monster

Sunbird

CR 13

Gargantuan Monstrosity, Unaligned

Reveal Stat Block

Armor Class

17 (natural armor)

Hit Points

279 (18d20 + 90)

Speed

20 ft., fly 120 ft.

str

dex

con

int

wis

cha

Traits

Death Throes.When the sunbird dies, it explodes, and each creature within 30 feet of it must make a 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The explosion ignites flammable objects in that area that aren't being worn or carried. The sunbird's body turns to ash, but an egg is left where the sunbird was.

Fire Aura.At the start of each of the sunbird's turns, each creature within 5 feet of it takes 11 (2d10) fire damage, and flammable objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried ignite. A creature that touches the sunbird or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 11 (2d10) fire damage. The aura also sheds bright light in a 60-foot radius and dim light for an additional 60 feet.

Flyby.The sunbird doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Keen Hearing and Sight.The sunbird has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

Actions

Multiattack.The sunbird makes two talon attacks.

Talon.mw 14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. ({@damage 2d6 + 9) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) fire damage, and the target is grappled (escape 18). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the sunbird can't attack another target with that talon. A grappled creature takes 11 (2d10) fire damage at the start of each of the sunbird's turns.

Sunbird

The people of the Sun Empire revere certain dinosaurs as incarnations of the Threefold Sun. But the fiery phoenixes, also called sunbirds, are thought to be messengers of Tilonalli, embodying the destructive aspect of the sun but also the rebirth that follows. Legends hold that somewhere within the mountains sleeps Xuatl—a scaled bird formed from the sun's fire. Xuatl molts its skin and feathers during the summer months, often setting the trees and slopes ablaze.