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Can an Aarakocra look like any bird?
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Recently a player asked me if it would be possible to make a PC that had the head of an owl, or was otherwise an anthropomorphic owl. Immediately my mind went to the Aarakocra, even though they are traditionally depicted as being eagle-like (judging by the picture in the Monster Manual and other official artwork).
I looked up their entry in the Monster Manual to see if it made their appearance explicit, but there's not much in there about their appearance. Then I took a look at the Elemental Evil Player's Companion at their player race write up. It says, under the heading "Beak and Feather" (page 3):
Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct tribal variations.
It doesn't elaborate much on what these "tribal variations" are, but this at least implies that Aarakocra can have the heads of other birds, not just "a parrot or eagle", despite the fact that all the official art I've seen depicts them as eagle-headed.
Is there any further information on whether Aarakocra can look like other birds? Note I don't want an exhaustive list of examples, just clarification on whether "tribal variations" means what my player hopes it means (since it could also be read to simply mean different colour parrots, or some other minor variation like that).
I believe Aarakocra appeared in previous editions of D&D, so any clarification outside of 5e is acceptable, but I'd prefer information from 5e material if possible. Also note that any setting that has a positive answer is fine (i.e. it doesn't have to be Forgotten Realms, especially if FR says no but the answer is yes in a different setting).
dnd-5e aarakocra
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
Recently a player asked me if it would be possible to make a PC that had the head of an owl, or was otherwise an anthropomorphic owl. Immediately my mind went to the Aarakocra, even though they are traditionally depicted as being eagle-like (judging by the picture in the Monster Manual and other official artwork).
I looked up their entry in the Monster Manual to see if it made their appearance explicit, but there's not much in there about their appearance. Then I took a look at the Elemental Evil Player's Companion at their player race write up. It says, under the heading "Beak and Feather" (page 3):
Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct tribal variations.
It doesn't elaborate much on what these "tribal variations" are, but this at least implies that Aarakocra can have the heads of other birds, not just "a parrot or eagle", despite the fact that all the official art I've seen depicts them as eagle-headed.
Is there any further information on whether Aarakocra can look like other birds? Note I don't want an exhaustive list of examples, just clarification on whether "tribal variations" means what my player hopes it means (since it could also be read to simply mean different colour parrots, or some other minor variation like that).
I believe Aarakocra appeared in previous editions of D&D, so any clarification outside of 5e is acceptable, but I'd prefer information from 5e material if possible. Also note that any setting that has a positive answer is fine (i.e. it doesn't have to be Forgotten Realms, especially if FR says no but the answer is yes in a different setting).
dnd-5e aarakocra
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– mxyzplk♦
Aug 19 at 16:45
Is your player looking for just a cosmetic difference, or are they hoping to gain owl-like traits? (Darkvision, silent wings, extreme head rotation, extra Wisdom, the ability to steal tootsie pops from inquisitive children, etc)?
– Paul
Aug 20 at 12:35
@Paul Just aesthetic, and although my player was asking about owl aesthetics, this question was about my curiosity regarding whether any non-eagle/parrot aarakocra had ever existed, so it's not specific to owls.
– NathanS
Aug 20 at 12:38
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
Recently a player asked me if it would be possible to make a PC that had the head of an owl, or was otherwise an anthropomorphic owl. Immediately my mind went to the Aarakocra, even though they are traditionally depicted as being eagle-like (judging by the picture in the Monster Manual and other official artwork).
I looked up their entry in the Monster Manual to see if it made their appearance explicit, but there's not much in there about their appearance. Then I took a look at the Elemental Evil Player's Companion at their player race write up. It says, under the heading "Beak and Feather" (page 3):
Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct tribal variations.
It doesn't elaborate much on what these "tribal variations" are, but this at least implies that Aarakocra can have the heads of other birds, not just "a parrot or eagle", despite the fact that all the official art I've seen depicts them as eagle-headed.
Is there any further information on whether Aarakocra can look like other birds? Note I don't want an exhaustive list of examples, just clarification on whether "tribal variations" means what my player hopes it means (since it could also be read to simply mean different colour parrots, or some other minor variation like that).
I believe Aarakocra appeared in previous editions of D&D, so any clarification outside of 5e is acceptable, but I'd prefer information from 5e material if possible. Also note that any setting that has a positive answer is fine (i.e. it doesn't have to be Forgotten Realms, especially if FR says no but the answer is yes in a different setting).
dnd-5e aarakocra
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
Recently a player asked me if it would be possible to make a PC that had the head of an owl, or was otherwise an anthropomorphic owl. Immediately my mind went to the Aarakocra, even though they are traditionally depicted as being eagle-like (judging by the picture in the Monster Manual and other official artwork).
I looked up their entry in the Monster Manual to see if it made their appearance explicit, but there's not much in there about their appearance. Then I took a look at the Elemental Evil Player's Companion at their player race write up. It says, under the heading "Beak and Feather" (page 3):
Their heads complete the avian appearance, being something like a parrot or eagle with distinct tribal variations.
It doesn't elaborate much on what these "tribal variations" are, but this at least implies that Aarakocra can have the heads of other birds, not just "a parrot or eagle", despite the fact that all the official art I've seen depicts them as eagle-headed.
Is there any further information on whether Aarakocra can look like other birds? Note I don't want an exhaustive list of examples, just clarification on whether "tribal variations" means what my player hopes it means (since it could also be read to simply mean different colour parrots, or some other minor variation like that).
I believe Aarakocra appeared in previous editions of D&D, so any clarification outside of 5e is acceptable, but I'd prefer information from 5e material if possible. Also note that any setting that has a positive answer is fine (i.e. it doesn't have to be Forgotten Realms, especially if FR says no but the answer is yes in a different setting).
dnd-5e aarakocra
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
edited Aug 21 at 17:41
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
asked Aug 19 at 6:49
NathanS
14.1k364154
14.1k364154
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– mxyzplk♦
Aug 19 at 16:45
Is your player looking for just a cosmetic difference, or are they hoping to gain owl-like traits? (Darkvision, silent wings, extreme head rotation, extra Wisdom, the ability to steal tootsie pops from inquisitive children, etc)?
– Paul
Aug 20 at 12:35
@Paul Just aesthetic, and although my player was asking about owl aesthetics, this question was about my curiosity regarding whether any non-eagle/parrot aarakocra had ever existed, so it's not specific to owls.
– NathanS
Aug 20 at 12:38
add a comment |Â
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– mxyzplk♦
Aug 19 at 16:45
Is your player looking for just a cosmetic difference, or are they hoping to gain owl-like traits? (Darkvision, silent wings, extreme head rotation, extra Wisdom, the ability to steal tootsie pops from inquisitive children, etc)?
– Paul
Aug 20 at 12:35
@Paul Just aesthetic, and although my player was asking about owl aesthetics, this question was about my curiosity regarding whether any non-eagle/parrot aarakocra had ever existed, so it's not specific to owls.
– NathanS
Aug 20 at 12:38
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– mxyzplk♦
Aug 19 at 16:45
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– mxyzplk♦
Aug 19 at 16:45
Is your player looking for just a cosmetic difference, or are they hoping to gain owl-like traits? (Darkvision, silent wings, extreme head rotation, extra Wisdom, the ability to steal tootsie pops from inquisitive children, etc)?
– Paul
Aug 20 at 12:35
Is your player looking for just a cosmetic difference, or are they hoping to gain owl-like traits? (Darkvision, silent wings, extreme head rotation, extra Wisdom, the ability to steal tootsie pops from inquisitive children, etc)?
– Paul
Aug 20 at 12:35
@Paul Just aesthetic, and although my player was asking about owl aesthetics, this question was about my curiosity regarding whether any non-eagle/parrot aarakocra had ever existed, so it's not specific to owls.
– NathanS
Aug 20 at 12:38
@Paul Just aesthetic, and although my player was asking about owl aesthetics, this question was about my curiosity regarding whether any non-eagle/parrot aarakocra had ever existed, so it's not specific to owls.
– NathanS
Aug 20 at 12:38
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
accepted
Any bird is hard to prove, but there are certainly variations
The best known variation of Aarakocra tend to resemble eagles.
The ones in the Tomb of Annihilation campaign book, where it describes the Aarakocra of Chult, resemble parrots.
However, both of these are mentioned in the description of Aarakocra already, so might not be the kind of proof you are looking for.
Aarakocra from the Dark Sun setting resemble giant vultures. As there are no vultures mentioned in the description, and they still exist in some setting, there is a strong possibility that there are owl-like aarakocra in other settings.
Historically, even the eagle-like Aarakocra looked different. In earlier editions, they looked more like songbirds. (Thanks, Forrestfire)
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
1
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
Yes. One of the designers for CoS confirmed it.
They basically have eagle/hawk heads, but the aarakocra in your game
might have owl heads instead. You could call them hooters. #WOTCstaff
So, per that advice, it's up to you.
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
4
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
16
down vote
accepted
Any bird is hard to prove, but there are certainly variations
The best known variation of Aarakocra tend to resemble eagles.
The ones in the Tomb of Annihilation campaign book, where it describes the Aarakocra of Chult, resemble parrots.
However, both of these are mentioned in the description of Aarakocra already, so might not be the kind of proof you are looking for.
Aarakocra from the Dark Sun setting resemble giant vultures. As there are no vultures mentioned in the description, and they still exist in some setting, there is a strong possibility that there are owl-like aarakocra in other settings.
Historically, even the eagle-like Aarakocra looked different. In earlier editions, they looked more like songbirds. (Thanks, Forrestfire)
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
1
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
accepted
Any bird is hard to prove, but there are certainly variations
The best known variation of Aarakocra tend to resemble eagles.
The ones in the Tomb of Annihilation campaign book, where it describes the Aarakocra of Chult, resemble parrots.
However, both of these are mentioned in the description of Aarakocra already, so might not be the kind of proof you are looking for.
Aarakocra from the Dark Sun setting resemble giant vultures. As there are no vultures mentioned in the description, and they still exist in some setting, there is a strong possibility that there are owl-like aarakocra in other settings.
Historically, even the eagle-like Aarakocra looked different. In earlier editions, they looked more like songbirds. (Thanks, Forrestfire)
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
1
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
accepted
up vote
16
down vote
accepted
Any bird is hard to prove, but there are certainly variations
The best known variation of Aarakocra tend to resemble eagles.
The ones in the Tomb of Annihilation campaign book, where it describes the Aarakocra of Chult, resemble parrots.
However, both of these are mentioned in the description of Aarakocra already, so might not be the kind of proof you are looking for.
Aarakocra from the Dark Sun setting resemble giant vultures. As there are no vultures mentioned in the description, and they still exist in some setting, there is a strong possibility that there are owl-like aarakocra in other settings.
Historically, even the eagle-like Aarakocra looked different. In earlier editions, they looked more like songbirds. (Thanks, Forrestfire)
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
Any bird is hard to prove, but there are certainly variations
The best known variation of Aarakocra tend to resemble eagles.
The ones in the Tomb of Annihilation campaign book, where it describes the Aarakocra of Chult, resemble parrots.
However, both of these are mentioned in the description of Aarakocra already, so might not be the kind of proof you are looking for.
Aarakocra from the Dark Sun setting resemble giant vultures. As there are no vultures mentioned in the description, and they still exist in some setting, there is a strong possibility that there are owl-like aarakocra in other settings.
Historically, even the eagle-like Aarakocra looked different. In earlier editions, they looked more like songbirds. (Thanks, Forrestfire)
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
edited Aug 20 at 7:17
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
answered Aug 19 at 8:41
Theik
7,0762849
7,0762849
1
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
add a comment |Â
1
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
1
1
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
Something that might be good to note regarding other types of birds from other settings: Faerun aarakocra looked like this for a long time: archive.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG11.jpg
– Forrestfire
Aug 20 at 7:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
Yes. One of the designers for CoS confirmed it.
They basically have eagle/hawk heads, but the aarakocra in your game
might have owl heads instead. You could call them hooters. #WOTCstaff
So, per that advice, it's up to you.
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
4
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
Yes. One of the designers for CoS confirmed it.
They basically have eagle/hawk heads, but the aarakocra in your game
might have owl heads instead. You could call them hooters. #WOTCstaff
So, per that advice, it's up to you.
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
4
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
Yes. One of the designers for CoS confirmed it.
They basically have eagle/hawk heads, but the aarakocra in your game
might have owl heads instead. You could call them hooters. #WOTCstaff
So, per that advice, it's up to you.
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
Yes. One of the designers for CoS confirmed it.
They basically have eagle/hawk heads, but the aarakocra in your game
might have owl heads instead. You could call them hooters. #WOTCstaff
So, per that advice, it's up to you.
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
edited Aug 19 at 23:12
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
answered Aug 19 at 18:02
Nepene Nep
2,316422
2,316422
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
4
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
add a comment |Â
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
4
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
AFAIK, Perkins job on 5e was CoS mostly/only, so it would be better to clarify that point (i.e. he's not Crawford)
– HellSaint
Aug 19 at 20:25
4
4
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Perkins is the lead story designer for all of 5e. In the case of lore, he's more authoritative than Crawford.
– Derek Stucki
Aug 20 at 0:21
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
Has Perkins ever not given a thumbs-up to a concept like this?
– pokep
Aug 20 at 15:15
add a comment |Â
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Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– mxyzplk♦
Aug 19 at 16:45
Is your player looking for just a cosmetic difference, or are they hoping to gain owl-like traits? (Darkvision, silent wings, extreme head rotation, extra Wisdom, the ability to steal tootsie pops from inquisitive children, etc)?
– Paul
Aug 20 at 12:35
@Paul Just aesthetic, and although my player was asking about owl aesthetics, this question was about my curiosity regarding whether any non-eagle/parrot aarakocra had ever existed, so it's not specific to owls.
– NathanS
Aug 20 at 12:38