The Third Day
Through the third day of Christmas D&D, we’re pursued across the Lower Planes by troops of hell birds. The critter in the pic is the Anzu wyliei, a 500-pound, 82-and-a-half-inch-tall birdlike dinosaur with four-inch talons. The real critter was mostly like a herbivore. My version prefers warm-blooded prey that can die screaming for mercy.
On the third day of searching / My party came upon: / three hell birds, / two bloodmad zogs, / and a birchwrath in a fell wood.
The hell bird is an aggressive predator common to the Lower Planes. Vast troops of hell birds hunt the blood-red jungles surrounding the Cavern of the Skull, the nightmare realm of Kali, goddess of destruction.
AD&D Version
Frequency: Very rare (uncommon on the Lower Planes)
No. Appearing: 1-6
Armor Class: 5
Move: 18″
Hit Dice: 6+3
% in Lair: 30%
Treasure Type: C
No. of Attacks: 2 or 3
Damage/Attack: 1-8/1-8 or 1-8/1-8/2-16
Special Attacks: See below
Special Defenses: See below
Magic Resistance: Standard
Intelligence: Semi- to low
Alignment: Neutral evil
Size: L (7+’ tall)
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: VI/600 + 8/hp
The hell bird attacks with its clawed wings. A creature that takes 6 or more points of damage singly or 9 or more points of damage doubly from the hell bird’s clawed wings must make a saving throw versus paralyzation or be stunned for 1 round. A stunned victim falls prone and can take no actions. Against a stunned or prone victim, the hell bird rakes with its foot talons for 2-16 points of damage.
Owing to its planar origins, the hell bird takes half damage from cold-based attacks. It is immune to fire and poison. The hell bird can spring up to 30 feet.
The hell bird does not speak, but it understands the languages of the Lower Planes.
5E D&D Version
Large fiend, neutral evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 76 (9d10+27)
Speed 50 ft.
Ability Scores STR 18 (+4), DEX 10 (+0), CON 16 (+3), INT 4 (-3), WIS 11 (+0), CHA 6 (-2)
Skills Perception +4
Damage Resistances cold
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages understands Abyssal and Infernal but can’t speak them
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Pack Tactics. The hell bird has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the hell bird’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Pounce. If the hell bird moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a wing attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the hell bird can make one claw attack against it as a bonus action.
Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the hell bird can long jump up to 25 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. The hell bird makes two wing attacks and one claw attack, the latter against a prone target.
Wing. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) slashing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone target. Hit: 15 (2d10+4) slashing damage.
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