Noctral
Pathfinder |
The advisors of Mount Celestia, these large owls serve as sages for all manner of being, from mortals to powers.
Appearance
The creatures resemble nothing more than giant, long-legged owls. Standing as tall as a human, and with a 20' wingspan to boot, these creatures are yet quite light, with hollow bones much as any bird. Noctrals have a number of traits in common with their smaller, more natural kin. They are predatory, nocturnal creatures, preferring to fly out at night to hunt their prey, and always hunting only the nonintelligent, never killing for sport. They are as stealthy as a true owl as well, flying in total silence and barely visible at night. They are covered with a soft plumage ranging from dove grey to deep black, and at night their feathers are cloaked in shadow, aiding their ability to avoid conflict.
Noctrals serve as sages and teachers across the Mount, always eager to help by sharing knowledge even if they occasionally sound a bit patronizing while doing so. Given the slightest excuse, a noctral will reveal all he knows on a given subject. However, they never reveal a fact under any conditions or threat if they suspect it will be used for evil. Noctrals are so highly lauded that even some deities use them for knowledge; these deities can be awfully protective of their noctrals, and any harm against one of this number is quite likely to draw the ire of the power that watches over them, leading them to send protection in the form of devas or planetars.
As an owl, a noctral is well-accustomed to the night, and not merely in matters of stealth. Under cover of darkness, a noctral's senses excel. Their hearing because almost four times that of an elf's, their eyesight becomes better than the best humans during daylight, and even while sleeping it is nearly impossible to surprise one of their number.
Reference
- Planescape MCII, pg. 68
