Corvay, Canyon
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Semi-arid forests, desert areas, mountains, grasslands |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Intelligence | Very (11-12) |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Chaotic neutral |
| No. Appearing | 1-6 |
| Armor Class | 7 |
| Movement | 6" / 25" |
| Hit Dice | 1-2 |
| THAC0 | 20 |
| No. Of Attacks | 1 |
| Damage/Attack | 1-4 |
| Special Attacks | Nil |
| Special Defenses | Nil |
| Magic Resistance | None |
| Size | S (3 ½ to 4 feet) |
| Morale | Unsteady (5 to 7) |
| XP Value | 30 |
Description
The canyon corvay is a relative of the desert corvay and similar in appearance (gray instead in color and a tad smaller), though varies greatly in habits. While its cousin ranges in huge flocks over the countryside in its search for food, the canyon corvay is either found alone or at most in groups of up to six. Instead of making an "honest" living, the canyon corvay often seeks to live off the goodwill of others.
This race is always on the look out for potential benefactors, ones the canyon corvay can "adopt" more or less permanently. Whether a nearby village or a travelling band of merchants or adventurers, the canyon corvay attempts to ingratiate itself into their good graces. Suddenly appearing, the canyon corvay begs, pleads, and whines to join the group, offering its services a guide. They claim to know all local dangers, that they will be of great aid in finding food and water, and know the terrain very well. In return for this valuable information, the corvay wishes to accompany the party or group, being provided rare and unusual food items and particularly anything valuable and shiny, such as gems or coins (the weakness of the desert corvay as well).
Unlike the desert corvay though, the canyon corvay is liable to throw caution to the wind when it sees a particular item it really likes. If that person will not part with it, then the corvay will attempt to steal it at the earliest opportunity, though always in a way that minimizes personal danger to the creature.
Canyon corvays are the ultimate turncoats, as they often lie in providing their information, providing what they think their benefactors wish to hear, and have been known to jump ship (so to speak) when a more attractive group shows up. The canyon corvay, if possible, will attempt to ingratiate itself with the new group and prevent the old group from knowing about; it never hurts to be in with more than one party or group, and there is no telling if the new benefactor will refuse the honor of the canyon corvay;'s company. If the corvay is forced to chose between groups, it will always choose the more powerful one, and gladly "sell" all that it knows about them. Beware the corvay's offers of friendship; if there ever was a fair-weather friend, this is it.
Combat
The canyon corvays are notorious cowards, but if forced to fight. Their beak attack does a surprising amount of damage for the size of this bird.
Habitat/Society
Canyon corvays are found in mountains, forests, grasslands, and in desert areas, though in general as the name might suggest prefer arid and semi-arid regions. Almost too chaotic to have a society, they exist only in small family groups, hopefully attached to some benefactor.
Ecology
Canyon corvays are practically parasites, their information sometimes scarcely useful and their association with others often a detriment. Their primary foods are small mammals, lizards, frogs, and insects, but they will eat just about anything, including carrion if need be.