Celestial Dire Lion
The celestial dire lion is a great cat of the benevolent outer realms, powerful enough to bring down a dangerous intruder yet capable of recognising when a traveller poses no threat. It hunts and protects its territory like any lion, but may also stand watch over a sacred road or a charge entrusted to it. Travellers can sometimes avoid a fight by respecting its warning and keeping clear of what it guards.
Rules in this entry: the existing tabs contain a 5e homebrew creature and a separate D&D 3.5e version. They are not interchangeable and do not constitute a verified 2024 conversion. Browse the Magical Beasts index or compare the Celestial Lion.
Behavior
With a blend of feline grace and raw power, the Celestial Dire Lion embodies the spirit of the wild. They are solitary hunters or form small prides, fiercely territorial and always on alert for intruders. Their demeanor oscillates between calm patience and explosive aggression; they can lie motionless for hours, eyes fixed on potential prey, before springing into action with startling speed. These lions communicate through guttural growls and deep roars that echo across the plains, each sound laced with an instinctual ferocity that commands respect and warns off threats. When roused, their eyes flash with primal fury, revealing the untamed spirit beneath their celestial facade.
Habitat
Celestial Dire Lions inhabit the untamed warm plains of good-aligned planes, such as the sun-drenched fields of Elysium or the wild, vibrant landscapes of the Beastlands. They favor open grasslands dotted with sparse trees and water sources, where they can stalk prey with stealth and power. Their territories are marked not only by scratch marks on trees but also by the remnants of past hunts—bones and fur left as stark reminders of their prowess. In these wild expanses, they reign supreme, blending seamlessly with the natural world while embodying its feral ferocity.
Modus Operandi
The combat style of a Celestial Dire Lion is a brutal dance of power and agility. They employ stealth and cunning, moving silently through the underbrush before unleashing a ferocious pounce on unsuspecting prey. With Improved Grab, they quickly secure their hold, transitioning seamlessly from bite to claw, unleashing a barrage of raking attacks that can leave even the toughest adversaries bloodied and broken. When facing evil foes, they channel their celestial power through Smite Evil, delivering devastating blows fueled by righteous fury. In battle, they display a primal cunning, often using the terrain to outmaneuver opponents, striking swiftly and retreating into the shadows when the odds are against them.
Motivation
A celestial dire lion may defend a vulnerable traveller, a sanctuary or a route under divine protection. That duty does not suppress its appetite or territorial instincts. It warns trespassers with a growl or a display of force, but attacks when they threaten its charge. Someone who understands its obligation may negotiate safe passage.
Celestial Dire Lion 5e
Celestial Dire Lion 3.5
Celestial Dire Lion
Large celestial beast (extraplanar), lawful good
Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 152 (16d10+64)
Speed: 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (+7) | 16 (+3) | 19 (+4) | 6 (-2) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) |
Saving Throws: Str +11, Dex +7, Con +8, Wis +6
Skills: Perception +10, Stealth +7, Survival +6
Damage Resistances: Radiant; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities: Acid, Cold, Lightning
Condition Immunities: Frightened, Charmed
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages: Understands Celestial but can’t speak
Challenge: 9 (5,000 XP)
Traits
Celestial Radiance. The Celestial Dire Lion emits a soft, radiant glow in a 10-foot radius around it. Hostile creatures within this area have disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Keen Smell and Sight. The Celestial Dire Lion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.
Pounce. If the Celestial Dire Lion moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the lion can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Magic Resistance. The Celestial Dire Lion has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Pack Hunter. When the Celestial Dire Lion is within 10 feet of at least one allied creature, it gains advantage on melee attack rolls against creatures within 5 feet of it.
Multiattack. The Celestial Dire Lion makes three attacks: two with its claws and one with its bite. If charging, it can replace its claw attacks with rake attacks.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) radiant damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage.
Rake. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) slashing damage. This attack is used when the lion has a creature grappled or prone.
Bonus Actions
Smite Evil (Recharge 5–6). The Celestial Dire Lion strikes with divine fury. When it hits a creature with a melee attack, it can deal an extra 18 (4d8) radiant damage if the target is evil-aligned. Additionally, the target must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of the lion’s next turn.
Celestial Roar (Recharge 5-6). The lion lets out a deafening roar imbued with divine power. Each hostile creature within 30 feet that can hear the roar must make a DC 17 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 itself on a success.
Reactions
Protective Pounce. When an ally within 10 feet is hit by an attack, the Celestial Dire Lion can leap to that ally’s side, moving up to half its movement speed. It takes the attack instead of the ally, and if the attack hits, the lion can make one claw attack as part of the reaction.
Tactics
The Celestial Dire Lion is a patient yet deadly hunter, using its Keen Smell and Sight to track foes from afar before pouncing with devastating speed. When engaged in combat, it charges in to pounce on weaker targets, using Multiattack to shred through enemies with claws and teeth. If outnumbered, it roars to terrify enemies with Celestial Roar and uses Protective Pounce to shield allies. Against evil foes, it unleashes its Smite Evil, adding radiant damage to bring down dark forces. In battle, it coordinates with allies, using Pack Hunter to overwhelm opponents, while its Magic Resistance protects it from magical interference.
Celestial Dire Lion
Celestial dire lions are patient hunters, just like their smaller mundane cousins, but apt to take on bigger prey.
Celestial Dire Lions are majestic, supernatural predators from the Upper Planes, blending the feral might of a dire beast with the radiant grace of a divine guardian. Standing nearly 15 feet long, these massive lions are adorned with shimmering gold and silver fur and possess a flowing mane that glows faintly with celestial light. Towering their eyes burn with a fierce azure fire, betraying their righteous fury and unyielding focus. Often seen as guardians of sacred places or as divine enforcers, they serve as protectors against evil and darkness.
Fierce yet noble, Celestial Dire Lions are not mere beasts; they are holy champions, dispatched by celestial powers to hunt and destroy evil creatures. They prefer to roam in solitude, but can occasionally be found leading celestial prides, rallying other magical beasts in defense of the good-aligned planes or in service of a powerful celestial entity. Their mighty roars resonate with divine authority, striking fear into the hearts of malevolent beings and inspiring valor in those who fight alongside them.
| Celestial Dire Lion | |
| Size/Type | Large magical beast (Extraplanar) |
| Hit Dice | 8d8+24 (60 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 15 (–1 size, +2 Dexterity, +4 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +6/+17 |
| Attack | Claw +13 melee (1d6+7) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +13 melee (1d6+7) and bite +7 melee (1d8+3) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Improved grab, pounce, rake 1d6+3 |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent, Darkvision 60 ft., Resistance to acid, cold, and electricity 10, Spell Resistance 13, Damage Reduction 5/magic |
| Saves | Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +7 |
| Abilities | Strength 25, Dexterity 15, Constitution 17, Intelligence 3, Wisdom 12, Charisma 10 |
| Skills | Hide +2*, Listen +7, Move Silently +5, Spot +7 |
| Feats | Alertness, Run, Weapon Focus (claw) |
| Environment | Warm plains in any good-aligned plane |
| Organization | Solitary, pair, or pride (6–10) |
| Challenge Rating | 7 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always good (any) |
| Advancement | 9–16 HD (Large); 17–24 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment | — |
Combat
A celestial dire lion attacks by running at prey, leaping, and clawing and biting as it rakes with its rear claws. It often jumps onto a creature larger than itself.
Smite Evil (Su): Once per day a celestial creature can make a normal melee attack to deal extra damage equal to its HD (maximum of +20) against an evil foe.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a celestial dire lion must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.
Pounce (Ex): If a celestial dire lion charges, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.
Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +12 melee, damage 1d6+3.
Skills: Celestial dire lions have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks.
*In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus improves to +8.
Keep this reference growing
If this page helped with your reading or game, you can support its upkeep or explore the curated books.
Explore the Bookshop — epics, classics and stories behind imagined worlds.