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Breadcrumb

Stirge

Challenge
str
4
dex
16
con
10
int
2
wis
8
cha
4

AC 13 (10 while attached)

HP 2 (1d4; bloodied 1)

Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft.


Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 13

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9

Languages


ACTIONS

Proboscis. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 1 piercing damage, and the stirge attaches to the target. A creature can use an action to detach it, and it can detach itself as a bonus action.

Blood Drain. The stirge drains blood from the creature it is attached to. The creature loses 4 (1d8) hit points. After the stirge has drained 8 hit points, it detaches itself and can’t use Blood Drain again until it finishes a rest.

Combat

A flock of stirges doesn’t focus on a single target, but spreads out to attack all nearby creatures. A stirge retreats only when sated with blood.


Legends and Lore

With an Arcana or Nature check, characters can learn the following:

DC 10 A stirge looks something like a four-winged bat crossed with a giant mosquito. Stirges latch onto their victims and drain their blood using their long proboscises.

DC 15 In small numbers, stirges don’t pose much of a threat. There’s a reason, however, that a flock of stirges is referred to as a plague.

Description

Although some regard them as birds of ill omen, stirges more closely resemble a horrific mix of mosquito and bat. With its four membranous wings, a stirge can hover in place like a hummingbird as it stabs its hapless victims with its long proboscis. Once a stirge has clamped onto a victim, it drains the creature’s blood until sated. 

Strength in Numbers. A single stirge is easily dispatched, but a flock—sometimes referred to as a plague—can drain a victim dry before it has a chance to resist.

Behavior

1–2 As travelers approach, they take wing and attack

3 Swarming a large, panicked animal

4 Drowsy and sated with blood; they attack only if approached

Signs

1–2 An animal or humanoid corpse drained of blood

3 A distant humming sound

4 What looks like a cloud of bats darkening the sky. DC 13 Perception check: they have too many wings

Encounters

Stirges are a common swamp hazard, but they can also be found in deserts and caverns.

CR 0–2 1d8 stirges

Monster Type Description

Beasts are natural animals whose existence and abilities are nonmagical. A bear and a tyrannosaurus rex are both beasts.