Friday, December 27, 2013

Frightful Fridays! Mashup Marathon! Dinoflagellate Starling

The mashup marathon takes a small break from murderous creatures (even those that require provocation) for a happy bird that wants to bring light and joy into your characters' lives. Yes, it might cause the characters to become hypnotized or confused, but that's a small price to pay. The light mini theme continues with the next monster, which shall arrive in an hour!

A bird breaks off from its flock, featuring similarly bright and colorful birds, and provides a dazzling show as it flies by, motes of light trailing it.
Dinoflagellate Starling CR 2
XP 600
N Tiny magical beast
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +6

Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 16 (3d10)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +2

Offense
Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
Melee bite +7 (1d3–4) and 2 talons +7 (1d2–4)
Space 2.5 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3rd; concentration +5)
Constant—dancing lights (centered on starling), hypnotic pattern (DC 14)
1/day—confusion (DC 15)

Statistics
Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 15
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 9
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse
Skills Fly +14, Perception +6, Stealth +2; Racial Modifiers –8 Stealth

Ecology
Environment temperate and warm terrestrial
Organization solitary, pair, or flock (3–30)
Treasure none

Dinoflagellate starlings are bioluminescent birds that constantly give off light, making them impossible to miss. Not physically powerful, the starlings make up for this lack by using the patterns of light to fascinate or confuse predators. These birds are fairly intelligent and will aid those who treat them well.