Huge fiend, chaotic evil
Armor Class 8 (body), 20 (legs)
Hit Points 133 (14d12 + 42)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., web 80 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 15 (+2) | 17 (+3) | 8 (-1) | 10 (+0) | 3 (-3) |
Saving Throws Str +9, Dex + 5
Skills Perception +3
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages –
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Magic Resistance. The achaierai has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Tall. Only Larger or larger creatures and creatures with reach 10 feet can attempt to hit the achaierai body.
Toxic Cloud. Anytime the achaierai takes 15 or more damage it releases a toxic gas in 10 feet radius. Every target caught by the toxic gas must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) poison damage suffer the effect of a feeblemind.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The achaierai makes five attacks, one with its beak and four with its claws.
- Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) piercing.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d4 + 6) slashing damage. The target must make a DC 17 Strength saving throw or knocked prone and pinned to the ground (DC 17 Escape). The achaierai gains advantage with its beak attack on a pinned target but cannot use the pinning leg to make an attack.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
The achaierai are monstrous, flightless birds that resemble giant quails with four stilt-like legs. They stand about 15 feet tall and weigh around 750 pounds. Their body looks like a huge spherical head, with a powerful beak, feathered crest and stunted wings. Their feathers are soft and vary in color from brown to gold, while their legs, claws, and beaks have a metallic shine. Their heads are spherical and have a crest that is usually bright red, but can be of any color. They have darkvision and can speak Infernal.
COMBAT
The achaierai are cunning and sadistic predators that enjoy torturing their prey. They use their powerful claws and bite to inflict wounds, and can release a black cloud of toxic gas that causes confusion and madness in their enemies. The gas affects any creature within 10 feet of the achaierai, except for other achaierai, who are immune to it. The gas can be used three times per day as a bonus action.
The achaierai’s main body is vulnerable to attacks, but their legs are very resilient and can only be damaged by edged weapons. A severed leg does not regrow, but a damaged leg can heal over time. The achaierai can still move fast with three legs, but lose speed with two or one leg. They can also be crippled by spells that affect movement or metal.
The achaierai are resistant to magic and have a strange sense of justice. They will seek revenge on those who harm their kin, but will also abandon or betray their flock members if they are weak or in danger. They are not loyal to any cause or master, but will sometimes serve powerful fiends or evil mortals for their own benefit.
The achaierai attack fearlessly when in a flock. Though flightless, they can often elude pursuers because of their speed. A flock of achaierai will attack in an organized manner, often attacking first those opponents they deem to be the most dangerous. No more than two can attack a man-sized creature at one time. Opponents who are man-sized or smaller are usually not able to reach the body of the achaierai to attack it. Likewise, the bird cannot normally attack these opponents with its beak and will instead fight with two claws.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The achaierai originate from the infernal plane of Acheron, where they roam the endless battlefields and feed on the corpses of the fallen. They are also found in the Barrens of Doom and Despair, another lower plane of evil and law. They are rarely encountered elsewhere, unless they are summoned or transported by magic.
The achaierai are social creatures that form flocks of 2 to 8 members, but lack any true society. They have no leader, except for the occasional larger and stronger individual that dominates the others. They communicate with each other using clicks and whistles, and sometimes mimic the sounds of their prey to lure them into traps. They are carnivorous and prefer fresh meat, but will also scavenge or cannibalize in times of scarcity.
ECOLOGY
The achaierai have no natural predators, except for other fiends or adventurers who hunt them for their valuable feathers, claws, and beaks. Their feathers can be used to make cloaks or robes that grant resistance to magic, while their claws and beaks can be forged into weapons or armor that have a metallic sheen. Their toxic gas can also be harvested and used as a weapon or an ingredient for potions or poisons.
The achaierai have little impact on the environment, as they mostly inhabit desolate planes where life is scarce. However, they can pose a threat to other creatures if they invade or are brought to more hospitable worlds. They have no regard for the balance of nature or the laws of civilization, and will kill anything that crosses their path or catches their interest.