Giant Vulture
Large Beast · · CR 1
- Beast
- Large
- Tier 1
CR 1 large beast, neutral evil — that's Giant Vulture. Native to desert, grassland, and hill. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 1
- Type
- Beast
- Size
- Large
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Desert, Grassland, Hill
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Giant vultures range across deserts, savannahs, and dry hills, soaring on thermal updrafts to spot carrion from miles away. They feed on dead and dying creatures, occasionally hastening the latter into the former. They roost in cliffs and on standing stones in flocks of three to twelve. They lay clutches of one or two eggs and raise chicks communally. They are corruptive influences on local ecosystems.
Behaviour
Giant vultures are intelligent enough to plan ambushes, herd weakened prey, and parley in Common. They are Neutral Evil, taking active pleasure in suffering. They follow caravans and battles for days, picking off stragglers and finishing wounded. They serve as scouts and informants for gnolls, hags, and other evil creatures. They despise paladins, who burn carrion they could otherwise feast upon. They mate for life within the flock.
Origin
Most giant vultures are corrupted natural birds, twisted by ambient evil and concentrated death-energy in old battlefields and demon-touched lands. A minority were deliberately created by Tiamat or Yeenoghu as scavenger-allies. They have an Intelligence of 7, well above any natural bird, suggesting infernal origin. Sages believe each carries a fragment of demonic essence, allowing speech and tactical thinking unmatched by mundane scavengers.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Giant Vulture
- What is the challenge rating of Giant Vulture?
- Giant Vulture has a challenge rating of 1. It suits an early or mid tier-1 group.
- What type of creature is Giant Vulture?
- The bestiary type for Giant Vulture is beast, large size.
- Where does Giant Vulture live?
- The bestiary places Giant Vulture in Desert, Grassland, Hill.