Owl

Neutral Small Animal (avian) (wing span 4-5 ft.)

Surprise never surprised in dusk or darkness, surprise others 85%; Senses ultravision (double normal, on clear nights: clear view:600 ft./dim: 1,800 ft.); exceptional hearing (x4 range over normal)

Armor Class 5

Hit Points 4 (HD 1; 1d8)

Move 1", fly 27" (Class D); flight is totally silent

Poison 14, Petrify 15, Wand 16, Breath 17, Spell 17

Special Defenses none

Magic Resistance standard

To Hit AC 0: 19

Melee 2 talons (1d2/1d2) and beak (1)

Special Attacks dive; Hits As normal

Base Morale 50%

Intelligence animal (1)

Languages none

Level I

Dive. When plummeting from a 50-foot or greater height, attack is at +2 to hit, and damage inflicted is twice normal, but no beak attack is possible.

Various types of owls are found in every clime. While some are smaller than those covered by this data, most encounters will be with the large specimens. Attack is by talon and beak.

In light of twilight to daylight brightness, owls see at just under human standard. Thus, despite their hearing, they are surprised normally if discovered in their hidden daylight roosting place.

While they cannot be trained to hunt, they can be somewhat domesticated if taken young enough and inured to human presence. Because daylight birds (such as crows, ravens, etc., which are normally prey to night-hunting owls) flock to attack an owl discovered in daylight, the owls are sometimes used as decoys by hunters. The anger and determination of attacking birds causes them to lose caution in their desire to kill the decoy owl.

Screech Owl (Familiar). These owls are smaller, with a 2-3 ft. wingspan. Otherwise, they conform to normal owl statistics. Owl familiars grant night vision and superior hearing (15% to be surprised and ability to hear noise 8-in-20).

Owl, Giant

Neutral Man-sized Monster (animal, avian)

Surprise surprise others 85%; Senses exceptional hearing, good night vision

Armor Class 6

Hit Points 18 (HD 4; 4d8)

Move 3", fly 18" (Class D); flight is totally silent

Poison 13, Petrify 14, Wand 15, Breath 16, Spell 16

Special Defenses none

Magic Resistance standard

To Hit AC 0: 15

Melee 2 talons (2d4/2d4) and beak (1d4+1)

Special Attacks none; Hits As normal

Base Morale 65%

Intelligence very (11-12)

Languages Giant Owl

Level III

Giant owls are rarely encountered as they inhabit only very wild areas. They are nocturnal predators and effective hunters. Giant awls speak their own language. A giant owl strikes with its two sets of sharp talons and its strong beak. Its feathers allow it to fly with nearly absolute silence.

These creatures are intelligent and will sometimes befriend other creatures. If encountered in their lair there is a 20% chance that there will be 1-3 eggs (25%) or 1-3 hatchling owls, 20% to 70% grown. The parents will always attack any creature threatening the eggs/owlettes. Eggs sell for 1,000 gold pieces, young for 2,000 g.p. on the open market.

ENCOUNTERS

Levels Owl. I.; Giant. III.

Frequency. Owl. Uncommon; Giant. Rare; In Lair Owl. 10% (daylight only); Giant. 5%

Number Appearing. Owl. 1 or 2; Giant. 2-5

Environment. Arctic (Giant. night only: plains, rough, cauldrons); Sub-arctic (Giant. night only: plains, scrub, forest, rough, desert, hills, mountains, marsh); Temperate and sub-tropical, uninhabited/wilderness areas (Giant. night only: plains, scrub, forest, rough, desert, hills, mountains, marsh);

Treasure Type. Owl. nil; Giant. Q (x5), X

Experience. Owl. XP 26 (or 22+1 per h.p.); Giant. XP 157 (or 85+4 per h.p.)