Gyerian

Gyerians are excitable humanoid birds that are typically 3 or 4 feet in height, though some reach 6 feet. Light tan to deep brown feathers cover them, with longer plumes on the arms that look like wings, though they cannot fly. They have bulging eyes, hooked beaks, slender four-fingered hands and strong clawed feet.

Nervous by nature, gyerians run whenever they can. Cornered, or defending their young, they kick with three-toed feet and stab with their beaks. A fighting gyerian squawks and shrieks, and 2d4 flockmates within earshot (about half a mile) arrive in 1d4 rounds if they pass a morale check.

A badly rattled gyerian may let loose a tremendous sneeze, in or out of combat. Anyone in front of it must pass a Dexterity check or be knocked down for 1d4 points of damage and spend the next round regaining their feet. The sneeze replaces all other attacks that round.

One gyerian in ten is a cockrobin, a tougher bird over 5 feet tall with AC 2, 5 HD and attacks of 1d6/1d6/2d12. Every flock is led by a rooster, a 6-foot bruiser with AC 1, 7 HD, attacks of 1d8/1d8/2d16 and morale 12, and while it is present the others have morale 10.

Flocks of 10d4 migrate on foot, heading west each spring and east again in autumn, and a straggler always manages to return to some nesting site its flock uses. Each year they quickly build a settlement called a gyer, a cluster of woven straw-and-branch huts daubed with mud, tucked into tall grass on the plains or thick brush in woodland. Shy of humans, they like elves and feel calmer around people when elves are present.

In early spring males grow brilliant green and blue plumage for several weeks and court with dances and sparring bouts among two to five rivals. This is the only season when they deliberately seek out humanoids to attack. Females lay 1d4 eggs, guarding them fiercely; chicks hatch in late summer, move about quickly, and are kept within a few wingspans of their fussy mothers.

Gyerians constantly forage for roots, berries, insects, snails and fish, turning to grass or small game such as rabbits and giant rats when very hungry. They love gems and shiny things purely for looks, filling their huts with them, and high-ranking members wear rings and necklaces. The obsession sometimes drives a group into a human camp in search of baubles.