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Sky-Scythe Stalker - AI-generated fantasy Monster

Sky-Scythe Stalker

Wanderers of the Windward Plains tell of the 'Pale Death' that arrives on the back of the north wind. Many travelers simply disappear, leaving behind nothing but a discarded boot or a broken staff. Whistling Wilf is one of the few to have survived a brush with the creature, though he does not realize it is currently hovering three hundred feet above his current position.

Monsters
Large monstrosity · Hard · Rare

Sky-Scythe Stalker

A silent, teleporting feline-avian apex predator that haunts the gusts of high-altitude plains.
AC15
HP110/110
CRHard
Init
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
ConditionsNone

Combat

AC 15 · HP 110 · Hard

Sky-Scythe Stalker

Large monstrosity (none), neutral evil
Armor Class15 (natural armor)
Hit Points110 (13d10 + 39)
Speed
40 ft.,
fly 60 ft. (glide)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
Saving ThrowsDexterityWisdom
SkillsStealthPerceptionAcrobatics
Damage Resistances
Cold
Immunities
None
Weaknesses
Thunder
Senses
Darkvision 120 ft.,
Passive Perception 15
Languages
None
ChallengeHard
Initiative+4
Passive Perception15
Wind-Step. As a bonus action, while the stalker is in an area of strong wind or has moved at least 20 feet through the air this turn, it can teleport up to 40 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. This space must be either in the air or at a higher elevation than its starting point.
Silent Glide. The stalker has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made while flying or gliding. It makes no sound while moving through the air.
Dive Attack. If the stalker is flying and dives at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a wing-scythe attack, the attack deals an extra 9 () slashing damage to the target.

Actions

Multiattack. The stalker makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its wing-scythes.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 () piercing damage.
Wing-Scythe. Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 () slashing damage.
Gale Buffet (Recharge 5-6). The stalker beats its wings, creating a localized blast of air in a 20-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Strength saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 14 () bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone. On a success, it takes half as much damage and is not knocked prone.

Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that the stalker can see hits it with an attack, the stalker can use its reaction to halve the attack's damage against it.
Role
Skirmisher Ambusher
Built for
5 to 7

Gear

  • Shattered Flute (Trinket, 5 gp)A wooden flute belonging to a previous victim.

Feats

Mobile
Skulker

Notes for the game master

The stalker is especially deadly near cliff edges.
Use Wind-Step to keep the creature out of melee range of the heavy hitters.

Tactics

  1. Opening

    The stalker begins the encounter 60 feet up, diving toward Whistling Wilf or the squishiest party member, using its Dive Attack and Wind-Step to retreat back into the air immediately.

  2. Mid-fight

    It uses Gale Buffet to knock enemies prone, then focuses its Multiattack on a single fallen target. It utilizes Wind-Step every turn there is a breeze to reposition behind casters.

  3. End of the fight

    If it successfully downs a target, it uses its movement to grapple the body and attempt to fly away toward the cliffs.

  4. Retreat

    If reduced to 30 HP or fewer, the stalker flees into the clouds, using the natural wind currents of the Windward Plains to hide its escape.

How it fights

Abuse the 10-foot reach of the Wing-Scythes to avoid opportunity attacks.
Stay in the air as much as possible to benefit from Wind-Step.
Prioritize targets that are isolated from the main group.

Who it attacks first

Whistling Wilf
Bards or Musical Characters
Lightly armored casters
Isolated scouts

Works well with

Air Elementals: They provide the wind needed for Wind-Step.
Harpies: They can lure prey into the stalker's diving range.
Environmental Hazards: Strong winds and sheer drops.

How to beat it

Spells like Earthbind or Hold Monster.
Reducing the wind via Control Winds or Gust of Wind (to push it away).
Sentinel feat to stop it from retreating.

Ways to avoid a fight

Offering a significant quantity of high-quality meat.
Using music or whistling to lead the stalker into a trap or away from the NPC.
Casting Fog Cloud to negate its advantage on Stealth and vision.

Ecology

This creature has the lean, powerful body of a mountain lion coated in thick, pale white fur that matches the mountain mist. Stretched between its forelimbs and torso are vast, translucent wing-membranes. The leading edges of these wings are not feathers, but sharpened bony ridges that resemble jagged scythes. Its eyes are a cold, piercing sapphire blue, designed to spot prey from miles above.

Behavior

The stalker is a patient hunter that utilizes the natural thermals and gale-force winds of the Windward Plains to glide in near-perfect silence. It prefers to track its prey for hours, waiting for a moment of distraction or a particularly strong gust of wind to initiate its magical movement. It is currently fixated on Whistling Wilf, perhaps drawn by the specific frequency of his melodic pipes.

How it lives

As an apex predator, the Sky-Scythe Stalker maintains the balance of the plains by hunting large herbivores. It is uniquely adapted to high-wind environments, where other flying creatures struggle. It views anything moving across the valley floor as potential prey.

Lair

A high, inaccessible cave tucked behind a permanent wind-vortex in the upper cliffs.

Habitat
Canyons, cliffs, and open valleys of the Windward Plains.

Signs that it is near

Deep, parallel gouges in limestone cliffs
A haunting, high-pitched screech that blends with the wind
Pale white fur caught on thorny shrubs
The sudden, unnerving silence of local songbirds

Tags

Aerial,
Feline,
Teleporter

Lore

Wanderers of the Windward Plains tell of the 'Pale Death' that arrives on the back of the north wind. Many travelers simply disappear, leaving behind nothing but a discarded boot or a broken staff. Whistling Wilf is one of the few to have survived a brush with the creature, though he does not realize it is currently hovering three hundred feet above his current position.

What drives it

To hunt and consume Whistling Wilf and any who provide him protection, viewing his rhythmic whistling as a territorial challenge.

After the fight

With the Sky-Scythe Stalker defeated, the tension in the Windward Plains lifts. Whistling Wilf rewards the party with a secret shortcut through the mountains and a handful of valuable 'sky-stones' (sapphires).

“Many travelers simply disappear, leaving behind nothing but a discarded boot or a broken staff.”
From its lore

Variants

Gale-Lord Stalker: A CR 9 version that can cast Control Winds.
Shadow-Scythe: A variant found in the Shadowfell with necrotic damage.

Hooks

Plot hooks

Whistling Wilf hires the party to escort him across the plains, complaining about a 'shadow' following him.
A local village is losing its livestock to a predator that leaves no tracks.
The party finds a shredded journal detailing the 'Wind-Stepper' and its lair filled with treasures.

How to use it

A sudden ambush during a long rest on a windy ridge.
A rescue mission where Whistling Wilf is being pursued through a narrow canyon.
A hazard while the party is trying to cross a narrow rope bridge.

Treasure

350 gp in various shiny curios found in its nest
A pair of Boots of Striding and Springing
A pristine Griffon egg (rare value)

Media

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