Illustration by "Dug"

Thaer-Raken AKA:  Thunder Chicken HACKFACTOR:  16 EP VALUE:  1,400 CLIMATE/TERRAIN:  Temperate Savannah FREQUENCY:  Very Rare ORGANIZATION:  Solitary (see below) ACTIVITY CYCLE:  Day DIET:  Omnivorous INTELLIGENCE:  Animal ALIGNMENT:  Neutral NO.APPEARING:  1 (1-4) SIZE:  L (22' tall); Female: M (6' tall) MOVEMENT:  12" PSIONIC ABILITY:  Nil Attack/Defense Modes:  Nil/Nil MORALE:  Male: Pliant(10); Female: Timid(6) ARMOR CLASS:  6 NO. OF ATTACKS:  3 DAMAGE/ATTACK:  Male: 1-10/1-8/1-8; Female: 1-6/1-4/1-4 SPECIAL ATTACKS:  Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES:  Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE:  Standard HIT DICE:  Male: 10 Female: 4 CREATED BY:  "Dug"

Thaer-Raken
DESCRIPTION:  The Thaer-Raken or "Thunder Chicken" as it's often called, is a 22 foot tall bird-like beast with four clawed legs. It has raven-black feathers and a massive, elaborate comb. The male is aggressive and dominating, patrolling its territory to keep away intruders and seeking food. The female (standing at only 6' tall) hides in the underbrush and stays close to the male who supplies her food off the kills he brings down.

COMBAT/TACTICS:  The Thaer-Raken male prefer to use its intimidating size to keep intruders away, strutting and puffing their chests to augment their fierce appearance. The Thaer-Raken attack with their beaks first, causing 1-10 pts. of damage, and then with its massive claws, causing 1-8 points of damage each. If a Thaer-Raken rolls a 20 to-hit, causing an additional 1-10 pts., plus any damage when it drops its victim. The female, though more timid, will circle behind an attacking party, picking out the weaker opponents, dragging them down.

HABITAT/SOCIETY:  The male and female mate once every two years, laying 1-4 eggs. The male will aggressively patrol a 100 acre territory around the nest, assuring there are no predators or intruders. At this time, their morale increases to 14. Once hatched, the young Thaer-Raken will be nearly indistinguishable from the female, but within a month, it will become apparent which is male and female due to their size. The young do the same damage as the female.

Once the young males are twice the size of the female, they'll be chased off by the adult male.

ECOLOGY:  Preferring the deep wilds and remote savannahs, Thaer-Raken are only threat to those who happen to pass through their territory, possibly seeking ingredients for a very big omelette.

YIELD: Medicinal:  Comb of the male is said to cure a variety of lesser diseases, including: gout, common cold, hayfever, migraines, "vapors", incontinence, diarrhea, constipation, shingles, boils and croup. It is usually made into a broth. Spell Components:  Its feathers can be used a substitute for a raven's feather in certain spells, usually doubling the effects of the spell. Hide/Trophy Items:  Nil Treasure:  Incidental Other:  The flesh of an adult male Thaer-Raken is a sumptuous meal fit for a small army! Some say it DOESN'T taste like chicken.

Mikeeze Wurld is © 2001 by Michael S. Hensley. HackMaster is a trademark of Kenzer and Company. Any use of trademarks is in no way to be considered a challenge to such trademark or copyright by its rightful owner.