Strig

Strigs are one of the five Birdfolk races in the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition setting of Humblewood. As their name suggests, strigs, who could be considered cousins to the Raptors, resemble owls... unlike most owl beastfolk, however, strigs are actually renowned for their strength, resilience, and warlike nature! They are considered the most powerful of all the birdfolk in Humblewood, and they value strength and endurance as the most crucial traits for survival. Although they are not necessarily prejudiced against those who are weaker, strigs are quick to call out when someone is not doing their best for the common good.

Fortunately, strigs temper their reverence for physical might with a strong moralistic streak, emphasizing that strength and endurance are important, they should be used for more than just being a thug or a bully. To the average strig, protecting and providing for others is perceived as being just as impressive as winning a fight, if not more so.

Like their raptor cousins, strigs favor the wilderness over civilization, and mostly pursue livings as hunters, rangers, lumberjacks, fur-trappers... anything that lets them survive by way of their strength. Despite their strongly individualstic tendencies and dislike for the machinations of society and politics, strigs are capable of forming familial and community bonds that transcend a permanent or single physical home.

Ironically, strigs could be considered the closest race in the Humblewood to fill the dwarf archetype... although with a Chaotic streak instead of the dwarven Lawful one.

Strigs are physically divided into two distinct subraces; "Stout" strigs resemble the larger and more intimidating owl species, being bulkier and denser than normal. "Swift" strigs resemble the smaller owls. A Stout Strig might look like a Great Gray Owl, whilst a Swift Strig might look like a Little Owl.

The patron Amaranthine of the Strig race is Altus the Enduring.

PC Stats

Ability Score Increase: +2 Strength

Size: Medium (by birdfolk standards, strigs are tall, muscular and imposing; 4ft to 5ft plus in height and averaging 110 pounds)

Speed: 30 feet

Age: Maturing fast by the age of 15, strigs live a pretty solid birdfolk lifespan, trending to see out about 80 years.

Alignment: Strigs are normally good aligned, having a strong sense of fair play as well as a tendency to see the best in others. They also favor chaotic alignments, as strigs are a freedom-loving people who will usually put their personal morals above any imposed system of governance.

Glide: Using your feathered arms, you can slow your fall, and glide short distances. When falling you can use your reaction to spread your arms, stiffen your wing feathers, and slow your descent. While doing so, you continue to fall gently at a speed of 60 feet per round, taking no fall damage when you land. If you would fall at least 10 feet in this way, you may fly up to your movement speed in one direction you choose, although you cannot choose to move upwards, landing in the space you finish your movement. You cannot glide while carrying heavy weapons or wielding a shield (though you may drop any held items as part of your reaction to spread your arms). You cannot glide while wearing heavy armor, or if you are encumbered.

Talons: Your unarmed strikes do 1d4 Piercing damage, and you have Advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks made to climb.

Darkvision: 60 feet

Patterned Feathers: You have Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in Forest environments.

Subrace: Choose either the Stout or Swift subrace.

Stout Strig:

Ability Score Increase: +1 Constitution

Imposing: You have Proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Brawler: When you successfully attack a target with your talons, you can choose to grapple that target as a bonus action.

Swift Strig:'

Ability Score Increase: +1 Dexterity

Swift: Your base walking speed increases to 35 feet.

Survivor: You have Proficiency in the Survival skill