The Teratorns (“monstrous birds” or “wonder-birds”) were related to the new-world vultures, and probably resembled condors, both physically and in their habits, although some of them may have been a bit more actively predatory. The earliest known member of the family was Taubatornis, a relatively small bird from southern Brazil which lived during the late Oligocene to early Miocene. The “giant teratorn” Argentavis was found in Argentina during the late Miocene. Later members of the family were found further north. Aiolornis inhabited the western United States from the early Pliocene to the middle Pleistocene. It was probably the ancestor of Cathertornis and Teratornis, both of which lived in the same area during the late Pleistocene. Teratornis formed two species, the better known T. merriami and the larger T. woodburnensis. Oscaravis was a smaller genus, found in Cuba around the same time.
Argentavis
ST 11;
DX 10;
IQ 3;
HT 12.
HP 11;
Will 11;
Per 11;
FP 12;
Speed 5.50;
Dodge 8;
Move 3.
SM +1 (2 hexes), 160 lbs.
Sharp Beak (12): 1d−1 pi+. Reach C, 1.
Traits: Acute Vision 2; Born Biter 1; Discriminatory Smell; Enhanced Move 3 (Air Speed 48); Enhanced Move 2 (Ground Speed 12; Costs Fatigue, 1 FP/second); Flight (Winged; Cannot Hover); Long Neck 1*; No Fine Manipulators; Peripheral Vision; Reduced Consumption 4 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Wild Animal.
Skills: Brawling-12; Intimidation-12; Navigation (Air)-12; Survival (Mountain)-12; Tracking-15.
* see GURPS Furries, p. 12.
For Taubatornis (12 lbs.) reduce ST and HP to 5, SM to −1. Damage with the beak becomes 1d−4. Beak Reach becomes C. Reduce Enhanced Move to 2 (Air Speed 24) and 1 (Ground Speed 6).
For Aiolornis (50 lbs.) or Teratornis woodburnensis (40 lbs.) reduce ST and HP to 7, SM to 0. Damage with the beak becomes 1d−3. Reduce Enhanced Move to 2 (Air Speed 24) and 1 (Ground Speed 6). Change Survival speciality to (Plains).
For Teratornis merriami (33 lbs.) or Cathartornis (24 lbs.) reduce ST and HP to 6, SM to 0. Damage with the beak becomes 1d−4. Reduce Enhanced Move to 2 (Air Speed 24) and 1 (Ground Speed 6). Change Survival speciality to (Plains).
For Oscaravis (18 lbs.) reduce ST and HP to 5, SM to 0. Damage with the beak becomes 1d−4. Reduce Enhanced Move to 2 (Air Speed 24) and 1 (Ground Speed 6). Change Survival speciality to (Island/Beach).