The fowler has a peculiar relationship with birds. It holds a deep respect for these creatures and their role in the natural world, evident in the wooden mask it crafts that resembles a bird’s face. Some of its own features, like talons and a slender frame, resemble those of birds, in contrast to the fur covering its body. Yet, despite this reverence, fowlers are skilled hunters of birds, although without overexploiting them. They extract the spirit of each hunted bird, adding it to their spectral flock, which strengthens their power and furthers their ability to pursue even larger prey.
Territorial by nature, fowlers fiercely defend their hunting grounds with their spectral flock. They strive to maintain a delicate balance ensuring a sustainable bird population for their hunting needs. Visitors to their territory are advised to offer a gift of a colorful singing bird as a gesture of goodwill and to announce their presence and intentions.
Culturally, fowlers are peaceful humanoid beings with traditions centered around hunting and crafting from the remains of their prey. However, bird-like races should be cautious, as the allure of hunting such rare and remarkable creatures may prove challenging to resist.
Fowler
Medium Humanoid, Typically Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 15 (leather armor)
Hit Points 117 (18d8 + 36)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 (-1) | 18 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 11 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 10 (+0) |
Skills Nature +3, Perception +7, Survival +7
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages Common
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Early Bird. The fowler cannot be surprised and it has advantage on initiative checks.
Keen Sight. The fowler has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Multiattack. The fowler makes three Bird Strike attacks.
Bird Strike. Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) force damage.
Bird Storm (1/Day). Spectral birds strike at creatures in a 40-foot-tall cylinder with a 20-foot-radius centered on a point the fowler can see within 120 feet of it. The area is difficult terrain and lasts for 1 minute. When a creature moves into or within the area, it takes 7 (3d4) force damage for every 5 feet it travels.
Reactions
Feathery Burst (2/Day). When the fowler is hit by a creature it can see within 10 feet of it, the fowler releases a burst of spectral feathers in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on itself. Each other creature in the area must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 13 (3d8) force damage and be pushed back up to 10 feet away from the fowler.
Downloads
Further Reading
Add a quest where the party has to compete against a fowler to hunt rock owls.
The barn owlbear brawl might be the start of a quest dealing with fowlers pushing the creatures out of their habitat.
Imagery created with Midjourney.
