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Atlas  Artifacts  Bestiary  Calendar  Classes  Factions/Groups  Faiths/Religion  History  Languages  Mythology  The Games  PBeM  Psionics  Spells  Credits  Links	Bestiary Shadow Shrike CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Mountians and Caverns FREQUENCY: Very Rare ORGANIZATION: Roving Packs ACTIVITY CYCLE: Night or Darkness DIET: Living Beings INTELLIGENCE: Semi- TREASURE: nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil NO. APPEARING: 2 - 12 ARMOR CLASS: 5 MOVEMENT: 1, Fl 24 (A) HIT DICE: 3 THAC0: 18 NO. OF ATTACKS: 3 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-5/2-5/1-10 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Strength Drain 1 pt/hit SPECIAL DEFENSES: magical weapon to hit MAGIC RESISTANCE: standard SIZE: L (6' tall, 12' wingspan) MORALE: Special XP VALUE: 480 Appearance: Shadow shrikes appear from a distance similar to many other large birds of prey, nearly indistiguishable from Golden Falcons at distances greater than 500 feet, and very similar to giant eagles at 700 feet or more. Once closer in, the differences of the shadow shrike are appearant. The creature is charcoal black, formed of the shadow stuff of the Demi-Plane of Shadow. Save from its outline, its eyes are the only distinguishable part, shining a luminescent silvery black. Its beak is curved down at the end to a sharp point, used for puncturing its opponents. The body of the shadow shrike is over six feet long and its wing spread over twelve feet wide. Combat: The shadow shrikes travel in groups up to twelve, searching from the skies for living beings to feed on. They attack grounded opponents by diving down at them and then slicing at them with thier claws and snapping them with thier great shadowy beak. Attacks also drain their victims of one point of strength per hit. Once the victim is less than 3 strength, they fall unconscious. Strength is regained at the rate of one point per hour. Opponents four feet tall and under, weighing less than 200 pounds can also be snatched into the claws of the shadow shrike and carried away. The shrike will usually climb 500 feet with his prey, each round sucking two points of strength from him until he passes out. Then he'll drop the dead body and rejoin his band. Shadow shrikes can also be ridden by shades or other beings with ties to the negative material plane or demi-plane of shadow. This combination can make a lethal opponent, especially shades with missile capabilites who may fire fromt he backs of their mounts. Habitat/Society: Shadow shrikes originate from the demi-plane of shadow, though they can sometimes be found on the prime material plane. When there, they prefer to dwell in dark mountainous valleys of any clime. They come out at twilight and stay active until sunrise. Sometimes they come out on especially overcast days. They avoid direct sunlight if at all posssible. TSR®, Inc. grants permission to copy this form for personal use.