Heron, Fisher
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Swamps and marshes |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Intelligence | Semi- (2-4) |
| Treasure | Incidental |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| No. Appearing | 1-2 |
| Armor Class | 4 |
| Movement | 12"/12" |
| Hit Dice | 5 |
| THAC0 | 15 |
| No. Of Attacks | 2 |
| Damage/Attack | 1-6/1-6 |
| Special Attacks | Double strike |
| Special Defenses | Nil |
| Magic Resistance | None |
| Size | M (7 feet) |
| Morale | Champion (15 to 16) |
| XP Value | 470 |
Description
The fisher heron is an unusual creature that dwells in temperate to tropical swamps, including salt marshes. Humans do not often see it, but as it is a skillful hunter many of those who meet one rarely survive the encounter.
The principal prey of the fisher heron are lizard men, but in reality almost anything can be attacked. Anything that the fisher heron can bait that is. While its smaller, less dangerous brethren are content to stand motionless in or near water, waiting for a sizeable fish or frog to pass into striking distance, the fisher heron is a bit more active. While not actively seeking prey, this species has learned that certain items attract potential food items, such as shiny coins, gems, swords, and the like.
Acquiring such items either by searching the swamps and marshes or from past prey, the fisher heron places these items conspicuously near areas lizard men, bullywugs, humans, and others are known to pass through. When the unsuspecting individual spies the items and starts to pick them, he/she/it will notice that a number of pieces of the "treasure" lead off into nearby bushes or thickets. When the hapless individual comes close enough to the vegetation, the fisher heron lashes out with blinding speed. If the fisher heron has been successful, the individual will not have detected them, and be in a situation where they cannot flee immediately.
Combat
Like the harmless herons that feed on fish and small vertebrates, the fisher heron is able to strike with its long bill using blinding speed. In fact it is so fast that it is able to strike twice in one round, doing 1-6/1-6.
Fisher herons are in natural vegetation invisible as per the spell. Humans and others have the same chance to detect one as they would anything else that is invisible.
Habitat/Society
Solitary creatures, the largest number fisher herons are ever found in is a hunting pair, either a mated pair or two recently fledged siblings. Fisher herons are found in any marshy or swampy places, from coastal estuaries to interior bogs and such. They are also encountered from to time along rivers and in jungle areas.
Ecology
By and large the favorite prey of the fisher heron is lizard man, but bullywugs are often consumed. Though generally found in remote areas far from civilization, they do encounter and will readily feed on humans and demihumans when present. They are also known to feed on a variety of smaller birds, mammals, insects, and sometimes fish.