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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Virtuosic Lyrebird

Virtuosic lyrebirds present an excellent case study in how specialty-bred animals can escape captivity and become pests. A small team of apprentice mages established the original virtuosic lyrebirds as part of their graduation thesis, in an attempt to create a familiar that could better aid in spellcasting. The vocal mimicry of these birds did indeed allow them to harmonize with their bonded spellcaster; however, initial progress was slow, and the impatient students chose to hastily elevate the birds' abilities before their thesis deadline using experimental magic. Unfortunately, the specimens' newfound vocal mimicry was so supreme that they could mimic spell incantations as easily as any other sound they heard. The virtuosic lyrebirds soon vaporized, teleported out of, or befuddled their keepers into opening their cages, escaping into the wild and flourishing.

Virtuosic lyrebirds use their spellcasting abilities mostly to play pranks and alleviate boredom. They tend to travel in pairs, but when these pairs congregate into larger flocks, their mischief and fun can quickly turn dangerous.

Recall Knowledge - Beast (Arcana, Nature): DC 22
Unspecific Lore: DC 20
Specific Lore: DC 17

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Elite are marked in red below.
NOTE: The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Elite Virtuosic LyrebirdCreature 7

Tiny Beast 
Source Howl of the Wild pg. 193 2.0
Perception +16
Skills Acrobatics +17, Arcana +16, Performance +18, Stealth +14
Str +4, Dex +5, Con +2, Int +3, Wis +2, Cha +4
AC 26; Fort +11, Ref +19, Will +16
HP 85
Counter-Melody [reaction] (auditory, magic) Trigger An opponent within 60 feet Casts a Spell; Effect The virtuosic lyrebird makes a counteract check against the triggering spell (+14 counteract modifier).
Speed 15 feet, fly 60 feet
Melee [one-action] beak +14 [+9/+4] (finesse), Damage 2d8+2+4 piercingMelee [one-action] talon +14 [+10/+6] (agile, finesse), Damage 2d6+2+4 piercingArcane Spontaneous Spells DC 26, attack +18 (+4 dmg); 3rd force barrage, hypnotize; 2nd breathe fire, shatter; 1st command, fear, gust of wind; Cantrips (3rd) bullhorn, daze, figment, ignition, telekinetic projectile
Arcane Harmony [one-action] (arcane, auditory) Effect The virtuosic lyrebird sings a subtle trill that others can use to embellish their magic. The next virtuosic lyrebird to Cast a Spell within 60 feet of the first lyrebird that used Arcane Harmony chooses one of the following two benefits, after which the Arcane Harmony ends.
  • The spell gains a +2 status bonus to damage per spell rank.
  • One target of the spell takes a –2 status penalty to saves against the spell.
Spell Mimicry [free-action] Frequency once per day; Requirements A creature Casts a Spell of 3rd rank or lower since the end of the virtuosic lyrebird' s last turn, and the virtuosic lyrebird heard the incantation for the spell; Effect The virtuosic lyrebird learns the spell enough to mimic and cast it this turn, using as many actions as the original spell took.Spellsong Casting The virtuosic lyrebird's exquisite vocal control lets it cast spells purely through its song. While it must be able to vocalize to Cast a Spell, it doesn't need to gesture, removing the manipulate trait from any spell that it casts. If it Casts a Spell with the linguistic trait (usually with its Spell Mimicry), it can Cast that Spell in Common, even though the bird doesn't truly understand the language.