Buy me a coffee“Ornimegalonyx: The Phantom Talons of the Night”
“Ornimegalonyx, the giant flightless owl, prowls silently on powerful talons, striking unsuspecting prey with eerie precision under the cover of night.”
Ornimegalonyx – A flightless owl with powerful talons and a hooked beak, Ornimegalonyx is a silent, nocturnal predator that prowls forests and scrublands with deadly precision. Solitary and fiercely territorial, it ambushes unsuspecting prey with lightning-fast strikes, driven by hunger and instinct. Its piercing gaze and eerie presence make it a haunting hunter of the night, blending stealth, agility, and relentless predatory skill into a single fearsome avian predator.
Appearance
Ornimegalonyx is a terror-bird-sized, flightless owl with a powerful, muscular frame cloaked in thick, mottled plumage of browns and grays. Its broad, hooked beak and massive talons mark it as a formidable predator, while piercing amber eyes radiate unsettling intelligence. It exudes silent menace, wings reduced to stubs that flutter only to maintain balance.
Behaviour
Primarily nocturnal, Ornimegalonyx is a patient and deliberate hunter. It prowls its territory with unnerving quiet, pausing for long stretches to observe potential prey before striking. Solitary by nature, it fiercely defends its favored hunting grounds against rivals or intruders.
Habitat
This owl favors forested clearings, dense woodlands, and open scrublands, relying on shadows and undergrowth for concealment. Its range is limited to areas rich in small-to-medium prey, avoiding regions dominated by larger predators.
Modus Operandi
Ornimegalonyx hunts by stealth, approaching prey on deliberate, silent steps before launching sudden, crushing attacks with its talons. Ambush is preferred over direct confrontation, though it can strike fleeing or unwary quarry with startling speed. Its diet consists mainly of small mammals, but it may opportunistically target larger prey when the opportunity arises.
Motivation
Driven by instinct, Ornimegalonyx seeks sustenance and territorial dominance, ensuring survival and control over prey populations. Though not malicious, its presence is enough to instill fear in any creature that shares its hunting grounds.
Ornimegalonyx 5e 2024
Ornimegalonyx, Pathfinder
Ornimegalonyx 3.5
Ornimegalonyx
Large Beast (Flightless Owl), Unaligned
Armor Class: 14 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 102 (12d10 + 36)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 17 (+3) | 6 (-2) | 14 (+2) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws: Dex +5, Wis +5
Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +5, Survival +4
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities: Charmed
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
Languages: —
Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)
Traits
Keen Sight and Hearing. The Ornimegalonyx has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or hearing.
Stealthy Prowler. The Ornimegalonyx can attempt to hide even when lightly obscured.
Ambush Predator. When Ornimegalonyx attacks a surprised creature, it deals an extra 7 (2d6) slashing damage.
Eerie Presence. Creatures within 10 feet of the Ornimegalonyx that can see it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be unnerved, having disadvantage on the first attack roll they make against it on their next turn.
Actions
Multiattack. The Ornimegalonyx makes two attacks: one with its talons and one with its beak.
Talon. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 3) slashing damage.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Terrifying Screech (Recharge 5–6). The Ornimegalonyx emits a piercing screech. Each creature of its choice within 30 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on a success.
Reactions
Winged Parry. When hit by a melee attack, the Ornimegalonyx can impose disadvantage on the attacker’s next attack against it until the start of its next turn.
Legendary Actions
The Ornimegalonyx can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Ornimegalonyx regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Quick Strike. Makes a talon attack.
- Silent Stalk. Moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Tactics
Ornimegalonyx is a stealthy ambush predator. It prefers darkness and undergrowth, striking from concealment. In combat, it uses Terrifying Screech early to sow fear, isolates a single target, and attacks with Multiattack, favoring hit-and-run tactics. Against groups, it relies on mobility, ambush, and psychological pressure rather than sustained frontal assaults. It may retreat to climb or reposition if outmatched.
Lore
Ornimegalonyx haunts forested clearings and scrublands, silently patrolling hunting grounds at night. Solitary and highly territorial, it preys on small mammals and occasionally larger quarry, its ghostly presence inspiring fear in creatures that cross its path. Legends tell of explorers disappearing in the night, their last sighting a pair of glowing amber eyes and the whisper of wings against the underbrush.
Ornimegalonyx
Large Animal
CR: 5
XP: 1,600
Init: +2; Senses: darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, Perception +12; Aura: Eerie Presence 10 ft. (creatures that can see it must succeed on DC 14 Will save or be shaken for 1 round)
DEFENSE
AC: 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +6 natural)
hp: 68 (8d8+32)
Fort/Ref/Will: +8/+5/+4
Defensive Abilities: Evasive Balance (ignores difficult terrain); DR 5/bludgeoning from nonmagical attacks; immune to charm
OFFENSE
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee Attacks: Talons +11 (2d6+5), Beak +11 (1d8+3)
Special Attacks: Ambush Predator +2d6 vs. surprised foes; Terrifying Screech 1/day (30-ft. cone, Will DC 14 negates, shaken 1 min, repeat save each round)
Spell-Like Abilities: None
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 7
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+10
Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Talons), Dodge, Multiattack
Skills: Perception +12, Stealth +10, Survival +8, Climb +8
SQ: Stealthy Prowler (can hide when lightly obscured), Keen Senses (advantage on Perception/Survival checks relying on sight or hearing)
Languages: —
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Eerie Presence (Su): Creatures within 10 ft. that can see Ornimegalonyx must succeed on DC 14 Will save or take –2 on attack rolls until end of their next turn.
Ambush Predator (Ex): Deals +2d6 damage against surprised opponents.
Winged Parry (Ex): Imposes –2 on attacker’s next melee attack when hit.
TACTICS
Ornimegalonyx is a patient ambush predator. It strikes from shadows or elevated perches, often opening with Terrifying Screech to scatter foes, then isolates a target with talons and beak. Against multiple opponents, it uses hit-and-run maneuvers, climbing or repositioning to remain elusive, avoiding prolonged melee unless a clear escape exists.
ECOLOGY
Environment: Forested clearings, dense woodlands, scrublands
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Advancement: 9–12 HD (Large)
DESCRIPTION
A flightless owl of terror-bird proportions, Ornimegalonyx is cloaked in thick, mottled plumage hiding a powerful, muscular frame. Its talons crush prey, and its hooked beak tears with deadly precision. Nocturnal and solitary, it silently patrols hunting grounds, ambushing small mammals and occasionally larger quarry. Its piercing amber eyes and ghostly presence inspire fear, making it a nightmare predator of the night.
Ornimegalonyx
A sudden scream is heard from the brush. When you investigate, you see a large owl performing a killing blow on a big rodent. When it sees you, the bird lets out a screech of discontent, spreading its wings over its kill.
Ornimegalonyx
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 8d8+32 (68 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +6 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+10
Attack: Talons +11 melee (2d6+5) and Beak +11 melee (1d8+3)
Full Attack: Talons +11 melee (2d6+5) and Beak +11 melee (1d8+3)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Ambush Predator +2d6 vs. surprised foes, Terrifying Screech 1/day (30-ft. cone, Will DC 14 negates, shaken 1 min, repeat save each round)
Special Qualities: Keen Senses (+4 Spot and Listen), Stealthy Prowler (+4 Hide in natural terrain), Eerie Presence (10 ft., DC 14 Will or –2 on attack rolls), Winged Parry (–2 on attacker’s next melee attack)
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 7
Skills: Hide +10, Spot +12, Listen +12, Survival +8, Climb +8
Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Talons), Dodge, Multiattack
Environment: Forested clearings, dense woodlands, scrublands
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral
SPECIAL ABILITIES
- Eerie Presence (Su): Creatures within 10 ft. that can see Ornimegalonyx must succeed on DC 14 Will save or take –2 on attack rolls until the end of their next turn.
- Ambush Predator (Ex): Deals +2d6 damage against surprised opponents.
- Winged Parry (Ex): When struck by a melee attack, Ornimegalonyx can impose –2 on the attacker’s next melee attack.
- Stealthy Prowler (Ex): Gains a +4 bonus on Hide checks in natural terrain.
- Keen Senses (Ex): Gains a +4 bonus on Spot and Listen checks.
- Terrifying Screech (Su): 1/day; 30-ft. cone; Will DC 14 negates; shaken for 1 minute; can repeat save each round.
COMBAT
Ornimegalonyx is a stealthy ambush predator, preferring to strike from shadows or elevated perches. It often begins combat with Terrifying Screech to frighten foes, then isolates a single target using talons and beak. Against groups, it uses hit-and-run tactics, climbing or repositioning to remain elusive. It avoids prolonged melee unless it can safely retreat.
ECOLOGY
Environment: Forested clearings, dense woodlands, scrublands
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Advancement: 9–12 HD (Large)
DESCRIPTION
Ornimegalonyx is a flightless owl of terror-bird proportions, cloaked in thick, mottled plumage that hides a powerful muscular frame. Its talons can crush prey, and its hooked beak tears with precision. Nocturnal and solitary, it silently patrols its hunting grounds, preying on small mammals and occasionally larger quarry. Its piercing amber eyes and ghostly presence inspire fear, making it a nightmare predator of the night.