Eagle


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FREQUENCY: Rare

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Cold Wilderness Mountains])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Cold Wilderness Forest])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Cold Freshwater Surface])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Cold Saltwater Surface])

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Wilderness Mountains])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Freshwater Surface])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Saltwater Surface])

FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Forest])

NO. APPEARING: 1 or 2 (5-12)
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 1" / 30" (MC: C)
HIT DICE: 1+3 <(wings)>
% IN LAIR: 20% <(in the tallest trees, on cliffs, or in mountains)>
TREASURE TYPE: [SB]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-2/1-2/1-2
SPECIAL ATTACKS: [SB]
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M (6', 7'+ wing spread)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: II | 35 + 2

SAVES: 14.15.16.17.17

There are several species of eagles,
all of which conform generally to the stats given here.
While it is usual to encounter a single bird || mated pair,
there is a slight (5%) chance than an encounter will be in a rookery area where 5-12 of these creatures will nest.  <resolve the 5% | 20% 'contradiction'>

Lair: Nests are in the tallest trees,
on cliffs or in mountains.
There will be 1-4 eggs in a nest.
There is a 10% chance that some small,
shiny item will also be there (a coin, gem, etc.).

During attack,
eagles typically dive from a great height.
Diving movement is double normal {SPEED}{SPEED} {SPEED} (if from 100 feet or more) and damage is restricted to 2 claw attacks.
However,
these attacks are at +2 to hit and cause twice normal damage.
Due to their exceptional eyesight,
eagles are almost never surprised.
Unless exceptionally hungry,
eagles will not attack even the smaller demihumans,
although a brownie,
for instance,
would be in considerable danger,
for the birds would attack prey of that size without hesitation.

Eagles are difficult to train for hunting. <link to falconry, instead>
Only about 25% can be properly managed.
Nevertheless,
viable eggs or eaglets will bring 60-100 gp on the open market.

The eagle is the sacred animal of Heng, Huitzilopochtli, Fei Lien & Fei Po, Ukko, Zeus, Fileet, and Heimdall.


DISPOSITION = 5. proud ("eyes as fierce && proud and tameless as the eyes of a young eagle" - People of the Talisman, Leigh Brackett, p.68)