Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Black Crier

Medium · Undead · CR 11 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

150 (20d8+60)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral

XP 7200

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 15

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Intelligence +4 Wisdom +9

Skills

History +4 Perception +9 Performance +9 Religion +4

Languages

understands all languages but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, stunned

Traits

Bound by Calamity

The black crier is bound to a region where a major catastrophe will happen. This region can be of any size but is never smaller than 1 square mile. If the crier leaves this region, it loses its Rejuvenation trait and Crier’s Lament action. It permanently dies if it remains outside of its bound region for more than 24 hours.

Rejuvenation

If it dies within its bound region before the catastrophe it heralds happens, the black crier returns to life in 1d6 days and regains all its hp. The black crier dies after the catastrophe ends and doesn’t rejuvenate. Only a wish spell can prevent this trait from functioning.

Actions

Bell

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+4 plus 4d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) necrotic damage.

Bell Toll

The black crier targets one creature it can see within 60 feet of it. The creature must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the target takes 14 (4d6) necrotic damage and is frightened until the end of its next turn. On a success, the target takes half the damage and isn't frightened. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target suffers one level of exhaustion.

Crier's Lament

1/day

The black crier unleashes a devastating peal of anguish and rage in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 16 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, a creature drops to 0 hp. On a success, a creature takes 21 (6d6) psychic damage and is frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Multiattack

The black crier uses its Bell Toll. It then makes two melee attacks.

About Black Crier

Black Crier is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 150 hit points (derived from 20d8+60).

Black Crier has communication capabilities including understands all languages but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Black Crier

1 tips available

When using Black Crier in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Black Crier

1 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 13,200 XP
Hard: 19,800 XP
Deadly: 26,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Black Crier?: Black Crier has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Black Crier?: Black Crier is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Black Crier speak?: Black Crier can communicate in understands all languages but can't speak.