Monster I’d Like to Fight: Stormclaws

Lightning-Infused Feline

Habitat: Mountain; Treasure: None

The origin of stormclaws is a bit of a mystery. Some believe they hail from a plane of elemental air, while others claim they are born from a feline struck by lightning after using up all nine of its lives. Regardless of their origin, stormclaws are fearsome creatures, their bioluminescent fur constantly crackling with arcs of purple lightning. Touching a stormclaw causes some of that electricity to jump between nearby creatures and objects.

Inventors and tinkerers have long tried to harness the stormclaw’s power for experiments and devices, constructing treadmills and running wheels to channel its energy. But each attempt ends in disaster, as the overwhelming electricity leaves nothing but scorch marks behind. Yet, the allure of such untapped energy keeps them trying.

In the wild, stormclaws roam rocky landscapes like mountain ranges. Thankfully, they leave behind clear signs of their presence. Roll once on or choose a result from the Stormclaw Signs table to inspire the traces left behind by a stormclaw.

Stormclaw Signs

1d6	The Stormclaw Left Behind Signs in the Form Of…
1	Glass footprints where it stepped in sand.
2	Scorch marks on stone.
3	A thin line of bare tree trunk without bark.
4	Singed plants and shrubbery.
5	An area charged with static electricity.
6	Blue fur that shifts between shades.

Stormclaw

Stormclaws generally keep to their own, residing in mountainous regions and only exploring further out when hunting. When charged with lightning, they can quickly move among a group of enemies discharging electricity into each as it passes by.

Stormclaw

Large Elemental, Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class 14

Hit Points 119 (14d10 + 42)

Speed 60 ft.

Initiative +4 (14)

		MOD	SAVE
STR	13	+1	+1
INT	3	-4	-4

		MOD	SAVE
DEX	18	+4	+7
WIS	13	+1	+4

		MOD	SAVE
CON	17	+3	+6
CHA	5	-3	-3

Skills Perception +7

Resistances Lightning

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 17

Languages None

CR 6 (XP 2,300; PB +3)

Actions

Multiattack. The stormclaw makes two Claw attacks.

Claw. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) Slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) Lightning damage, and another creature the stormclaw can see within 30 feet of the target takes 7 (2d6) Lightning damage.

Overloaded Teleport (Recharge 4–6). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 15, each creature in 60-foot-long, 10-foot-wide Line. The stormclaw teleports to an unoccupied space at the end of the Line. Failure: 21 (6d6) Lightning damage. Success: Half damage.

Reactions

Static Discharge. Trigger: A creature hits the stormclaw with a melee attack. Response–Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 15, the triggering creature. Failure: 7 (2d6) Lightning damage, and another creature the stormclaw can see within 30 feet of the target takes 7 (2d6) Lightning damage.