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

4
Stymphalian Bird
Medium Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 4d10+4 (26 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 60 ft. (poor) (8
squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural),
touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+6
Attack: Beak +6 melee (1d8+2/19-20) or
feather +7 ranged (1d4+2/19-20)
Full Attack: Beak +6 melee (1d8+2/19-20)
and 2 claws +1 melee (1d6+1/19-20) and 2
wing slashes +1 melee (1d6+1/19-20) or 4
feathers +7 ranged (1d4+2/19-20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved critical, feathers
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., lowlight
vision
The stymphalian bird resembles a large crane
with an unusually long beak of bronze and long,
swift legs that end in razor-sharp talons. When a
stymphalian bird makes it lair, it feeds on living
creatures within a 5 mile radius. Stymphalian birds
are very fond of flesh and devour livestock, cattle,
and the like. They are particularly fond of elves
and humans. The bird stands about 7 feet tall and
has an ibis-like body. Unlike the ibis, however, its
beak is long and straight, not curved. Its feathers
and talons are bronze like its beak.
Combat
Stymphalian birds attack from the air. When
flying, a stymphalian bird looses a volley of bronze
Flora and Fauna
80
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 6, Wis
12, Cha 2
Skills: Listen +4, Jump +6, Spot +5
Feats: Flyby Attack, Weapon Focus
(feathers)
Environment: Temperate and warm forest,
marsh, and hills
Organization: Solitary or flock (2-5)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Medium); 9-12 HD
(Large)
Level Adjustment: —
feathers at its foes or else swoops down and
attacks with its beaks or wings, flying out of range
before the opponents can react. On the ground,
the stymphalian bird attacks with its wings and
talons.
Improved Critical (Ex): A stymphalian
bird’s beak, claws, and wings threaten a critical hit
on a roll of 19 or 20.
Feathers (Ex): A stymphalian bird can
loose a volley of four feathers when flying over an
opponent. This attack has a range of 60 feet, with
no range increment. A feather threatens a critical
hit on a roll of 19 or 20. The stymphalian bird can
launch three such volleys in a single day.
Salty Spartina: This rare form of the spartina plant is found in salt marshes, and has the unique
ability to naturally remove salt from seawater. The body of the plant floats on the surface of the water, but
it can only live in a foot or less of liquid because its roots must reach the soil. If kept in a seawater-filled
cask or similar container and left in the sun, the salty spartina removes the salt from the seawater, taking
about five days per gallon of water.
After purifying one container of water, the spartina must be moved to new source of seawater
within one day or it will die. Some enterprising ship captains who have learned of this plant use it on long
voyages to produce limited amounts of fresh water. Superstitious sailors believe that relying too much
on salty spartina makes the sea angry, while less fearful sailors sing bawdry tunes about spartina as they
return the ocean its water.