Not long ago, I saw an episode of Destination Truth where they went to West Africa in search of the kikiyaon, or soul cannibal. I felt inspired to stat the critter up. Here's a drawing to help (no idea who the artist is, just like the drawing): http://dragonmistral.deviantart.com/art/Cryptozoology-Kikiyaon-28591388
This creature is a terrifying amalgam owl and man. Its owl’s head is covered with greenish grey feathers, while huge, dark eyes focus its intense gaze. Its hunched, muscular body is covered with short hair a color similar to its feathers, and it has a short, tufted tail. Hands and feet end in wicked claws and talons, and sharp black spurs grow from its broad shoulders. A huge pair of feathered wings grows from its back, and it has a faint odor about it like something dead.
Kikiyaon CR 4
XP 1,200
NE Medium magical beast
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +10
Defense
AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+3 Dex, +6 natural)
hp 40 (5d10+10)
Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +3
Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (good)
Melee 2 claws +8 (1d6+2)
Special Attacks Nightmare, Rake (2 talons +8, 1d6+2), Shoulder spurs
Statistics
Str 15, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; CMB +7; CMD 20
Feats Flyby Attack, Weapon Finesse, Wingover
Skills Acrobatics +7, Climb +6, Fly +11, Perception +10, Stealth +11; Racial Modifiers Perception +4, Stealth +4
Ecology
Environment Tropical Forest
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure Incidental
Special Features
Nightmare (Su) Anyone who sees a kikiyaon must make a DC 15 Will save or suffer the effects of a Nightmare spell 3 nights later. Anyone who makes the save is immune to this ability for 24 hours. Kikiyaons are immune to the effects of seeing another kikiyaon.
Rake (Ex) When in flight, a kikiyaon may rake with its taloned feet.
Shoulder spurs (Ex) A kikiyaon may attack with its shoulder spurs when, and only when, it makes a Flyby Attack against a target (Shoulder spurs +8, 1d8+2 + bleed 1d4, DC 15 Heal).
The kikiyaon is a predator that hunts the night in tropical forests, frequently near towns and villages. While it will readily feed upon livestock and wild animals, its preferred prey are lone travelers who have failed to find shelter before nightfall. It stalks its prey silently, attacking by surprise with its shoulder spurs and then letting it bleed out. It will readily defend itself with its clawed hands and taloned feet. Its call is a deep throated grunting that can carry for miles; it also makes a strangled cry deep in its throat. Kikiyaons are 5’ to 5’6” tall and are rather light for their size.
This looks really cool. It may be a bit strong for a CR 4, if only because it combines a potent (though delayed) magical attack with good HP AND a fly speed with feats to make best advantage of that, something a 4th level party would have hard time dealing with if the monster is played smart, ie as an ambush predator. Add in darkness and limited party mobility due to terrain and it would be a pretty rough encounter.
This looks really cool. It may be a bit strong for a CR 4, if only because it combines a potent (though delayed) magical attack with good HP AND a fly speed with feats to make best advantage of that, something a 4th level party would have hard time dealing with if the monster is played smart, ie as an ambush predator. Add in darkness and limited party mobility due to terrain and it would be a pretty rough encounter.
I admit I was thinking CR 5 might be more suitable. I also forgot to add in that the nightmare is specifically about being hunted by the kikiyaon (the legend says the kikiyaon can enter people's dreams to hunt them).
In that case, I'd make the Nightmare take effect immediately, compelling the characters to hunt it down. And I agree, CR5 may be more appropriate. Does it gain any other powers form the Nightmares? Would be cool to have it gain temp HP =the spells damage or something, just another way of compelling a showdown.