Eagle

Eagle

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.

The Dragon #29:
GOLDEN EAGLES: These large birds of prey are difficult to train. They
have a -1 on their loyalty score, though they rarely attack their masters.
The cost is 50 G.P. untrained, and 100 G.P. trained. They take 2
dice of damage, fly at 38 inches per turn, and have an armor class of 7.
They get 3 attacks per melee round (2 claws, 1 beak), doing 1-6/1-6/
1-8 points of damage respectively. When trained they will attack on
command.

The Dragon #29:
BALD EAGLES: These birds are even larger than Golden Eagles. Like
Golden Eagles, they are free-willed, with a -2 on their loyalty score,
though they will almost never attack their masters. When trained, they
will attack on command. They take 3 dice of damage, have an armor
class of 7, and fly at 38 inches per turn. They attack thrice per melee
round (2 claws, 1 beak) doing 1-6/1-6/2-8 points of damage respectively.
They cost 100 G.P. untrained, and 150 G.P. trained.

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