Medium beast (animal), unaligned
Armor Class 10
Hit Points 5 (1d8+1)
Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +2 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 (-2) | 10 (+0) | 13 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 4 (-3) |
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Challenge 0 (10 XP)
Keen Sight and Smell. The vulture has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.
Pack Tactics. The vulture has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the vulture’s allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
ACTIONS
- Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d4) piercing damage.
DESCRIPTION
The vulture is a large scavenging bird that feeds on carrion and other decaying matter. It has a bald head and neck, a hooked beak, and dark feathers. Its wingspan can reach up to 8.5 feet, and it can weigh up to 15 pounds. Vultures have keen sight and smell, which help them locate their food from great distances. They also have a strong stomach acid that allows them to digest rotten flesh and bones without getting sick.
Vultures are not very intelligent, but they are cunning and opportunistic. They often follow other predators or adventurers, waiting for them to kill something or leave behind corpses. They also scavenge battlefields, dungeons, and graveyards, looking for easy meals. Vultures are not picky eaters, and will consume almost anything that is dead or dying, including humanoids.
COMBAT
Vultures are not aggressive by nature, but they will defend themselves or their food sources if threatened. They prefer to avoid direct confrontation, and will fly away if possible. However, if cornered or provoked, they will use their sharp beaks to peck at their enemies’ eyes or other vulnerable spots. Vultures also have a nasty habit of vomiting their acidic stomach contents as a defense mechanism, which can cause burns and nausea to anyone nearby.
Vultures are social animals, and often hunt or scavenge in flocks. They use their pack tactics to gain an advantage over their foes, surrounding them and attacking from different angles. Vultures are also known to cooperate with other scavengers, such as hyenas, jackals, or ghouls, forming a loose alliance of convenience.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Vultures can be found in almost any environment where there is a steady supply of carrion. They are most common in deserts, grasslands, and hills, where they can soar high in the sky and spot potential prey. They also frequent urban areas, especially those plagued by war, famine, or disease, where they can feast on the corpses of the unfortunate.
Vultures have a simple social structure, based on dominance and submission. The strongest and largest vultures claim the best feeding spots and the most food, while the weaker ones have to wait their turn or scrounge for scraps. Vultures communicate with each other through a series of hisses, croaks, and grunts. They have no loyalty or affection for each other, and will abandon or attack their flockmates if it suits their interests.
ECOLOGY
Vultures play an important role in the ecosystem, as they help clean up the remains of dead animals and prevent the spread of diseases. Vultures are sometimes hunted by humans for their feathers, meat, or bones, which are used for various purposes such as clothing, food, or magic. However, vultures are also revered by some cultures as symbols of death, rebirth, or wisdom.