Death Hawks
DEATH HAWKS by Reagren Wright
These birds of prey were once favored by Elves prior to the Elf/Dwarf
Wars as assassins and messengers. The war devastated their populations
to the point it was thought the birds were extinct. However, small pockets
found homes in the dense northern forest of the Eastern Territory. Slowly
the species has begun to repopulate, moving south and westward.
These birds are jet black in color, making them almost invisible at night.
They have eerie yellow eyes. A pair of Death Hawks remains together for
life. They build several aeries within their territory and use them
alternately for several years. The nest consists of heavy tree branches,
upholstered with grass. Old aeries may be 6 ½ (2 m) in diameter and 3 ½
feet (1.06 m) in height, as the birds enlarge their nests every year. If the
aerie is situated on a tree, supporting tree branches may break because
of the weight of the nest. The female lays two to four eggs in early winter
and late spring (depending on the area). After 45 days the young hatch.
They are entirely white and are fed for fifty days before they are able
to make their first flight attempts and eat on their own. The parents try
to their best to make sure all the chicks survive, but in some cases the
smallest chick dies without leaving the aerie. These birds are extremely
territorial when it comes to the nest. They regard anything that comes
within 100 feet of their nest as a potential predator. If it comes within
30 feet of the aerie, both birds will attack until it is killed/driven off or
they are killed. These birds mate for life, and if one is killed, it partner
will perform either a suicidal plunge or will stop eating/drinking and
no longer defend itself as it lays besides its fallen partner.
Death Hawks use a division of labor while hunting: one partner drives
the prey to its waiting partner. They have very superior eyesight and
can spot prey from a long distance. The birds can spit bolts of lightning
that can hit moving targets as if they were sitting still. These birds are
such skilled marksman, a trained bird is said to be able to hit a gold
piece tossed from its owner hand in mid air. The birds prey upon other
birds, rodents, martens, foxes, young deer, and livestock including
lambs and young goats. During winter months when prey is scarce,
Death Hawks scavenge on carrion to supplement their diet.
Death Hawks can be trained for falconry, but they are quite difficult to
do so, unless raised after hatching. Unfortunately regardless of training,
if the birds see one of the opposite sex, they will attempt to fly off
together. Those who have trained Death Hawks are able to make a
good life for themselves. These birds can be made into deadly body
guards and assassins, striking down enemies with deadly pin point
accuracy without warning, usually with a head shot.
Alignment: Considered anarchist
Hit Points/S.D.C. Combined: 4D6+10
P.P.E.: 1D4x10+10
Natural Abilities: Fly, exceptional vision (2 miles/3.2 km), nightvision 400 feet (121.9 m), See the Invisible, Prowl (silent swooping attack) 70%, Track by Smell 50%, Track by Sight 90%, and Superior Marksman.
Speed: 90 (63 mph/101.4 km), but can reach speeds of 200 (140 mph/225.4 km) in a dive bomb.
Attacks Per Melee: Four
Damage: Talons do 2D6+2, Bite does 2D4, dive attacks do double damage, Spit Lightning 3D6+6, Range: 300 feet (81.4 m). The birds can spit lightning four times in a melee (one minute). They can produce 10 lightning strikes in a single day.
Bonuses: +4 on initiative, +4 to strike, +5 to strike with lightning, and +6 to dodge. Note: These birds can hit fast moving objects and/or tiny small objects (the size of a tennis ball) without penalty while standing still or in flight with their lightning bolts.
Magic: None, except their lightning attacks.
Psionics: None
Value: 1500gp for eggs and up to 6000gp for a trained bird. These birds are quite difficult to train (-15% on falconry).
Average Life Span: 20 years
Habitat: Seacoasts and along the banks of rivers, lake, and dense forest and mountains.
Range: Small islands on the Inland Sea, along the Old Kingdom and Great River, they are starting to be being seen more often throughout the Eastern Territory (more so in the Disputed Region).
Language: None
Enemies: They are very territorial when it comes to their nest when there are eggs or chicks being raised.
Allies: None,
Size: 2½ to 3½ feet tall (.75 to 1 m); Wingspan 8-10 feet (2.4 to 3 m).
Weight: 5 ½ -15¼ lb (2.5 to 7 kg)
