Owl, Giant

Combat
Training A Giant Owl

Owl, Giant

Large Magical Beast

Hit Dice:

4d10+4 (26 hp)

Initiative:

+3

Speed:

10 ft. (2 squares), fly 70 ft. (average)

Armor Class:

15 (-1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 12

Base Attack/Grapple:

+4/+12

Attack:

Claw +7 melee (1d6+4)

Full Attack:

2 claws +7 melee (1d6+4) and bite +2 melee (1d8+2)

Space/Reach:

10 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks:

-

Special Qualities:

Superior low-light vision

Saves:

Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +3

Abilities:

Str 18, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10

Skills:

Knowledge (nature) +2, Listen +17, Move Silently +8*, Spot +10

Feats:

Alertness, Wingover

Environment:

Temperate forests

Organization:

Solitary, pair, or company (3-5)

Challenge Rating:

3

Treasure:

None

Alignment:

Usually neutral good

Advancement:

5-8 HD (Large); 9-12 HD (Huge)

Level Adjustment:

+2 (cohort)

Giant owls are nocturnal birds of prey, feared for their ability to hunt and attack in near silence. They are intelligent, and though naturally suspicious, sometimes associate with good creatures. A typical giant owl stands about 9 feet tall, has a wingspan of up to 20 feet, and resembles its smaller cousins in nearly every way except size.

Giant owls speak Common and Sylvan.

Combat

A giant owl attacks by gliding silently just a few feet above its prey and plunging to strike when directly overhead.

Superior Low-Light Vision (Ex): A giant owl can see five times as far as a human can in dim light.

Skills: Giant owls have a +8 racial bonus on Listen checks and a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks.

*When in flight, giant owls gain a +8 bonus on Move Silently checks.

Training A Giant Owl

Although intelligent, a giant owl requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. To be trained, a giant owl must have a friendly attitude toward the trainer (this can be achieved through a successful Diplomacy check). Training a friendly giant owl requires six weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a giant owl requires an exotic saddle. A giant owl can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.

Giant owl eggs are worth 2,500 gp apiece on the open market, while chicks are worth 4,000 gp each. Professional trainers charge 1,000 gp to rear or train a giant owl.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a giant owl is up to 300 pounds; a medium load, 301-600 pounds; and a heavy load, 601-900 pounds.