Golden Foul

GOLDEN FOUL by Reagren Wright

No one is quite sure how these gold ducks came to the PF world. Perhaps these waterfowl arrived here by accident (dimensional portal) or the god Locknar did it as one of his cruel pranks. One story says a sailor traveled to Odguard and stole a nest of eggs from a pond outside the home of Angerboda, the giantess wife of Locknar. He brought them to his wife to cook and feed to his neighbors. The magical curse fell upon them and all current ducks are descendants of those tragically befallen victims. Golden Fouls are in essence no different then typical ducks. The breeding male is golden all over it body. Females are more yellowish then gold and have white spots on their stomachs. During the non-breeding season, drakes become the same color as the females but lacks white spots. The males have a nasal call while the females “quake” which is associated with ducks. The ducks inhabit wetlands, ponds, lakes, or rivers that have a strong influence or connection to the Northern Relgion. That does not necessrily mean they are in cities, they can be found in the countryside if there is a temple or church several miles away. With the Northern religion popularity on the decline so are the numbers of these ducks. Which would explain why many people have only recently discovered their unnusual nature. The ducks feed on plants, with its nest near the water bank, but not always. It is a highly social creature outside the breeding season and will form large flocks of about 10-30 members. The ducks form pairs only until the female lays eggs, then the males leaves. In a single clutch there are 4-8 eggs, which are incubated for 30 days to hatching within 50-60 days to fledging. The ducklings are mostly mature and mobile at birth, and can swim and feed themselves on insects as soon as they hatch, but they stay near their mother for protection.
The uniqueness of these ducks does not come apparent until they become injured. These ducks bio-regenerate at 1D6 hit points/S.D.C. every other melee. Although they have a lifespand of 30 years, the ducks are pretty much indestructible. They can recover from grevious bodily injury and even the loss of body parts without actually dying. Even if blown to bits, the duck will come back to life in a matter of minutes. The only surefire way to kill the duck for good is to atomize/vaporize it, incinerate the head and body seperately, or decapitation (this prevents the duck from regenerating for 24 hours). Any humanoid who eats the duck’s meat will obtain some of its magical regeneration abilities, namely the ability to bio-regenerate 1D6 hit points and/or S.D.C. every other melee for 24 hours. Lost limbs (accept the head) can be regenerated in an hour (fingers/toes in about 2-3 minutes and hand/feet in about 10). Organs (including the heart) come back in about 2-3 hours. The person can regenerate as long as they don’t endure beyond -40 hit points of damage. But here’s the catch. After 24 hours, the person must make a save vs. deific magic (18 or better). If he or she makes the save, they experience a painful bowel movement, requiring them to releave themselves, in which they will be shocked to find they have deficated (laid) a duck egg. This egg will hatch in about a minute and the duck he or she ate will be reborn and grow into full maturity in a matter of seconds. If the deific magic is failed, the person will metamorphosis into an exact copy of the consumed duck. There is truly only one way to permanently remove this deific curse and that is to go to a Temple of Locknar or to any Northern Religion church and ask a northern deity to remove it (non followers have a 21% chance, while a true follower of a northern deity has a 21% +7% chance per level of experience, Northern Priest has an extra 10% bonus if they ask or are inflicted). Of course, there is no guarantee the curse will be lifted right away, one might have to earn it off or repent in some fashion. Locknar has been known to amuse himself by having the poor bird (err person) go on some kind of quest to “prove” himself worthy. Hel will never remove the curse unless something is done for her on a personal level. Algor is said to be in grand humor whenever requested. No other deities can undo the transformation. Certainly, this has to be a Locknar prank for only the god of mischief would find such amusement. Presently there are reports that the Wolfen are sending these ducks to parts of the Eastern Territory in the hopes that certain nobles or person(s) of importance decides to have a golden duck dinner. Note: If anyone eats a duck egg, the save vs. deific magic (18 or better) has to be done.

Alignments: Considered anarchist

Hit Points/S.D.C.: 4D6+4

P.P.E.: 2D6+4

Natural Abilities: Fly, swim 95%, dive and swim up to four feet (1.2 m) underwater, has insulated, water repellent feathers, Bio-regenerate 1D6 hit points/S.D.C. every other melee, and indestructibility (can only die by natural causes, which includes being eaten by prey animals, but not humanoids).

Locknar’s Curse: Any humanoid that eats the flesh of a golden fowl gains its bio-regenerative capabilities for 24 hours. After the 24 hours has expired, the person must make a saving throw vs. deific magic (18 or better). Making the save requires the victim to “lay an egg” which restores the bird. Failure causes the victim to metamorphosis into the duck he or she consumed. The person cannot pick up, grab, hold, or use tools, weapons, or objects. Most skills are impossible (-90%). Skills that require the use of human feet are also gone. Reduce all physical attributes and combat bonuses by 70%. Hit points and S.D.C. will remain the same. Spell casting is possible but the victim can only utilize the P.P.E. possessed by the duck (2D6+4). No more, no less. I.S.P. and psionic abilities remain unchanged. The person can speak normally and mental attributes remain unchanged. Priestly abilities also remain unchanged. Removing the curse is only possible by a 10th level priest or alchemist (see Removing the curse of the Gods in PRFRPG, page 262), but it’s likely not to last. Only a Northern Deity can permanently remove the curse.

Vulnerability: Rune weapons cause double damage and wounds the ducks cannot heal. Anyone who eats duck flesh also takes double damage from rune weapons as well. If a humanoid is killed by a rune weapon, he or she will not regenerate back to life.

Speed: 50 (35 mph/56.3 km) flying or 5 running.

Attacks Per Melee: Two

Damage: None.

Bonuses: +1 on initiative, +1 to strike, +4 to dodge, and +12 to Horror Factor.

Magic: None

Psionics: None, but they can naturally sense dimensional anomalies.

Value: Their meat is worth 2000 gold. Eggs fetch about 6000 gold.

Average Life Span: 30 years. Can only die by natural causes.

Habitat: Almost anywhere near Water

Range: Wherever the Northern Religion can be found.

Language: None.

Enemies: They are preyed upon by all sorts of animals, who are impervious to their curse.

Allies: None, but Locknar and his wife regard them as pets.

Size: 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ feet (56-65 cm), wingspan of 2 ½ to 3 ¼ feet (81-98 cm).

Weight: 2 to 2 ½ lbs (0.9 to 1.12 kg)