Difference between revisions of "Axe Beak"

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[[File:axe-beak-image.jpg|380px|left|Axe beak]]
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[[File:axe-beak-image.jpg|350px|left|Axe beak]]
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{{Bestiarychart
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| name = Axe Beak
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| species = [[Beast|beast]]
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| noapp = 3–18
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| behaviour = herd
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| range = [[Savanna (range)|savanna]], [[Taiga (range)|taiga]]
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| size = 7 ft. at head
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| weight = 155 lbs.
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| int = 3
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| AC = 6
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| HD = 3
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| AP = 6
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| THAC0 = 19
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| hpdie = d8
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| attack = '''3''': two [[Talon (attack)|talons]]; [[Beak (attack)|beak]]
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| dmg = talons (1–3); beak (2-8)
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| special = +1 [[Initiative|initiative]]
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}}
  
These highly aggressive flightless birds are omnivorous, but with a noted appetite for eating meat, whether of their own kills or scavenged. They are fast runners (movement cost is 1/4 AP per combat hex) and vicious in combat, leaping while twisting their bodies, so they can attack with their hind feet and their heavy beak all at once.
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These aggressive flightless birds are omnivorous, and yet they possess a powerful appetite for eating meat, whether their own kills or carcasses they can scavenge. They are fast runners, with a movement cost of 1/4 [[Action Points|action point]] per [[Combat Hex|combat hex]].  The common form is that encountered in tropical regions, where the beast hunts or feeds in both the wet and dry season.  Males and females are indistinguishable from one another. Females will mate with any of the males at the end of the dry season, or in the spring, producing 2–5 eggs. The eggs are buried in soil and are protected by the whole flock.
  
The more common form is that encountered in tropical regions that experience wet and dry seasons; in these climes, axe beaks will hunt in numbers, often seeking a carcass large enough to feed the group. Males and females are indistinguishable from one another. Females will mate with any of the males once per year, at the end of the dry season, producing 2–5 eggs. The eggs are usually buried in soil and protected by the whole flock.
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A less common known form has a heavy white plumage, with a thick coat of pin-feathers, enabling the bird to dwell in the cold climate of eastern Siberia. In this part of the world, axe beaks are treasured mounts for small humanoids like [[Kobald|kobalds]] and [[Xvart|xvarts]], who can use [[Spear (weapon)|spears]] while aboard the creature.  The axe beak is so flexible, it can attack with both talons and beak while enabling the rider to attack, all in the same round.
  
A less common known form has a heavy white plumage and an excessive number of pin-feathers, as it dwells in the cold climate of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The origin of this species, far from its more commonly known tropical ancestors, has long been a mystery. The Kamchatka variety is less aggressive and has been effectively domesticated as a war mount for [[xvart]] clans of the Xachta Kingdom. No other race has successfully domesticated an axe beak and attempts among the tropical variety have proven ineffective.
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During the dry season, when food is short, the wild axe beak becomes more and more aggressive, creating a danger to humanoids. In seeking food, they are known to attack parties that are twice their number. The birds will rush prey, squawking and attacking, only to backpedal for a round before rushing forward again, forcing their enemy to win initiative. The axe beak receives a '''+1 to initiative''' rolls.
  
== Wild Encounters ==
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Axe beaks are less aggressive during the wet season, or the late summer, when food is plentiful and they are more commonly able to scavenge the meat they love.  In these times, they will attack only if they are provoked.  This is the best time to capture one live, if wishing to domesticate the creature — noting that this is only true of the Siberian variety, as those of the savanna cannot be tamed.  They can, however, be charmed, and often a witch doctor will bewitch the creature as a companion.
  
#'''Aggressive:''' during months of the year when food is short (during the dry season prior to mating), the axe beak becomes more and more aggressive towards conspicuous humanoid signs, seeking food and potentially attacking a party numbering less than half the size of the bird's group. Typically, 1–4 of the group will become aggressive and threatening, seeking a confrontation by rushing others and pulling back, all the while squawking and encouraging the rest of their flock to join in, which they will in groups of 1–3 if blood is drawn. If not driven back physically, the axe beaks will try to tear their way into structures or tents to find food.
 
#'''Scavenging:''' during the wet season, when food is plentiful, most of the meat that axe beaks will consume will be scavenged from carcasses left over from other predators, supplemented by fruits and tubers that are scratched up. Axe beaks during this time can be approached within 2–8 hexes, carefully (hands out and no weapons drawn) and even caught with a noose.
 
  
See [[Bestiary|Bestiary]].
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See [[Bestiary|Bestiary]]
 
 
[[Category:Bestiary]]
 

Latest revision as of 04:55, 3 September 2023

Axe beak
Axe Beak
Species beast
No. Appearing 3–18
Behaviour herd
Range savanna, taiga
Size 7 ft. at head
Weight 155 lbs.
Intelligence 3
Armour Class 6
Hit Dice 3
Action Points 6
Max. Stride {{{stride}}}
THAC0 19
Hp/Die d8
Attack Forms 3: two talons; beak
Damage talons (1–3); beak (2-8)
Special Attacks +1 initiative

These aggressive flightless birds are omnivorous, and yet they possess a powerful appetite for eating meat, whether their own kills or carcasses they can scavenge. They are fast runners, with a movement cost of 1/4 action point per combat hex. The common form is that encountered in tropical regions, where the beast hunts or feeds in both the wet and dry season. Males and females are indistinguishable from one another. Females will mate with any of the males at the end of the dry season, or in the spring, producing 2–5 eggs. The eggs are buried in soil and are protected by the whole flock.

A less common known form has a heavy white plumage, with a thick coat of pin-feathers, enabling the bird to dwell in the cold climate of eastern Siberia. In this part of the world, axe beaks are treasured mounts for small humanoids like kobalds and xvarts, who can use spears while aboard the creature. The axe beak is so flexible, it can attack with both talons and beak while enabling the rider to attack, all in the same round.

During the dry season, when food is short, the wild axe beak becomes more and more aggressive, creating a danger to humanoids. In seeking food, they are known to attack parties that are twice their number. The birds will rush prey, squawking and attacking, only to backpedal for a round before rushing forward again, forcing their enemy to win initiative. The axe beak receives a +1 to initiative rolls.

Axe beaks are less aggressive during the wet season, or the late summer, when food is plentiful and they are more commonly able to scavenge the meat they love. In these times, they will attack only if they are provoked. This is the best time to capture one live, if wishing to domesticate the creature — noting that this is only true of the Siberian variety, as those of the savanna cannot be tamed. They can, however, be charmed, and often a witch doctor will bewitch the creature as a companion.


See Bestiary