eagle Eyes trait? Or does EE add on top of that?

Why does their blood pulse so fast? Where does the Speed come from?

Are they sectapedal (two wings, four other limbs) or quadrapedal (two wings, two legs)?

coolnessio,
-L

[Redoid]

Are they sectapedal (two wings, four other limbs) or quadrapedal (two wings, two legs)?


If the model is an aarakocra, it's quadripedal, with talons at the end of the wings.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg


However, I thought they used their feets to fight with a weapon (since they can attack while flying, and forfeit their talons attacks if holding a weapon), and their wings are not that great at manipulation, exactly what the Prehensile wings trait reflects if it's modeled after the Prehensile tail trait?

[Verrain]

Ah you caught a misprint, Redoid now corrected. The trait is Prehensile Feet and my birdman is equally adept at using hands or feet to manipulate objects. And your description is correct.

As for the high perception, they are described as a cross between parrot and eagle. Since they are not like eagles in reference to strength or soaring, or battle prowess, I figure it has to be in the eyes. The Eagle Eyes trait is extra over the B6 just like the Great Eagles. These Birdmen are rather timid folk who fear to get into close up combat. Spotting danger from faraway from their mountain homes is the basis of their survival.

As for the speed, they are hunter/raptors for at least part of their diet. They are bright colored like parrots and they are diurnal so they aren't hunting by stealth. That leaves the necessity to be faster than your prey hence the high speed.

[Manicrack]

*covers head in shame before abzu*
forgive me master, i should have never intervened in your holy buisness