Bird (Mystara), Sprackle (greater) [2016]

Climat/Terrain Temperate mountains
Organisation Rook
Fréquence Très rare
Diète Carnivore
Cycle d'activité Day
Intelligence 2-4 - Semi intelligence
Trésor See below
Alignement Neutre Absolu
Nombres 2-12
Classe d'armure 6
Mouvement Au sol : 3"
Vol : 36'' - Classe de vol : B
Nage :
Enfouissement :
Web :
Dés de vie 2
Thac0 19
Nbre d'attaques 1
Dommage / attaques 1-6 (beak)
Attaques spéciales Electricity, armor penetration
Défenses spéciales Electricity
Résistance à la magie Nil
Taille T - tiny ( 2' tall or less)
(4’ long)
Morale 8-10 - Moyen
Valeur en XP 175 xp

Commentaires : These creatures look verv similar to grackles, the common blackbirds from which they are descended. However, sprackles are larger and colored differently: Their feathers are coppery or reddish-brown. Moreover, these birds constantly shed little electrical sparks that make them glow in the dark. Their name is a blend of the words “spark” and “grackle”.
There are two varieties of sprackle: lesser and greater. The difference between them is simply one of size. The lesser sprackle averages 20 inches in length, while the greater sprackle grows as long as 4 feet.
Combat : The sprackles’ beaks are very long and sharp and can penetrate armor, giving them a +2 attack bonus against foes in plate mail (bronze or normal), ring mail, or chain mail. Further, sprackles can launch lightning attacks at creatures within 30 feet (60 feet for the greater sprackle); a small charge of electricity shoots out from their beaks and, with a successful attack roll, causes 1d3 points of damage (1d6 for the greater sprackle).
An electrical charge constantly surrounds a sprackle. Even if not directed as a lightning blast, it still inflicts 1d3 (or 1d6 for greater sprackles) points of damage upon any creature that comes into contact with it. Conductive materials (such as metal swords) also carry damage to a wielder.
Sprackles fly directly toward their prey in combat, shooting their lightning blasts until they get within melee range. At that point they attack with their beaks (1d3 or 1d6 damage from the sharp beak, plus 1d3 or 1d6 electrical damage). They continue to fight until half the flock is killed or wounded, at which time they must pass a morale check or flee.
All sprackles have infravision with a range of 60 feet.
Habitat / Société : Sprackles are very territorial and will fearlessly attack creatures larger than themselves. They avoid undead creatures and those larger than man-sized, but will attack other creatures to drive them out of their territory.
Sprackles first appeared in a place called Corran Keep, in the mountains of Mystara. Powerful magic there seems to have transformed ordinary birds into these creatures. Since their creation, sprackles have been spreading rapidly, aggressively pushing more common predatory birds out of their temtories.
Sprackles may he most commonly encountered on the forested lower slopes of mountains. As the species spreads, however, they may soon he found in many other areas.
A group of Sprackles is called a rook. They gather in extended families of two to a dozen birds, which share a large, communal nesting area (called a rookery). Rookeries are located in sheltered areas, such as the eaves of an abandoned building or under a rocky overhang. They are built of sticks and mud, and lined with downy feathers shed by the birds.
Like magpies, sprackles are attracted to shiny objects which may he valuable. Their nests might contain 2d6 coins (30%), 1d4 small gems (5%, 30% – giant sprackle), a piece of jewelry/art object (5% – giant sprackle only), or even a small magical item (2%-giant sprackle only). Also, their treasure reflects the chance that they dwell in a ruin or similar place that may contain abandoned valuables.
Ecologie : Because of their sparks, sprackles do most of their hunting in the daytime, when they are slightly less obvious. (Glowing predators have a tendency to frighten off their prey.)
Lesser sprackles are insectivores, preying chiefly on larger insects and arthropods such as butterflies, centipedes, moths, spiders, and dragonflies. Greater sprackles are carnivores who more frequently dine on mice, rats, smaller birds, and sometimes giant insects, such as giant dragonflies, robber flies, and giant centipedes and spiders.