Buy me a coffeeCelestial Lion: The Guardians of the Radiant Dawn
“Unleash the power of the majestic Celestial Lion: a divine guardian with the strength to smite evil and the grace of a celestial being!”
The Celestial Lion is a strikingly majestic creature that embodies both beauty and ferocity. Its robust body spans 5 to 8 feet in length, covered in a shimmering golden mane that appears to glisten with starlight, as if woven from the very fabric of the cosmos. This mane flows thickly around its powerful neck, accentuating its broad, muscular shoulders and deep chest.
Its fur is a rich tawny hue, interspersed with subtle iridescent patterns that reflect shades of blue and silver under different lights. The lion’s piercing amber eyes glow with an otherworldly luminescence, revealing its intelligence and divine nature. Its fangs are sharp and imposing, capable of delivering lethal strikes, while its strong paws end in deadly claws, each designed for both combat and precision.
Behavior
Celestial Lions are inherently noble and possess a calm demeanor that belies their ferocity in battle. They are social creatures, often found in pairs or small prides, exhibiting strong bonds with their companions. These lions are known for their protective nature, defending their territory and kin fiercely against threats. Despite their predatory instincts, they exhibit a curious and playful side, engaging in games with one another, especially when young. Their communication is a mix of deep, resonant roars that echo across the plains and softer, rumbling growls that convey affection and camaraderie within the pride.
Habitat
Typically dwelling in warm plains or grasslands, Celestial Lions prefer areas rich in prey and resources. They can adapt to different terrains, including shallow caves where they find shelter from harsh weather. Their habitats are often infused with a celestial essence, with shimmering flora and fauna that reflect their divine nature. These regions are usually untouched by darkness or evil, as the presence of a Celestial Lion wards off malevolent creatures.
Modus Operandi
In combat, the Celestial Lion employs a blend of brute strength and tactical agility. When charging an enemy, it utilizes its Pounce ability, launching into a flurry of powerful attacks that include claws and bites. Its Improved Grab allows it to swiftly grapple foes, ensuring they can be overwhelmed quickly. The lion’s resistance to various elemental damages makes it a formidable opponent, while its Smite Evil ability serves as a devastating blow against malevolent beings, allowing it to deal substantial extra damage. Despite its prowess, the Celestial Lion often prefers to resolve conflicts peacefully, using its imposing presence to intimidate potential threats before resorting to violence.
Motivation
Driven by a deep-seated desire to uphold good and protect the innocent, the Celestial Lion serves as a guardian of the realms it inhabits. Its motivation stems from a divine calling to combat evil and defend the natural order, ensuring that harmony prevails in its surroundings. While fiercely protective of its territory and pride, the Celestial Lion also seeks to assist those in need, often acting as a guiding force for adventurers and travelers who align with its principles. Its ultimate goal is to maintain the balance between light and darkness, inspiring hope and courage in those who cross its path.
Celestial Lion 5e
Celestial Lion 3.5
Celestial Lion
Large Celestial Beast, Lawful Good
Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 105 (10d10 + 50)
Speed: 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 20 (+5) | 2 (-4) | 14 (+2) | 6 (-2) |
Saving Throws: Dex +7, Con +9, Wis +6
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +7
Damage Resistances: Radiant; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 16
Languages: Understands Celestial but cannot speak
Challenge: 7 (2,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +3
Traits
- Divine Senses: The Celestial Lion can sense evil within 60 feet of it, allowing it to detect the presence of evil creatures or undead.
- Keen Smell: The lion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
- Pounce: If the Celestial 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 15 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 Lion has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
- Radiant Aura: Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the lion takes 5 (1d10) radiant damage.
Actions
- Multiattack: The Celestial Lion makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.
- Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
- Smite Evil (Recharge 5-6): The Celestial Lion can unleash a burst of divine energy. One creature of its choice that it can see within 60 feet must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Bonus Actions
- Rake: If the Celestial Lion has a creature grappled, it can make one claw attack against the grappled creature.
Tactics
- Stealth and Ambush: The Celestial Lion often utilizes its high Dexterity and Stealth to remain hidden in the tall grass of the savannah. It will ambush enemies by pouncing from cover.
- Targeting Evil: When fighting, it focuses on enemies who exhibit evil traits, using Smite Evil to deal significant damage to those who threaten good.
- Positioning: The lion uses its speed to maintain advantageous positioning, knocking foes prone to make them easier targets while maximizing the damage from its attacks.
- Retreat if Overwhelmed: If seriously wounded, the Celestial Lion will attempt to retreat and find refuge, using its stealth and surroundings to evade pursuit.
Description
The Celestial Lion embodies the essence of nobility and strength. With its radiant mane and piercing gaze, it stands as a protector of the innocent and a fierce adversary against evil. Legends tell of Celestial Lions appearing to those in dire need, offering guidance and protection.
Celestial Lion
This great cat’s muscles flex visibly under its skin as it bares its fangs and shakes its thick mane of hair.
Male lions are 5 to 8 feet long and weigh 330 to 550 pounds. Females are slightly smaller but use the same statistics.
Lions are usually the top animal predators in their territories, though they resort to scavenging if convenient or necessary. They may kill other predators (such as leopards and hyenas) that encroach upon their haunts, but rarely eat these kills unless game is scarce. Most lions do not selectively hunt humanoids, but occasionally one learns what easy kills they are and becomes a man-eater.
Lions prefer plains but can adapt to living in shallow caves as long as there’s a large and stable supply of prey to keep them fed.
| Celestial Lion | |
| Size/Type | Large magical beast (Extraplanar) |
| Hit Dice | 5d8+10 (32 hp) |
| Initiative | +3 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 15 (–1 size, +3 Dexterity, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 12 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+12 |
| Attack | Claw +7 melee (1d4+5) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +7 melee (1d4+5) and bite +2 melee (1d8+2) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Pounce, improved grab, rake 1d4+2 |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent, Darkvision 60ft, Resistance to acid, cold, and electricity 5, Spell Resistance 10, Damage reduction 5/magic |
| Saves | Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 21, Dexterity 17, Constitution 15, Intelligence 3, Wisdom 12, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Balance +7, Hide +3*, Listen +5, Move Silently +11, Spot +5 |
| Feats | Alertness, Run |
| Environment | Warm plains in any good-aligned plane |
| Organization | Solitary, pair, or pride (6–10) |
| Challenge Rating | 3 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always good (any) |
| Advancement | 6-8 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
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.
Pounce (Ex): If a lion charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a 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.
Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +7 melee, damage 1d4+2.
Skills: Lions have a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks. *In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus improves to +12.