Thunder Bird
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Huge Magical Beast |
| Hit Dice | 12d10+24 (90 hp) |
| Initiative | +7 |
| Speed | 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 100 ft. (average) |
| Armor Class | 19 (-2 size, +3 Dex, +8 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +12/+29 |
| Attack | Claw +21 melee (1d8+9) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +21 melee (1d8+9) and bite +19 melee (2d6+2) |
| Space/Reach | 15 ft./10 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Lightning, thunder wings |
| Special Qualities | Water sight, mist cloak, control weather |
| Saves | Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +6 |
| Abilities | Str 28, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 16 |
| Skills | Listen +9, Spot +9, Survival +7 |
| Feats | Alertness, Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Snatch |
| Environment | Temperate forests |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | 9 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always chaotic neutral |
| Advancement | 13–18 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
A great, cloud-cloaked figure, with the general form of an immense bird of prey, streaks across the sky with a low, steady rumble. An eerie red glow can be seen within the mists at the location of its head.
This legendary creature has the general form of a huge raptor, with beautiful, iridescent feathers that gleam like precious metal. The eyes of the bird glow with a reddish hue. It has a wingspan of nearly 40 feet, and is powerful enough to carry a whale in its huge talons.
The bird of thunder is rarely seen, as it is continually cloaked in mist. While it is in flight only the beak and the front of the wings can be seen, with the remainder wrapped in the streaming white vapor it trails behind. However the eerie red glow of its eyes can always be seen in spite of the mist.
This spirit bird has magical power over the elements of the air. When it flaps its wings rapidly it can produce a roar of thunder. By closing its eyes the thunderbird can emit a flash of lightning. It also has command over the weather, and can summon a thunderstorm when conditions are ripe.
Thunder birds are highly territorial, and can command a large region of territory. Thus it is very rare for more than one thunder bird and its mate to be encountered in a region.
Combat
The thunder bird dives upon its prey from the cover of clouds, grabbing with its powerful claws then rending with its bite. When attacked, the thunder and lightning it can produce are more than sufficient against most foes. As it is cloaked in mist and often flies in the clouds, the bird is very difficult to spot.
Lightning (Sp): Once per three rounds, a thunder bird can produce a lightning bolt from the tip of its beak as the spell (caster level 12th; Reflex DC 16 half). The save DC is Charisma-based.
Thunder Wings (Sp): As a full round action, by hovering and rapidly beating its wings, a thunder bird can produce a roar of thunder as a standard action. The result is identical to shout as the spell (caster level 12th; Fort DC 17 partial). The save DC is Charisma-based.
Control Weather (Sp): Once per month, the thunder bird can control weather as the spell (caster level 12th-level).
Mist Cloak (Sp): The form of the thunder bird is continually cloaked by a veil of mist within 10 ft. of its body. The result is as the obscuring mist spell (caster level 12th) but it cloaks the entire bird, even with its wings fully spread. This ability is constant, but the thunder bird can suppress or resume it at will as a free action.
Water Sight (Su): The thunder bird can see clearly through any mist, vapor, or cloud, including its own mist cloak, and it can see as an aquatic animal while underwater.
Advanced Benefits
In addition to the standard changes due to Hit Dice advancement, thunder birds also gain the following special benefits.
- The caster level of the spell-like abilities is equal to the Hit Dice.
- 14+ HD ― The roar of thunder produced by the thunder wings spell-like effect is identical to the greater shout spell (caster level equals Hit Dice; Fortitude partial). The save DC is equal to 10 + ½ HD + Charisma modifier.
- 15–17 HD ― Natural armor bonus improves to +9.
- 16+ HD ― A thunder bird can choose to produce a chain lightning, as the spell, in place of the lightning bolt ability (caster level equals Hit Dice; Reflex half). The save DC is equal to 10 + ½ HD + Charisma modifier.
- 18 HD ― Natural armor bonus improves to +10.