Avim

Avim are large, flightless avians that inhabit numerous regions within the world, but typically prefer forests and jungles. There are a large variety of breeds and subspecies for these large, flightless birds. Avim are typically domesticated, but there are many wild flocks as well. Avim are typically not domesticated for work purposes, but rather as battle or adventuring mounts. They tend to make excellent, if not affectionate and rather intelligent companions for many individuals, and they tend to live longer than horses.

Avim are extraordinarily beautiful, and even intelligent creatures. Certainly more intelligent than horses, they have a higher capacity for learning, and with deadly beaks and talons, they can even be trained as battle mounts with relative ease, and often to a much deadlier effect than traditional horses. Although well-loved by the communities they inhabit, and known for their beauty, at the end of the day, Avim are incredibly deadly animals, and many tend to forget that, and more than one stray hand has found itself punished for attempting to pet the creatures.

### Avim Breeds

The Avim have numerous breeds, some of which are not entirely well known, nor documented. There are no doubt, even, some Avim breeds that are entirely unknown to the world as a whole.

### Plains Avim

Plains Avim are among the most basic. They come in a fairly large variety of colors, but a light yellow-green is the most common, but most of the Plains Avim colors tend to be brighter. Plains Avim can be found in fairly temperate locations, either in open fields or woodlands.

### Desert Avim

Desert Avim are typically found in the deserts of Mythgate, but especially within the **Rimalharu Desert**, where they dwell in family groups across the dangerous sands. Desert Avim are notably smaller than other species, and have more powerful legs and wings, allowing them to leap great distances, although they still cannot fly. Their feathers are also insulated, like a heavy coat, keeping them surprisingly cool despite the constant beating sun.

Desert Avim are almost always variations of sand-like colors, to help them blend in.

### Frost Avim

In the far northern reaches of the world dwell the Frost Avim. Larger than their southern cousins by a fair margin, Frost Avim are slower, but significantly stronger, with thick beaks. Oddly, Frost Avim talons are webbed, allowing them to more effectively tread the snow that they deal with. Their feathers are also thick, and incredibly soft, and those who have domesticated Frost Avim say that you can sink into their feathers and rest dutifully without issue. Frost Avim are almost universally white, to help them blend in.

### Black Avim

Black Avim are a created variant of Avim, within the Greyhold. Like many things from the Greyhold, Black Avim are incredibly dangerous creatures, equipped with a variety of new weapons to help them. Most notably, they are smaller - just a little smaller than your average Plains Avim, Black Avim are sleek, fast, aggressive and territorial when left to their own devices. They hate living creatures. Worse, they hunt together, especially at night where their black coloration is of the highest advantage, striking at their foes' flanks when their back is turned.

Black Avim were most often used as mounts by Drow Cavalry in the service of the Betrayer.

### Toy Avim

A unique group, "Toy Avim" is a general term for a variety of smaller breeds bred to be kept as domestic pets instead of combat mounts- though, some smaller riders train the creatures to serve as combat mounts, often to the animals' chagrin. They're decidedly less hostile than their fellow Avim, and are closer in size to a human. They are frequently bred for brightly-colored and poofy plumage in beautiful designs, and are trained to entertain with tricks and birdsong. Toy Avim cannot be bought already combat trained, as no reputable sellers breed them for that purpose.

### Avim Queen

At the top are Queen Avim. Rare even among the most rare of creatures, there is extremely little known about Avim Queens. What is known is that they can be born of any breed, without any sign whatsoever. Two Avim could come together and an Avim Queen could hatch for them, and the next egg in the clutch could be a normal Avim of the same species. Avim Queens may not even lay eggs that are Queens either.

Avim Queens are incredibly colorful, and seem to have a unique ability to even change the colors of their feathers without issue. They are also incredibly intelligent, and are thought to have intelligence on the same level as humanoids, which makes sense, considering the final, most notable aspect: Avim Queens have the ability to shapeshift into a Humanoid form of their choice. Once they reach adulthood, Avim Queens may choose a humanoid form to shapeshift into, and this becomes their permanent shapeshift form, which cannot be changed.

Naturally, Avim Queens also live significantly longer than normal Avim, and are considered to be Magical Creatures.

## Buying Avim

Buying Avim is surprisingly simple, and due to their widespread nature, you can buy them generally anywhere. Below, you'll find a table of their costs, and below that their stats.

## Plains Avim CR 2

**XP 600**

N Large animal

**Init** +5; **Senses** low-light vision, scent; Perception +7

DEFENSE

**AC** 16, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+5 Dex, –1 size, +2 natural)

**hp** 19 (2d8+10)

**Fort** +8, **Ref** +8, **Will** +2

OFFENSE

**Speed** 60 ft.

**Melee** peck +5 (1d4+5), 2 claws +0 (1d6+2)

**Space** 10 ft.; **Reach** 10 ft.

STATISTICS

**Str** 20, **Dex** 20, **Con** 20, **Int** 2, **Wis** 14, **Cha** 16

**Base** **Atk** +1; **CMB** +7; **CMD** 21

**Feats** Endurance, Run

**Skills** Perception +7

**SQ** docile

SPECIAL ABILITIES

#### Docile (Ex)

Unless specifically trained for combat (see the Handle Animal skill), an avim’s claws are treated as secondary attacks.

## Desert Avim CR 2

**XP 600**

N Large animal

**Init** +5; **Senses** low-light vision, scent; Perception +7

DEFENSE

**AC** 18, touch 16, flat-footed 11 (+5 Dex, –1 size, +2 natural)

**hp** 15 (2d8+6)

**Fort** +6, **Ref** +8, **Will** +2

OFFENSE

**Speed** 60 ft.

**Melee** peck +4 (1d4+5), 2 claws -1 (1d6+2)

**Space** 10 ft.; **Reach** 10 ft.

STATISTICS

**Str** 18, **Dex** 24, **Con** 16, **Int** 2, **Wis** 14, **Cha** 16

**Base** **Atk** +1; **CMB** +6; **CMD** 20

**Feats** Endurance, Run

**Skills** Perception +7, Acrobatics +12 (+17 when jumping)

**SQ** docile, desert runner

SPECIAL ABILITIES

#### Docile (Ex)

Unless specifically trained for combat (see the Handle Animal skill), an avim’s claws are treated as secondary attacks.

#### Desert Runner (Ex)

The Desert Avim’s Endurance feat applies at double strength for the purpose of resisting damage from hot environments. The feat provides no bonus for the purpose of resisting damage from cold environments. Desert Avim ignore difficult terrain from sandy terrain. Desert Avim gain 1 skill rank in Acrobatics per hit die in addition to other skills gained, and gain a +5 racial bonus to any acrobatics check to long or high jump.

## Frost Avim CR 2

**XP 600**

N Large animal

**Init** +5; **Senses** low-light vision, scent; Perception +8

DEFENSE

**AC** 14, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, –1 size, +2 natural)

**hp** 37 (3d8+24)

**Fort** +10, **Ref** +6, **Will** +3

OFFENSE

**Speed** 50 ft.

**Melee** peck +8 (1d4+7), 2 claws +3 (1d6+4)

**Space** 10 ft.; **Reach** 10 ft.

STATISTICS

**Str** 24, **Dex** 16, **Con** 24, **Int** 2, **Wis** 14, **Cha** 16

**Base** **Atk** +2; **CMB** +10; **CMD** 24

**Feats** Endurance, Run, Toughness

**Skills** Perception +8

**SQ** docile, arctic treader

SPECIAL ABILITIES

#### Docile (Ex)

Unless specifically trained for combat (see the Handle Animal skill), an avim’s claws are treated as secondary attacks.

#### Arctic Treader (Ex)

The Frost Avim’s Endurance feat applies at double strength for the purpose of resisting damage from cold environments. The feat provides no bonus for the purpose of resisting damage from hot environments. Frost Avim ignore difficult terrain from deep snow. Frost Avim know the “Warm” trick without being trained (see the Handle Animal skill), and perform it instinctually in cold climates.

## Black Avim CR 2

**XP 600**

N Large animal

**Init** +5; **Senses** low-light vision, scent; Perception +8

DEFENSE

**AC** 18, touch 16, flat-footed 11 (+7 Dex, –1 size, +2 natural)

**hp** 25 (3d8+12)

**Fort** +7, **Ref** +8, **Will** +3

OFFENSE

**Speed** 60 ft.

**Melee** peck +8 (1d4+7), 2 claws +8 (1d6+3)

**Space** 10 ft.; **Reach** 10 ft.

STATISTICS

**Str** 24, **Dex** 24, **Con** 18, **Int** 2, **Wis** 14, **Cha** 16

**Base** **Atk** +2; **CMB** +10; **CMD** 24

**Feats** Endurance, Run, Skill Focus (Stealth)

**Skills** Perception +8, Stealth +16

**SQ** foul temperament, pack hunter, pounce

SPECIAL ABILITIES

#### Foul Temperament (Ex)

All Handle Animal DCs to teach or handle a black avim are increased by the avim’s HD

#### Pack Hunter (Ex)

Black avim gain 1 skill rank in Stealth per HD in addition to other skill ranks. Black avim gain a +4 flanking bonus when flanking an enemy, instead of +2; they still lose this bonus against targets immune to flanking. Black avim count as flanking a target if two allies threaten the target, regardless of actual positioning- this counts as having the Gang Up feat for the purpose of prerequisites and effects.

## Show Avim CR 1

**XP 400**

N Medium animal

**Init** +5; **Senses** low-light vision, scent; Perception +7

DEFENSE

**AC** 17, touch 15, flat-footed 11 (+5 Dex, +2 natural)

**hp** 11 (2d8+2)

**Fort** +4, **Ref** +8, **Will** +2

OFFENSE

**Speed** 60 ft.

**Melee** peck +2 (1d3+2), 2 claws -3 (1d4+1)

**Space** 5 ft.; **Reach** 5 ft.

STATISTICS

**Str** 14, **Dex** 20, **Con** 12, **Int** 2, **Wis** 14, **Cha** 20

**Base** **Atk** +1; **CMB** +4; **CMD** 18

**Feats** Skill Focus (Perform (sing)), RunB

**Skills** Perception +7, Perform (sing) +13

**SQ** prissy, bred for show

SPECIAL ABILITIES

#### Prissy (Ex)

Unless specifically trained for combat (see the Handle Animal skill), a show avim’s claws are treated as secondary attacks. The handle animal DC to teach a show avim the Perform, Entertain, Heel, Come, Fetch, Preen, or Stay tricks (see the Handle Animal skill) is only 5, while the DC to teach it any combat-focused trick is increased by 10.

#### Bred for Show (Ex)

Show Avim receive 1 rank in a single Perform skill per hit die in addition to other skills. For most show avim this is Perform (sing), but some owners train them for other forms of entertainment. A show avim treats Perform as a class skill.

## **Avim As Animal Companions**

Normally, only a plains avim can be selected as an animal companion. However, if the druid acquires a tame avim of another breed, the druid may bond with it instead. Each breed of avim has a different advancement progression at 4th level (as indicated).

Avim are an acceptable choice as a ranger's hunter's bond, if they choose an animal companion. Avim are also considered 'suitable as a mount' for the purposes of classes whose animal companion ability requires that distinction to be made (such a paladin or cavalier).

Show avim and avim queens are *not* valid animal companion breeds.

### **Statistics**

**Size** Large; **Speed** 50 ft.; **AC** +4 Natural Armor; **Attack** bite (1d4) and 2 claws (1d6)\*; **Ability Scores Str** 17, **Dex** 13, **Con** 15, **Int** 2, **Wis** 13, **Cha** 15; **Special Qualities** low-light vision, scent, Docile

\*secondary attacks

#### **Plains Avim**

**Speed** 60 ft., **Ability Scores** +2 **Str**, +2 **Dex**; **Special qualities** combat trained.

#### **Desert Avim**

**Ability Scores** +2 **Str**, +2 **Con**; **Bonus Feat** Endurance; **Special Qualities** Desert Runner, combat trained.

#### **Frost Avim**

**Ability Scores** +2 **Str**, +2 **Con**; **Bonus Feat** Endurance; **Special Qualities** Arctic Treader, combat trained.

#### **Black Avim**

**Ability Scores** +2 **Str**, +2 **Dex**; **Special Qualities** Foul Temperament, Pack Hunter, combat trained.