Firebird

A majestic bird about 8 feet long swoops overhead. Its feathers shine like silver and gold and its eyes are the color of crystals.

Firebird (CR 8)

Large Magical Beast
Alignment: Neutral Good
Initiative: +6
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision; Perception +15

Speed: 30 feet, Fly 70 feet (good)
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 20, touch 11, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +9 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 85 (9d10+36)
Saving Throws: Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +7
magic circle against evil
Damage Reduction: 10/evil
Energy Resistance: cold 10, fire 10
Spell Resistance: 19

Offense

Melee: 2 claws +13 (1d8+5), bite +13 (2d6+5), 2 wings +11 (1d6+2)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: blinding brilliance, Breath Weapon (60-ft. cone, 5d6 fire damage; DC 18 Ref half, every 1d4 rounds)

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 9th)::

• Constant- Magic Circle against Evil
  
  
• At Will- Detect Evil, Flare (DC 12)
  
  
• 3/day- Cure Moderate Wounds (DC 14), Hold Person (DC 15; evil creatures only)
  
  
• 1/day- Fire Shield, Sunburst (DC 20)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
21 (+5)	15 (+2)	19 (+4)	15 (+2)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)

Base Attack Bonus: +9
CMB +15
CMD 27

Feats: Alertness, Fly-by Attack, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Multiattack

Skills: Diplomacy +11, Fly +8, Heal +11, Knowledge (any one) +11, Perception +15, Sense Motive +8

• Racial Modifiers: +4 Perception

Languages: Auran, Celestial, Common, Sylvan

Special Qualities: chant

Special Abilities

Blinding Brilliance (Su)

At will as a swift action, a firebird can increase the light output of its tail feathers so they radiate brilliant yellow light in a 100-foot radius. Creatures in the affected area must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or be blinded for 2d4 rounds. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Chant (Su)

By chanting for one full round, a firebird can create any one of the following effects: cure serious wounds, remove blindness/deafness, remove disease, remove fear, or slow poison. Each is usable once per round at will, but a single creature can only gain the benefit of each one once per day. Each functions as the spell of the same name with a caster level equal to the firebird's Hit Dice.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Forests
Organization: solitary or pair
Treasure: standard


Firebirds are considered by many to be good luck. Sighting one on a journey is considered to be a boon (unless of course you are evil, in which case it is deemed bad luck to see a firebird). Firebirds are thought of as protectors and guardians of the forest and often befriend elves, creatures. They dislike orcs, goblins, and any who would despoil and destroy the forests. These creatures roost in great caves far away from civilized lands and are usually only seen in the early morning or evening hours. Once a month firebirds take to the night sky at the stroke of midnight. To the casual observer a firebird in the night sky appears to be a shooting star or comet flying across the sky.

Firebirds claim vast amounts of territory as their own, protecting this domain from evil, and also using it as their own personal hunting ground. Such domains often overlap with other firebirds (which suits each just fine as they share the duties of guardianship over the overlapping territory). Firebirds live on a diet of game animals, fruits, nuts, and berries. A firebird appears as a large bird about 8 feet long with golden and silver feathers. A majestic crest of gold runs from its head, along its back, and disappears into its tail feathers. Its beak and claws are the color of pearls and its eyes shine like crystal.

Firebirds almost always attack evil-aligned creatures and those that would despoil their forests. They prefer to fight from the air and always enter battle with their magic circle against evil in effect. A firebird usually begins combat using its blinding brilliance, followed quickly by its breath weapon. Foes that continue to press the fight are held (if evil) or subjected to a sunburst.