Xenobiology 101 - Harpy Eagle for D&D 5e and Mutants & Masterminds 3e

The harpy eagle is a very large natural bird of prey, second only in size to the Andean condor. Rainforests are their natural habitat. They can grow as tall as 41″–the height of a seated man! Fully grown, the birds weigh up to 20 pounds/9kg for females and 11 pounds/5kg for males (typically, male raptors are considerably smaller than females of the same species) with a wingspan of 6.5′.

They can take prey as large as monkeys and sloth and their talons, larger than a bear’s, can kill prey instantly. Harpy eagles can be handled and trained by falconers, like any other bird of prey–although only a large, strong person could bear the weight of a harpy eagle perched on their arm for long. Surprisingly, considering their size and weight, these birds are quite stealthy and agile, even flying straight up! Like all raptors they have very good long distance vision. While capable of bursts of speed, they spend hours perching quietly, watching and waiting for prey.

Harpy eagles are dark grey and their spread wings are white and grey on the underside. When threatened, some of the head feathers fan out into a crest. Harpy eagles also have a “facial disc,” an arrangement of feathers around the front of the head that may focus sound waves.

Design & Play Notes: The harpy eagle (Harpia harpja) is a very real bird of prey I discovered surfing the internet. As usual, I couldn’t resist creating stats. Today I present stats for my 2 favorite d20 systems, D&D 5e and Mutants & Masterminds. Low-level fantasy PCs in tropical areas might encounter a harpy eagle in the wild. Pulp M&M heroes may also encounter them while adventuring in South American rainforests–or in those “lost worlds/islands/valleys” found on a number of comic-book Earths. Environmentally-minded modern heroes (or even villains) of all power levels might champion this bird, endangered by logging, loss of habitat, and sport hunting. M&M PCs who can shift into animals can also use the M&M statblock for a new form with GM okay.

HARPY EAGLE
System: D&D5e
Medium Beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 13
Hit Points 19 (3d8 + 6)
Speed: 10′, fly 60′

Strength 12 (+1)
Dexterity 16 (+3)
Constitution 10 (+0)
Intelligence 2 (-4)
Wisdom 12 (+1)
Charisma 5 (-3)

Skills: Perception +3, Stealth +5
Passive Perception +13

Languages —

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Abilities
Keen Sight. The harpy eagle has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

ACTIONS
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: Hit: 6 (2d4 + 1) piercing damage.

Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.

HARPY EAGLE
System: Mutants & Masterminds 3e
Concept: Animal Power Level: 4 (44 PP)

Combat: Attack [Unarmed +7]; Init + 4
Defenses: Dodge +4, Parry +3, Toughness +2, Fortitude +4, Willpower +2

Abilities: STR 2; STA 2; AGI 4; DEX 0; FIG 3; INT -4; AWE 2; PRE 1

Skills: Acrobatics 4 (+8), Close Combat: Unarmed 4 (+7), Perception 6 (+8), Stealth 4 (+9)

Powers: Flight 5 (Subtle, Wings); Senses 2 (Extended Vision, Low-light Vision); Shrinking 1 (Innate, Permanent)

Abilities 20 + Defenses 3 + Advantages 0 + Skills 9 (18 Ranks) + Powers 12 = 44 PP

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Linda Whitson

Contributing Writer & Copy Editor at D20 Radio

Linda Whitson is a long-time RPGer, amateur musician & artist, & an officer in the Rebel Legion Star Wars costuming club. Linda met her husband in an AD&D game and they have 2 teenagers, an anime fangirl daughter and a son who plays on his university's quidditch team. She is the Lead Mod of D20 Radio's forums and Copy Editor for the blog. Linda can be reached at GMLinda@d20radio.com