Huge Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 12d10+12 (90 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares), fly 90 ft. (good)
Armor Class: 17 (–2 size, +2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+25
Attack: Claw +15 melee (1d8+5)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +15 melee (1d8+5) and beak +10 melee (2d6+2)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Color spray
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., dazzling presence, low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +6
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 17
Skills: Listen +11, Search +11, Spot +16, Survival +10
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Flyby Attack, Wingover
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 13–18 HD (Huge); 19–24 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
With its great, multicolored wings spreading out from a huge black body, this creature reminds you of a rainbow at midnight.
Not many who have ever seen a rainbow crow have lived to tell the tale, so these immense birds were little known until recently. When trained, they make excellent mounts and are both tough enough and aggressive enough for wartime duty.
Rainbow crows can only be found in ancient redwood forests. They live in enormous nests in the top boughs of those great trees. As long-lived as elves, they mate just once, living alone for the rest of their days. Their beautiful plumage develops as they mature, with bands of colored feathers replacing the midnight black of their juvenile feathers. An average adult rainbow crow measures 18 feet from beak to tail with a wingspan 34 feet across. It can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
Young rainbow crows can only be distinguished from normal crows by their size. A baby rainbow crow is about twice the size of a normal adult crow and grows to ten times the size of a normal crow before developing its rainbow wings. These juvenile crows are highly sought after, since they are much easier to train than an adult rainbow crow (DC 15 Handle Animal check) and much less dangerous to handle. Capturing a juvenile is still a hazardous undertaking, however, since both parents will attempt to protect the baby. Two rainbow crows are never encountered together unless they are parents protecting their offspring.
Combat
A rainbow crow is difficult to battle because its foes must choose between being dazzled by its wings or closing their eyes and fighting blind. These clever birds open a battle with color spray, hoping to neutralize one or more foes before the fight begins.
Dazzling Presence (Ex): As long as a rainbow crow is illuminated by a bright light source, any creature that can see the rainbow crow is dazzled (Fortitude DC 19 negates). Closing one’s eyes completely protects a viewer from the dazzling presence but gives the crow total concealment with respect to that individual. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Color Spray (Sp): Once per round as a free action, a rainbow crow can release a color spray effect from its wingtips (Will DC 14 negates). The save DC is Charisma-based.
Skills: Rainbow crows have a +4 racial bonus on Search and Spot checks.
Training a Rainbow Crow
A rainbow crow requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. To be trained, a rainbow crow must have a friendly attitude toward the trainer (this can be achieved through a successful Diplomacy check). Training a friendly rainbow crow requires six weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a rainbow crow requires an exotic saddle. A rainbow crow can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.
Carrying Capacity: A light load for a rainbow crow is up to 920 pounds; a medium load, 921–1,840 pounds; and a heavy load, 1,841–2,760 pounds. A rainbow crow cannot fly at full speed when carrying more than a light load.