Achaierai
Giant four-legged bird from the Abyss, resembling an ostrich with a short neck
OSRIC
| Armor Class | 8 or -1 (see below) |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | Body 40hp, legs 15hp each |
| Number Encountered | 1d8 |
| Attacks | 3 |
| Damage | 1d8/1d8/1d10 |
| Move | 180-ft |
| Alignment | Chaotic evil |
| Intelligence | Average |
| XP | 7/2,750 |
| Treasure Type | 1d10×1,000 cp (5%), 1d12×1,000 sp (25%), 1d6×1,000 ep (25%), 1d8×1,000 gp (25%), 1d12 gems (15%), 1d8 jewellery (10%) and 3 magic items and 1 scroll (25%) |
| Size | Large (16-ft tall) |
| Frequency | Very rare |
| Lair | Nil |
Though not demons, achaierai are native to the Abyss. They are giant birds, somewhat like ostriches with short necks and four legs each. They attack as 9 hit dice monsters. Their bite attack (1d10 damage) is usable only against foes they can reach—typically those flying or over 8-ft tall. Against smaller creatures they have only two attacks with their talons.
Creatures under 8-ft tall, however, are at an equal disadvantage against achaierai. They may hit the creature’s body (AC 8) only with missile weapons, spears or polearms (such as pikes). If armed with a hand weapon, they must attack the achaierai’s legs (AC -1).
Special Abilities
Attack as 9 HD monster: They attack as 9 hit dice monsters.
Height-dependent combat: Bite attack (1d10 damage) is usable only against foes they can reach—typically those flying or over 8-ft tall. Against smaller creatures they have only two attacks with their talons.
Armour Class variation: Creatures under 8-ft tall may hit the creature’s body (AC 8) only with missile weapons, spears or polearms (such as pikes). If armed with a hand weapon, they must attack the achaierai’s legs (AC -1).
Poison cloud: If seriously wounded, such as losing more than two legs, the achaierai can emit a cloud of poison in a 20-ft diameter sphere. This cloud causes insanity (as the druidic spell feeblemind) for three hours unless a saving throw vs poison is made, inflicts 2d6 hp damage regardless of the save, and blocks line of sight.