Encounters: Thunderpeaks South

Aarakocra (CR 1/2)

Medium Monstrous Humanoid
Alignment: Often neutral good
Initiative: +2 (Dex); Senses: darkvision 60 ft., Listen +2, and Spot +2


AC: 13 (+2 Dex, +1 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 11
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Fort 0, Ref +4, Will +2


Speed: 20 ft., fly 90 ft. (average)
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +1; Grapple +0
Attack: Talon +0 melee or javelin +3 ranged
Full Attack: 2 talons +0 melee; or javelin +3 ranged
Damage: Talon 1d4-1; or javelin 1d6-1
Special Attacks: Bite, summon Large air elemental


Abilities: Str 9, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10
Special Qualities:
Feats: Flyby Attack
Skills: Craft or Knowledge (any one) +2, Listen +2, Spot +2, and Survival +2
Advancement: By character class


Climate/Terrain: Warm and temperate mountains
Organization: Solitary, flight (3-6) or tribe (11-30 plus 1 cleric of 3rd-5th level)
Treasure: Standard


Source: Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn

Bite (Ex): When grounded, an aarakocra attacks with its beak (+1 melee), dealing 1d3 points of damage on a successful attack.

Summon Large Air Elemental (Su): A group of five aarakocras that includes at least one cleric can cast summon monster IV to summon a Large air elemental. To perform the summoning, the aarakocras must perform an intricate aerial dance for 3 rounds.

Aarakocras avoid fighting on the ground, preferring to fight from the air. They swoop on their foes to attack with their talons, or throw javelins from afar. Typically, an aarakocra warrior carries six javelins strapped to its chest in individual sheaths.

Faerûnian Random Encounters by Region and Locale