Cockatrice (Basic Lore)

Cockatrice (CR 7)
Pure Evil - Small - Magical Beast
Misbegotten is a word perfectly suited to the cockatrice. They are small things, despite the terror they inspire, and look like large, emaciated chickens with extravagant wattles and large batwings instead of feathered wings. Honestly, they look a bit ridiculous. The potent magical abilities of the cockatrice, however, ensure that no matter how silly it looks, it gets a lot of respect. The cockatrice is feared because the touch of a cockatrice is inimical to all living things. The touch of a cockatrice is cold and numbing, according to everyone who has encountered one and lived, and every touch, every brush, leeches the vitality and mobility out of those touched. Cockatrices are well-aware of their deadly touch and use it in combat, so that despite their small size and ridiculous appearance, their lairs tend to be decorated with the paralyzed remains of victims large and small. Oddly enough, cockatrices eat mainly seeds, berries, vegetation, and insects. They only attack larger creatures due to their utter, intractable viciousness. A cockatrice that has seen you is going to attack you, and they don't need such excuses as 'defending their lair' to do it. Cockatrices can be found nearly anywhere there are bugs and plants, and they thrive, being hardy, fecund, and adaptable. They will nest in fallen logs, gullies, caves, ruins, overhangs, river banks, nearly anywhere. They are ardent burrowers, albeit slow, so they tend to like areas with soft ground for their burrows.