Of all the small animals of the Scarred Lands, none is quite so feared as the scythe falcon. Unlike other small animals that could pose a danger to intelligent races, the scythe falcon energetically seeks prey of virtually any size. Because it is armed with extraordinary natural means of attack, an encounter with the bird is inevitably a dangerous one. Like most falcons, the scythe falcon is a very fast flyer. In fact, it is one of the fastest animals in the world. Its sleek feathers are normally brown, although the most notable (and most dangerous) feature of the scythe falcon is a razor-sharp ridge of bone that is forward-facing along the length of its wings. This bone is featherless and cuts through flesh as easily as it does the wind. Scythe falcons mate for life and are frequently encountered in pairs. Unless the pair has young that must be guarded at a nest, they always hunt together. Typically, an attack involves the pair swooping in at great speed from a tremendous height. First, one falcon swoops by. If its dismembering attack is successful, the second bird does not attack but instead grabs hold of the dismembered limb and carries it away. The birds then speed toward their nest, while on the ground their victims are still trying to react or determine what happened. If the first falcon's attack is unsuccessful, the second bird also attacks. They generally continue thusly until they are able to make away with a meal. When they attack smaller prey such as mice, they shun their wing attack and simply scoop their prey from the ground with their claws. Beyond the danger they pose, scythe falcons often inadvertently cause other trouble. It is not unknown for attacked merchants or adventurers to write off the loss of an arm but be unable to stomach the loss of a valuable or magical ring that might have adorned said limb. Therefore, the nests of scythe falcons are often sought by those in the hire of such merchants, or by those simply hoping to find an usual item perhaps lost by another. Game Masters should feel free to add a handful of interesting items to a nest, including items from other beasts of the Scarred Lands, such as a pegasus hoof or a charduni hand still clutching a warscepter Instinct: to slice the clean flesh off of your body, and carry it away.

• Swooping in to slice off a meal