Skitterflight Deserter
monstrosity, 2
Never initiates combat; flees at first opportunity, using its burst-flight to escape rather than fight. Only attacks if physically restrained or cornered with no escape route.
Leaf Camouflage. While motionless, the deserter has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks and is nearly indistinguishable from leaf litter.
Burst Flight. The deserter can fly up to 40 feet as a reaction when a creature moves within 10 feet of it, without provoking opportunity attacks.
Panicked Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8+2 piercing damage. The deserter only uses this when it has no path to flee.
Description
It resembles a drift of dead leaves and twigs until disturbed, at which point it explodes upward on membranous wings, revealing a many-legged body beneath. It is not hunting — it is running from something larger, and the total absence of birds or insects along its path for the past several days marks its desperate flight.
Habitat
Forest floor litter, wherever larger predators roam
Size
medium