A large bird that is part of the Zu family. A brown plumage is harshly contrasted by its dripping beak with jagged teeth and the blue colors off-setting the blood that stains it.
Rukh (CR 7)
XP 3,200
NE Large Magical Beast (Avian)
Init +3; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +17
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+3 dex, +8 natural, -1 size)
hp 84 [120] (8d10+40)
Fort +10, Ref +9, Will +5; +4 vs disease
Immune Sleep
OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft. (average)
Melee 2 Bites +15 (2d6+7 plus disease and 1d6 bleed)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Breath Wing, Helldive
STATISTICS
Str 24, Dex 17, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 7
Base Atk +8; CMB +16; CMD 29
Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Power Attack, Toughness, Weapon Focus (Bite)
Skills Fly +8, Perception +17; Racial Modifier +4 Perception
SQ Diseased
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Breath Wing (Su)
5/day, a rukh can use its wings to cause a breath-like attack to slice the air in front of it in a 30-ft.- cone. Creatures within the area of effect take 8d6 points of wind damage, Reflex save (DC 17) for half damage. Blue mages may learn this ability as a 4th level spell (Knowledge: Arcana DC 23).
Diseased (Ex)
Due to their filthy eating habits and constant exposure to decaying flesh, rukh are harbingers of disease. Any creature bitten by a rukh has a 10% chance of being exposed to filth fever, blinding sickness, or a similar disease. Once this check is made, a victim can no longer be infected by this particular rukh, though attacks by different rukhs are resolved normally and may result in multiple illnesses. While rukh aren’t immune to all disease, they do gain a +4 racial bonus on all saving throws against such ailments.
Helldive (Ex)
Once per round, when at least 30 feet in the air, a rukh can dive at an opponent for massive damage. This attack grants a +2 circumstance bonus to this Attack roll. If this attack hits, it deals double Bite damage and the target must make a Fortitude save (DC 18) or be stunned for 1 round.
Description
A gargantuan bird of prey related to the zu, referred to in legends as the bringer of storms for its great wings, which were thought to summon disasters. In the days when knowledge about the natural world was scarce, people lived in fear of plagues and natural disasters. Seeking to put form to and allay their fears, they often blamed even these occurences on the evil doings of monsters like this.