Chickago

Chickago by Stone Gargoyle

Chickagos are large flightless birds used for riding. Extremely shy, these birds are hard to capture. Once trained, however, Chickagos are highly loyal and obedient. Excellent swimmers and climbers, they do well on any type of terrain. With sharp claws for digging into ice, they can even be made to cross ice shelves and glaciers.
Chickago racing establishments have started popping up in some areas where gambling on them is a popular pastime. Fighting them against one another in illegal gambling dens has also cropped up, particularly amongst the trolls and orcs. Abuse of these birds has made them a protected species in some kingdoms where their well-being is a concern.
Chickagos live in flocks of 2d6 members, typically near bodies of water (lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, etc.). They will wander into plains areas when seeking food sources, making them easy prey for larger predatory animals.

Alignment: Any

Attributes: I.Q. 2d4 (high animal intelligence), M.E. 1d6+4, M.A. 1d6+4, P.S. 4d6+2, P.P. 3d6, P.E. 3d6+10, P.B. 4d6, Spd 4d6X2+2

Hit Points: P.E. attribute number X2

S.D.C.: 1d4X10+10

Natural A.R.: 6

Horror Factor: 6

P.P.E.: 3d6

O.C.C.: Not applicable

Natural Abilities: Climb 90%, swim 90%, keen eyesight and hearing, can leap 8 feet high or 16 feet lengthwise. Only 01-05% of Chickagos are capable of flight (flying at ground speed X2).

Attacks Per Melee: Two per round

Damage: Kick with clawed feet does 3d6 points of damage, bite 2d4+2 damage, head butt or peck 1d6

Bonuses: +1 on initiative, +1 to strike and parry, +2 dodge

Magic: None

Psionics: None

Average Life Span: 12-30 years

Value: Meat (whole animal): 80 gold; untrained: 1,000 to 6,000 gold, trained: 12,000 to 72,000 gold

Habitat: Ophid's Grasslands, Northern Mountains, Great Northern Wilderness, Old Kingdom

Language: None, other than squawks and chirps, but can learn to understand commands in any language

Enemies: Large predatory animals, and they are captured and trained as mounts.

Allies: None, animal

Physical Appearance: They are very pretty birds with short feathers not suited for flight. Most remain the yellow plumage color of their early years, but males will develop other colors in later years, including feathers in red, pink, white, light blue, indigo, light green, violet, magenta, black and silver.

Size: 6-8 feet tall

Weight: 300-800 pounds

Behavior: Chickagos are herbivores, feeding mainly on plant materials such as grass and plants, as well as fruit and seeds. They nest on the ground and are fierce in protection of their young. They are a species nearing extinction and considered endangered in much of the Palladium World.