The Iridian Eyrie: PSS1

 The Iridian Eyrie

A new concept for the Plane of Rainbows which included a new subspecies of aarakocra, a new giant eagle and the history of their home. An expansion for PSS1 The Wonders of Radiance

In an ancient age dragons hunted birdfolk to near extinction on a world which the survivors have now long since forgotten. Even the story of their passing into the Plane of Rainbows has only scant details in legend. 

What is known is that the birdfolk did not find an easy life in their first years in the Limitless Light. While their ability to fly let them easily travel from floating island to island, it always seemed that they would come into conflict one of the native races. Perhaps because they were considered a territorial threat, they were attacked by rainbow serpents, ravids, and even the occasional glimmerfolk or chroma war party. 

The birdfolk expanded ever outwards searching for a permanent home which finally became a reality when they discovered the radiant eagles of the Iridian Eyrie. Sensing mutual benefit in alliance, the eagles welcomed the birdfolk into their eyrie and with few exceptions, the two races have remained close allies for thousands of years. In time, the birdfolk began to call themselves the Iridians and their appearance started to closely match the vibrant colors of their new home. Within the Iridian Eyrie, both the birdfolk and the eagles work together to find food, create shelter, and defend themselves against aggressors. 

Iridians

Though at one time they may have been something different, the iridians are now beautifully plumaged aarakocra.  Their feathers are all the colors of the rainbow like the brightest of parrots, but their facial structures are unmistakably raptor. They are close with the radiant eagles and live among them in great eyries forged of tree and crystal. The magical birds known as corollax also live among them, and are the one species of bird that the eagles do not prey upon. 

Statistically, the Iridians are aarakocra with the exception that their ability to cast Gust of Wind in their Windcaller trait is replaced with the ability to cast Color Spray as a second level spell instead. 

Radiant Giant Eagle

Radiant giant eagles are slightly larger than their prime kin and have a few spells they can cast.  They are unaware if they originated in the Limitless Light or transported from another world like their Iridian allies. The Plane of Rainbows is the only home they have ever known however.