Balorians

Balorians

Balorians are of avian decent. They have slender human like bodies with arms ending in taloned fingers. They have powerful legs and taloned feet which they use as weapons in aerial attacks, Their wings are positioned on their shoulder blades, and span from 9 to 12 feet. Balorians stand about 5 feet in height and weigh 40 to 50 pounds. As with most birds their bones are hollow to lighten their body weight. Hollow bones have the disadvantage of being very brittle. Their eyes, like an owl, look forward to provide very sharp binocular vision. They have a curved beak similar to that of a hawk or an eagle which is useful as a weapon or in the capture of food animals. Typically Balorians are brightly colored with each different clan having their own distinctive coloration. They also have a very musical speech consisting of whistles, trills, and clicks. This makes the Balorian tongue difficult for other races to imitate. Balorians are said to have a 'gift for song,' and have a love and talent for all forms of music. Balorians gain a +2 bonus to perform and bardic skills related to song. Balorians are very proud of their plumage and spend a good amount of time preening and primping. Other races often perceive these actions as a sign of vanity.

Balorians have the ability to fly at a speed of 240 feet per minute, with a high maneuverability when unencumbered. When wearing leather armor flying speed drops to 120 feet per minute and maneuverability drops to moderate. Balorians are unable to fly while wearing metal armor or when otherwise weighted down. In the air they can swoop down upon a victim and deliver a powerful blow with their muscular legs and heavily taloned feet doing 1d6 damage. If a surprise attack or from behind add a +2 to hit.

Balorians have the following racial penalties and bonuses in thieving skills: -1 to hide due to their brightly colored feathers, and a +1 to climb walls, -1 to pick locks, and -1 to pick pockets due to their taloned hands. They have a base armor rating of 10.