#giant strider

“Giant Strider” by Richard Sardinha, © Wizards of the Coast. Accessed at the Monsters of Faerun Art Gallery here

[Although the giant strider has been around since the 1e Fiend Folio, the name has never made sense. There’s not a regular size strider anywhere in the books. So I’ve changed the name to make this Joust wannabe make a little more sense.]

Fire Strider CR 1 N Magical Beast A bird-like beast strides forth, but rather than long feathers it has a coating of low, ochre fuzz. Its jaws bear both teeth and a beak, and its tail and arms are little more than small stumps. Smoke pours from its nostrils.

Fire striders are the creations of the firenewts, and they are still most commonly found in association with them. They are the descendants of flightless birds, infused with elemental fire and the essence of dinosaurs and dragons. Their body plan is still very avian, but their feathers are reduced to a downy coat and they have sharp teeth in their beak. Fire striders are omnivores, feeding on roots, leaves, berries and small animals and insects. In the wild, they form flocks for defense against fire drakes and other predators.

Fire striders are so named because they can walk on lava—this gives them unparalleled maneuverability in the volcanic landscapes they call home. Firenewts may build shrines or fortifications near active lava flows, protecting them from all but one of their own mounted on a fire strider. Fire striders also provide needed ranged capacity to firenewt troops, as they can sneeze embers that explode into small fireballs over a surprising range. Firenewts go out of their way to find high quality food for their fire strider steeds, and the most pampered may be fed on plundered wine and bread. Although firenewts would never waste a good fire strider by slaughtering it for food, they are consumed by fire giants. Their flesh must be consumed tartare (as it is as fireproof as the living beast) and has a peppery flavor.

From: Tomb of Annihilation

Large Monstrosity, Neutral Evil

AC 14 (natural armor)

HP 22 (3d10 + 6)

Speed 50 ft.

Str 18 +4 Dex 13 +1 Con 14 +2 Int 4 -3 Wis 12 +1 Cha 6 -2

Immunities Fire

CR 1

Traits

Fire Absorption. Whenever the giant strider is subjected to fire damage, it takes no damage and regains a number of hit points equal to half the fire damage dealt.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Fire Burst (Recharge 5–6). The giant strider hurls a gout of flame at a point it can see within 60 feet of it. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The fire spreads around corners, and it ignites flammable objects in that area that aren't being worn or carried.