Maap's Monstrous Zoo
Hipposus
These monstrous cousins of the hippopotamus use their strange powers of flight to scout for food and water from the skies. It's a wonder that they can take to the air at all, but it is limited. Hipposus can only fly about an hour total a day before their wings become tired. This works out well for the hipposus, who prefer to spend their time in the shallows of lakes and rivers, anyway.
When threatened, a hipposus prefer to attack from the air, swooping down with a bite, and attempting knock their foes off their feet.
A tale is told to children about the creation of the Hipposus, though it is probably apocryphal.
The Tale of the Hipposus
Once upon a time, there was young and foolish prince, called Alistair. His coat of arms was adorned with images of winged hippos. One day the prince met a wise noble, Eldoria. Alistair, eager to impress the noble, boasted that he had once met a winged hippo, just like on his heraldry. Eldoria, amused by this claim challenged the prince to prove it.
The prince, unwilling to back down, secretly ordered his kingdom's greatest wizards, artificers and artists to create the creatures for him. The artisans combined their talents and did what the prince wished. Naming the new creature "hipposus".
Finally, the day had come and the prince invited Eldoria to see with her own eyes. The noble was amazed by how gracefully the winged hippos flew through the air, and confessed to the prince that she was indeed wrong all along.
Then disaster struck, a loud noise spooked the hipposus, causing a stampede in the sky! Eldoria was able to find safety, but foolish Prince Alistair was tragically trampled to death by his own lie.
Hipposus
Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class: 11
Hit Points: 76 (9d10 + 27)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 60 ft., swim 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Skills: Perception +3
Senses: passive Perception 13
Languages: —
Challenge: 3 (700 XP)
Flyby. The Hipposus doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.
Limited Flight. After a total of one hour of flight, The Hipposus' flying speed is reduced to 0 ft. until it completes a long rest.
Hold Breath. The Hipposus can hold its breath for 10 minutes.
Charge. If the Hipposus moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and then hits it with a bite attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 5 (1d10) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Reactions
Defensive Roll. When the hippopotamus takes damage from a melee attack, it can use its reaction to roll with the blow, reducing the damage by half.
Artwork by Kim Diaz Holm, CC-BY.
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