Wild and Fantastic Beasts

From cryptids and prehistoric predators to creatures of myth and urban legend, these are more monsters for the Shadowdark RPG.

Boobrie

This giant bird looks like a black feathered loon or northern diver the size of a full grown man. It lurks around lakes, hunting for fish and occasionally preys on animals the size of a lamb or goat. It has been known to eat a lost child that wanders into its territory. AC 10, HP 21, ATK 1 tear +1 (2d4) or wing buffet (1d6 + knock), MV near (fly), S +4, D +2, C +3, I -3, W +1, Ch -3, AL N, LV 4

Wing Buffet. The boobrie can strike all targets in front of it within close range with a wing buffet once every 3 rounds. Target hit must make a DC 12 STR check or be knocked down.

Elasmotherium

A larger, northern cousin of the rhinoceros, this massive beast is a dangerous, aggressively territorial herbivore with shaggy fur and a long, sharp horn atop its head. AC 15, HP 36, ATK 2 horn +6 (1d12), MV near, S +6, D -1, C +5, I -3, W +0, Ch -3, AL N, LV 7

Charge. Move up to double near in a straight line and make 1 horn attack. If hit, x3 damage.

Jackelope

A fleet hare with the antlers of a deer. Rarely seen, many do not believe it is real.

AC , HP 12, ATK 2 antlers +6 (1d6), MV near (burrow)/double near (hop), S +2, D +6, C +3, I -3, W +1, Ch +2, AL N, LV 2

Keen Hearing. The jackalope has advantage on checks that rely on hearing.

Loves the Rye. The jackalope loves whiskey. A successful DC 9 Charisma check to present a bottle of whiskey convinces it to treat a creature as a friend. This check is made with disadvantage if the creature or its allies have damaged the jackalope.

Mimicry. The jackalope can mimic animal sounds and humanoid voices. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful DC 15 Wis check.

Natural Finesse. The jackalope uses Dexterity for its attack and damage rolls.

Charge. Move up to double near in a straight line and make 1 horn attack. If hit, x3 damage.

Evasive. Any time the jackalope is hit with a ranged weapon, it can make a DC 15 Dex check to negate the blow.

Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog

"That's no ordinary rabbit! That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!"

—Tim the Enchanter, Monty Python and the Holy Grail

A cute, fuzzy, white rabbit with a mean streak a mile wide. Its lairs is in a narrow vale strewn with the bones of knights who tried to kill it and failed.

AC 16, HP 57, ATK 4 bites +4 (3d4), MV near (burrow)/double near (leap), S +4, D +6, C +3 I -3, W +1, Ch +2, AL C, LV 12

Adorable. Disarmingly cute, opponents suffer -2 penalty on initiative if they have not seen the killer rabbit in combat before.

Rage. 3/day, immune to morale checks, +1d4 damage (3 rounds).

Nasty, Big, Pointy Teeth. On a natural attack roll of 18-20, beheads the target.

Slayer. In the first round of a combat, the rabbit has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn yet. If the rabbit hits a creature who was surprised, the hit is automatically a critical hit.

Impervious. Only damaged by magical sources. Immune to hostile spells of 3rd tier or lower.

The Nemean Lion

A huge, monstrous lion twice the size of a normal lion, with magically tough skin. Legend says the hero Heracles was the only one who could defeat it. AC 12, HP 45, ATK 4 rend +6 (1d10) or 2 bites +6 (1d12), MV near, S +6, D +4, C +5, I -3, W +1, Ch -3, AL N, LV 9

Impervious. Only damaged by magical sources. Weapon attacks made against the lion have disadvantage.

Celestial Blows. The teeth and claws of a Nemean lion count as magical for purposes of striking impervious targets.

Godborn. Hostile spells targeting the Nemean lion are DC 15 to cast.

Rage. 1/day, immune to morale checks, +1d4 damage (3 rounds).

Sever. On a natural attack roll of 18+, the attack also severs a random limb. 1d6: 1. Head, 2-4. Arm, 5-6. Leg.

Nunda

A carnivorous, large, climbing cat of remarkable size and power with dark brown to black fur. Like other large cats, the nunda is a strong leaper. AC 14, HP 35, ATK 2 rend +5 (1d8), MV near (climb or swim), S +5, D +4, C +4, I -1, W +2, Ch -3, AL N LV 7

Rake. If both forepaws hit a single victim, the rear claws may rake for 2d6/2d6 (two normal “to hit” rolls required at +5).

Leap. Jump up to near in height and double near in distance, then make 2 claw attacks. The nunda can leap once every 3 rounds. It usually leaps from a tree to surprise prey.

Tawuz

A snow white peacock often raised for its beautiful plumage, this shy creature has a venomous bit and strikes like a cobra when cornered. AC 10, HP 11, ATK 1 bite (1d4) + poison, MV near (fly), S +0, D +0, C +2, I -3, W +1, Ch +3, AL N, LV 2

Poison. DC 18 CON or go to 0 HP with a death timer of 1.

Water Horse

An evil fey steed, sometimes called a kelpie, that lives in rivers and lakes. It appears as a beautiful, strong steed that lures people into mounting it then drags riders under the water to drown them. AC 13, HP 30, ATK 2 hooves +4 (1d6) or 1 bite +4 (1d10), MV double near (run or swim), S +4, D +3, C +3, I -1, W +3, Ch+2, AL C, LV 6

Shapeshift. In place of attacks, the water horse can transform into a mass of kelp, fish, seal, beautiful female elf or back into its original form.

Impervious. Only damaged by magical sources.

Sticky. Anyone holding on to or mounting a water horse must make DC 18 STR check to let go of the creature.

Amphibious. The water horse can breathe air and water equally well.

Water Leaper

This 3 foot long fish has a body shaped like a frog’s, but with a long tail instead of hind legs and long fins like a flying fish instead of forelegs. They have a wide mouth full of shop teeth and are notorious for knocking fishermen off their boats and into the water.

AC 13, HP 4, ATK 1 bite +1 (1d4) + knock or 1 shriek, MV double near (swim), S +1, D +3, C +0, I -3, W +1, Ch -3, AL N, LV 1

Knock. DC 9 STR or be pushed a close distance and fall down.

Shriek. All creatures within near range make DC 9 CON check or cannot attack for 1 round.