Monster Encyclopaedia I: Ravagers of the Realms
| Author | August Hahn, Gareth Hanrahan, Lizard |
| Publisher | Mongoose Publishing |
| Publish date | 2004 |
| OGL Section 15 | me1 |
The material below is designated as Open Game Content
Bane Eagle
Huge Magical Beast (Fire)
Hit Dice: 12d10+24 (99 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) , fly 90 ft. (good)
Armour Class: 19 (–2 size, +3 Dex, +8 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+26
Attack: Bite +17 melee (3d6+6 plus 1d6 fire)
Full Attack: Bite +17 melee (3d6+6 plus 1d6 fire) and 2 claws +16 melee (1d8+6 plus 1d6 fire)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Cry of terror
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/–, immune to fire
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +10, Will +10
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 12
Skills: Balance +8, Hide +4, Jump +8, Move Silently +9, Search +1
Feats: Improved Natural Attack (bite), Multiattack, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (bite), Weapon Focus (claws)
Environment: Warm mountains (volcanoes)
Organisation: Solitary, family (2–3)
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: 13–16 HD (Huge); 17–20 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
Rising up out of the cauldron of fire atop the ancient volcano, a magnificent fire bird spreads its wings and takes to the sky. At first, the flaming sweep of wings and feathers seems to be a beautiful phoenix but as the creature turns its malevolent gaze towards you and descends, its true nature is revealed.
These creatures of evil are not likely the result of anything natural, nor do they seem to be from the Elemental Plane of Fire in anything but a passing sense. Bane eagles live for one thing: the destruction of any phoenix they come across. Their burning wings and almost ruby-red talons suggest that these beasts of evil share a common ancestry with their hated foe but no conclusive link has ever been found. Regardless of their origins, bane eagles may be focused on the destruction of all phoenixes in the world but they are more than willing to kill and devour anything else foolish enough to approach their lairs.
Bane eagles are egg-layers. The female of a mated pair will always stay near the nest and raise the young while the male hunts and slays for her. Bane eagle damage reduction and inherent fire aura does not develop until the beasts are three months old, so they are especially vulnerable in that time. An unhatched bane eagle egg is worth 5,000 gold pieces to those willing to take the risk of raising and training it; an infant chick is worth 2,000 gold pieces. Once its damage reduction and fiery feathers have developed, the vicious creature cannot be tamed. Transporting a bane eagle egg requires that it be kept in boiling water or 200-degree-plus temperatures at all times. Even an hour of cooler climate will kill a bane eagle egg.
Combat
Bane eagles will never flee from combat, driven almost mad by their desire to burn, slay and destroy. They will only retreat from a battle if they believe their eggs or young are in danger; otherwise bane eagles fight to the bitter end. Bane eagles possess a fierce and vicious cunning and are quite capable of using their environment to their advantage (knocking opponents into magma and the like).
Cry of Terror (Su): Almost a perversion of the majestic call of a phoenix, this attack is usable once every ten rounds by a bane eagle and usually precedes it into battle. All living opponents within 120 feet of a bane eagle when it emits this painful, mind-shattering shriek must make a Will save (DC 18) or be driven into blind terror. This causes all affected creatures to become panicked for 1d6+1 rounds. Even creatures succeeding at their saving throw against this mind-affecting attack are stunned for one round.
