Alicanto

Small elemental (earth), unaligned

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 12 (5d4)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
5 (-3)	14 (+2)	10 (+0)	2 (-4)	11 (+0)	10 (+0)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
Damage Vulnerabilities thunder
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages –
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Keen Hearing and Sight. The alicanto has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
• Metallic Illumination. The alicanto sheds bright light in a 5- to 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional number of feet equal to the chosen radius. The alicanto can alter the radius as a bonus action, including turning off its illumination completely.
• Treasure Sense. The alicanto can pinpoint, by scent, the location of precious metals, such as coins and veins, within 60 feet of it.

ACTIONS

• Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
• Breath Weapon (Recharge 6). The alicanto has a breath weapon based on the type of metal it has been devouring:
  • Copper Breath. The alicanto exhales gas in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature can’t use reactions, its speed is halved, and it can’t make more than one attack on its turn. In addition, the creature can use either an action or a bonus action on its turn, but not both. These effects last for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself with a successful save.
  • Silver Breath. The alicanto exhales a 15- foot cone of cold air. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. This leaves a silvery residue on the target worth 1d10 sp.
  • Gold Breath. The alicanto exhales a 15-foot cone of molten gold. Each creature in that area must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. This leaves golden flakes on the target worth 1d10 gp.
• Light Shadow. As a bonus action, the alicanto can douse its metallic illumination and become invisible, while creating an illusory duplicate of itself, as the mislead spell. That duplicate can continue with any unused movement remaining on the alicanto’s turn. As long as the real alicanto remains stationary, it can concentrate on maintaining this light shadow and directing its movements. When it begins to move on its own, it can no longer continue concentrating.

ABOUT

These small flightless birds live in hills and caves where precious metal and ores can be found. Their feathers bear a brilliant metallic shine in bright light, and even glow in areas of darkness, with their color reflecting the type of ore the alicanto has most recently consumed. When they lay eggs, the shells are typically made of the same metal, and cruel hunters may poach their eggs to sell or melt down. Some alicantos are coppery green, but most commonly their feathers are cool silver or burnished gold. Their feathers are always a glowing, gleaming silvery-white.

Metal Eaters. Alicantos hunger for metals much like a xorn, and clever prospectors who spot an alicanto may follow them through the mountains hoping that the bird’s unerring sense for ore might lead them to a rich deposit. Legend has it that alicantos can sense the intentions of creatures nearby, however, and that if they perceive those following them to be too greedy or not of good heart, they may lead them off a cliff or into an ambush by predators.