Crow-Like Humanoid

[Ragnarok]

Greetings HEROes. I need your help in finding/creating a particular creature for my campaign.

For those of you who know what Kenku are, it's pretty much the same thing. For those who don't, I'm envisioning a race of small, crow-like humanoids, standing about 4 feet tall, weighing around 65-70 pounds. Humanoid skeletal structure (2 arms, 2 legs) but with crow's feet, feathers, and "hands" (3 talon-like fingers and a thumb). Here's a picture to clarify what I'm talking about: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/iw_kenku.jpg

In fact, to make this easier, why don't I just link the page so you know what I need: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040912b&page=4

Basically, what I'm looking for is a conversion to HERO stats. I would also like to make sure that the new version includes that they have great eyesight and work best in large groups, overwhelming enemies by sheer numbers rather than individual prowess.

Thanks!

[Shadowsoul]

Looks simple enough.

I'd stat up the taloned feet as 1d3 HKA (1d6+1 with Str) and the beak as 1d6 HKA (1.5d6 HKA). Depending on the power level of the setting I would probably make them both Reduced Armour Penetration.

If they are small birdlike humanoids then they might well have a couple less points of Body than average. You might want to drop their Con as well but the Crowlike in your picture looks quite hardy and it's best not to make them too frail.

To balance out this lightness of body and to suggest the speed and agility of a bird I'd give them a bonus of +2 to Dex.

Eyesight is simply a matter of Enhanced Perception, +X to Sight Group.

Best way to make them work well in groups is to give them the Racial Ability - Teamwork, Only With Other Crowlikes (-1/2). 2 Points.

If you want to go further then allow Crowlike characters to buy CSLs with the Limitation 'Requires A Succesful Teamwork Roll' (-1/2). You could even give them a Martial Art based on swarming or mobbing a target, the Martial Manouevres of which also require a succesful Teamwork Roll.

I can imagine teams of such creatures forming elite assassination squads. Go Crow-Ninjas!

[Comic]

So.. not Dire Corby, then?

[Killer Shrike]

Sounds like a halfling with a beak / talons (aka small HKA) to me.

[Killer Shrike]

Here ya go...
Kenku (http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/Content/RacePackageDeals/Other/Kenku.aspx)

[Ragnarok]

Thanks guys! Thanks once again, Shrike, for being quite helpful.

[Egyptoid]

i believe they are also in Asian Bestiary ? No ?

[TheQuestionMan]

Cool Concept

Thanks

QM

[Killer Shrike]

Thanks guys! Thanks once again, Shrike, for being quite helpful.

No problem.

[John-Walton]

http://helvene.ru/nwn/scr/cr_wereraven.jpg

Distinctive Features: Bird-Breath

[Michael Hopcroft]

i believe they are also in Asian Bestiary ? No ?

They do sound like Tengu, don't they? But I imagine these things are somewhat different. Tengu can, IIRC, pose as human if they wish -- these guys, if they can, don't bother.

[Susano]

i believe they are also in Asian Bestiary ? No ?

Those are tengu, which come in several varieties, such as humanoid crow, crow-headed human, or human with a long nose. All are master swordsmen.