Scarsupial

Small beast, unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 39 (6d6 + 18)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)	2 (–4)	13 (+1)	10 (+0)

Skills Acrobatics +3, Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Perfect Landing. A scarsupial doesn’t take damage from falling and is never forced prone from falling.
• Vertical Pounce. If the scarsupial moves vertically, such as by falling from a tree, 10 feet towards a creature and then hits with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be forced prone. If the target is forced prone, the scarsupial can make a bite attack as a bonus action.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The scarsupial makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

BONUS ACTIONS

• Scrabble. The scarsupial takes the Dash or Disengage action.

ABOUT

They dropped from the tree, looking like small boulders covered in grey moss. As they neared the ground, they spread their wicked claws wide to attack.

Scarsupials, also called drop beasts, killer-awahs, and gravity bears by various groups, are creatures of the great forests. They lurk in the high canopy of the trees, waiting for prey to pass along the jungle floor. Scarsupials range in numbers from solitary bulls to colonies of the creatures, and they are cunning enough to coordinate their attacks. At rest, they appear to be mostly harmless, pudgy grey bears. When on the hunt, they extend long, needle-sharp claws, and their eyes glow a baleful red.

Patient Hunters. Scarsupials normally feast on birds, squirrels, and small monkeys, but their favorite prey are slow-moving ground-dwelling creatures, who rarely see them coming. Colonies of scarsupials will coordinate ambushs on larger prey, waiting until their target is within range before dropping down on the creature. If the colony brings down large prey, it drags the body up into the canopy and leisurely feasts on the remains. Finding the bodies of ground-dwelling animals stuck in trees is a sure sign of scarsupial presence.

Death from On High. Scarsupials prefer to take the high ground against larger opponents. They dive on their foes from trees or other high perches, knocking down their prey and biting exposed flesh. Those that miss quickly scramble back up into the trees to make another attack, or aid their fellows that have downed prey.