Monster Geographica - Marsh & Aquatic.pdf - The Secrets of the ...

Ahlinni (Cackle Bird)
Medium Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 4d10+8 (30 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 40 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft. (4
squares)
Armor Class: 17 (+1 Dex, +6 natural),
touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+6
Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d8+2)
Full Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d8+2) and 2
claws +1 melee (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, impale
2d8+4
Special Qualities: Birdsong, darkvision
60 ft., fast healing 2, resistance to sonic 10,
low-light vision
This creature has a long, straight beak —
fully half the length of its body — that tapers to a
fine point. Wicked claws sprout from its wings. Its
eyes are whitish-pink and its feathers are a mixture
of blues, reds, yellows, and greens.
The ahlinni, or cackle bird, is a flightless
bird that dwells in the treetops of thick forests
or canopies of marsh trees. It is covered in
greenish feathers of varying hues, and when it lies
motionless in its leafy surroundings it is nearly
invisible.
Cackle birds live in small flocks, and their
laughter-like calls can be heard for great distances
through the woods they call home. They have an
affinity for small sparkly objects, and often line
their nests with bits of colored glass or gemstones
in order to attract a mate.
Combat
An ahlinni attacks first with its breath
weapon and, being cowardly, usually flees the
encounter if possible. When on the offensive,
an ahlinni leaps from its treetop and attempts to
impale its opponent on its beak.
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Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 13, Con 14, lnt 6, Wis
10, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +10, Hide +3*, Jump +8,
Listen +2, Move Silently +4, Spot +2
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Temperate or cold forests
and marshes
Organization: Solitary, pair, or flock (4-7)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: No coins; standard goods (gems
only); no items
Alignment: Usually chaotic neutral
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Medium); 9-12 HD
(Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Breath Weapon (Su): Once every three
rounds as a standard action, an ahlinni can
expel a pinkish gas in a 20-foot cone. Affected
creatures must succeed on a DC 14 Fortitude
save or fall prone, laughing manically as if
affected by a hideous laughter spell (caster level
4th). The effects last 1d3 rounds. The save DC is
Constitution-based.
Impale (Ex): When an ahlinni charges a foe,
it deals 2d8+4 points of damage on a successful
strike with its bite attack instead of its typical
damage of 1d8+2.
Birdsong (Su): An ahlinni can freely
communicate with any bird or bird-like creature
(such as rocs, giant eagles, and giant owls),
perfectly mimicking any bird song or vocalization.
Communication with non-intelligent bird creatures
is on an empathic level, and can only take place if
the bird is within 100 feet. In this case, this ability
functions as a speak with animals spell (caster
level 4th). This ability is always active, but can be
negated. The ahlinni can restart it as a free action
on its next turn.
Skills: An ahlinni has a +8 racial bonus on
Climb checks, and can always take 10 on a Climb
check, even if rushed or threatened. *An ahlinni
has a + 10 racial bonus on Hide checks when in
treetops.
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