Monster: Carrion-wing

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Carrion-wing

This tattered vulture has blackened feather, glowing red eyes, and a faint luminescent-green outline around its silhouette.

CR 2; XP 600
CE Small Undead
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +8

Defense
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 22 (4d8+4)
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +5
Immunities undead traits

Offense
Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft. (average)
Melee beak +4 (1d6)
Special Attacks carrion-mark, sneak attack +2d6

Statistics
Str 10, Dex 14, Con —, Int 9, Wis 13, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14
Feats Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes
Skills Fly +11, Knowledge (religion) +6, Perception +8
Languages Common, Necril

Ecology
Environment ruins, plains, hills
Organization solitary, pair, or flock (3–24)
Treasure standard (trinkets gathered from its prey)

Special Abilities

Carrion-Mark (Su) A carrion-wing can take an immediate action to mark a living (or dead) creature within its line of sight as touched by death. The target has to be dead, dying (including stable), disabled, diseased, or bleeding. The mark can be removed with break enchantment, dispel evil, or remove curse, but otherwise it lasts until the carrion-wing that placed the mark is destroyed, persisting even through death and revival. The carrion-wing can always sense the direction and distance toward bearers of its carrion-marks as long as they are on the same plane, and can sense when they are dead or revived. When making an attack against bearer of its carrion-mark, a carrion-wing can apply its sneak attack to the damage dealt.


Carrion-wings are undead vultures, giant ravens, and similar carrion birds ridden by a malevolent wight-spirit. They often feast on the dead, and they prey on creatures that are close to death—wounded, diseased, dying—stalking and observing their targets even if they recover. Sometimes they get a sick liking to their victims, following them and preying on those who get near death while around their favorites, they also often accompany necromancers and more powerful undead, ruthless conquerors, evil outsiders, and malicious fey.