Dread Raven

Small beast, neutral evil

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
7 (-2) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2)

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 13 (3d6 + 3)
Speed 10 ft., fly 80 ft.
Saving Throws Dexterity +5
Skills Investigation +2, Perception +3
Senses darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Ledean and other local languages
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Special Traits

  • Keen Vision. The dread raven has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Intelligence (Investigation) checks that rely on sight.
  • Metamagic. When casting a spell that requires a saving throw, the dread raven can cause one target to make its first saving throw against the spell with disadvantage. After it uses this ability it must take a long rest before using it again.
  • Spellcasting. The dread raven is a 3rd-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). It knows the following sorcerer spells:

Actions

  • Peck. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage. On a critical hit the target becomes blinded until it receives some form of magical healing or takes a long rest.

Tactics

The dread raven is more spy and messenger than warrior, and it avoids direct combat. When it desires – or is ordered – to be more antagonistic it will seek to trick its enemies, using both its wiles and its magic to lead them to bad ends. If attacked it will try to escape, often cackling and laughing at frustrated would-be assailants.

Description

The dread raven could pass for a normal raven except for its three foot height, correspondingly large wingspan, and yellow-orange beak the size of a small dagger. Its nature is also revealed in the cold, malevolent intelligence in its unblinking stare.

Vile Scavengers. Particularly clever and nasty, dread ravens gather like plague in places already troubled by blight, warfare and devastation. Much larger and more intelligent than their more common kin, dread ravens pose a threat to travelers because of their appetite for flesh and because they are often trained to serve as spies for evil masters. Dread ravens are scavengers more than hunters. They prey upon those who have already fallen, and the more tender the flesh the better: they show a preference for the remains of children, women and sheltered lords. If starving, they will seek to snatch small children from their parents and peck their victims apart in sheltered roosts.

Sorcerous Origins. Twisted and corrupted by battlemages, the creatures owe their nascent magical powers to their horrific origin. Most dread ravens end up knowing the same spells, but there are exceptions, and those with unique spells, especially powerful offensive spells, often become leaders of their kind.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Creature Collection 5e Copyright 2020 Onyx Path Publishing, Inc.