Axe Beak

Axe Beak

This stout bird stands upon two long, muscular legs, each ending in a large, curved talon. A pair of undersized wings sprouts from amid its broad body feathers, as does a powerful neck ending in an avian head armed with a grisly serrated beak.

XP 600

N Large animal

Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +9

DEFENSE

AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +2 natural, -1 size)

hp 22 (3d8+9)

Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +1

OFFENSE

Spd 50 ft.

Melee bite +6 (1d8+6)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks sudden charge

STATISTICS

Str 18, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 10

Base Atk +2; CMB +7; CMD 20

Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Run

Skills Perception +9

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate plains

Organization solitary, pair, or flock (3-6)

Treasure Value 550 gp (shiny objects)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Sudden Charge (Ex) When making a charge attack, an axe beak makes a single bite attack. If successful, it may also attempt to trip its opponent as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the axe beak is not tripped in return.

Keen-witted and powerful avian predators, axe beaks compete with wolves and hunting cats for prey upon vast, open steppes and prairies.

Feared for their boldness and territorial natures, these giant birds are also known to be eminently tameable, proving useful guardians, hunters, and even steeds when kept well fed.

Axe beaks are relatively social creatures, forming small groups in which both males and females hunt together. They nest in immense mounds made of sticks, branches, leaves, and whatever else they can scavenge (including the bones and equipment of previous meals), with each nest used by a large group of axe beaks. Females typically lay clutches of 1d4+1 eggs once per year, which the parents take turns keeping warm for 2 months. At the end of this period, the axe beaks break hatchlings out of their shells. These young are fed by their parents for 2 more months before they begin hunting on their own.

Mature axe beaks stand 7 feet tall and weigh as much as 500 pounds. Most live to be up to 50 years old.

Numerous species of axe beaks exist, their colors and general build varying wildly from region to region. Dull brown and gray breeds are most common, but bright yellow, blue, black, and more exotic plumages have also been documented.

Training an Axe Beak
An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider.

Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle.

Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for an axe beak is up to 200 pounds; a medium load, 201-400 pounds; and a heavy load, 401-600 pounds.

Axe Beak Companions
Axe beak animal companions progress as follows: Starting Statistics: Size Medium; Speed 50 ft.; Attack bite (1d6 + 1-1/2 Str); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 19, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 10; Special Qualities low-light vision.

4th Level Advancement: Size Large; AC +2 natural; Attack bite (1d8 + 1-1/2 Str); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex -2, Con +4; Special Attacks sudden charge.