Eostrix

Those who encounter an eostrix and are immediately reminded of harpies by their curving talons and broad wings. Keen observers will notice they hold themselves upright and dignified, and their avian features resemble that of an owl.

The eostrix bears a shared lineage curse with the cruel harpies and are subject to suspicion and hatred. Unlike their bloodthirsty cousins, they avoid violence. However, they exhibit kleptomaniac tendencies common to harpies, even though they fight these urges with all of their willpower.

Because of their abilities and want for riches, eostrix make fine adventurers, especially when the job consists of plundering tombs or even someone’s private abodes. All eostrix make fine rogues. However, forest and tundra eostrix are also quite adept at nature-related pursuits such as becoming a ranger or a druid. Because of their love of songs, mountain eostrix make for wonderful bards.

Eostrix have a common craving for simple theft, a legacy trait from their earliest origins. This base impulse is at odds with their generally good and honest nature. Some eostrix are compelled by a nagging internal voice that offers justifications for these thefts. Other eostrix simply have a compulsion to do so that overwhelms their other senses, forcing them to steal when they would rather leave well enough alone.

Though they are often mistaken for harpies at first glance, the trained eye will notice several differences between a harpy and an eostrix. Firstly, the talons are much less sharp, allowing them to manipulate mundane objects, shields, and weapons easily. Secondly, the plumage and shape of the talons are much closer to an owl than that of a vulture, causing them to appear much friendlier. An eostrix’s feathers’ colors depend entirely on its location, as they usually allow the eostrix to blend into its surroundings with greater ease.

Forest eostrix have enhanced eyesight that lets them see openings for archery from a distance, where other races would have trouble hitting a target. Mountain eostrix are gifted with the ability of song, similar to that of a harpy, differing only in effect. Tundra eostrix utilize magic to blast areas of freezing cold to damage their foes.

Traits

The eostrix fight against the unnatural perils of the world, striving to correct and undo the evils they have wrought. Sometimes they need to grow some additional abilities to help them in that fight.

• Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2.
• Age. Most eostrix reach maturity by age 20 and can live up to age 90.
• Alignment. Most eostrix are Chaotic Neutral, though a few lean towards Chaotic Good. There are very few Chaotic Evil or any Lawful eostrix.
• Size. Most eostrix are 5 to 6 feet tall and weigh anywhere from 150 to 200 lbs. Your size is Medium.
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
• Language(s). You can speak, read, and write Common and Eostrix.
• Senses. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
• Flight. You have a flying speed of 30 feet as long as you are not wearing medium or heavy armor.
• Talons. Your talons are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
• Skilled Thief. You have advantage on all Sleight of Hand checks made to pickpocket a creature.
• Natural Armor. You have an innate armor through the toughness of your flesh equal to AC 12 + your Dexterity modifier.
• Weak to Fire. You suffer an additional +50% from all attacks dealing fire damage.

Subraces

Forest Eostrix

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Keen Eye. You ignore penalties from making a melee weapon attack into any sort of cover except total cover.

Mountain Eostrix

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Stunning Song. As an action, you can sing a magical song that affects all creatures within 15 feet. All creatures within this range must attempt a Wisdom saving throw or be stunned for 1 round. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus.

Tundra Eostrix

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Frozen Wings. As an action, you can flap your wings together to create a flurry, not unlike that of a blizzard. When you do this, each creature in a 15-foot cone must make a Constitution saving throw or take 2d6 cold damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful save. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Charisma modifier + your proficiency bonus. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier, after which you must take a long rest to recharge its uses.

d4	Eostrix Quirks
1	You hear voices in your head constantly, begging you to steal mundane things that you might not even want or need.
2	Sure, you may steal things from other people, but you always make sure whatever you take gets back into their hands eventually.
3	You have taken theft to a new extreme by stealing someone’s identity every time you enter a new city. You may have forgotten your real name.
4	You always have the right tool for the job. Whether or not that used to be your friend’s tool is besides the point. Whether or not they watched you take it is also incidental.