Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ieattrollsforbreakfast 03-25-07, 02:45 PM	I know what you're thinking...you're thinking 'I thought you'd stopped doing these things'. Well I haven't, I just haven't had time to get them done of late. The next few weeks will see a few more monsters, then there will be another short hiatus, then I'll be back in full swing. Anyway, to the monster...the hoshiv is pretty much a phoenix-lite, except these things are said to bring bad luck. A large raptor with golden plumage and a red crest soars through the air above. As it gains speed, its feathers appear to flare. Hoshiv (CR 3) Always N Medium magical beast (fire) Init +3; Senses darkvision 60ft., low-light vision; Listen +4, Spot +14 ======================================== AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +5 natural) hp 22 (3 HD) Immune fire SR 14 Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +4 Weakness vulnerability to cold ======================================== Speed 10ft. (8 squares), fly 120ft. (average) Melee bite +5 (1d6+2) and 2 talons +0 (1d4+1) Space 5ft.; Reach 5ft. Base Atk +3; Grp +5 Atk Options flare dive; Flyby Attack Special Actions immolation ======================================== Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 9 Feats Flyby Attack, Wingover Skills Listen +4, Spot +14 Advancement 4-6 HD (Medium); 7-9 HD (Large) ======================================== Flare Dive (Su) A hoshiv which moves more than 60ft. in a straight line becomes engulfed in flames, and its natural attacks deal an additional 1d6 points of fire damage. Immolation (Su) Once per day, a hoshiv which has moved at least 100ft. in a straight line can choose to immolate as a standard action, causing an explosion of flames. The deals 3d6 points of fire damage to all within 20ft. of the hoshiv, with a Reflex save DC 13 for half damage. The hoshiv takes the same amount of non-lethal damage, with a Fortitude save DC 13 for half damage. Skills Hoshiv have keen eyesight, granting them a +10 racial bonus on Spot checks. In addition, the hoshiv's golden feather grant a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks made in sandy deserts. Legendary desert dwelling birds of prey, hoshiv have an affinity with fire which often leads to them being confused for shooting stars. Strategies and Tactics Hoshiv are aggressive but cautious. They attack in wide arcs, making use their flare dive and Flyby Attack abilities to keep clear of their foes while dealing maximum damage. A hoshiv will usually flee a battle it cannot win, but under desperate circumstances a hoshiv defending its nest will use its immolation ability to finish off all its foes at once. Sample Encounter Hoshiv keep to themselves, and are rarely found in the company of other creatures. Nest Hunt (EL 5): A hoshiv defends its nest from intruders, a pair of Valenar hunters (elf fighter 1). When the players arrive, the elves, as well as the hoshiv, attack the players for ruining their hunt. Ecology Hoshiv are rare birds native to the Blade Desert in east Khorvaire. Nests are most often solitary, each supporting a pair of adults and usually two or three hatchlings, and are built high on rocky outcrops of the Endword Mountains. Nests are occasionally built on rocky areas in Valenar, but these are even fewer in number. Hoshiv usually hunt at dusk, in pairs or alone, preying on young tribex, wild horses, or small dinosaurs. Hoshivs are also known to prey on humanoids, especially halflings. Travellers in the desert often mistake hunting hoshiv for shooting stars, which gives the hoshiv their name, which literally means ‘star eagle’ in the Halfling tongue. As such, the sight of a shooting star in the Talenta Plains is often seen as a bad omen: a sign that the hunter has become the hunted. Environment: Hoshiv keep to the deserts of eastern Khorvaire, though it is possible similar species exist on other continents. Typical Physical Characteristics: Hoshiv have a wingspan of approximately 12 feet, a body length of 5ft, and weigh roughly 25 pounds. Typical Treasure Hunting hoshiv have no treasure to speak of, but their nests are often strewn with the possessions of humanoid prey. A hoshiv nest has half the usual treasure value for a creature of its challenge rating (900gp). Hoshiv Lore Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learn more about hoshiv. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following is revealed, including the information from lower DCs. Knowledge (Arcana) DC - Result 13 - This creature is a hoshiv, a fiercely territorial bird of prey. This result reveals all magical beast traits. 18 – Hoshiv have an affinity for fire which causes them to burst into flames at high speeds. 23 – As a last resort, hoshiv sometimes try to eliminate all their foes at once by exploding in a fiery blast, harming themselves at the same time. There it is. Comments/Suggestions anyone?
Nexis 03-26-07, 11:29 PM	Snagged as pet for a wizard of the Arcane Congress. Thanks for doing these :D
JiCi 03-27-07, 07:47 AM	Looks good to be, an advanced one would make a nice mount... assuming you're immune to fire. I think it should get a Hide bonus when standing on sand. Its golden feathers could prove as useful. Aside from that, it's all good. Oh, and nice to see you back Trolls.
Forgivance 03-27-07, 12:08 PM	Really nice work. I would think SR 13 (usually is 10+HD or 12+HD or right around there I THINK...though as wife says, am often wrong)... Otherwise, wonderfully done
aelryinth 03-27-07, 07:00 PM	Have to agree. This is nice and simple and flavorful without being overpowered. Note that it would be restricted to hunting slower, land bound prey, as anything with speed/flying is going to see it coming and get out of the way. ===Aelryinth
ieattrollsforbreakfast 03-27-07, 07:45 PM	Thanks everyone :D JiCi: Yeah, that hide bonus makes sense, I'll add it in, thanks. Forgivance: I think it's usually 11 + CR, so that on average half of spells fail for a balanced encounter. Still means I got the wrong number, though, thanks for pointing it out! aelryinth: That sounds about right...they tend to go for young tribex and horses, which aren't particularly quick. Though you have brought up a good point I hadn't realised...with average flight they have to move at least 50ft. forward to stay aloft anyway (though not necessarily in a straight line). I'll bump it up to 60ft. for ignition, then at least it can stalk faster prey by flying slowly. Cheers!