These friendly yellow-feathered birds resemble a giant chicken, or a massive canary. They have long legs and necks, and can be saddled in order to carry a rider.
Some Chocobos have been known to use complex technique magic and even Nei, due to their heightened intelligence they are a protected species within the Imperium, some scientists theorize they may become sentient within the next hundred to thousand years.
Chocobos are normally between 8 to 9 feet tall and weight about 400 lbs. Chocobos are easily trained as mounts, and are used similarly to heavy warhorses. They are omnivores, but prefer to eat greens and nuts. Their wings are vestigial, serving no purpose but to assist in balance and jumping. Chocobos are masters of terrain, able to easily run over anything except water and mountains. Although chocobos cannot speak, they do understand complex commands in nearly any language.
Bestiary Entry
"What creature, fair or foul, has affected the lives of the common man more than the noble chocobo? Though the yellow chocobo is by far the most common sort, many other wild breeds of differing hues have been identified. In general, the other colorations of chocobo tend to be quite violent, giving rise to the saying: "Yellow, best for riding; aught else, best be hiding. Even tame chocobos are known for their temper, true domestication requires time and expertise. Their curiosity can often get them into trouble, but they are charming nevertheless, and popular throughout New Palma. As famed naturalist Merlose once wrote: "a little personality goeth a long way." - EDI
Attack:
Peck +6 melee(1d8+4)
Full Attack:
Peck +6 melee(1d8+4) and claw +1 melee (1d6+2)
Alertness, Endurance, Run, Improved Chakra Pool.
DR/Armor
Check Penalty
Technique Fail
Natural Defense +3, Low-light vision, scent
Perceptive: +4 Perception, Acrobat: +4 Acrobatics
Jumper: +4 to Acrobatics when jumping.
+3 Sense motive, +6 Perception
+10 Acrobatics /22 when jumping.
6 SP
3 Ranks Acrobatics
3 Ranks Ninjutsu
Race: Chocobo - Avian
Alignment Path: Neutral Paths Only
Size Category: Large
Base Speed - 60 feet
Challenge Rating: 2
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Environment: Various
Organization: Solitary, Gaggle (2-5), Flock (6-12), or Domesticated
Treasure: None
Kawarimi no Jutsu (Body Substitution Technique)
Shou Rakumugai no Jutsu (Minor Harmless Fall Technique)
Bunshin no Jutsu (Duplication Technique)
TRAINING A CHOCOBO [pending updates]
A chocobo requires training before it can bear a rider in combat.
Training a chocobo requires three weeks of work and a DC 15 Handle Animal check. Riding a chocobo requires an saddle. A chocobo can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.
Chocobo eggs are worth 20000 ECU a piece on the open market, while young are worth 30000 ECU each. Professional trainers charge 20000 ECU to rear or train a chocobo.
Carrying Capacity: A light load for a chocobo is 200 pounds; a medium load, 201-400 pounds; a heavy load, 401-600 pounds. A chocobo can drag 3,000 pounds.
COMBAT
While chocobos tend to be peaceful, they will defend themselves violently if they feel threatened, lashing out with their beak. If a chocobo is riderless and packless it may also make a claw attack, Chocobos are known to fight defensively and due to ranks in acrobatics gain an additional bonus in doing so.
A chocobo can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.