Berserk. Whenever the cobblefright starts its turn with 40
hit points or fewer, roll a d6. On a 6, the cobblefright goes
berserk. On each of its turns while berserk, the cobblefright
attacks the nearest creature it can see. If no creature
is near enough to move to and attack, the cobblefright
attacks an object, with preference for an object smaller
than itself. Once the cobblefright goes berserk, it continues
to do so until it is destroyed or regains all its hit points.
Multiattack. The cobblefright makes three claw attacks.
One of those attacks can be replaced by a grab attack.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Grab. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
creature not grappled by the cobblefright. Hit: The target
is grappled (escape DC 15). The cobblefright can grapple
up to 2 targets at once. Once at the start of its turn for
each target it has grappled the cobblefright can squeeze
its victim. The target must make a DC 15 Strength saving
throw, taking 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning damage on a
failed save.
Soul Siphon. One creature the cobblefright has grappled
must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking
11 (2d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half that
amount on a success. The target’s hit point maximum is
reduced by the amount of necrotic damage taken, and the
cobblefright regains hit points equal to that amount. The
reduction lasts until the target finishes a short or long rest.
Description
Cobblefrights are undead monstrosities created
through dark necromancy. Rumored to have been originally
devised by the mad necromancer Lathrus of the
Night’s Call, cobblefrights are made by linking several
birdfolk skeletons together to form one frightening
creature with enhanced physical properties. Among
those who have studied Lathrus’ research, only the
most reckless have tried to create a cobblefright of their
own, often to disastrous effect.
Horror of Horrors
Cobblefrights are generally pieced together from
the skeletons of five or six birdfolk. The combination
of multiple bodies allows not only for a larger and
more robust design, but also vastly increases the quantity
of necromantic energies cobblefrights contain. This
increased capacity for power provides cobblefrights
with tremendous strength, as much as a dozen birdfolk
combined. It also grants cobblefright bones greater
durability. Their remarkable power and resilience is
somewhat of a double-edged sword, as cobblefrights
also require a large amount of necromantic energy to
be sustained. The surviving records of
cobblefright creators note that, quite unexpectedly,
the creatures developed the ability to drain the life
force of other living beings, replenishing their own
energy in the process. This makes cobblefrights useful
as independent sentries, so long as they have a steady
supply of living beings to fuel them.
Chaotic Psyche
The discordant parts that comprise cobblefrights
exert tremendous strain on the bodies
of these creatures. The source of this strain is
rooted in the same magic that allows birdfolk
skeletons to recall skills they once knew in life:
the bones remember. Remnants of the soul
such as memories, desires, fears, skills, and
certain forms of knowledge are imprinted on
the bones of the departed. When activated
by necromantic energy, these conflicting
impressions swirl chaotically within cobblefrights.
Since cobblefrights are composed
of multiple bodies, often originating from
differing times, places, and walks of life, the
impressions contained within the
creatures are particularly volatile
and chaotic. This constant internal
conflict requires large and
regular supplies of energy to keep
cobblefrights stable, but it also
grants them a surprising degree
of resistance against those who would seek to
wrest control of the creatures away from their
creator. However, necromancers must be careful
to maintain control over these dangerous
creatures. Damaged cobblefrights will readily
harvest their maker as an immediate source of
life energy.
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