Hawk

Hawks range almost everywhere from the tropics to the edge of the arctic. Smaller than eagles, they have wingspans of up to five feet, and most are some shade of red-brown or dark brown. Because they live mostly on rodents and vermin, many communities regard them kindly. Large hawks have, very rarely, attacked small demihumans.

A hawk opens with a dive, typically from 100 feet or higher, gaining +2 to hit and dealing double talon damage, though it cannot use its beak that round. Afterward it fights with beak and talons, aiming for the face: whenever the beak hits there is a 25% chance it strikes an eye, blinding the target for 1d10 rounds with a 10% chance the eye is lost for good. Its superb vision means it is never surprised.

Nests sit in tall trees or tucked among rocky slopes. Early in spring the female produces one to three eggs; they hatch by late summer, and both parents feed the chicks to fatten them before winter. For the first nine months there is an 80% chance one parent has the nest in view and attacks any intruder it sees, no matter how big.

Captured as chicks and schooled by a skilled handler, hawks can learn to hunt, so animal trainers offer good money for sound young birds, about 500 gp on the open market. A trained hawk fetches up to 1,200 gp.

Falcons are smaller, faster and more agile than hawks, easier to train, and favored by many hunters. Their nesting resembles that of hawks, though many kinds roost below ground. A trained falcon sells for about 1,000 gp.

Hawk-sized but far deadlier, blood hawks have razor beaks, unusually strong talons, mottled gray plumage and big, powerful wings that make them fast and nimble fliers. They hunt in small flocks, love human flesh, and keep attacking even when a fight is going badly, breaking off only reluctantly. Males kill people for gems as well as meat, lining their nests with the stones to attract mates; they ignore all other treasure.