In the eighties one of the chief RPG rivals to D&D was Runequest, which sported some pretty sophisticated (for the time) game mechanics as well as one of the most detailed and beloved settings ever published, Greg Stafford's Glorantha. Glorantha is an odd mix of bronze age culture, excruciatingly detailed mythology, and offbeat humor. One of the more prominent curiosities of Glorantha is the presence of a race of intelligent, anthropoid ducks, undoubtedly informed by the Howard the Duck of Marvel Comics fame.
Gloranthan duck warrior 1
Usually NG Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Listen -1, Spot -1
Languages Common
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14
(+2 Dex, +2 natural, +2 leather armor)
hp 6 (1 HD)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will -1
Spd 20 ft. (4 squares), swim 30 ft.
Melee short sword +3 (1d6-1)
Ranged shortbow +3 (1d6)
Base Atk +1; Grp +0
Space 5 ft; Reach 5 ft
Abilities Str 9, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 7
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Jump -3, Swim +10
Environment any river or marsh
Organization scouts (1-2), band (2-12) or settlement (3-30)
Treasure standard
Advancement by character class; Favored Class fighter
Level Adjustment +0
Legend claims that these odd creatures were cursed during premortal times. It is unclear whether they were humans cursed with feathers and webbed feet or ordinary ducks cursed with intelligence and flightlessness. In any case, Gloranthan ducks are not ducks at all. Rather they are medium sized, feathered humanoids with webbed feet and bills. Ducks have arms rather than wings, and consequently cannot fly. Ducks come in many different color patterns, but are all of the same species and can interbreed. The average duck stands four to five feet tall, and weighs between 100 and 150 pounds. They are long lived, up to 150-200 years. They mature around 15-20 and remain alert and able for most of their lives.
Ducks are not vegetarians, but omnivores, although their preference is for raw vegetables and undercooked meat. Ducks drink copiously, preferring mead and ale to wine and brandy.
Ducks live peacefully along rivers, in marshes, and in hamlets. They make their livings as swamp guides, boatmen, fishermen, and merchants. Their culture resembles human cultures, and there are many duck-human mixed cities.
The favored weapon of the duck is the short sword, or the short bow, although in coastal village areas shortspears have been seen as well. This does not preclude other weapons. Ducks are short and squat, and do not wield overlong, heavy weapons well.
The duck warrior presented here had the following ability scores before racial adjustments: Str 11, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 9.
Gloranthan duck characters possess the following racial traits.