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A Skullbird is an avian creature from the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1]

Overview[]

Skullbirds are large carrion birds native to wildspace and are considered birds of ill omen. Sailors consider the sight of a skullbird a sign that someone aboard ship will die soon.[1]

Description[]

Skullbirds are named for their gruesome heads, which resemble a bird's skull covered with a layer of shiny black skin stretched tight, while their glittering dark eyes are hidden deep within recessed sockets. Their beaks are jet black and needle-sharp and their talons are like razors. Skullbirds are covered with oily black feathers and exude an oily, charnel odor.

Skullbirds have no language, but do make two distinct calls: an irritating, high-pitched screech when they find live food, and an ominous, bass croaking when they find carrion.[1]

Behavior[]

Skullbirds are considered harbingers of bad luck. Spelljamming crew shun them, and shun anyone foolish enough to wear anything made from parts of these birds. Skullbirds encountered away from their lair may fly out of nowhere and perch on a ship's mast or stays. This is considered the worst possible omen, a sign that the ship will soon be destroyed. In addition, if the birds aren't driven away immediately, there is always a chance that they will decide to attack the crew.

Encountering a skullbird during a voyage always results in the crew's morale taking a blow, especially if it roosts onboard the ship: inexperienced crew are liable to panic, with some scampering below decks, while others may actually jump off the ship. They remain panicked until the birds are driven off. More experienced crews are less likely to panic immediately, but may do so during subsequent battles or other challenges faced by the ship.[1][2]

Combat[]

Skullbirds prefer to eat carrion, since it won't put up a fight, but will not hesitate to attack live prey if they haven't had a decent meal in several days. They attack with their sharp talons, but if the prey is still moving, they try to finish it off with a swift stroke of their razor-like beaks.

If a skullbird finds a victim who weighs less than 200 pounds (91 kilograms), it tries to snatch up its prize and carry them away to its foul nest. In order to do so, the skullbird needs to latch onto its victim with both sets of talons at the same time. If they're successful, the skullbird swoops up with its victim at top speed. If the prey continues to struggle, the bird drops them in the hopes that the fall will finish them off.

Skullbirds secrete an oily substance that keeps them comfortable while flying in wildspace. The oil is slippery, making any attempts at grappling the bird more difficult. The oil also makes it more difficult for weapons to strike the bird effectively. However, the oil is highly flammable, making the birds extremely vulnerable to fire-based attacks. Waving around torches or other open flames may cause a skullbird to flee.[1]

Society[]

Skullbirds nest in the floating wrecks of spelljamming vessels, or in the decomposing bodies of huge, dead, wildspace creatures. They are not territorial, and travel in flocks of up to 5 individual birds. Skullbirds need air to survive in wildspace, and fortunately their oily feathers are able to trap enough air to allow them to travel through the void of space for up to 24 hours.

Once every three months, a female skullbird lays up to 4 eggs. Ugly, almost skeletal chicks hatch from the eggs and begin croaking instantly, demanding to be fed, making a sound reminiscent of a group of bullfrogs. Skullbird eggs are inedible.

Skullbirds are known to pursue swarms of feesu, which constitute their favorite food.[1]

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 John Terra, MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Skullbird entry
  2. Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 240-241
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