Conversion Skullbird

Skullbird

Large Beast

Hit Dice:
7d10 +7 (45 hp)

Initiative:
+2 (Dex)

Speed:
15 ft. Fly 20 ft.

AC:
18 (-1 Size, +2 Dex, +7 Natural)

Attacks:
2 Claws +9, Bite +4

Damage:
Claw 1d8, Bite 3d4

Face/Reach:
10 ft. x 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks:
Improved Grab

Special Qualities:
Low-light Vision, Darkvision 60 ft, Slippery Hide

Saves:
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +2

Abilities:
Str 14, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 7, Wis 8, Cha 5

Skills:
Listen +4, Search +5, Spot +7

Feats:
Dodge, Lighting Reflexes




Climate/Terrain:
Phlogiston

Organization:
Pack (4-12)

Challange Rating:
4

Treasure:
Standard

Alignment:
Always Neutral Evil

Advancement:
8-16 (Large)

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Skullbirds are large carrion birds of wildspace. A bad reputation
follows these birds. Sailors consider the sight of a skullbird a sign
that someone aboard ship will die soon.
The birds are named for their gruesome heads, which appear to be bird
skulls covered with a layer of shiny black skin stretched tight. Their
glittering dark eyes are hidden deep in the recessed sockets, and their
beaks are jet black and needle-sharp.
Skullbirds are covered with oily black feathers and exude an oily,
charnel odor. Their talons are like razors. Skullbirds have no language,
but have two distinct calls: an irritating, high-pitched screech when
they find live food, and an ominous, bass
croaking when they find carrion.
Combat:
Though the birds prefer to eat carrion, since it puts up no fight, they
unhesitatingly attack live prey if they have not had a decent meal in
several days (50% chance). Skullbirds attack with their two sets of
sharp talons, each doing 1d8 damage. If the
prey is still moving, they try to finish it off with a swift stroke of
their razor-like beaks, inflicting 3d4 damage.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the skullbird must hit a
medium-size or smaller opponent with both its claw attacks. It then
tries to snatch up its prize and fly away to its foul nest. If the prey
struggles for more than one round, the skullbird
drops the victim, in hopes that the falling damage will finish it off.
Slippery Hide (Ex): Skullbirds secrete an oily substance that keeps them
comfortable while flying in space. The oil is slippery; any attempt to
grapple with the bird takes a -4 penalty. This oil is also responsible
for the creature's low AC, since weapons
seem to slip off the bird. The oil, however, is highly flammable, giving
the skullbirds a -4 penalty when saving against. fire-based attacks, and
+2 hp per die of fire damage. Waving torches or other open flames around
a skullbird for one round probably
chases them away.... if they aer not too hungry (which is almost always the case).
Habitat/Society:
Skullbirds nest in floating wrecks of spelljamming vessels, or in the
decomposing bodies of huge, dead, wildspace creatures. They travel in
flocks and have no leaders. Skullbirds are not territorial.
Once every three months, a female skullbird lays 1d4 eggs. Ugly, almost
skeletal chicks hatch from the eggs and begin croak-ing incessantly,
demanding to be fed. The sound is reminiscent of a group of bullfrogs.
There is a 25% chance of finding skullbird
eggs in a nest. They are not edible.
The oily feathers of the skullbird also trap air most efficiently,
giving the birds a full day's supply of air. They do require air to
survive in wildspace.
The skullbird is a bird of ill omen. Sailors shun them, and shun anyone
foolish enough to wear anything made from part one of the birds. If a
ship encounters skullbirds outside their lair, the encounter begins with
the birds flying out of nowhere and
trying to perch on the ship's masts. This is considered the worst
possible omen, a sign that the ship will soon be destroyed. Fast-moving
characters get one round to try to drive the birds away from the masts;
if they succeed, the birds may attack instead
(50% chance).
Average or Green crews who see the skullbirds roosting on their ships
undergo an immediate morale check at -1 penalty. Failure indicates that
the sailors immediately panic, some scampering below decks, others
jumping off the ship. They remain panicked
until the birds are driven off. More experienced crews need not check
morale, but they make morale checks in later battles at the same
penalty.
Ecology:
The only positive ecological contribution skullbirds make is their
pursuit of their favorite food, feesu (q.v.).


Converted by Flits3