🧙 Istivin Naerindyth

Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil

Armor Class 16 (mage armor)
Hit Points 110 (13d8+52)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Int +7, Con +8
Skills Arcana +7, Perception +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Draconic

Aby	Sco	Mod
STR	9	-1
DEX	14	+2
CON	18	+4
INT	17	+3
WIS	12	+1
CHA	13	+1

Traits

Arcane Rider. Advantage on concentration checks while mounted. Can cast from mount’s space.

Evasive Flyer. While mounted and flying, ranged attacks against Istivin are at disadvantage unless the attacker is within 30 ft.

Spellcasting (Spell save DC 15, +7 to hit)

At will: fire bolt, ray of frost
3/day: mirror image, misty step, suggestion
2/day: lightning bolt, fear
1/day: greater invisibility

Actions

Arcane Lance. Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, 120 ft.
Hit: 21 (6d6) force damage

🦟 Advanced Foulwing

reddit / 5e Foulwing

Large monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 15
Hit Points 135 (18d10+36)
Speed 20 ft., fly 80 ft.
Skills Perception +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft.

Aby	Sco	Mod
STR	18	+4
DEX	16	+3
CON	15	+2
INT	2	-4
WIS	12	+1
CHA	5	-3

Traits

Flyby. No opportunity attacks when it flies away.

Blood Frenzy. Advantage on attacks against creatures that aren’t at full HP.

Skirmisher Instinct. If it hits with a sting, it can move up to half its speed without provoking.

Actions

Multiattack. Bite + Sting

Bite. +8 to hit, 5 ft.
Hit: 13 (2d8+4) piercing

Sting. +8 to hit, 10 ft.
Hit: 15 (2d10+4) piercing + 10 (3d6) poison
→ DC 15 Con save or poisoned until end of next turn

Latch (on Sting hit). Grapple (escape DC 15).
While attached:
* Target takes 10 (3d6) necrotic at start of turn
* Foulwing heals same amount

Blood Drain (Recharge 5–6)
Target must be poisoned or grappled
→ 27 (6d8) necrotic, foulwing heals half

Running the Encounter

Tactics

Opens with mirror image or greater invisibility
Uses mount mobility to stay airborne and out of melee
Drops lightning bolt from above
Uses misty step if dismounted

Typical Round

Foulwing swoops in → sting + bite
Istivin casts from above (Fireball or Hold Person)
Flyby retreat

Opening

Istivin casts mirror image or greater invisibility
Foulwing dives → sting → reposition

Mid Fight

Istivin uses:
- Fear to scatter the party
- Suggestion to disrupt a key player
- Lightning Bolt when 2+ targets line up

Movement Pattern

Dive → attack → fly 40–80 ft. away
Force ranged responses or ready actions

Don’t play Istivin like a suicidal wizard.
He should:
* Stay airborne
* Retreat if bloodied (~40 HP)
* Use terrain (trees, ruins, clouds)

Dials at the table

If it’s too easy:
* Give Istivin Shield (reaction, 3/day)
* Let foulwing auto-latch on sting hit
If it’s too hard:
* Remove Fear
* Reduce foulwing HP by ~30