Cataphractes
Size/Catagory: Giant Bird (Hornbill)
Stats:
Mind: Untrained 20
Body: Skilled 14
Magic: Untrained 20
Number of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: Horn, Beak and Claw
Special Attacks: Horn thrust
Special Defenses: Iron alloy plumage
Special Abilites: Enchanted feathers of flight
Magic Resistence: Resistant to gravity based magics
Stats:
Mind: Untrained 20
Body: Skilled 14
Magic: Untrained 20
Number of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: Horn, Beak and Claw
Special Attacks: Horn thrust
Special Defenses: Iron alloy plumage
Special Abilites: Enchanted feathers of flight
Magic Resistence: Resistant to gravity based magics
Climate/Terrain: These immense birds can be found wandering dry plains and rocky mountains. They seem to prefer a relatively dry environment that still has enough water to provide them with large game.
Frequency: Very rare
Organization: Loners
Activity Cycle: Diurnal
Intelligence: Low
Language: Various caws and screeches
Alignment: Primal
Description:
These hornbills get up to a 50 foot wingspan. Their beak, like all hornbills, has a horn like appendage upon it's top. The cataphractes' horn is nearly as long as their beak, which tend to be about three quarters the length of one of their wings. These massive beaks are serrated towards the second half. It's difficult to describe their weight, as their feathers defy gravity. Without this inborn enchantment their bodies would be unbearably heavy. The fibers of their feathers are an iron alloy, dark grey in hue. Their great eyes vary slightly in hue, but are primarily silver in color. Their darkly colored feet end in shiny talons of the same substance as their feathers. The cataphractes often appear to be ruffling their feathers, floating from the enchantment upon them.
Frequency: Very rare
Organization: Loners
Activity Cycle: Diurnal
Intelligence: Low
Language: Various caws and screeches
Alignment: Primal
Description:
These hornbills get up to a 50 foot wingspan. Their beak, like all hornbills, has a horn like appendage upon it's top. The cataphractes' horn is nearly as long as their beak, which tend to be about three quarters the length of one of their wings. These massive beaks are serrated towards the second half. It's difficult to describe their weight, as their feathers defy gravity. Without this inborn enchantment their bodies would be unbearably heavy. The fibers of their feathers are an iron alloy, dark grey in hue. Their great eyes vary slightly in hue, but are primarily silver in color. Their darkly colored feet end in shiny talons of the same substance as their feathers. The cataphractes often appear to be ruffling their feathers, floating from the enchantment upon them.
Combat:
Cataphractes hunt large game, thier taloned feet are strong and powerful. As the hornbill swoops in they grab their target, lifting off as their long beak comes down to clip off their victim's head.
While juvenile Rocs are some of their prey, the adults are just the opposite. Twists, plunges, horn thrusts, and scratches assualt their opponent. Their metal laced wings and magical enchantment help keep them from harm.
The air is not the only place for these horn billed birds to find harm. Monsterous creatures with massive coils often lash out at these powerful birds. It is here that their iron wings provide their greatest assistance, keeping grounded threats at bay until the cataphractes can overcome or retreat.
These birds aren't above coming back after a retreat, strafing with their long horn like beak. The cataphractes has learned to jerk it's head away after such a strafe, often tearing it's horn free from it's opponent's new wound. This allows them to continue flying on, returning for another strafe if the bird is feeling especially malicious.
Cataphractes hunt large game, thier taloned feet are strong and powerful. As the hornbill swoops in they grab their target, lifting off as their long beak comes down to clip off their victim's head.
While juvenile Rocs are some of their prey, the adults are just the opposite. Twists, plunges, horn thrusts, and scratches assualt their opponent. Their metal laced wings and magical enchantment help keep them from harm.
The air is not the only place for these horn billed birds to find harm. Monsterous creatures with massive coils often lash out at these powerful birds. It is here that their iron wings provide their greatest assistance, keeping grounded threats at bay until the cataphractes can overcome or retreat.
These birds aren't above coming back after a retreat, strafing with their long horn like beak. The cataphractes has learned to jerk it's head away after such a strafe, often tearing it's horn free from it's opponent's new wound. This allows them to continue flying on, returning for another strafe if the bird is feeling especially malicious.
Habitat/Society:
These hornbills get together for only three months of every five years. During that time both male and females give off a heavy musky scent. There is no competition for mates, as it is rare for them to meet up in the first place. In the rare event that more then one Cataphractes arrive, both will mate with the female. The mated hornbills will stay together untill the eggs are layed. At this point the male wil take one or two of the eggs, leaving the mother with the other half.
Cataphractes will stay with their children for two to three years, teaching them how to survive. The juveniles will sometimes stay with their sibling until they've reached maturity. This is rare when the siblings are of mixed gender.
Living in relatively dry habitation, these nomads rarely cross sentient beings. Even less likely is it for them to find one of their own. In these rare events it is common for them to share their kill, but otherwise the two will ignore eachother.
These hornbills get together for only three months of every five years. During that time both male and females give off a heavy musky scent. There is no competition for mates, as it is rare for them to meet up in the first place. In the rare event that more then one Cataphractes arrive, both will mate with the female. The mated hornbills will stay together untill the eggs are layed. At this point the male wil take one or two of the eggs, leaving the mother with the other half.
Cataphractes will stay with their children for two to three years, teaching them how to survive. The juveniles will sometimes stay with their sibling until they've reached maturity. This is rare when the siblings are of mixed gender.
Living in relatively dry habitation, these nomads rarely cross sentient beings. Even less likely is it for them to find one of their own. In these rare events it is common for them to share their kill, but otherwise the two will ignore eachother.
Ecology:
It takes approximately three months for eggs to hatch. Maturation will take place over the next seven years. After 100 years their feathers enchantment will slowly fade. Barring disease, starvation, or predators, it will be the weight of their own bodies that will kill them. While the birds never molt, new feathers replace lost ones.
Being wandering creatures without nests, these hornbills have little affect on their environment. The only real impact on their lands, has to do with their feathers. These enchanted plumage are often used as spell components. These feathers are especially usefull in spells having to do with flight. This attracts poachers as well as those that would use less lethal means of harvesting the plumage. While less valuable, magically, the beaks of these birds are sometimes harvested as well.
It takes approximately three months for eggs to hatch. Maturation will take place over the next seven years. After 100 years their feathers enchantment will slowly fade. Barring disease, starvation, or predators, it will be the weight of their own bodies that will kill them. While the birds never molt, new feathers replace lost ones.
Being wandering creatures without nests, these hornbills have little affect on their environment. The only real impact on their lands, has to do with their feathers. These enchanted plumage are often used as spell components. These feathers are especially usefull in spells having to do with flight. This attracts poachers as well as those that would use less lethal means of harvesting the plumage. While less valuable, magically, the beaks of these birds are sometimes harvested as well.
