AC 13
HP 34 (4d10 + 12; bloodied 17)
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 13
Skills Perception +3
Damage Resistances damage from nonmagical weapons
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages understands Common and Sylvan but can’t speak
Keen Sight and Smell. The peryton has advantage on Perception checks that rely on sight or smell.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The peryton attacks with its gore and talons.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. This attack scores a critical hit on a roll of 18, 19, or 20. If this critical hit reduces a humanoid to 0 hit points, the peryton can use a bonus action to rip the target’s heart out with its teeth, killing it.
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, or 10 (2d6 + 3) damage if the peryton moves at least 20 feet straight towards the target before the attack.
Combat
The peryton dives at humanoid prey. It continues fighting in melee until it rips out a creature’s heart, and then flies away with the heart.
Legends and Lore
With an Arcana or Nature check, characters can learn the following:
DC 10 The product of an ancient curse, a peryton is a terrifying amalgamation of wolf, stag, and bird of prey.
DC 15 Perytons are carnivores. They can reproduce only by consuming the heart of a freshly slain humanoid. Though monstrous in form, they are as intelligent as most humanoids.
DC 20 A peryton’s shadow doesn’t match its body. Rather, it resembles that of a humanoid.
A peryton resembles a magnificent colourful bird with the head of a fox or wolf and the antlers of a stag. Sages theorise that perytons were a people who became victims of their own magical experiments. The peryton’s cursed nature is revealed by its shadow, which appears humanoid rather than reflecting its true form. Obligate carnivores, perytons can survive on any meat, but to reproduce they must consume a humanoid’s heart. They build their nests near settlements and prosper during times of strife.
Asexual Reproduction. To reproduce, a peryton consumes a humanoid’s heart in its nest and gives birth to a single offspring, which resembles a human baby. The newborn is helpless for several weeks, requiring frequent meals of bloody meat and becoming more monstrous as it grows. By season’s end the mature offspring leaves its parent to establish its own nest and hunting grounds.
False Divinity. Some perytons exploit their magnificent appearance and establish themselves near humanoid settlements as a false demigod. The peryton protects the community and in return enjoys frequent sacrifices. With a steady supply of humanoid hearts, the peryton raises its offspring to terrorise neighbouring communities, sowing chaos in its wake.
1 Taking a human heart back to its nest
2 Hunting a humanoid
3 Flying overhead
4 Roosting on a high hill or peak
1 A human corpse, its heart ripped out
2 A tall spire of rock, streaked with dried blood
3 Panicked humanoids in fear of being attacked
4 A miles-long trail of blood
Perytons prey on humanoids and live within hunting distance of settlements.
CR 0–2 peryton
CR 3–4 2 perytons ; peryton with 2 dire wolves , giant eagles , or shadows
Treasure blood-spattered bronze map case (25 gp) containing spell scroll of sleep , 1 sling (named Heartseeker: scores a critical hit on a 19 or 20)