Favored Foe. The Ancient Watcher knows the Hunter's Mark spell. It can cast it without expending a spell slot and without requiring concentration. It uses Wisdom as its spellcasting ability.
Unblinking Eye. The Ancient Watcher can make opportunity attacks without using a reaction.
Multiattack: The Ancient Watcher makes two attacks with its Talons.
Talon: Melee weapon attack, +6 to hit, reach 5ft, one target. Hit 12(2d8+3) slashing damage plus 7(2d6) necrotic damage.
Breath Weapons(Recharge 5-6): The Ancient Watcher uses one of the following Breath Weapons, decided by rolling a d4:
- 1-2: Breath of Ensure: The Watcher exhales a 30ft cone of necrotic fog. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or take 35(8d8) psychic damage and is forgotten by its allies until the next round.
- 3-4: Breath of Loss: The Watcher unleashes a 45ft line of necrotic fog. Each creature within that area must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or take 35(8d8) necrotic damage and lose one feature of their choice. They regain the lost feature at the end of a short or long rest.
(Note: Only use these Legendary Actions if you are running this as a solo or "Boss" encounter) The Ancient Watcher can take three legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action may be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Ancient Watcher regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Talon. The Ancient Watcher makes one Talon attack.
Flyby. The Ancient Watcher moves up to its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Breath Weapon. The Ancient Watcher makes a Breath Weapon attack.
Description
Ancient Watchers, or colloquially "Omen Birds", have existed since the creation of the Forgotten Realms. Said to be the servants of a long-forgotten god, Ancient Watchers were used by that god to ensure that mortals still worshipped and followed him. Now that the majority of the world follows a new pantheon, these creatures roam the land, causing havoc and chaos in hopes of returning people to their old religion. Some think of the Ancient Watchers, whose names have long since been forgotten by history, as tragic figures. Those people have not had to watch as their village was destroyed for not worshipping an ancient, forgotten god.
Trackers and Hunters. The Ancient Watchers were given several gifts by the forgotten god. They were given the ability to track and hunt down their enemies, no matter the distance. As well, they were given the ability to fly, allowing quick transportation throughout the land. These abilities also make the Ancient Watchers deadly in combat; they focus all of their energy on one target until it is dead, and then move on to the next.
Breath of the Forgotten. Another unique aspect of the Ancient Watchers is their breath. Their breath is similar to the breath of dragons, though instead of controlling an element. their breath weapons control their victim's memories. They are known to be able to make someone forget their allies or even their abilities.
Forgotten, but not Gone. Some mortals begin to worship the forgotten god in hopes of not having their towns and cities ravaged by Ancient Watchers. As such, the forgotten god allows said civilizations to place Ancient Watchers as guards to their valuables. The best-known ancient civilization to worship the forgotten god was the empire of Etimen, located deep within the desert. The Ancient Watchers guard Etimen's tomb and his treasure hoard, as well as Etimen's famed Holy Avenger. To those who have seen the tomb and the famed sword, they see that Etimen's soul still lingers around it, making sure it is never taken. Etimen was known for establishing peace with the desert creatures, and he was also known for his soul being extensively corrupt, to the point where his body died, but his soul protects his Holy Avenger.
Variant: Legendary Watcher.
If you choose to use the Ancient Watcher as a solo or "boss" encounter, consider changing the following attributes:
- CR changes to 8(3,900 XP)
- Replace the hit point maximum with 72.
- Legendary actions(see Legendary actions)
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