| Large Outsider (Good) |
| Hit Dice: | 20d8+200 (290 hp) |
| Initiative: | +8 (+4 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative) |
| Speed: | 20 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor) |
| Armor Class: | 26 (-1 size, +4 Dex, +13 natural) |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | 0 |
| Attack: | 0 |
| Full Attack: | 2 claws +23 melee; or bite +23 melee |
| Space/Reach: | 5 ft. by 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks: | Shriek, rebirth, spell-like abilities, planar travel |
| Special Qualities: | Damage reduction 30/+3, touch, SR 21 |
| Saves: | Fort +22, Ref +16, Will +18 |
| Abilities: | Str 19, Dex 18, Con 30, Int 18, Wis 22, Cha 22 |
| Skills: | Concentration +44, Diplomacy +34, Knowledge (arcana) +32, Knowledge(nature) +32, Knowledge (planes) +32, Knowledge (religion) +32, Listen +34, Spellcraft +32, Spot +34 |
| Feats: | Improved Initiative, Flyby Attack, Empower Spell, Power Attack,Quicken Spell, Still Spell, Maximize Spell |
| |
| Environment: | Elysium or any land |
| Organization: | Solitary or clutch (2-4) |
| Challenge Rating: | 17 |
| Treasure: | None |
| Alignment: | Neutral Good |
| Advancement: | 21-30 HD (Large); 31-60 (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment: | 0 |
The phoenix is a great, extra-planar bird thought to represent the spirit of freedom and rebirth. It is a mortal creature that displays the ultimate in godlike dettachment. A phoenix appears, as a large bird with a 40' wingspan and bright, multi-colored feathers. The plumage includes bright violet, scarlet, crimson and flaming orange. Its beak and claws are of blue-violet. A phoenix's eyes are a deep, glowing ruby color. In addition to its own language, a phoenix can speak with all avians. It otherwise communicates with a limited telepathy or by empathy.
CombatShriek(Ex): A phoenix will always start the first round of combat with a piercing shriek that gives the creature a distinct advantage in combat.All opponents of 12 HD or less within 30 ft. of a shrieking phoenixreceive a -3 morale penalty on their initiative roll.Spell-Like Abilities: At will - produce flame, ghost sound, blindness/deafness, blink, blur, daylight, quench, charm monster, dancing lights, find traps, invisibility, misdirection, produce flame, pyrotechnics, remove curse, animal trance; Three times per day - color spray, polymorph self; Once per day - summon nature's ally IV, phase door, find thepath, fire seeds, neutralize poison, reincarnate, veil, wall of fire; Once per week - incendiary cloud. These abilities are as the spells cast bya 20th level sorcerer (save DC 16 + spell level).The following abilities are always active on the phoenix, as spells cast by a 20th level sorcerer: detect charmed persons or animals,detect evil, detect magic, protection from evil and remove fear (within a 10 ft. radius).Ritual Dance (Sp): By spreading its wings and performing a ritual dance for 1 full round, the phoenix can perform the following abilities as spells cast by a 40th level sorcerer (save DC 16 + spell level): dismissal, dispel evil and dispel magic. Any of these three abilities can be used at will once per round.Rebirth (Ex): In extreme situations, the phoenix can combine the effects of both fire storm and incendiary cloud (save Reflex DC 16 + phoenix HD), even if it has already used these powers previously. This destroys the adult phoenix but leaves behind a young phoenix with all the powers and abilities of its predecessor.Planar Travel (Su): The phoenix can travel to the Ethereal and Astral plane at will.Touch (Su): A touch of its wing is equal to a cure light wounds spell (cures 1d8+5 hit points), with a limit of 2 touches possible per individual in one day. A touch of the comb gives an effect equal to remove disease, but only once per individual in any one day.
Habitat/SocietyPhoenixes are strange and enigmatic creatures. They are held in very high regard in the legends of many tribes of barbarians and in other, primitive cultures. It is said that the phoenix is the embodiment of rebirth. This is symbolized in the classic imagery of the self-immolation of the phoenix from which a new bird is formed. This is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of good and thus the phoenix are considered noble creatures. Legend states that the phoenix has an extremely long lifespan. Some reports claim they can live to be over 1,000 years old, while others suggest it to be as high as 12,000 years. When it is time for the phoenix to die, it goes far into the mountains away from civilization. At the very top of the peaks, the phoenix builds a great nest made of straw and various herbs. The phoenix will lie in the nest, taking its last look at the world it knows. Satisfied that its work in the world is at an end, it then immolates itself in a flash of great flame and light. When the flames die down, there in the nest, which remains untouched by flames, is a young phoenix arrayed in bright color like its parent before it. Legend then suggests that the phoenix must fly away to the temple of the sun and there bury the mummified corpse of its parent.In general, phoenixes are reclusive creatures, tending to make their lairs away from the worlds of humanoid beings. Though they have the ability to travel through the Astral and Ethereal planes (and thus to any inner and outer plane), they will generally tend to stay on Elysium or in a secluded place on the Prime Material plane. There are as many legends of the phoenix as there are cultures, each with its own slightly differing viewpoint. Some believe the phoenix to be the benevolent symbol of death, only appearing when someone's time is up among the living. Other primarily evil cultures, see the phoenix as the symbol of destruction and rage, bringing fiery devastation in its wake. Still other cultures record their phoenix to be a friend and benefactor of good beings.Although a wealth of mystery surrounds the phoenix, still there are some things that are known for sure. It is obvious that the phoenix is a champion of good. Although is seems these creatures do not actively seek out evil to destroy, they will rarely pass up such an opportunity when it presents itself. Also, despite the vast differences in ideology, belief, and philosophy in the various cultures that revere the phoenix, one thing remains constant: the phoenix is the symbol of creation by destruction. Some cultures believe that fire is the one great purifier, cleansing all that it touches. Others believe that fire merely destroys. With the phoenix, both are true, In its own reproduction, fire destroys the old bird, taking with it many centuries of life and wisdom, yet it creates a new phoenix with a new mind, thus purifying the line.0
EcologyOf all magical or enchanted creatures, the phoenix is perhaps most sought after by alchemists and sages alike. There is almost no part of a phoenix that cannot be used in a magical potion or for research.The feathers of the phoenix have many uses - they can be used to adorn a staff of healing, they can be used to make potions of extra-healing, and a many other healing magic uses. The eyes, beak, and talons of a phoenix are very valuable in the open market, often commanding 5000 gp and up. Of course it is not always easy to find a buyer on the open market, because many cultures consider it a bad omen or taboo violation to kill a phoenix.The exact nature of the phoenix can only be guessed at by scholars. All phoenixes are male and the reproduction cycle consists entirely of the self-immolation. Whether this is a natural biological reproduction cycle or a magical birth is unclear. As stated, no female phoenix exist.For more information, see the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (2nd Edition) Montrous Manual (pg. 288-289).
