Avians

AVIANS as converted from 1st Edition Palladium Fantasy to 2nd Edition from material appearing in Yin Sloth Jungle, by Reagren Wright

Alignments: Any, but usually good or unprincipled

The Eight Attributes: I.Q. 2D6+3, M.E. 3D6, M.A. 1D6+1, P.S. 4D6, P.P. 3D6+4, P.E. 5D6, P.B. 2D6, Spd 2D6 (running), 6D6+42 (flying)

Hit Points: P.E. attribute number plus 1D6 per level of experience.

S.D.C.: 15 plus those gained from O.C.C.s and physical skills.

Natural A.R.: 8

Horror Factor/Awe: 11

P.P.E.: 2D4x10

Magic: A rarity among Avians. They tend to avoid it.

Psionics: Standard, those who do tend to become psi-healers

Available O.C.C.s: Those who become adventures can become the equivalent of a mercenary fighter, gladiator, ranger, thief, nomadic tribesman, aerial acrobat, juggler, scholar, peasant, or witch.

Natural Abilities: Winged flight, keen hearing, exceptional, hawk-like vision (can see a foot long/0.3 m rabbit a distance of up to two miles/3.2 km, nightvision 300 feet (91 m), track by smell 66%, track by sight 74%, good climbers 62%, and excellent singers (song is like a bird like whistle) 90%.

Attacks per Melee: Two for young, four for adult males and females, or by O.C.C. Note: They tend to avoid standing on the ground and prefer to stay airborne. When flying, the avian can clutch a weapon in each talon and hand, but usually leaves the talons free for slashing attacks.

Damage: Bite inflicts 2D4 damage, raking slash with talons 2D6, full strength strike with talons 3D6, pin and entangle with talon, then fly up and drop from above (1D6 damage per 10 feet/3 m, or by weapon.

Bonuses: +1 on initiative (+2 in the air), +1 to strike (+3 in the air), +2 to parry (+4 in the air), +2 to dodge (+6 in the air), +4 to damage (+8 in the air), +1 to save vs. magic, +1 to save vs. poison and disease.

Average Life Span: 40-50 years

Value: Western Empire loves to capture and enslave them as prized zoo oddities and as combatants in the arena.

Habitat: Any remote forest or mountain; commonly found in and around the Yin Sloth Jungle and the neighboring mountains. Occasionally encountered in the Baalgor Wastelands and Old Kingdom. Avian slaves and gladiators are in imprisoned in the Western Empire.

Language: Their natural language is one of complex signals, chirps, whistles, squawks, and cries. Regardless of O.C.C. they can learn to speak four different languages, but have great difficulty speaking other tongues-use very simple words and phrases (-20% to speak additional languages).

Enemies: Trolls, ogres, orcs, goblins, gromek, and feathered death. Humans to a much lesser degree.

Allies: Headhunters, grimbor, hytril. The tezcat fear them but try not to harm them because they are friends of the sacred grimbor. They fight only to defend themselves against killer rogues who attack them.

Physical Appearance: Avians are human-size beings who resemble a cross between a man and hawk. Grey-green feathers with off-white highlights cover the majority of their bodies. They have a powerful humanoid chest and long legs with end in taloned feet. Their arms are attached to the wings at the midpoint of each. There is a taloned hand on each arm.

Size: 4.5 to 6 feet (1.4 to 1.8 m0 with a 10-15 foot (3 to 4.6 m) wingspan.

Weight: 160 lbs to 250 lbs (72 to 113 kg).

Rifts® Conversion Notes: Remains an S.D.C. creature in a Mega-Damage settings with In the Rifts® setting, Avains can be found primarily in the mountain jungles of Africa, South America, and Asia. Those encountered not in these regions are wandering adventures.

Note: Avians cannot wear humanoid armor because of their wings. Most flocks use a variety of simple weapons. Bolas, clubs, javelins, spears, and thrown rocks are the most common. Remember, their talons are the equal to any sword. Avians can carry small items and light weapons in their hands during flight, but must be extremely careful with how they use them to avoid erratic and reckless fights and damage to their wings.