Starcrow

Basic Information

Creature Type: Beast (Magical)
Size: Tiny
Alignment: Unaligned
Habitat: High places, forgotten battlegrounds, arcane ruins
Frequency: Extremely Rare
 

Description

The Starcrow is a spectral variant of the common crow, rarely seen and often misunderstood. Distinguished by their jet-black feathers dusted with silver flecks, they seem as though carved from the night sky itself. Most striking are their pale, silvery eyes, which shimmer faintly even in darkness and reflect starlight where none should be.   These elusive creatures are rumored to appear in moments of magical turbulence or imminent death, though scholars dispute whether they are true omens or simply drawn to such events. A Starcrow is almost never encountered alone—when sighted, they are typically seen flying in solemn, silent formations. Despite their avian form, they seem to possess an eerie awareness, often turning to stare at observers with unsettling focus.    

Behavior & Ecology

Supernatural Awareness:

Starcrows are extraordinarily sensitive to ambient arcane residue, particularly the kind left behind by death magic, summoning, or soul displacement.  

Silent Flight:

They glide through the air without a sound, making them easy to miss and harder still to follow.  

Non-carnivorous Scavengers:

They do not feed on meat or carrion. Instead, they appear to absorb emotional energy or life-essence traces left behind by intense trauma or powerful spells.   Though many assume they are magical constructs or minor spirits, biological examination has never successfully been performed—no captured specimen has ever survived captivity, and their bodies vanish without a trace upon death.    

Abilities (5e Stat Block Summary)

  Speed 10 ft., Fly 60 ft.
AC _________________13
HP_________________ 7 (2d4+2)
STR ________________2
DEX________________16
CON_______________12
INT ________________2
WIS________________14
CHA________________6
   

Traits:

Keen Sight:

Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.  

Soul Sense:

The Starcrow can detect the presence of a creature that has died within the past hour within 300 feet.  

Silent Flight:

The Starcrow flies without sound, gaining advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to remain unheard.  

Special Ability (1/day):

Moonflare Gaze. The Starcrow emits a brief flash of silver light from its eyes at one creature within 30 feet. That creature must make a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn and unable to cast spells that require verbal components during that time.  

Cultural Significance

Oakhaven Superstition: Pregnant women avoid traveling if starcrows are seen flying against the wind.
  Lankhmarian Thieves’ Cant: “Ye Starcrow”—meaning: Your time is almost up.
  Druidic Circles: Some believe starcrows are the first signs of leyline corruption and use their presence as a diagnostic tool.