Deathbirds - By Bill Silvey
Frequency: Rare
No. Appearing: 10-60
Armor Class: 5
Move: 12"/24"
Hit Dice: 1-4 hit points each
% In Lair: 0%
Treasure Type: Nil
No. Of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attack: 1-2/1-2/1-4
Special Attacks: See Below
Special Defense: Nil
Magic Resistance: Standard
Intelligence: Animal
Alignment: Neutral (Evil)
Size: S (2' wingspan)
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: VIII/250 + 5 per each bird slain
The Deathbirds are creatures summoned from the depths of the Abyss by evil Magic Users to bring doom to individuals the aforementioned mages have a great enmity towards. Guided by a dark purpose, the Deathbirds seek the target of the Mage's ire and follow them endlessly when the unfortunate is traveling, and roost directly over wherever their target stops to rest. The birds will individually pester the target with occasional swooping attacks with their beaks and claws.
However, the real threat of the Deathbird lies in their croaking chirps and cries. When they are above the target, even if the person is in a building such as an inn or small keep, the chilling cry of the Deathbird flock has the same effect as a 1st-level evil cleric Curse spell on the person. Even if silenced or driven away, the target will continue to suffer to-hit penalties against opponents for one combat round for each of the birds that cried out (e.g., were not slain while attacking the so cursed person).
If more than half of the Deathbird flock are slain in a single attack, such as from a Fireball spell, the spell holding the flock on the Prime Material Plane will dissipate and they will fly away to return to the depths of the Abyss.
Deathbirds appear as great evil-looking crows with blood red beaks and totally black eyes.