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Uraeus

Tiny · Celestial · CR 2 · Lawful Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts

14 (natural armor)

40 (9d4+18)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Tiny

Type Celestial

Alignment Lawful Neutral

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 14

Skills

Perception +4

Languages

understands Celestial and Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

fire; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

poisoned

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Coast Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Laboratory Lake Mountain Ocean Ruins Sewer Shadowfell The Abyss Astral Plane Elysium Ethereal Plane Feywild Hell Material Plane Plane of Air Plane of Earth Plane of Fire Plane of Water Swamp or Marsh Temple Badlands Tomb Underworld Urban

Traits

Flyby

The uraeus doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Ward Bond

As a bonus action, the uraeus forms a magical bond with a willing creature within 5 feet. Afterward, no matter how great the distance between them, the uraeus knows the distance and direction to its bonded ward and is aware of the creature's general state of health. The bond lasts until the uraeus or the ward dies, or the uraeus ends the bond as an action.

Actions

Bite

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6 fire damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) poison damage, and the target must make a successful DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned in this way, the target takes 9 (2d8) fire damage at the start of its turn. A poisoned creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on a success.

Searing Breath

Recharge 5–6

The uraeus exhales a 15-foot cone of fire. Creatures in the area take 10 (3d6) fire damage, or half damage with a successful DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.

Reactions

Bonded Savior

When the uraeus' bonded ward takes damage, the uraeus can transfer the damage to itself instead. The uraeus' damage resistance and immunity don't apply to transferred damage.

About Uraeus

Uraeus is a tiny celestial with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a lawful neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 40 hit points (derived from 9d4+18).

Uraeus has communication capabilities including understands Celestial and Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Uraeus

2 tips available

When using Uraeus 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.
Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.

Player Guide: Facing Uraeus

2 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.
Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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 Uraeus?: Uraeus has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Uraeus?: Uraeus is a Tiny Celestial, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Uraeus speak?: Uraeus can communicate in understands Celestial and Common but can't speak.