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Raven Swarm

Raven Swarm
My Images (midjourney.com)

Appearance: A Raven Swarm appears as a living, undulating mass of sleek, black feathers, creating a shadowy cloud that blots out the sky. Individual ravens within the swarm are nearly indistinguishable, their glossy plumage reflecting an otherworldly iridescence. The air is filled with the eerie symphony of fluttering wings and the occasional caw, creating a haunting ambiance.

Behavior: The Raven Swarm operates as a cohesive entity, moving with an almost supernatural synchronization. Each raven within the swarm shares an instinctive connection, allowing them to navigate complex aerial maneuvers with precision. Despite their ominous appearance, these intelligent creatures exhibit a collective consciousness, communicating seamlessly to adapt to their environment.

Habitat: Raven Swarms are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, from dense forests to desolate landscapes. They are particularly drawn to locations with a mystical aura, ancient ruins, and places steeped in dark magic. The sight of a Raven Swarm in flight is often associated with impending supernatural events.

Modus Operandi: The Raven Swarm operates with a calculated and strategic approach. When provoked or directed by a supernatural force, the swarm can unleash a barrage of razor-sharp beaks and talons upon intruders. They are known to obscure the sun, casting an eerie darkness over the land as they enact their mysterious designs.

Motivation: Driven by an otherworldly intelligence, the Raven Swarm’s motivations are enigmatic and often tied to the forces that govern the supernatural realms. Some believe they act as messengers for dark entities, heralding impending doom or guiding lost souls. Others see them as protectors of ancient knowledge, safeguarding secrets hidden within the folds of their inky wings. The true motivation behind a Raven Swarm’s actions remains a mystery, contributing to their legendary and foreboding reputation.

  • Raven Swarm 5e
  • Raven Swarm Pathfinder
Raven Swarm 1
My Images (midjourney.com)

Medium swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned

Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12)
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft.


STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
6 (-2)14 (+2)12 (+1)4 (-3)14 (+2)6 (-2)

Skills Perception +4
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing
Condition Immunities Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Prone, Restrained, Stunned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages
Challenge 2 (450 XP)


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

Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny raven. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Evasion. If the swarm is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage on a success and half damage on a failure.


Actions

Dreadful Cacophony. The Raven Swarm emits a disorienting cacophony. Each creature within 20 feet of the swarm must make a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Razor Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm’s space. Hit: 14 (4d6) piercing damage.


Legendary Actions

The Raven Swarm 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 Raven Swarm regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Harass. The Raven Swarm makes one Razor Beak attack against a creature within its space.

Dark Omen (Costs 2 Actions). The Raven Swarm intensifies its disorienting cacophony. All creatures within 30 feet must make a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or suffer the effects of the Dreadful Cacophony.

By Caspar David Friedrich - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Magnus Manske using CommonsHelper. (Original text: http://www.sauer-thompson.com/junkforcode/archives/2008/06/romantic-curren.html), (19 November 2008 (original upload date)), Original uploader was Ceoil at en.wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13466149, Swarm, Raven
By Caspar David Friedrich – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Magnus Manske using CommonsHelper. (Original text: http://www.sauer-thompson.com/junkforcode/archives/2008/06/romantic-curren.html), (19 November 2008 (original upload date)), Original uploader was Ceoil at en.wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13466149

A screeching cawing whirlwind of buffeting wings, clawing talons and pecking beaks.

Source: Pathfinder d20pfsrd.com

A raven swarm is a disorienting mass of angered birds. Raven swarms have the same general characteristics and habitat of normal ravens.


Raven Swarm CR 3
XP 800

N Tiny animal (swarm)

Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +11
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dexterity, +2 size)

hp 18 (4d8)

Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3

Defensive Abilities half damage from piercing and slashing;

Immune swarm traits

Weaknesses swarm traits
OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft., Fly 40 ft. (average)

Melee swarm (1d6 plus eye-rake)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.

Special Attacks distraction (DC 11), eye-rake
STATISTICS
Strength 2, Dexterity 15, Constitution 8, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 15, Charisma 7

Base Atk +3; CMB –; CMD —

Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse

Skills Fly +10, Perception +11
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Eye-Rake (Ex) Any living creature damaged by a raven swarm must succeed on a DC 11 Reflex save or be blinded as the swarm scratches and tears at the victim’s eyes. The blindness lasts for 1d4 days or until healed with a remove blindness or a successful DC 11 Heal check. The save DC is Constitution-based.
ECOLOGY 
Environment temperate forests

Organization solitary, unkindness (2-4 swarms), or murder (5-10 swarms)

Treasure none

TACTICS

Raven swarms attack by surrounding their prey, pecking, scratching and clawing until destroyed or frightened away. They specifically seek the head, face and eyes of victims.

Section 15: Copyright Notice – Tome of Horrors Complete

Raven Swarm from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.

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