Crystal Parrot (Magic Item)

This is a 12-inch-high statue of a parrot made of clear crystal that is useful in the detection of trespassers. The crystal parrot is typically placed high on a bookcase, shelf, or a similar location that gives the parrot an unobstructed view of the area it is to oversee.
To activate the parrot, the user speaks the command word, causing a soft red glow to appear behind the parrot's eyes. Unless the crystal parrot is destroyed, it remains active for 30 days. The user may also choose to deactivate it with a second command word, at which time the red glow in its eyes disappears. Once deactivated, it cannot be activated again until 30 additional days have passed.
The active crystal parrot "sees" everything in a 180-degree arc in front of it, to a distance of 50 feet. The crystal parrot can see no better than a normal parrot; that is, its vision can be obscured by normal or magical darkness, or by physical barriers.
The user must instruct the parrot as to what types of intruders it is to observe. The user may be specific ("Watch for a 7-foot human male with a bald head and a red coat") or general ("Watch for all humanoid and animal intruders").
At the time an intruder enters the parrot's field of vision, the user will hear a telepathic report about all intruders matching the description. The telepathic reports will be general in nature, seldom more than brief phrases ("Man with red coat enters" or "Two rats enter"). If the user was not specific as to what types of intruders to watch for, the crystal parrot will report only the number and type of intruders (such as "one woman enters" or "a dozen orcs enter"). The crystal parrot will not report the actions of intruders, merely their presence; it tells the user when the intruders enter and leave, but nothing else.
The telepathic reports can be transmitted over an unlimited distance, but cannot be communicated into other planes of existence. The telepathy is one-way; the user cannot communicate with the crystal parrot.
The crystal parrot has AC 3. It shatters and becomes permanently useless if it suffers 12 points of damage. The user is instantly aware of the parrot's destruction.
Category:TOM Magic Items
Category:Encyclopedia Magica Magic Items
Category:Magic Items
Category:Magic Statues