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Tengu as a playable race (Kenku re-skin)

by Marc Saindon

These fellows are from Horai (the Good Kingdom/Feywild), but occasionally find their way into Yasuko. As Yokai, they count as Fey (better resistance against Charm, can't be a Cleric or Paladin, but can be a Druid or Ranger). As Japanese folklore has many versions of the Tengu, I'm using the simplified anthropomorphic corvid, although Name-level Kenkus will often craft a red wooden mask, with a very long nose (to go over their beak) to distinguish themselves from their younger kin, leading to the idea that their are two types of Tengu among Yasukans.

Whereas the Yosei (fan-made Sidhe) inherits a word that serves as his portfolio and domain and seek to increase the influence of that word in the world (or trade up to a better title), Tengu must pick a skill ("be the best pokémon master!") and monomaniacally seek the perfect mastery of it. Due to this obsession, they rarely multiclass. Fighters likely will pick one weapon (like the katana) and over-specialize in it, a Wizard might narrowly focus just on Fire spells, and an Artificer will seek to be the best in his craft. And though they have Chaotic tendencies, some Tengu can become Monks, and become really lethal martial artists. Naturally, PCs have interactions with non-Tengu society, and this can be toned down (there isn't a game mechanic for their obsession, it's just game flavor).

Notes:
Tengu
Kenku
Tengu


(Image from: https://www.deviantart.com/mizakilightsword/art/Captain-Argat-Tengu-Warrior-981775627)