I was looking at maybe letting my 3rd-level group (in Absalom) get themselves some axe beaks, but the price seems a little high:
An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider.
Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25
Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks
as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle.
Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open
market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each.
We're looking at 2000 or so gps for a mount only marginally better than a standard horse. A trained heavy warhorse is a bargain at only 300 gps, and just about as good.
I'm thinking that since axe beaks are common in Absalom, and horses aren't, I'd switch those prices around. What do you guys think?
I was looking at maybe letting my 3rd-level group (in Absalom) get themselves some axe beaks, but the price seems a little high:
An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider.
Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25
Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks
as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle.
Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open
market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each.We're looking at 2000 or so gps for a mount only marginally better than a standard horse. A trained heavy warhorse is a bargain at only 300 gps, and just about as good.
I'm thinking that since axe beaks are common in Absalom, and horses aren't, I'd switch those prices around. What do you guys think?
Well, even if they are common, even experience trainers are liable to get appendages removed. They're like parrots, even when you have a nice, trained parrot, they like to nip (and damn does that hurt, a small parrot leaves scars, big parrots take off fingers if they get riled). So maybe add a little extra cost to it because they are a bit more volatile.
Not to derail terribly, but I would think an experienced trainer would muzzle the thing.
How do you train it to bite with its beak then?
On the OP I say 400 is a good price to make them cheaper and horses should be more expensive. Heck I was even thinking of changing the saddles to be military price if running an abasalom campaign because they are common and making horse saddles exotic.
Not to derail terribly, but I would think an experienced trainer would muzzle the thing.How do you train it to bite with its beak then?
On the OP I say 400 is a good price to make them cheaper and horses should be more expensive. Heck I was even thinking of changing the saddles to be military price if running an abasalom campaign because they are common and making horse saddles exotic.
I'd give them the same longevity as a parrot, assuming it survives battle. It could serve 3 generations of warriors, if kept well.
Well, even if they are common, even experience trainers are liable to get appendages removed. They're like parrots, even when you have a nice, trained parrot, they like to nip (and damn does that hurt, a small parrot leaves scars, big parrots take off fingers if they get riled). So maybe add a little extra cost to it because they are a bit more volatile.I was looking at maybe letting my 3rd-level group (in Absalom) get themselves some axe beaks, but the price seems a little high:
An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider.
Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25
Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks
as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle.
Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open
market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each.We're looking at 2000 or so gps for a mount only marginally better than a standard horse. A trained heavy warhorse is a bargain at only 300 gps, and just about as good.
I'm thinking that since axe beaks are common in Absalom, and horses aren't, I'd switch those prices around. What do you guys think?
I dunno have you ever been bit by a Clydesdale Horse? Those boys got some chompers too!
Aren't Axe beaks carnivorous tho?
Well, even if they are common, even experience trainers are liable to get appendages removed. They're like parrots, even when you have a nice, trained parrot, they like to nip (and damn does that hurt, a small parrot leaves scars, big parrots take off fingers if they get riled). So maybe add a little extra cost to it because they are a bit more volatile.I was looking at maybe letting my 3rd-level group (in Absalom) get themselves some axe beaks, but the price seems a little high:
An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider.
Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25
Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks
as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle.
Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open
market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each.We're looking at 2000 or so gps for a mount only marginally better than a standard horse. A trained heavy warhorse is a bargain at only 300 gps, and just about as good.
I'm thinking that since axe beaks are common in Absalom, and horses aren't, I'd switch those prices around. What do you guys think?
I dunno have you ever been bit by a Clydesdale Horse? Those boys got some chompers too!
Aren't Axe beaks carnivorous tho?
Yeah, that's why they'd be more prone to biting. I own 3 horses for the last 15 years, haven't been bitten once. But then again, I don't make them angry at me.
You might be able to imprint the newborn axebeak onto you, thus negating alot of issues. Of course, when they nip you it's usually out of affection and not anger.
And I just realized how awesome it would be to have an old axebeak that's been passed down from father to son for the last 60 years. It's well trained, has been around you since you were a child, will come when called, will defend you even when you aren't riding it (to protect a member of it's "flock").
You'd probably have a funeral for it, too. And what a great investment it is-400 gold for something that stays useful for generations to come? Waaay better than a horse.
You might be able to imprint the newborn axebeak onto you, thus negating alot of issues. Of course, when they nip you it's usually out of affection and not anger.
And I just realized how awesome it would be to have an old axebeak that's been passed down from father to son for the last 60 years. It's well trained, has been around you since you were a child, will come when called, will defend you even when you aren't riding it (to protect a member of it's "flock").
You'd probably have a funeral for it, too. And what a great investment it is-400 gold for something that stays useful for generations to come? Waaay better than a horse.
Can you start at level one with an axe beak companion?
What about a cavalier from absalom, do they ride axe beaks?
You might be able to imprint the newborn axebeak onto you, thus negating alot of issues. Of course, when they nip you it's usually out of affection and not anger.
And I just realized how awesome it would be to have an old axebeak that's been passed down from father to son for the last 60 years. It's well trained, has been around you since you were a child, will come when called, will defend you even when you aren't riding it (to protect a member of it's "flock").
You'd probably have a funeral for it, too. And what a great investment it is-400 gold for something that stays useful for generations to come? Waaay better than a horse.
Great idea for a ranger/druid/cavelir.
Axe beaks are better than horses.
Some proof:
I always appreciate good visuals.
Axe beaks are better than horses.
Some proof:
It's not big mean and viscous, it's just giving them beak hugs! What a horribly misunderstood creature!
Axe beaks are better than horses.
Some proof:
gosh James, you guys on Golarion need to feed those horses! they are hardly juices morsels for axe beaks!
I love these guys, they'd make for a fun mutated breed of axebeaks: link
I love these guys, they'd make for a fun mutated breed of axebeaks: link
Are those minis you can buy? They look angry, like you just raided their eggs! lol
Whoah, wait. Axebeaks are MORE common than horse in Absolom?
Axe beaks are better than horses.
Some proof:
Huh. That first one is... pretty big.
Huh. That first one is... pretty big.Axe beaks are better than horses.
Some proof:
Some horses were the size of large dogs back in the day.
Some horses were the size of large dogs back in the day.Huh. That first one is... pretty big.Axe beaks are better than horses.
Some proof:
Wait a minute, those horses have toes! I SMELL A RAT!
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Horses evolved from five-toed, fox-sized ancestors. The bird in Exhibit A is probably a Diatryma (now known as Gastornis), and the horse is probably an Eohippus (more formally known as Hyracotherium).
Sorry, I'm a paleo-nerd.
Creative Director
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Horses evolved from five-toed, fox-sized ancestors. The bird in Exhibit A is probably a Diatryma (now known as Gastornis), and the horse is probably an Eohippus (more formally known as Hyracotherium).
Sorry, I'm a paleo-nerd.
Absolutely correct.
If you're talking about prehistoric birds, it's 100% fair to use prehistoric horses as example food.
Horses evolved from five-toed, fox-sized ancestors. The bird in Exhibit A is probably a Diatryma (now known as Gastornis), and the horse is probably an Eohippus (more formally known as Hyracotherium).
Sorry, I'm a paleo-nerd.
Absolutely correct.
If you're talking about prehistoric birds, it's 100% fair to use prehistoric horses as example food.
1. Apply two Giant templates to the Axe Beak
2. Put it in your next campaign3. ????
4. Profit!
On a related note, where did you get the price for the eggs? I have a cavalier that is hitting Katapesh soon in my Legacy of Fire game and wants to check out the Nightstales and Menagerie for a variety of exotic animals to train up. I have no real idea where to set a base line on price for some of these things a would love info on anything officially published.
I love these guys, they'd make for a fun mutated breed of axebeaks: linkAre those minis you can buy? They look angry, like you just raided their eggs! lol
Yes, the company that makes them is here: World of Twilight
And they sell them through Hasslefree Miniatures (they're the "grishak" in the Devanu faction)
Whoah, wait. Axebeaks are MORE common than horse in Absolom?
Yes. Horses are rare since they occupy no ecological niche on the island, and centaurs particularly see them as competition. Normal mounts are camels or axebeaks, and a smattering of other beasts.
@ Thazar: I got the axe beak info from the Bonus Bestiary, which you can download for free here.
Thanks to all who responded. I ask about Absalom, and who responds? The guy who wrote the book! Even JJ and Sean posted some cool pics, which were correctly identified. Nerd heaven!
You guys are cool. I don't care what everybody else says...;P
Ok, I dug that book off my shelf and found the price info. I was hoping there was a list of exotic critters with prices. Oh well, but now at least I know to check the bestiary write up for some stuff.
I will flip through the books tonight and make a list of anything that has prices... using the animal companion as a guideline of how easy it is to buy in Katapesh.