Chickcharney

Resembling a filthy owl with the gangly long legs of a stork, this almost comically ugly bird has piercing black eyes and emits an annoying screech.

[This content was created by Paizo Publishing LLC for the Pathfinder rules but is not from the Pathfinder RPG product line.]

Source: Pathfinder d20pfsrd.com

During their early ocean voyages, intrepid explorers first came upon this strange and wondrous magical bird. Despite being initially ridiculed for its unsightly appearance and awkward gait, the fiercely tempestuous Chickcharney has nevertheless proven to be a formidable and surprising force to be reckoned with.

A chickcharney can grant good luck to those it deems worthy of its gifts, but its favor can just as easily turn to scorn, and a mere scratch from a chickcharney’s accursed beak or claws has spelled the end for countless unwary seafarers.

With their naturally inquisitive and trusting nature, the Chickcharney is known to readily approach most non-threatening humanoids, willingly accompanying them for brief periods, and often leaving their nesting spots unprotected, especially if they do not have a mate or eggs to protect. However, their trust can be easily broken, and they will quickly become aggressive and even lethal towards those they perceive as a threat.

They are fickle things, and if they recognize hostility or rudeness, they inflict all manner of chaos upon those who provoke them. Chickcharneys fiercely protect their eggs and young, their eggs being highly coveted by predators as well as humanoids. The shells are thought to possess alchemical properties that can be employed in numerous formulae, and many alchemists are willing to pay exorbitant sums for intact specimens. While some pirates continue to insist that encountering a chickcharney is a good omen, a much larger contingent gives the ornery and erratic bird a wide berth. A chickcharney is 3 feet tall and weighs 50 pounds.

Chickcharney CR 3

XP 800 N Small magical beast Init +3; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Low-Light Vision; Perception +6

DEFENSE

AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dexterity, +1 dodge, +1 size) hp 30 (4d10+8) Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +2

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., Fly 30 ft. (average) Melee bite +8 (1d4-2 plus ill luck), 2 claws +8 (1d3-2 plus ill luck) Special Attacks maddening screech

STATISTICS

Strength 6, Dexterity 17, Constitution 14, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 15 Base Atk +4; CMB +1; CMD 15 Feats Dodge, Weapon Finesse Skills Fly +10, Perception +6 SQ blessed trill

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Blessed Trill (Su)   Once per day as a standard action, a chickcharney can emit a melodious trill that grants all creatures within a 20-foot radius a +1 morale bonus on saving throws for the rest of the day. This is a sonic, mind-affecting effect.   Ill Luck (Su)   When a chickcharney hits a creature with one of its natural attacks, the target is exposed to the chickcharney’s curse.   Curse of Ill Luck: save Will DC 14; effect the creature takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, and skill checks.   A creature can be affected by a curse of ill luck multiple times (up to a maximum cumulative penalty of -4). Chickcharneys are immune to this curse. The save DC is Charisma-based.   Maddening Screech (Su) Three times per day as a standard action, a chickcharney can emit a piercing cry that affects all other creatures within a 30-foot radius. An affected creature must succeed at a DC 13 Fortitude save or become confused for 1d3 rounds. This is a sonic, mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment warm forests, hills, or plains Organization solitary or nesting pair Treasure none

Section 15: Copyright Notice – Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Isle of the Shackles

Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Isles of the Shackles © 2012, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Mike Shel.