Emu

Emu

Species	avian
No. Appearing	4–16
Behaviour	herd
Range	desert, savanna
Size	5 ft. 7 in. tall
Weight	86 lbs.
Intelligence	1
Armour Class	7
Hit Dice	1
Action Points	5
Max. Stride	17
THAC0	20
Hp/Die	d6
Attack Forms	kick & peck
Damage	1–8 & 1–4
Special Attacks	back kick

The emu is a large flightless bird, which may stand as tall as 6 ft. 3 in., and weigh up to 132 lbs. — though they are more commonly smaller. While very common in unknown Australia, they have been seen throughout southeast Asia and as far west as Makran. They can travel great distances and are able to go for weeks without eating. They drink infrequently, but take in copious amounts of water when the opportunity arises.

They are prey for megalania, the thylacine and dingos, who hunt emu in packs. Both their meat and eggs are prized by hunters; they are commonly speared at waterholes, caught in nets, attracted by imitating their calls or by arousing their curiousity with a ball of feathers and rags dangled from a tree. The fat is harvested for its oil, the bones are shaped into knives and tools, the feathers are used for adornment and the tendons are useful as strings.

Behaviour

Breeding takes place in November and December in the northern hemisphere, or May and June in the south. Fighting among females for a mate is common. The emu becomes very aggressive at this time towards outsiders. The female lays 5-7 eggs, which are cared for by the male, who does not abandon the eggs until they hatch, starving himself and growing more aggressive; over the eight-week incubation period, he will lose a third of his weight. The chicks, when born, weigh about a pound, and require seven months to become fully grown.

When attacked, they will typically spend one round attacking with beak and hoof; they will then turn and back kick with one foot. The hooves of the emu are heavy and sharp, so that upon a hit the hoof will do 2-16 damage. The emu will then run, making no attempt to re-enter combat.

See Bestiary