Chimeras¶
Monstrous Messenger of Imminent Disaster
Legends say that chimera are heralds of imminent divine wrath or impending disaster. The greed, pride, and anger of mortal kind manifests into a monstrous three-headed beast that is part lion, ram, and dragon. The lion head craves conquest, the goat hungers for spite, and the dragon seethes with wrath. Scholars debate whether chimeras are creations of wrathful gods, foul demons, or capricious fae. Regardless, the presence of a chimera is a certain sign of disaster.
Chimeras are a classic monster in D&D, 5E, and other fantasy TTRPGs — fearsome three-headed beasts that bring destruction and calamity wherever they appear.
Chimera Lore¶
- The three heads war constantly: the lion craves conquest, the goat thirsts for cruelty, and the dragon longs to burn all to ash
- Chimera embody the sins of pride, rage, and greed given monstrous form
- Ancient myths speak of a miracle: if a chimera is slain by selfless, noble and just heroes, then the disaster it heralds may yet be averted.
- Some cultures have rituals around Chimera, treating the creature not as a foe, but as a final test of worth.
- Some scholars believe that Griffons and Manticores are distant relations, though the presence of a griffon is said to be a good omen
- Some Chimeras will attract flocks of weaker Manticores and wreak unprecedented havoc on civilized lands
Chimera Tactics¶
The three heads of the Chimera are in constant discord, leading to very unpredictable encounters. When the prideful lion head has the upper hand, the Chimera focuses on defeating the most physically powerful threat it faces. When the goat is in charge, the Chimera is intent on removing the weakest-looking foe. The spiteful dragon heads desires nothing more than to burn as many enemies to a crisp as possible.
When running a Chimera encounter, start by using the Quarreling Heads ability to determine which head is in charge. This then determines the Chimera's tactics.
Chimera Statblocks¶
Chimera¶
Chimera
Summoned with Foe FoundryLarge Monstrosity (Chimera)
AC 14 Initiative +1 (11)
HP 114 (12d10 + 48)
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 4 | -3 | -3 |
| Wis | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| Cha | 10 | +0 | +0 |
Skills Perception +8
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 18
Languages Draconic
CR 6 (2,300 XP; PB +3)
Actions
Multiattack. The chimera makes three Three-Headed Bites attacks. It may replace two attacks with a use of its Toss.
Three-Headed Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Toss. The chimera attempts to toss a medium or smaller creature within 5 feet. The creature must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw. On a failure, it takes 21 (6d6) bludgeoning damage and is thrown up to 20 feet and falls Prone. If the thrown creature collides with another creature, then that other creature must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, the other creature takes half the damage.
Dragon's Breath (Recharge 6). The chimera breathes fire in a 30 ft cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Dexterity save. On a failure, the creature takes 27 (5d10) fire damage or half as much on a success.
Bonus Actions
Quarrelling Heads. The three heads of the chimera quarrel incessantly. Roll a d6 to determine which head is in control:
- 1-2: Lion: The chimera has advantage on attack rolls against any creature with a higher AC than it.
- 3-4: Goat: When the chimera hits with an attack, the target is knocked Prone.
- 5-6: Dragon: The chimera's attacks deal an additional 1d6 fire damage. If all attacks hit, the Dragon's Breath ability recharges.
Reactions
Rampage. When a creature within 30 feet is reduced to 0 hitpoints, the chimera may move up to half its speed and make an attack.
Chimera Sovereign¶
A Chimera Sovereign is a herald of a particularly vicious disaster.
Chimera Sovereign
Summoned with Foe FoundryLarge Monstrosity (Chimera)
AC 15 Initiative +1 (11)
HP 157 (15d10 + 75)
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 20 | +5 | +5 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 20 | +5 | +9 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 4 | -3 | -3 |
| Wis | 15 | +2 | +6 |
| Cha | 18 | +4 | +4 |
Skills Perception +10, Persuasion +8
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 20
Languages Draconic
CR 10 (5,900 XP; PB +4)
Actions
Multiattack. The chimera makes three Three-Headed Bites attacks. It may replace two attacks with a use of its Toss.
Three-Headed Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 23 (4d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Toss. The chimera attempts to toss a medium or smaller creature within 5 feet. The creature must make a DC 17 Strength saving throw. On a failure, it takes 31 (9d6) bludgeoning damage and is thrown up to 30 feet and falls Prone. If the thrown creature collides with another creature, then that other creature must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, the other creature takes half the damage.
Dragon's Breath (Recharge 6). The chimera breathes fire in a 45 ft cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 17 Dexterity save. On a failure, the creature takes 42 (12d6) fire damage or half as much on a success.
Bonus Actions
Commanding Presence. The chimera chooses up to five creatures it can see within 60 feet and attempts to magically compell them to grovel. The creatures must make a DC 17 Wisdom save or be affected as by the Command spell. A creature that saves is immune to this effect for 24 hours.
Quarrelling Heads. The three heads of the chimera quarrel incessantly. Roll a d6 to determine which head is in control:
- 1-2: Lion: The chimera has advantage on attack rolls against any creature with a higher AC than it.
- 3-4: Goat: When the chimera hits with an attack, the target is knocked Prone.
- 5-6: Dragon: The chimera's attacks deal an additional 1d6 fire damage. If all attacks hit, the Dragon's Breath ability recharges.
Reactions
Just A Scratch (1/day). When the chimera is reduced to 75 hit points, it roars in defiance and gains 40 temporary hitpoints. While those temporary hitpoints are active, the chimera has advantage on all attack rolls and saving throws.
Chimera Encounter Ideas¶
- The PCs stumble across a Chimera in a charred clearing with two of its heads arguing about which will get the choice bits of the burned meal lying beside it
- A Chimera is hunting 1d4 Giant Eagles. One of the majestic eagles crashes to the ground near the PCs, who are caught in the middle of this airborne conflict
- A Death Cultist Initiate and 3d6 Cultists are preparing to sacrifice captives on a fiery altar in an attempt to bind a Chimera to their dread purpose
- A distant roar shakes the nearby trees. The PCs have entered the territory of a particularly foul-tempered Chimera Sovereign.
Chimera Adventure Ideas¶
- A well-regarded Priest of a local temple has foretold that the PCs are the destined heros who will destroy the Chimera and prevent an imminent calamity to the local region
- Someone important to the PCs has joined a new adventuring party that seeks to prove their mettle against a Chimera that has taken over a remote mining outpost. The PCs are certain the new adventurers are doomed to fail.
- A powerful Noble offers her son or daughter's hand in marriage to any brave adventurer that can rid their domain of a Chimera that plagues the land. The ruler fears the local populace see the appearance of the creature as a sign that bloody revolt is necessary to avoid certain calamity.
- A tribal commune led by a Berserker will grant the PCs what they seek (primal knowledge, access to a secret path, etc.) if they can prove their worth against the Chimera Sovereign that rules over the badlands