Cockatrice

Codex Entry
As the creature crosses the terrain ahead of you, its head bobs with every movement, almost like a chicken. But chickens aren’t as tall as you are, and chickens don’t have talons that look like they could take your hand off. You’re fairly sure you’re safe in the foliage, at least until it turns its head, pausing. The intelligence in its eyes is unmistakable, but as it catches your gaze you can sense the feeling losing your fingers.

You have fallen victim to the stare of the Cockatrice.

Almost every about these bizarre creatures is in some way venomous. From their scales to their blood, Cockatrices are useless as food due to their high toxicity. Brutal hunters, Cockatrices can move quickly, relying on acidic spit to attack from a distance. Scientists have had difficulty creating antidotes and resistance potions for the effects Cockatrice venom has, due to the ever-changing qualities. The very cell processes of their bodies are prone to change, allowing them to adapt to multiple environments, and Cockatrices have been observed altering their chemical compounds in different climates.

The cock-like comb at the top of their head is used to regulate blood flow and internal temperatures, as well as taking part in their mating rituals. Cockatrices also boast long, elegant feathers used to attract mates. Although fairly pack oriented in their hunting behaviors, Cockatrices are rather solitary for the most part. While these creatures bear wings, they are incapable of true flight but have been known to use their wings to help run up inclines and cliff faces without trouble.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the Cockatrice is what has been dubbed by natives as the Petrifying Gaze. Animals have been witnessed freezing after being spotted by the Cockatrice, and while they show no outward injury or sign of contact with the Cockatrice’s acidic attacks, the creatures made no attempt to escape this deadly predator. The effect seems to come into place after meeting the gaze of a Cockatrice, but of course no one has survived such an encounter with a feral Cockatrice to study upon it further. Scientists believe Cockatrices may possess certain biokinetic abilities that allow them to control the nervous systems of creatures near them, but as Cocktrices are unwilling to display this ability on command it has been impossible to determine for sure.

For the most part Cockatrices seem fairly intelligent and with a great will to survive, but integrating them into society has proved difficult. Feral creatures at heart despite their background, Cockatrices are tricky to handle at best and should be only approached by experts.