A-to-Z Challenge, A: Adarna Bird (New Oe/BX/1E Monster)

Yep. You guessed it. My goal is to post 1 new monster a day for the next month. Add that to the creatures I've already compended, that makes the chances pretty good for some sort of "official" publication (print/PDF) as Mr. Schmeer inquired about in that same post.

Just a couple of disclaimers before I get started for the month. First, my apologies to the A-to-Z folks for my redesign of their logo for my use (my version at right; feel free to save and use if you prefer this version.) Second, some the creatures and some of the illustrations that will appear in these posts may be based wholly or in part on images that reside in the public domain.

Without further ado, I present... the letter A!

Adarna Bird

DESCRIPTION The adarna bird is a magical creature of such fantastic beauty as to almost seem unreal to those who do see it. All non-sentient creatures or sentient beings with an intelligence of 12 or less will be unable to see an adarna bird, even if one should be inches from their face. All other sentient beings have a 10% chance per intelligence point above 12 to see any individual adarna bird. The true wonder of the adarna bird, is the way it magically changes colors after it finishes a song. For those unable to see an adarna bird, any singing by the adarna will appear to surround the person who cannot see it (origin point unknown), and does not increase the bird's chances of being seen by those creatures. Those who are able to see the adarna bird will hear the sound as emanating from the bird as normal. Furthermore, the song of the adarna bird is hypnotic and any creature who hears it must save vs. magic or be entranced into a sense of stupefaction for the duration of the song (usually 2-5 turns.) Every time the adarna begins a new song, all must saving throws must be made again. Should an adarna bird find itself endangered, it will attempt to fly away while releasing a piercing shriek. All creatures within earshot of the shriek must save vs. breath weapon or stand stunned for 1-4 turns. Furthermore, its magical properties allows the adarna bird to save as a 5th level magic-user. The adarna bird is most prized for its quills which, when used to create a scroll for the prismatic orb spell, doubles the scribe's chance for success.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very Rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 3 MOVE: 6”/24” HIT DICE: 1/2 % IN LAIR: 25% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-2 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Saves as 5th-level MU INTELLIGENCE: Animal ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: L (3’ long + 2’-3’ tail) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 3 HIT DICE: 1/2 MOVE: 60’/240’ ATTACKS: 1 peck & gouge DAMAGE: 1-2 or by special NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Magic-user: 5 MORALE: 6 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral