Eagle, Crested

Family: Animal

Medium beast, unaligned

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 18 (4d8)
Speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	15 (+2)	10 (+0)	3 (-4)	14 (+2)	7 (-2)

Skills Perception +6, Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 16
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Keen Eyes The eagle has tactical advantage on Wisdom/Perception checks involving sight.
• Forest Hunter The eagle has tactical advantage on Dexterity/Stealth checks in forest terrain.
• Surprise Swoop If the eagle surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 2d6 damage from the attack. A Medium-size or smaller opponent is also forced prone.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The eagle makes two attacks: one with its talons, and one with its beak.
• Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d4+2 slashing damage.
• Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4+2 piercing damage.

ABOUT

This fierce-looking bird of prey has golden-brown plumage with a striking collar and crest of red feathers. Its wingspan is easily 10 feet or more.

The largest natural eagle species, the crested eagle is a very dangerous predator that is known to take down far larger prey, including elk, wolves, young bears-and humans. The average crested eagle weighs nearly 40 pounds, and has a wingspan in excess of 10 feet. Its talons are like 3-inch knife blades, powerful enough to snap a grown man’s spine.

Crested eagles are stealthy forest predators. They typically perch on a high branch above the forest floor, looking for likely prey below. When a potential meal catches their eye, they silently launch from their high branch and strike like an anvil with wings. The eagles are clever enough to recognize when a target’s back is turned, and almost always strike from behind. The forest tribes hate and fear crested eagles, and go to great lengths to destroy their nests whenever they find one.