Shuto Tori 酒盗鳥

Small fey, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 14 (quick reflexes)

Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)

Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR 10 (+0) · DEX 18 (+4) · CON 13 (+1) · INT 10 (+0) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 14 (+2)

Skills Perception +5, Sleight Of Hand +6, Stealth +6

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages understands Common and Sylvan but can’t speak

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Traits

Sake-Sense. The shuto tori can unerringly locate the nearest container holding at least 1 pint of alcoholic beverage within 300 feet.

Nimble Flier. Opportunity attacks against the shuto tori are made with disadvantage while it is flying.

Inebriated Stupor. If the shuto tori drinks at least 1 pint of alcohol (it can do so as an action), it gains 5 temporary hit points but becomes poisoned and its flying speed becomes 0 until it finishes a short rest. A creature within 5 ft. can use an action to tip alcohol down the bird’s throat; the shuto tori automatically fails the required Dexterity save to resist.

Actions

Multiattack. The shuto tori makes two Talon attacks.

Talon. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) slashing damage. If the target is holding a bottle or flask, the shuto tori may attempt to snatch it; the target must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or drop the item, which the bird catches automatically.

Bonus Actions

Snatch & Dash. After hitting a creature with Talon, the shuto tori can move up to half its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks from that creature.

Reactions

Feather Flurry. When the shuto tori is hit by a melee attack, it can shed dazzling feathers. The attacker must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack roll before the end of its next turn.

Lore

A large bird resembling a crane that loves to steal sake; it’s usually found passed out in the fields

A large bird resembling a crane that loves to steal sake; it’s usually found passed out in the fields afterward.

Shuto Tori literally means “the bird that steals sake,” and it is usually regarded as a nuisance. According to legend, the yokai first appeared in the village of Matsue (now part of Yonago City in Tottori Prefecture), where a prosperous bachelor farmer named Kinjiro always kept a generous supply of rice wine at home. One day, while the master was away, the Shuto Tori slipped into the house, pulled a bottle and a cup from a cabinet, and then—still gripping them in its talons—flew off to its nest. An eyewitness described the creature as eagle-sized, yet shaped more like a gigantic chicken. The tales emphasize the paradoxical beauty of its plumage, but the most striking feature is its attire: elements of aristocratic dress—billowing hakama trousers and a formal court cap called a kanmuri.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, Book Two, p. 86 · Fern Flower Press