The Rascal Parrot
THE RASCAL PARROT by Reagren Wright
On remote island throughout the southern hemisphere, these beautiful
birds can be seen. Many sailor and pirate has tried to make them a pet,
but for whatever reason, these birds are not as friendly as other
parrots and refuse to be trained. Nonetheless, they seem to sense the
presence of practitioners of magic. At this point their disposition
changes, they turn friendly and hospitable, even begin to sing beautiful
songs in the tongue of faerie.
All of this activity is harmless and meaningless. Nonetheless, the
parrots will follow (literally stalk) the practitioner but usually staying at
least 30 feet (9.1 m) away. The moment the mage speaks any
incantations within the 30-foot (9.1 m) radius, the bird immediately flies
toward him or her. The mage will have to makes a saving throw against
ritual magic, otherwise the bird lands of his or her shoulder, and
becomes the mage’s familiar. Should the mage already have a familiar,
the parrot will do nothing. This forced symbiotic relationship comes with
all the usual benefits of a familiar link (same as the 9th level spell),
accept the mage sees his or her P.P.E increase by 50%, yet the bird
retains its independent will and is not obliged to obey the mage. The
bird gains the ability to speak in the mage’s native language and
becomes quite vocal, but the bird retains its normal animal intelligence
and behavior. By all accounts, it’s a normal parrot.
Before long, the nuisance nature of this bird will become apparent. Any
spell the mage recites in the presence of the bird will instantly become
known and at any time of its choosing (usually an inappropriate one),
the parrot can cast the same spell drawing off from the mage’s P.P.E.,
but the mage has no control over the spell. In other word, a friend of
the mage starts calling out to him and approaches, and the parrot for
whatever reasons decided to cast a Carpet of Adhesion spell on him.
Perhaps while walking past the town guard, the parrot casts a Fireball
at him. Maybe when battling a vicious demon, the parrot chooses to
heal the demon’s injuries with a Heal Wounds spell. Any and all spells
spoken by the mage are known to the parrot, as are all powers words if
he or she is a Summoner or Diabolist, the only difference is reciting
power words does nothing unless there is a circle or a ward to activate.
Wizards, warlocks, necromancers, etc are not so lucky. Clergy and
witches who are endowed with their magic are not subject to this
effect. The only limit to how many spells the parrot can cast is the limit
of the mage’s P.P.E. and the level of the spells (number of actions). If
this isn’t annoying enough, these parrots will blatantly speak out the
true name of the mage on a daily basis, especially if anyone asks the
mage his or her name. “Hello, my name is Veric Langoshire.”
Attempting to harm the parrot, the mage suffers the usual effects of a
familiar link, only they are far more pronounced. Any attempt to restrain
the bird from talking, the mage will find he or she cannot speak, try and
clip the bird’s wings, results in the mage losing the use of his or her
arms. Whenever the parrot eats, the mage will feel hungry (not for the
same food as the parrot, just hungry). The parrot also for reasons
unknown passes on its vulnerability to magic and psionic attacks to its
owner.
There are only a few means to escape the bondage between the parrot
and the mage. Outright killing the bird, which may put the mage in a
coma, but will always permanently reduce his or her P.P.E. in half. An
exorcism has a 01-20% chance of success (33% if done by a priest).
An Anti-Magic Cloud spell or Power Leech Circle permanently severs the
bond between bird and mage, but if the practitioner should cast a spell
and the bird is in the area, it will happen again. The safest method is to
trick another mage into reciting his or her true name in the presence of
the bird resulting in the bird jumping mages (no save vs. ritual magic,
the familiar link transfer is instantaneous).
The Rascal Parrot eats mostly fruits and seeds, including large, hard
seeds. A typical sighting in alone alone in a tropical canopy. The bird
lays two or three white eggs in a tree cavity. The female incubates the
eggs for about 28 days, and the chicks fledge from the nest about 90
days after hatching and leave their parents about a year later. Some
wonder if whether or not someone during the Age of a Thousand
Magicks marooned these birds on the islands in which they inhabit,
because surely no mage in his right mind wants anything to do with
them.
Hit Points/S.D.C.: 2D6 (+12 after familiar link)
Average P.P.E.: 6D6
Appearance: A large parrot (macaw) with a rainbow plumage, but the rump and tail-covert feathers are is always orange. There is bare white skin around the eye and from there to the bill. Tiny white feathers are contained on the face patch. The upper mandible is mostly pale horn in color and the lower is black. Sexes are alike; the only difference between age is that young birds have dark eyes, and adults have bright red eyes.
Natural Abilities: Fly, sing 90%, understand and speak faerie 98%, total recall (same as sensitive psychic ability without the cost of I.S.P.), sense magic (same as sensitive psychic ability without the cost of I.S.P), recognize magic and magic users 80%, recognize enchantment 75%, and speak language of owner.
- Parasitic Link: Any mage who speaks spell incantations (power words) within 30 feet (9 m) of these birds must make a saving throw vs. ritual magic (16) or will become linked to the bird. This will result in a permanent forced familiar link between the parrot and the mage. The usual benefits are gained including a +50% increase to the mage’s P.P.E. The mage however has no control over the bird behavior nor can he or she influence or control the bird in any manner. It does what it pleases.
Attacks Per Melee: Three (spell invocations levels 1-5 takes 1 actions, levels 6-10 take 2 actions, 11-15 and Spells of Legend take 3).
Special Magic Note: Anyone who uses P.P.E. Channeling in their games, the Parrot burns through P.P.E. like a Creatures of Magic.
Speed: 33-44 (23.1-30.8 mph or 37.1-49.5 km).
Damage: 1 Point from a bite or claws.
Bonuses: +1 on initiative, +2 to strike, and +3 to dodge.
Vulnerability: -5 to save vs. magic and psionics. This is passed on to its owner the moment the familiar link is established.
Magic: None, learns only the spells the mage recites while having the parrot as his familiar.
Psionics: Natural Sensitivity to magic but no actual powers.
Value: None, no alchemist in his right mind wants them. However, there are some crafty spies and enforces out there who sell and buy these birds in attempt to learn mage’s true names. 600 gold for a real bird in their eyes. Otherwise 100-200 gold for a bird or 500-600 for a mated pair.
Average Life Span: 150-200 years.
Habitat: Tropical islands
Range: Islands off the Yin Sloth Jungle, Land of the South Winds, and Floenry Isles.
Language: Speak and understand faerie and acquires the native tongue of its owner, but general the bird makes loud, low-pitched, throaty squawks, squeaks and screams that carry on for many miles
Enemies: Mages. Any mage (including dragons and sphinxes) who recognizes what they are wants nothing to do with them. They are targeted by natural predators
Allies: Faerie folk, they are not particularly friendly, only after the link is made with its owner, and to no others.
Size: 32-36 inches (81.28-91.44 cm) long, of which more then than half is tail.
Weight: 2 to 2.5 pounds (.9-1.12 kg)
