Aarakocra are a race of avian humanoids in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. They have bodies resembling humanoid birds with wings for arms. Aarakocra worship various avian deities that vary depending on their tribe and culture.
Aarakocra Creation Myths
There are a few common myths about the origins of the aarakocra race in D&D lore. One tells that they were created by the dragon god Io as one of the primal races. Another links them to the elemental air gods such as Akadi. Some aarakocra myths trace their creation back to avian gods or other powerful bird entities.
Io
Io is an important draconic deity in many D&D worlds. According to one aarakocra myth, Io created the aarakocra along with dragons, lizardfolk, nagas, and other reptilian races. This myth places the bird-folk as one of the ancient primal races predating humans, elves, dwarves, and other common peoples. As creations of the draconic god Io, the aarakocra have a connection to dragonkind.
Akadi
Akadi is the goddess of air, speed, and flying creatures. She rules over the Elemental Plane of Air. Some aarakocra myths state that Akadi created the aarakocra or that they were born from her realm in the Plane of Air. This links them to air elementals and ties them to the aerial domain that they glide through.
Quorlinn
Quorlinn is an avian god specific to the aarakocra race. He is considered the progenitor of the aarakocra. Quorlinn taught the first aarakocra how to fly and brought them to the Material Plane from the Elemental Plane of Air. Aarakocra that worship Quorlinn see him as their creator and patron god.
Major Aarakocra Deities
While aarakocra creation myths may differ, most aarakocra share the same pantheon of gods. Their main deities include avian gods, air gods, and gods of the sky. Different aarakocra tribes place varying degrees of importance on certain gods over others.
Quorlinn
As mentioned previously, Quorlinn is the lord of the aarakocra. He governs over birds and flight. Quorlinn’s teachings allowed the aarakocra to unlock their flying potential. He is a deity specific to the aarakocra race and widely worshipped by them across the D&D multiverse.
Akadi
Akadi is the goddess of air and flying creatures. She is one of the prime elemental gods and hails from the Plane of Air. Akadi governs over all things related to air and sky, making her an important deity to the bird-like aarakocra. Her divine realm can be found on the Plane of Air.
Syranita
Syranita is the demigoddess of commerce and profit. She teaches that wealth can empower. Syranita’s following is small but devout among the aarakocra. Aarakocra merchants and traders often worship and make offerings to Syranita for fortune in business.
Auril
Auril is a fickle goddess of winter weather. Capricious and cold, Auril brings icy storms and frost. Nonetheless, some aarakocra tribes living in cold northern climates worship Auril as a goddess of the sky and winds. Her wintry doom is harsh, so aarakocra often make offerings to appease Auril’s wrath.
Vatun
Vatun is the giant eagle god worshipped by the avian Aarakocra and Kenku races. He represents birds of prey and hunting from the skies. Aarakocra rangers and druids often revere Vatun for his keen sight and aerial predation. His followers uphold the natural order between hunter and prey.
| Deity | Alignment | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Quorlinn | Neutral Good | Birds, Flight |
| Akadi | Neutral | Air, Sky |
| Syranita | Lawful Neutral | Commerce, Wealth |
| Auril | Chaotic Evil | Winter, Storms |
| Vatun | Neutral | Birds of Prey, Hunting |
Clerics and Paladins
Like other races, aarakocra have members of their kind that become devoted to the gods and take on powers in their service. Clerics channel divine magic from the planar domains while paladins oath themselves to the ideals of specific deities.
Clerics
Aarakocra clerics usually worship the main racial deities of Quorlinn, Akadi, Syranita, Auril, or Vatun. They perform religious rituals, offer prayers, and call upon their god’s magic. Clerics may serve as spiritual leaders or shamans for aarakocra tribes. Their divine magic heals, protects, and aids the community according to the god’s tenets.
Paladins
Paladins are rare among the aarakocra. Their duties range from defending aarakocra tribes to embarking on holy quests. A paladin sworn to Quorlinn may seek to help his kin unlock greater flight potential. One devoted to Vatun could embark on a holy hunt against threats to the natural order. Their oaths compel paladins to live up to lofty ideals.
Aarakocra Pantheon and Worship
Aarakocra tribes each have their own pantheon, rituals, and forms of worship devoted to avian gods, elemental air, and sky. Their religious leaders include shamans, druids, clerics, and the occasional paladin. Some examples of aarakocra practices include:
- Building open-air stone shrines and temples to revere the sky.
- Offerings of seeds, grains, and berries to thank the gods.
- Totems and fetishes depicting wings, feathers, and birds.
- Ritual dances that mimic the motions of flight.
- Prayers and mantras sung on high cliffsides.
- Adding trinkets and ribbons to trees and mountain peaks to mark sacred places.
- Festivals on solstices and equinoxes tied to seasonal changes.
These kinds of rituals allow aarakocra to show gratitude and respect to their avian gods according to tradition. Different tribes have unique practices, but share common roots in worshipping the skies.
Significance in Aarakocra Culture
Religious beliefs are deeply ingrained in aarakocra society. The tenets of their gods shape their values. Reverence for the sky governs many aspects of their daily lives. Some examples include:
- Constructing open-roofed structures leaves room for deities to observe.
- Hunting is limited to preserve harmony in the ecosystem.
- Leaving choice food or coins to honor a god during meals.
- Song, dance, and flight mimicry as spiritual meditations.
- Storytelling passes down myths of the Aarakocra’s origins.
- Sacred skywatching rituals for young aarakocra coming of age.
This religious foundation impacts everything from architecture to family life. The myths and history of tribes are passed through generations. The tribes who share these beliefs are bound together. Religion brings purpose, identity, and ethnic pride to the aarakocra.
Conclusion
In D&D lore, the avian aarakocra race worships animal and elemental air deities that allow them to embrace flight. Gods like Quorlinn and Akadi represent core ideals for the aarakocra. Their myths explain the race’s origins and purpose. Religious practices reinforce values like freedom, natural order, and reverence for the skies in daily life. The gods bring meaning to these bird-like people both individually and as united tribes.
