Thunderbird
- Armor Class
- 3 [16]
- Hit Dice
- 5
- Attacks
- Bite or Claw (1d6+2)
- Special
- diving lightning trail, shock retaliation, electricity immunity
- Move
- 3 Fly 27
- HDE/XP
- 6/400
Description
As rare as giant eagles are, a Thunderbird is even more rare. Equally large as giant eagles, it is about 10 feet tall with a 20-foot wingspan and has coloration that includes various hues of electric-blue. The very air around a thunderbird crackles and sparks with static electricity. A thunderbird is intelligent and often speaks Common along with any local languages.
A thunderbird typically attacks from a great height, diving earthward at tremendous speed (use charging rules). In addition to the normal attack routine, while diving a bolt of lightning trails the thunderbird, striking its target for 5d6 points of electrical damage. Those within 10 feet of the target take half that damage. The target and those nearby can make a saving throw for half-damage (i.e. half or one-quarter damage respectively). When it cannot dive, it uses its powerful talons and slashing beak to strike at its target’s head and eyes. Anyone striking a thunderbird with a metallic weapon will take 1d6 points of electrical damage in return (no save). A thunderbird is completely immune to any electrical-based damage.
Source note: This creature is converted from The Basic Fantasy Field Guide of Creatures Malevolent and Benign – Omnibus Edition, 1st Edition Release 4, © 2010–2025 Chris Gonnerman, R. Kevin Smoot, James Lemon, Matt Sluis, and Contributors. The Basic Fantasy Field Guide textual material is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International; this page adapts that creature to White Box.