Birdkin - Species and Interest Check

Posted 6 years, 2 months ago (Edited 6 years, 22 days ago) by Jubil Avarilen SymeSynth

[Currently a work in progress]

The Birdkin are a particular race, related to harpies and other beastkin, a link made obvious by the crossing of the traits of both species. They are a varied and vastly spread kind, with multiple subtypes known across the globe, and with types that happen to correspond to one (or multiple species) of birds. In the futuristic world of Earth, they are recognised and accepted as a Supernatural race, being treated on the same level as humanity and granted equal rights.

They have a vague global culture akin to the United Nations, but, even with that force uniting them, conflict still occasionally occurs, although they very rarely become truly hateful or violent.

General Appearance

The birdkin are a humanoid species, following normal skin tones, having a human face, and generally sharing a human-looking form overall. From the distance, and with their wings folded, they could be mistaken for regular people with gloves and boots.

Traits (These traits do not need my explicit approval, although I will still recommend informing me about your design so I can approve or give further advice.)

  • All birdkin have an upper set of ears, which can appear like cat ears, fox ears, rabbit ears, as well as many others. Their lower set of ears can range from ears like that of a goat to wing ears (read: ears that are primarily composed of vibration-sensitive feathers, allowing them to absorb sound). Elven ears are also not out of place.
  • Unlike harpies, birdkin have separate wings and arms, the latter of which are distinct due to having scales and claws, used mainly for gripping onto objects. Their legs are also like that of birds, and can vary depending on the race. Some types may have webbed feet, a different appearance overall, among others. (See the many types of bird feet for more info.)
  • Birdkin can be based on both flying and flightless birds alike, and each subtype of birdkin can act and look differently depending on their race. For example, the bird-of-paradise birdkin are noted for having colourful males, and drab females. Eagle birdkin, meanwhile, could look mainly the same. Of course, this does not apply to all birdkin, and exceptions are quite common.
  • Hair colours and eye colours are generally extremely varied. Blue hair and red eyes, for example, are well-accepted.
  • ● Heterochromatic eyes and tinted sclera are uncommon traits.
  • ● Slit pupils are also a rare trait, but can happen by chance, with the likelihood increasing if their parents had interbred with a race bearing slit pupils. [Uncommon]
  • Hair patterns are quite common. The same goes for wing patterns, as long as said pattern can also be seen in bird species.
  • Depending on their subtype, birdkin can have tail feathers or none at all. The length and appearance would vary on their subtype.
  • ● Tail feathers that are basically a merge of two or more tail feathers are an uncommon trait.
  • Birdkin can have additional physical traits depending on their subtype (for example, a chicken birdkin could have a crown).
  • Wing size and appearance tends to depend on the birdkin subtype. A penguin birdkin would have thin wings, not suited for flying.
  • Some birdkin subtypes have facial markings, like peafowl birdkin. Particularly decorative birdkin types could have body markings, which look rather like tattoos, albeit simple. (For reference, markings are likelier with birdkin subtypes that are very colourful).
  • All birdkin have some kind of magical prowess, though how powerful this is tends to vary depending on the subtype, and their ancestry.
  • Birdkin can communicate with their particular race. For example, eagle birdkin can communicate with normal eagles, so on and so forth. (For hybrid races, it's usually one or the other, or whichever subtype has the more dominant traits.)
  • They normally hear a vast range of frequencies given their double set of ears, and can tune out certain frequencies that they don't like. They're also more sensitive to sounds compared to humans.
  • Some birdkin types, like penguin and duck birdkin, could have a layer of down coating part of their bodies for insulation. This can manifest as fluff around their limbs, neck, or back, among other parts. [Uncommon]
  • Birdkin subtypes can interbreed, resulting in hybrid races. [Uncommon]
  • Birdkin subtypes are based on existing or extinct races of birds, with the latter type being rare.

Rare Traits

  • Horns are a rare trait, and suggests ancestry with races like dragons, horned serpents, and other races who have horns.
  • Multiple sets of wings are exceedingly rare, especially for non-mythical birdkin.
  • Unusual skin tones are a sign of ancestry with races like demons, or a mythical heritage.
  • Particularly complex body markings also follow this ancestry rule, or can happen with mythical birdkin.
  • Hair and wing patterns that aren't seen in normal or mythical birds are very rare. This includes patterns with very peculiar designs, patterns that include gems, and the like.
  • Communicating with more than one animal type is a rare ability, and might even go unnoticed.
  • A more restricted hearing frequency range is particularly rare.
  • Vividly coloured sclera (the whites of someone's eyes) are rare, and hint at ancestry with mythical birdkin, or another race.
  • Pupils that are very peculiar, like heart-shaped pupils, are considered unique. 
  • Having more than two pairs of ears is considered a very rare trait.
  • Tails that are not tail feathers are very rare for their kind.
  • ● Multiple tails are a particularly rare trait.
  • Feet and claws that aren't based on bird species are similarly extremely rare.
  • Very atypical 'ears' are considered very rare.
  • Mythical birdkin, like those based on the phoenix, are very rare, incorporating the normal birdkin traits with the abilities of the mythical bird. They tend to be admired by others.
Birdkin Society [Feel free to not follow this. If you have a birdkin, you are free to use them in any world.]
  • Birdkin society is as complex as that of humans, with multiple cultures, beliefs, and systems, which is usually tied down to their subtype. For example, some birdkin, like the eagle birdkin, would be more attuned to nature. By contrast, pigeon birdkin would be fine with residing in cities. There are also several races that happen to be fine either way.
  • Some birdkin have learnt to incorporate technology into their cultures, regardless of them being more attuned to nature, or preferring an urban life, while there are others that reject this technology outright.
  • ● Of note is the fact that most nature-attuned birdkin who have accepted technology tend to introduce eco-friendly characteristics to inventions without such qualities, or to improve on them so that the pollution that can result from their use is drastically lessened.
  • Birdkin can speak human languages, plus a local dialect for their own kin, as they have developed alongside humanity and other races for several millennia. Most birdkin dialects vary from race to race, but they would be at least vaguely understandable for those unfamiliar with the dialect.
  • There are some birdkin societies that refuse to get involved with humanity nor their kin, preferring to remain isolated in their natural habitats and avoiding contact.
Birdkin Biology
  • Birdkin in general follow an omnivorous diet, with their food preference depending on the species they are based on.
  • Birdkin are a warm-blooded race like actual birds, meaning that they can regulate their own body temperature.
  • They lay eggs. The appearance of their eggs usually relies on someone's hair and eye colour, and any wing patterns might potentially end up being passed onto the eggs. Like birds, birdkin will end up laying unfertilised eggs, which are smaller than fertilised ones. These eggs can be eaten to recycle the protein and minerals.
  • Depending on a birdkin's ancestry (usually tied to their upper ear type), they can share some peculiar traits. For example, a birdkin of catkin origin might have sensitivity to catnip.
  • Like all supernatural races, the birdkin are biologically immortal. They reach maturity at around 16 human years.
  • Birdkin are normally tetrachromats, and some types are even pentachromats, making their colour perception far stranger than that of humans.
Additional Traits
● Animal Form
All birdkin can take on an animalistic form (though whether they actually do this or not depends on the individual), with two types that correspond mainly to their mood: one smaller than that of humans and is overall cute and fluffy [Minor Form]; and one that is much larger than humans, and is intimidating in appearance [Major Form].
  • A birdkin's animal form can either have a beak, or a feline mouth. In Minor Form, this is rendered cute and can do little to no damage, but in Major Form, they tend to be intimidating, and can hurt if the birdkin intends to hurt you.
  • A birdkin's animal form is quadruped by default, but they can still use their front legs to grab at objects, albeit to a more limited degree compared to their humanoid form.
  • They retain the same number of digits on their front legs, but their hind talons are almost always in an anisodactyl form. Mythical birdkin are exempt to this rule, most of the time.
  • A happy birdkin is more likely to take on their Minor Form. An angered birdkin is more likely to take on a Major Form. This can vary from person to person, but the rule of thumb is that positive emotions are likelier to bring out a Minor Form, and negative emotions are likely to bring out the Major Form.

(OOC Notes: Please PM me first if you wish to create one. I'm admittedly not sure if these should be made a species, given that I mainly wrote them for a story, and their overall design was based on characters like Xayah and Rakan [from League of Legends], as well as Monster Musume characters.)


[Of note is the fact that some birdkin abilities, to be considered rare, have to be natural, and not attained through another method (magic or tech). With personality, clothing, general appearance like colours and hairstyle, and abilities, go wild. Seriously. Just don't use the 'not natural' thing as a loophole for you to cram as many rare traits as possible.]

I am also humbly asking for opinions and suggestions about this race. Should they an open, or closed species?

What other traits could I include for them? I'm open for critique and suggestions.

Edit: I've made a masterlist of birdkin.

GnashingT33th

I think the species overall sounds incredibly interesting so far, and I'd love to see you progress with it! I was originally going to make a suggestion about birds like ducks and their waterproof feathers, but I noticed you already covered that haha! 

Are there different types of tails or does that change between each bird species? I think you mentioned this but I'm not sure ^^'

 Would it be considered rare to not have the scales/claws on the arm, or is that a consistent trait for the entire species regardless on bird type/rarity? Does wing size factor into what bird species they are? Would birdkin based off of extinct birds also have their diet, and while on that topic, what kind of foods do they need to eat if any? Do mythical birdkin based off creatures like a basilisk also have their ability?

I'd totally love to see more about this species! Whether they're open or closed is up to you honestly, although if you plan on going really in depth with them I suggest closed so you can develop them :D 

SymeSynth

Regarding tails: tail feathers vary depending on the species, really, though this can be somewhat randomised and explained with interbreeding for a wider variety of appearances. Tails that area tail feathers are rare traits, though.

Not having scales and claws on the arm would count under the 'claws that aren't of bird species' umbrella, hence them being a rare trait.

Wing size also heavily depends on the species and ancestry of birdkin, really. 

And, all birdkin do follow an omnivorous diet, with their preferred food depending on their species. And, yes, even extinct birdkin are affected by this, which can occasionally lead into problems if one is particularly picky.

And, yes: mythical birdkin share the same abilities as the beings they are based on. Phoenix birdkin, for example, would be able to resurrect from the dead and all.

Ooh, thank you! And, yes, I am definitely leaning further into making them a closed species.

SymeSynth

I did a little update regarding birdkin. I'll also try to include a visual guide at some point!

SymeSynth

Some tentative prices, particularly for MYOs.

Regular Birdkin [Common to Uncommon] - 10$
Regular Birdkin [C-U + 1/2 Rare Traits] - 20$
Regular Birdkin [3/5 Rare Traits (Includes Extinct Species)] - 30-35$
Mythical Birdkin [Unlocks all Rare Traits] - 50$+
(Rough pricing; adopts cost less, customs cost more)

Suggestions and opinions would be appreciated.

SymeSynth

I've added details regarding potential feral forms!

(I also still need to make a visual ref.)

HEAVENDELUXE

seems fun, and like youve put thought into it ^^
my one suggestion is to think about what youre going to call them; birdkin is a fine enough name, but there is already a popular species called birdfolk, which is very close (and initially i thought might have also been called birdkin). in a book this wouldn't matter, but if you're going to enter a living market then you might want to try out some other, more unique names.

SymeSynth

Ah, yeah. That is admittedly true. HEAVENDELUXE

I've been thinking of other (very) tentative names, here presented in a list. I wouldn't mind getting more suggestions, really.

  • Aviresti (pl. Avirestia)
  • Voillanim (pl. Voillanis)
  • Wingfolk
  • Aerialan (pl. Aerialans)
SymeSynth

Update: I've decided that the name Avirestia is the best choice.

KiyasamatheInu

These are so neat!

SymeSynth

Ah, heh, thank you for the compliment! I appreciate that you like my species. ^_^

abbysavvy

I'm very interested in seeing you develop these species! And if you do I'd love to make one! (i'll pm you)

TheHailStormer

For those interested in seeing, I've recently gotten my own Birdkin character, Takari Sokudo, drawn by the same artist who drew Jubil. A profile for her will be up in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kxx6umxoy1vdtv9/birb-girl.png?dl=0