Utoyasukata
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1d4
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 3"/18" (MC: B)
HIT DICE: 3
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Poison
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Surprised only on a 1
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III/105 + 3/hp
The utoyasukata is a brightly colored bird found in the coastal areas of temperate lands. Its flesh is greatly prized as a delicacy by nobles and wealthy merchants, who are willing to pay good sums for the bird. The bird is extremely difficult to catch as it is very wary and flees at the slightest sign of danger. Likewise its nest is virtually impossible to find. It is hidden so well that the utoyasukata cannot remember where it is and must call to its young to find the nest. Alas, this leads to its undoing, for hunters have learned to imitate these calls, luring utoyasukata within range of their nets and weapons.
Still, the hunting is dangerous since the blood of the bnird is a deadly poison. Anytime a successful hit is scored with a melee weapon, the wielder must make a successful saving throw versus poison (+2 on the die roll) or die. Once the bird is slain, care must still be taken in the handling of the carcass for the poison remains deadly for up to one hour after the creature's death. Placing the carcass in a bag is insufficient, as the poison rapidly soaks through several layers of cloth. Utoyasukata have even been known to prick themselves with their beak and shake a few drops loose in an attempt to defeat hunters.
Even eating the utoyasukata is dangerous, a situation that actually enhances its reputation as a delicacy. Even eating the utoyasukata is dangerous, a situation that actually enhances its reputation as a delicacy. It can be properly prepared only by a skilled cook (who must check against his proficiency for success). If prepared unsuccessfully, or by an untrained person, all who eat it must make a saving throw versus poison. Those who make the saving throw have enjoyed a meal of great delicacy. Those who fail the saving throw suffer intense illness (or death if the saving throw result is a 1). The onset of the illness occurs 1d6 hours after eating and lasts for 1d8 hours. During this time the character is afflicted by severe stomach cramps and weakness, preventing him from doing all but the simplest actions.
Originally appeared in OA1 - Swords of the Daimyo (1986).