Profanornis
Profanornis
This flightless bird has a pink, naked head and neck and filthy black feathers. It walks on its long legs, and its head is decorated with wattles and crests.
The profanornis is a large scavenging bird related to storks. They have lost their ability to fly, instead striding on long legs and relying on their size and foul tasting secretions to ward off predators. Although much of their diet comes from carrion, they are not averse to hunting, feeding on frogs, lizards, large insects and anything else they can pick off with their massive beaks. They do not hunt human-sized creatures for food, but may come into conflict with them by trying to drive them off of a kill or when protecting their nests.
Profanornises come in a few closely related species, differing primarily in size and their ornamentation. The smallest are four feet high and the largest six feet high, and some have bony casques on their heads whereas others only have fleshy wattles. These casques, wattles and other structures are used in mating displays. Flocks are typically segregated by sex, and a dominant male may be accompanied by several smaller males who assist his displays and learn from watching him.
Profanornis as Animal Companions
Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 30 ft. AC +0 natural armor; Attack bite (1d3), kick (1d3); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 5; Special Qualities foul flesh (Con based DC), iron gut, low-light vision, scent
4th-Level Advancement: Size Medium; AC +3 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4), kick (1d4); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex –2, Con +4
Profanornis CR 1
XP 400
N Medium animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, Perception +7, scent
Defense
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 15 (2d8+6)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +0; +4 vs. disease, poison, sickness and nausea
Defensive Abilities foul flesh, iron gut
Offense
Speed 30 ft.Melee bite +3 (1d4+2), kick -2 (1d4+1)
Statistics
Str 14, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 2, Wis11, Cha 5
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 15
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +6
Ecology
Environment warm plains
Organization solitary, pair or flock (3-12)
Treasure none
Special Abilities
Foul Flesh (Ex) Any creature making a bite attack against a profanornis must succeed a DC 14 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1 round. This is a poison effect. The save DC is Constitution based.
Iron Gut (Ex) A profanornis gains a +4 racial bonus on all Fortitude saves against diseases, poisons or effects that cause sickness or nausea.