Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 22 (3d10 + 6)
Speed 50 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +2 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 13 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 4 (-3) | 12 (+1) | 6 (-2) |
Saving Throws Str +6
Damage Immunities fire
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Fire Absorption. Whenever the giant strider is subjected to fire damage, it takes no damage and regains a number of hit points equal to half the fire damage dealt.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack (suggested). The giant strider make two attacks: one with its bite and one with its rear kicks.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
- Rear Kicks (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
- Fire Burst (Recharge 5-6). The giant strider hurls a gout of flame at a point it can see within 60 feet of it. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The fire spreads around corners, and it ignites flammable objects in that area that aren’t being worn or carried.
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
A giant strider is a monstrous beast that exhibits attributes of both birds and reptiles, but is truly neither. It has a long, slender neck, a beak-like mouth, and a crest of feathers on its head. Its body is covered with scales that range from red to black in color, and its legs end in sharp talons. A giant strider can grow up to 12 feet tall and weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
A giant strider has a supernatural affinity to fire and can spit gouts of flame at distant enemies. It can also absorb fire damage and heal itself from it . A giant strider is immune to fire, but vulnerable to cold.
A giant strider is completely adapted to life in hot, volcanic regions. It can directly metabolize the heat of its surroundings, and use it to fuel its own bodily functions. Without this extra heat, the giant strider grows chilled and sluggish. It is poisoned by ingested water and harmed by cold weather or frigid attacks.
Despite its abnormal nature, a giant strider’s behavior is similar to that of other flightless birds. It has a bumpy, dusky red hide and dully-glowing red eyes. It is often mistaken for a lizard.
COMBAT
A giant strider is a fierce and aggressive predator that hunts by sight and smell. It prefers to attack from a distance, using its fire burst ability to scorch its prey. A fire burst is a sphere of flame that explodes at a point the giant strider can see within 60 feet of it, causing fire damage to creatures within 10 feet of that point . A giant strider can use this ability once every few seconds .
If forced into melee combat, a giant strider will bite with its powerful jaws, dealing piercing damage. A giant strider will also try to kick or trample smaller foes with its legs, dealing bludgeoning damage.
A giant strider is not very intelligent, but it can understand the commands of its firenewt riders. Firenewts are a type of humanoid lizard that have a close relationship with giant striders. Firenewts provide shelter, food, and breeding grounds in their lairs for giant striders, and the striders voluntarily serve as mounts for elite firenewt soldiers . A firenewt warrior mounted on a giant strider is a formidable foe, as they can coordinate their attacks and use their fire abilities in tandem. Giant striders are fitted with a saddle atop the hips. The firenewts control these mounts by kicking their sides or hitting them with spears (the giant striders’ sharp teeth would saw through any bridle).
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Giant striders are most often found in tropical, volcanically active areas or regions that similarly provide sources of both water and extreme heat. They are solitary hunters, but they will form small flocks during the mating season. A female giant strider will lay a clutch of 2 to 4 eggs in a nest made of rocks and vegetation. The eggs will hatch after 3 months, and the young will stay with their mother for another year before becoming independent.
Giant striders are loyal and affectionate to their firenewt caretakers, who treat them as pets and companions. Firenewts will often adorn their giant striders with jewelry, armor, or paint to show their status and allegiance. Firenewts will also train their giant striders to perform tricks or feats of agility for entertainment or competition.
Mating season occurs in the spring. Cocks compete for mates by elaborate dances punctuated by the explosions of fireballs. The hens lay 1d4 eggs in a simple nest, usually a pit scratched in the ground.
The chicks hatch in five to six weeks and stand about 6 inches high. They grow swiftly, adding 6 inches per month. They can begin to emit flame after six months. Giant striders mature in one year.
ECOLOGY
Giant striders are carnivorous creatures that feed on any animal they can catch and kill. They have a preference for meat that is cooked or charred, as they enjoy the taste of fire. They will often set their prey on fire before eating it, or scavenge the remains of creatures killed by volcanic eruptions or wildfires.
Giant striders have few natural enemies, as most predators are deterred by their size and fire abilities. However, they may be hunted by dragons, hydras, or other powerful creatures that can withstand their flames. Giant striders are also threatened by poachers who seek their scales, feathers, or organs for various purposes.
Giant striders play an important role in the ecosystems they inhabit, as they help regulate the population of other animals and prevent overgrazing or overhunting. They also help spread seeds and fertilize the soil with their droppings. Giant striders are considered sacred by some cultures that worship fire or volcanoes, and are revered as symbols of strength and courage.
Wild striders have a potential lifespan of 10 to 20 years, although the struggle for survival usually shortens this. Striders domesticated by firenewts are usually killed and eaten after 15 years.