Albatross, Awakened (race)
Type: As an animal, an Albatross has Low Light vision.
Albatross Body: An Albatross is small sized. They lack limbs capable of fine manipulation. An Awakened Albatross can speak, and they live as long as humans. They gain +4 racial bonus on Spot checks. They can use Dex instead of Str for Climb checks.
An Albatross land speed is 10 feet, and they also have a 50 feet flight speed with average maneuverability.
Ability Score Modifiers: An Albatross can fly for large periods of time and have excellent instincts, but also have bird brains. An Albatross has +2 Con, -2 Int, +2 Wis, -2 Cha.
Natural Fisher: An Albatross has a Bite primary natural attack dealing 1d3 base damage for small size and gains Endurance as a bonus feats even if it doesn't meet the prerequisites.
The Most Legendary of All Birds: No other bird is so well known around the world, and the myths about them are many. Who knows which ones are true. The Albatross can pick one ability from the below list. It takes a Swift action to activate it and they last 1 round. The specific choice can be changed every day.
The Diver-Although they prefer to fly, Albatrosses aren't too shabby in water either. The Albatross gains a swim speed of 30 feet and doesn't take penalties for fighting underwater. If it charges directly from the air to an underwater target, it deals double damage with its Bite.
Heavy Duty-Albatrosses are the largest flying birds of mundane origins. The Albatross gains Powerful Build.
Hungry Fisher-The Albatross gains a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls, AC, saves, skill checks and damage rolls against creatures with the Aquatic subtype.
Sea Curse-You really shouldn't hurt an Albatross. Anyone who harms the Albatross suffers a -1 penalty to all 1d20 rolls and damage rolls for 2 rounds. If they kill the Albatross while this ability is active, the next boat they ride will sink in an horrible disaster.
Storm Flier-Where other birds prefer to fly away from storms, Albatrosses actually fly better on them! The Albatross ignores all ill effects from bad weather of any kind, and actually gains +10 feet to its flight speed and its maneuverability increases to Good in such conditions.
Versatile Feathers-The Albatross wings becomes able to perform fine manipulation, including performing spell somatic components and holding weapons and shields assumed they're crafted for its size. However while flying it cannot use anything it is holding in its wings.
Advanced Albatross
Prerequisites: The Most Legendary of All Birds racial ability.
Benefit: Choose a The Most Legendary of All Birds benefit. It becomes permanent.
Special: You can take this option multiple times, each one picking a new The Most Legendary of All Birds effect to become permanent. Advanced Albatross can be taken as a Fighter bonus feat. A Rogue can swap Trapfinding for Advanced Albatross . A wizard or sorceror can swap their 1st level familiar ability for Advanced Albatross. A cleric can swap their Turn Undead ability for Advanced Albatross. A druid can swap their animal companion for Rat Reputation.
Another CR 1/4 animal on the request list, and since the Rat got pretty good feedback, decided to apply the same treatment to this one.
The Albatross is a relatively big bird that may not be very graceful but flies fast come rain or wind.
Also, the Stormwrack Albatross is a cheating bastard because it somehow has Weapon Finesse as a non-bonus feat despite having 0 Bab.
So if you want to play the iconic storm bird, the Albatross is for you!
