Sinbad and the Roc of Serendib

One-Shot · 6 Players · Level 8 · ~3–3.5 Hours · Greek–Arabian Crossover · Boss: Roc

📜 Session Summary

Style Greek–Arabian crossover — Cyclops toll → Diamond valley / Old Man → Roc nest boss
Win Condition Drive off or defeat the Roc of Serendib; extract Sinbad’s crew and leave the two seas unruined
Players 6 × Level 8 · Duration 3–3.5 hrs
Guest star Sinbad the Sailor (ally from the start) · Maguffin: Serendib Noon-Diamond
Minis (optional) Cyclopean, Griffin (≤2), Roc; serpents/ghul/Old Man may be tokens or description

Description

Misthaven’s mist opens onto a black-sand shore where wine-dark water meets spice-wind surf — a “crossover islet” the charts refuse to name. Sinbad the Sailor is already waiting, bruised and grinning, with a diamond that burns like noon. His crew was taken toward a cliff nest; a one-eyed giant tolls the valley; serpents glitter among stolen gems; and above it all, a rukh the size of a sky-mountain believes a false egg is her child.

"When the mountain-bird stoops for its stolen moon, flash Serendib’s noon — nest remembers sky, and sky remembers mercy."— Serendib Noon-Diamond

Crossover Setting

  • Tone: Jason-and-Argonauts energy meets One Thousand and One Nights — same wonder, two storytelling dialects.
  • Shared creatures: Cyclops / one-eyed giant (Greek and Sinbad’s voyages), griffin, roc/rukh as sky-terror, sea’s stubborn old men (Proteus ↔ Old Man of the Sea).
  • Map arc: Shore (~40×40) → valley mouth → diamond valley floor (80×40, cliffs) → nest ledge 40 ft above (30×40). Party trireme stays at anchor (flavor); fights are on land/cliff.
  • Optional intro: Mist-Broker in Misthaven before the shore scene.

Major Beats

  • Mist → Serendib shore; meet Sinbad; receive Noon-Diamond.
  • Enc. 1: Valley Cyclops toll — gift, riddle, or fight.
  • Enc. 2: Diamond valley — serpents, Old Man of the Sea, free Layla; learn false egg.
  • Enc. 3: Nest ledge — Roc; diamond (+ smash false egg) drive-off.

Creature / Enemy List

CreatureEasyMedHardNotes
Valley Cyclops1 adj11Enc. 1
Diamond Serpent123Enc. 2
Old Man of the Sea1 soft11Enc. 2
Ghul00–12Optional
Nest Griffin00–12Enc. 3
Roc of Serendibadj11Boss

Encounter 1 — The One-Eyed Toll

Medium · ~40 min · Combat or social

Overview

A Valley Cyclops blocks the only path into the diamond valley — the same breed Sinbad fled on another voyage, and the same one-eyed hunger Greek sailors swear by. Sinbad advises wit over steel.

🗺 Terrain

Valley mouth · 50×40 ft · boulder cover · cliff walls (climb DC 15). Cyclops stands in a 10-ft choke.

Mechanics

  • Non-combat path: Guest-gift (wine/food worth 25+ gp) or riddle contest (group Int/Performance DC 14, 3 successes before 3 failures) or diamond flash once to blind and sprint past (Ath DC 13).
  • Combat path: Fight as written. Poor Depth Perception matters at range.
  • Sinbad: Storyteller’s Feint + Roc-Lore Tip usable vs. cyclops (“I’ve insulted worse eyes”).
  • Victory → Long Rest in a shadowed alcove before Enc. 2. Forced sprint past → Short Rest only.

Creature Cards

Valley Cyclops (Greek / Sinbad voyage)

Large Giant, Chaotic Evil · CR 6 · Shared mythos · Mini: Cyclopean (scale up staging) or Large minotaur stand-in

AC 14 (hide)  |  HP 138 (12d10+72)  |  Speed 30 ft.

22 (+6)STR
11 (+0)DEX
20 (+5)CON
8 (−1)INT
6 (−2)WIS
10 (+0)CHA

Senses: darkvision 60 ft. · Poor Depth Perception: disadvantage on attacks beyond 30 ft.

One-Eyed Toll. Demands a “guest-gift” — wine, meat, or a riddle answered (DC 14). Sinbad mutters that he has paid this toll before… badly.

Shared Legend. Same one-eyed giant family that haunts both Aegean caves and Sinbad’s third voyage — lean into the recognition gag.

Multiattack. Two greatclub attacks.

Greatclub. +9 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (3d8+6) bludgeoning.

Rock. +9 to hit, range 30/120. Hit: 28 (4d10+6) bludgeoning.

👤

Sinbad the Sailor

Medium Humanoid (human), Chaotic Good · Quest Ally · Arabian legend in Greek mist

AC 15 (travel leathers)  |  HP 84 (13d8+26)  |  Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.

14 (+2)STR
16 (+3)DEX
14 (+2)CON
13 (+1)INT
14 (+2)WIS
16 (+3)CHA

Saves: Dex +6, Wis +5 · Skills: Athletics +5, Acrobatics +6, Persuasion +6, Survival +5 · Languages: Common, Arabic (reskin), Greek

Seven Voyages. Advantage on checks related to ships, ropes, cliffs, and “impossible” escapes. Once per short rest, when he would drop to 0 HP, he instead drops to 1 HP and may move 15 ft. without provoking.

Crossover Guest. Treat as a living legend, not a god — killable but the world persists if he falls; prefer him standing at the end.

RECRUITMENT. Already allied at session start if the party accepts his bargain. If Enc. 2’s Old Man claims a PC, Sinbad auto-Helps the escape once.

Multiattack. Two scimitar attacks, or one scimitar and Storyteller’s Feint.

Scimitar. +6 to hit. Hit: 7 (1d6+3) slashing.

Throwing Knife. +6 to hit, range 20/60. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing.

Storyteller’s Feint. One creature within 5 ft. Wis DC 14 or disadvantage on its next attack; Sinbad or an ally of his choice may move 10 ft. without provoking.

Roc-Lore Tip (1/encounter). Bonus action: grant one ally advantage on their next attack or check against the Roc or a serpent.

Serendib Noon-Diamond

Wondrous Item (maguffin), Unique

Appearance: fist-sized rough diamond, warm; flashes even under cloud

Handout (24 words). "When the mountain-bird stoops for its stolen moon, flash Serendib’s noon — nest remembers sky, and sky remembers mercy."

Enc. 1–2. Action (1/short rest): flash — one creature within 30 ft. that can see you Dex DC 13 or blinded until end of its next turn (serpents & cyclopes hate this).

Enc. 3. Action on the nest ledge in bright light or under the diamond’s own glow (once): flash at the Roc. It must succeed DC 15 Constitution or be blinded 1 round and cannot use Snatch Creature or Nest Quake that round. If the false egg (Enc. 2) is also smashed this fight, the Roc instead Disengages skyward at the end of its next turn if at ≤50% HP (preferred win).


Encounter 2 — Diamonds and the Old Man

Skill / Medium · ~50 min

Overview

The Valley of Diamonds glitter-floors underfoot. 2× Diamond-Valley Serpents hunt by vibration. Mid-valley, the Old Man of the Sea drops from a ledge onto a PC’s shoulders (Arabian classic; Greek tables may call him a Proteus-stubborn sea-wretch). Layla is bound near a pale false egg the size of a cartwheel.

🗺 Terrain

Valley floor 80×40 · diamond difficult terrain · two serpent dens · false egg on a rock shelf (AC 12 / HP 20 if smashed early — better save for Enc. 3).

Mechanics

  • Stealth path: Group Stealth/Survival DC 14 to cross without waking both serpents (one still notices on a mixed success).
  • Old Man: Riding Burden — end via Athletics contest DC 15, wine + Performance DC 14, or diamond flash (auto once). Sinbad Helps automatically the first attempt.
  • RECRUITMENT: Free Layla (Ath DC 12) → she identifies the false egg and joins Enc. 3.
  • Optional Hard: +1–2 Ghuls scavenging corpses among the gems.

Creature Cards

Diamond-Valley Serpent

Huge Beast, Unaligned · CR 3 · Arabian valley snakes (no mini required)

AC 14  |  HP 60 (8d12+8)  |  Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

18 (+4)STR
14 (+2)DEX
12 (+1)CON
2 (−4)INT
12 (+1)WIS
3 (−4)CHA

Skills: Stealth +4 · Senses: blindsight 10 ft.

Glitter Lure. Diamonds on the valley floor are difficult terrain. A creature that Dashes across them makes a Dex DC 12 save or falls prone (noise attracts a serpent if any remain hidden).

Bite. +6 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) piercing + 7 (2d6) poison (Con DC 12 or poisoned 1 min).

Constrict. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning + grapple (escape DC 14).

Old Man of the Sea (Shaikh al-Bahr)

Medium Fey / Fiendish Mariner, Neutral Evil · CR 4 · Arabian classic · Greek echo: Proteus-stubborn

AC 14  |  HP 71 (11d8+22)  |  Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

16 (+3)STR
12 (+1)DEX
14 (+2)CON
13 (+1)INT
14 (+2)WIS
15 (+2)CHA

Skills: Athletics +7, Deception +4 · Magic Resistance

Riding Burden. If it hits with Slam against a Medium or smaller creature, it grapples (escape DC 15) and rides the target’s shoulders. While riding: target is restrained, speed halved, and takes 7 (2d6) psychic at the start of each of its turns. The Old Man has half cover.

Proteus Echo. Greek tables may name him a “stubborn son of the sea.” Same monster either way — he will not leave until thrown.

Non-combat end. Athletics contest DC 15 (group help), or wine + Performance DC 14 to make him sleep, or diamond flash while grappling (auto-ends ride once).

Slam. +5 to hit. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) bludgeoning + Riding Burden attempt.

Salt Curse (Recharge 5–6). One creature within 30 ft. Con DC 13 or poisoned and speed 0 until end of its next turn.

🦅

Layla of Basra (Sinbad’s Crewmate)

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Good · CR 1 · Recruitable

AC 13  |  HP 32  |  Speed 30 ft.

12 (+1)STR
14 (+2)DEX
12 (+1)CON
11 (+0)INT
13 (+1)WIS
12 (+1)CHA

Found bound near the false egg in Enc. 2

RECRUITMENT. Free her (Ath DC 12 vs. ropes) without harm → she joins Enc. 3 with Help actions and knows which egg is false (auto-success identifying it).

Scimitar. +4. Hit: 5 (1d6+2).

Helpful Shot. Shortbow +4; or Help as a bonus action once per round while adjacent to an ally.

Ghul Scavenger

Medium Undead (or Fiend), Neutral Evil · CR 2 · Arabian · Optional clutter

AC 13  |  HP 45 (7d8+14)  |  Speed 30 ft.

15 (+2)STR
14 (+2)DEX
14 (+2)CON
10 (+0)INT
11 (+0)WIS
8 (−1)CHA

Shapechanger (hyena or jackal form — travel only) · Resist necrotic

Grave Hunger. Advantage on attacks vs. creatures at half HP or lower.

Optional. Use 0–2 on Hard Enc. 2; skip on Easy.

Claw. +4 to hit. Hit: 9 (2d6+2) slashing.

Grave Howl (1/day). Each creature of its choice within 20 ft. Wis DC 12 or frightened until end of its next turn.


Encounter 3 — The Roc of Serendib (Boss)

Hard · ~60 min

Overview

Climb or Sinbad’s rope-ladder to the nest ledge. The Roc of Serendib — rukh, sky-mountain, thief of masts and moons — wheels above her false egg. Optional 1× Nest Griffin on Hard.

🗺 Terrain

Nest ledge 30×40 · 40 ft drop to valley · false egg center · two nest pillars (AC 14 / HP 25) the Roc may smash to cause difficult debris.

Mechanics

  • Preferred win: Roc ≤50% HP after diamond finale flash, or finale flash + smash false egg this fight → she Disengages skyward (nest abandoned; true egg elsewhere someday).
  • Alternate win: 0 HP (allowed; Sinbad mourns the waste of such a bird).
  • Sinbad: focuses on freeing snatched allies / tipping Roc-Lore.
  • Layla: Help + points out false egg if recruited.
  • Persistence: no gods die; Serendib and the Aegean both keep their horizons.

Creature Cards

Roc of Serendib (Rukh)

Gargantuan Monstrosity, Unaligned · CR 11 staged Hard · BOSS · Mini: Roc · Arabian rukh / Greek sky-terror

AC 15  |  HP 198 (12d20+72) staged  |  Speed 20 ft., fly 120 ft.

28 (+9)STR
10 (+0)DEX
20 (+5)CON
3 (−4)INT
12 (+1)WIS
9 (−1)CHA

Saves: Dex +4, Con +9, Wis +5 · LR 2/day · Keen Sight mile+

Stolen Moon. A pale false egg (carved, hollow) sits in the nest — poachers planted it; the Roc believes it is hers. Smashing it (AC 12 / HP 20) while the diamond flashes enables the soft drive-off.

Persistence. Iconic sky-mountain bird — preferred win: drive off (≤50% HP + diamond finale, or diamond + smash false egg). Slaying allowed; Sinbad prefers she flee to lay a true egg elsewhere.

Siege Beak. Double damage to nest pillars / cliff anchors (objects).

Multiattack. Beak and talons.

Beak. +13 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 26 (4d8+9) piercing.

Talons. +13 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 23 (4d6+9) slashing + grapple Huge or smaller (escape DC 19).

Snatch Creature (Recharge 5–6). One grappled Medium/Small creature is lifted 30 ft. vertically (or dropped 2d6 bludgeoning if released).

Nest Quake (1/day). Wing buffet on the ledge: each creature on nest terrain Dex DC 17 or 14 (4d6) bludgeoning and knocked toward the diamond valley (Ath DC 14 or fall 40 ft. for 4d6).

Detect (1). Perception check.

Talon (1). One talons attack.

Wheel (2). Fly up to half Speed without provoking; reposition above nest or valley.

Serendib Noon-Diamond

Wondrous Item (maguffin), Unique

Appearance: fist-sized rough diamond, warm; flashes even under cloud

Handout (24 words). "When the mountain-bird stoops for its stolen moon, flash Serendib’s noon — nest remembers sky, and sky remembers mercy."

Enc. 1–2. Action (1/short rest): flash — one creature within 30 ft. that can see you Dex DC 13 or blinded until end of its next turn (serpents & cyclopes hate this).

Enc. 3. Action on the nest ledge in bright light or under the diamond’s own glow (once): flash at the Roc. It must succeed DC 15 Constitution or be blinded 1 round and cannot use Snatch Creature or Nest Quake that round. If the false egg (Enc. 2) is also smashed this fight, the Roc instead Disengages skyward at the end of its next turn if at ≤50% HP (preferred win).

👤

Sinbad the Sailor

Medium Humanoid (human), Chaotic Good · Quest Ally · Arabian legend in Greek mist

AC 15 (travel leathers)  |  HP 84 (13d8+26)  |  Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.

14 (+2)STR
16 (+3)DEX
14 (+2)CON
13 (+1)INT
14 (+2)WIS
16 (+3)CHA

Saves: Dex +6, Wis +5 · Skills: Athletics +5, Acrobatics +6, Persuasion +6, Survival +5 · Languages: Common, Arabic (reskin), Greek

Seven Voyages. Advantage on checks related to ships, ropes, cliffs, and “impossible” escapes. Once per short rest, when he would drop to 0 HP, he instead drops to 1 HP and may move 15 ft. without provoking.

Crossover Guest. Treat as a living legend, not a god — killable but the world persists if he falls; prefer him standing at the end.

RECRUITMENT. Already allied at session start if the party accepts his bargain. If Enc. 2’s Old Man claims a PC, Sinbad auto-Helps the escape once.

Multiattack. Two scimitar attacks, or one scimitar and Storyteller’s Feint.

Scimitar. +6 to hit. Hit: 7 (1d6+3) slashing.

Throwing Knife. +6 to hit, range 20/60. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing.

Storyteller’s Feint. One creature within 5 ft. Wis DC 14 or disadvantage on its next attack; Sinbad or an ally of his choice may move 10 ft. without provoking.

Roc-Lore Tip (1/encounter). Bonus action: grant one ally advantage on their next attack or check against the Roc or a serpent.

Nest Griffin

Large Monstrosity, Unaligned · CR 2 · Shared Greek / Near-Eastern bestiary · Mini ×2

AC 12  |  HP 59  |  Speed 30 ft., fly 80 ft.

18 (+4)STR
15 (+2)DEX
16 (+3)CON
2 (−4)INT
13 (+1)WIS
8 (−1)CHA

Optional Enc. 3 minions (0–2)

Nest Guard. While within 30 ft. of the Roc’s nest, advantage on Perception.

Multiattack. Beak and claws.

Beak. +6. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) piercing.

Claws. +6. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing.


⚖️ Difficulty Scaling

As Written ★ — 6 Players, Average Level 8

  • Baseline for this guide. Numbers, DCs, and win tracks assume six PCs at average level 8.

Library Standard — 6 Players, Average Level 8

  • Identical to As Written — this guide’s baseline is already 6 PCs at average level 8.

Easier

  • APL 4–6: reduce minion counts ~30%; DCs −2; boss loses one recharge or legendary option.

Harder

  • APL 10–12: boss HP +25–35%; +1 legendary action; add a lieutenant or extra wave.

📋 Appendix — Cards

Allies / Item

👤

Sinbad the Sailor

Medium Humanoid (human), Chaotic Good · Quest Ally · Arabian legend in Greek mist

AC 15 (travel leathers)  |  HP 84 (13d8+26)  |  Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.

14 (+2)STR
16 (+3)DEX
14 (+2)CON
13 (+1)INT
14 (+2)WIS
16 (+3)CHA

Saves: Dex +6, Wis +5 · Skills: Athletics +5, Acrobatics +6, Persuasion +6, Survival +5 · Languages: Common, Arabic (reskin), Greek

Seven Voyages. Advantage on checks related to ships, ropes, cliffs, and “impossible” escapes. Once per short rest, when he would drop to 0 HP, he instead drops to 1 HP and may move 15 ft. without provoking.

Crossover Guest. Treat as a living legend, not a god — killable but the world persists if he falls; prefer him standing at the end.

RECRUITMENT. Already allied at session start if the party accepts his bargain. If Enc. 2’s Old Man claims a PC, Sinbad auto-Helps the escape once.

Multiattack. Two scimitar attacks, or one scimitar and Storyteller’s Feint.

Scimitar. +6 to hit. Hit: 7 (1d6+3) slashing.

Throwing Knife. +6 to hit, range 20/60. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing.

Storyteller’s Feint. One creature within 5 ft. Wis DC 14 or disadvantage on its next attack; Sinbad or an ally of his choice may move 10 ft. without provoking.

Roc-Lore Tip (1/encounter). Bonus action: grant one ally advantage on their next attack or check against the Roc or a serpent.

🦅

Layla of Basra (Sinbad’s Crewmate)

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Good · CR 1 · Recruitable

AC 13  |  HP 32  |  Speed 30 ft.

12 (+1)STR
14 (+2)DEX
12 (+1)CON
11 (+0)INT
13 (+1)WIS
12 (+1)CHA

Found bound near the false egg in Enc. 2

RECRUITMENT. Free her (Ath DC 12 vs. ropes) without harm → she joins Enc. 3 with Help actions and knows which egg is false (auto-success identifying it).

Scimitar. +4. Hit: 5 (1d6+2).

Helpful Shot. Shortbow +4; or Help as a bonus action once per round while adjacent to an ally.

Serendib Noon-Diamond

Wondrous Item (maguffin), Unique

Appearance: fist-sized rough diamond, warm; flashes even under cloud

Handout (24 words). "When the mountain-bird stoops for its stolen moon, flash Serendib’s noon — nest remembers sky, and sky remembers mercy."

Enc. 1–2. Action (1/short rest): flash — one creature within 30 ft. that can see you Dex DC 13 or blinded until end of its next turn (serpents & cyclopes hate this).

Enc. 3. Action on the nest ledge in bright light or under the diamond’s own glow (once): flash at the Roc. It must succeed DC 15 Constitution or be blinded 1 round and cannot use Snatch Creature or Nest Quake that round. If the false egg (Enc. 2) is also smashed this fight, the Roc instead Disengages skyward at the end of its next turn if at ≤50% HP (preferred win).

👤

The Mist-Broker (Optional Hook Face)

Medium Fey (Hermes-touched) or Genie-touched Merchant · Optional

Only needed if you want a Misthaven intro before Sinbad speaks

Line. "Two seas are arguing over one sky. The sailor already knows the mountain’s name."

Handoff. Pushes the party through mist onto Serendib’s black shore; Sinbad is waiting with the diamond.

Creatures

Valley Cyclops (Greek / Sinbad voyage)

Large Giant, Chaotic Evil · CR 6 · Shared mythos · Mini: Cyclopean (scale up staging) or Large minotaur stand-in

AC 14 (hide)  |  HP 138 (12d10+72)  |  Speed 30 ft.

22 (+6)STR
11 (+0)DEX
20 (+5)CON
8 (−1)INT
6 (−2)WIS
10 (+0)CHA

Senses: darkvision 60 ft. · Poor Depth Perception: disadvantage on attacks beyond 30 ft.

One-Eyed Toll. Demands a “guest-gift” — wine, meat, or a riddle answered (DC 14). Sinbad mutters that he has paid this toll before… badly.

Shared Legend. Same one-eyed giant family that haunts both Aegean caves and Sinbad’s third voyage — lean into the recognition gag.

Multiattack. Two greatclub attacks.

Greatclub. +9 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (3d8+6) bludgeoning.

Rock. +9 to hit, range 30/120. Hit: 28 (4d10+6) bludgeoning.

Diamond-Valley Serpent

Huge Beast, Unaligned · CR 3 · Arabian valley snakes (no mini required)

AC 14  |  HP 60 (8d12+8)  |  Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

18 (+4)STR
14 (+2)DEX
12 (+1)CON
2 (−4)INT
12 (+1)WIS
3 (−4)CHA

Skills: Stealth +4 · Senses: blindsight 10 ft.

Glitter Lure. Diamonds on the valley floor are difficult terrain. A creature that Dashes across them makes a Dex DC 12 save or falls prone (noise attracts a serpent if any remain hidden).

Bite. +6 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) piercing + 7 (2d6) poison (Con DC 12 or poisoned 1 min).

Constrict. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning + grapple (escape DC 14).

Old Man of the Sea (Shaikh al-Bahr)

Medium Fey / Fiendish Mariner, Neutral Evil · CR 4 · Arabian classic · Greek echo: Proteus-stubborn

AC 14  |  HP 71 (11d8+22)  |  Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

16 (+3)STR
12 (+1)DEX
14 (+2)CON
13 (+1)INT
14 (+2)WIS
15 (+2)CHA

Skills: Athletics +7, Deception +4 · Magic Resistance

Riding Burden. If it hits with Slam against a Medium or smaller creature, it grapples (escape DC 15) and rides the target’s shoulders. While riding: target is restrained, speed halved, and takes 7 (2d6) psychic at the start of each of its turns. The Old Man has half cover.

Proteus Echo. Greek tables may name him a “stubborn son of the sea.” Same monster either way — he will not leave until thrown.

Non-combat end. Athletics contest DC 15 (group help), or wine + Performance DC 14 to make him sleep, or diamond flash while grappling (auto-ends ride once).

Slam. +5 to hit. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) bludgeoning + Riding Burden attempt.

Salt Curse (Recharge 5–6). One creature within 30 ft. Con DC 13 or poisoned and speed 0 until end of its next turn.

Ghul Scavenger

Medium Undead (or Fiend), Neutral Evil · CR 2 · Arabian · Optional clutter

AC 13  |  HP 45 (7d8+14)  |  Speed 30 ft.

15 (+2)STR
14 (+2)DEX
14 (+2)CON
10 (+0)INT
11 (+0)WIS
8 (−1)CHA

Shapechanger (hyena or jackal form — travel only) · Resist necrotic

Grave Hunger. Advantage on attacks vs. creatures at half HP or lower.

Optional. Use 0–2 on Hard Enc. 2; skip on Easy.

Claw. +4 to hit. Hit: 9 (2d6+2) slashing.

Grave Howl (1/day). Each creature of its choice within 20 ft. Wis DC 12 or frightened until end of its next turn.

Nest Griffin

Large Monstrosity, Unaligned · CR 2 · Shared Greek / Near-Eastern bestiary · Mini ×2

AC 12  |  HP 59  |  Speed 30 ft., fly 80 ft.

18 (+4)STR
15 (+2)DEX
16 (+3)CON
2 (−4)INT
13 (+1)WIS
8 (−1)CHA

Optional Enc. 3 minions (0–2)

Nest Guard. While within 30 ft. of the Roc’s nest, advantage on Perception.

Multiattack. Beak and claws.

Beak. +6. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) piercing.

Claws. +6. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing.

Roc of Serendib (Rukh)

Gargantuan Monstrosity, Unaligned · CR 11 staged Hard · BOSS · Mini: Roc · Arabian rukh / Greek sky-terror

AC 15  |  HP 198 (12d20+72) staged  |  Speed 20 ft., fly 120 ft.

28 (+9)STR
10 (+0)DEX
20 (+5)CON
3 (−4)INT
12 (+1)WIS
9 (−1)CHA

Saves: Dex +4, Con +9, Wis +5 · LR 2/day · Keen Sight mile+

Stolen Moon. A pale false egg (carved, hollow) sits in the nest — poachers planted it; the Roc believes it is hers. Smashing it (AC 12 / HP 20) while the diamond flashes enables the soft drive-off.

Persistence. Iconic sky-mountain bird — preferred win: drive off (≤50% HP + diamond finale, or diamond + smash false egg). Slaying allowed; Sinbad prefers she flee to lay a true egg elsewhere.

Siege Beak. Double damage to nest pillars / cliff anchors (objects).

Multiattack. Beak and talons.

Beak. +13 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 26 (4d8+9) piercing.

Talons. +13 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 23 (4d6+9) slashing + grapple Huge or smaller (escape DC 19).

Snatch Creature (Recharge 5–6). One grappled Medium/Small creature is lifted 30 ft. vertically (or dropped 2d6 bludgeoning if released).

Nest Quake (1/day). Wing buffet on the ledge: each creature on nest terrain Dex DC 17 or 14 (4d6) bludgeoning and knocked toward the diamond valley (Ath DC 14 or fall 40 ft. for 4d6).

Detect (1). Perception check.

Talon (1). One talons attack.

Wheel (2). Fly up to half Speed without provoking; reposition above nest or valley.