Monster: Glauklite

Glauklites are bizarre human-sized owls with human arms, which are normally encountered with the equipment of a standard hoplite: long spear and large shield. They have claws with which they can make attacks but these are so short that against a non-prone opponent they can only be used as an unarmed combat attack. Against a prone opponent, they can be used normally and in addition to any attack made with a melee weapon.

Glauklite

Frequency	Uncommon
No. Appearing	2-12 (x10 in lair)
Armour Class	8
Move	9“/15” (3“ in soil)
Hit Dice	1-1
% in lair	20%
Treasure type	Lair: Q, S, 15% 1x any magic
No. of attacks	1 (sometimes 2, see below)
Damage/attack	By Weapon or 1d6
Special Attacks	Surprise 1-4
Special Defenses	Shape Change, Senses
Magic Resistance	Std
Intelligence	Low
Alignment	N
Size	M
Psionic Ability	nil
Psionic Attack/defense modes	nil
Level	I
XP	11+1/hp

They can shape change into the form of normal-sized owls for short periods (no more than three turns in every three hours), allowing them to flee a combat which is going badly, circumvent obstacles, or track an enemy with the silence owls are famed for. When they change shape, whatever they are carrying is somehow incorporated into the owl-form and re-appears as it was when they assume their “normal” shape again.

While in owl form, they surprise on a 1-4 instead of the normal 1-2, and in either form their eyesight is remarkable in all ranges, as is their hearing, so they are surprised only on a 1 in 10.

They are capable of throwing their spears, although they do not generally carry more than one, so this is rare.

Glauklite lairs are normally (90%) ruled by a larger member with 2 full hit dice and 1-6 wingmates of 1HD. 10% of lairs are ruled by a family of 2-5 giant owls (MM p77), in which case add the latter’s treasure to the Glauklites’ total.

If the largest possible lair is encountered (i.e., 120 individuals base) then there is a separate 11% chance that it contains a family of owlbears (MM p77), in which case add the latter’s treasure to the total.

Flocks of Glauklites lead by giant owls will generally be less aggressive to strangers on first contact (+10% to reaction rolls); those with owlbears will be more aggressive (-10%), and those with both or neither will roll normally for reactions.

Lairs in wilderness will normally be burrows dug in soil, or occasionally sand.

Glauklites speak the language of giant owls whether lead by them or not, although normal members are not intelligent enough to engage in any deep level of conversation.