Ye Olde Shoppe of Magicks – Rotorhawk (Scalable)

Rotorhawk

Tiny Construct, Neutral

Armor Class 14 (arcane alloy plating)
Hit Points 21 (6d4 + 6)
Speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

STR 6 (−2) | DEX 18 (+4) | CON 12 (+1) | INT 10 (+0) | WIS 14 (+2) | CHA 8 (−1)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +4
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Damage Resistances: lightning, force, nonmagical bludgeoning/piercing/slashing
Condition Immunities: charmed, poisoned, exhaustion, frightened
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +6
Languages – Understands the languages of its creator and owner but cannot speak
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Description
A Rotorhawk is a clockwork raptor forged from blackened steel and whirring gears. Four rotating “blade-wings” shimmer with faint blue runes, emitting a soft hum even when idle. Its eyes glow amber as targeting lenses whir into focus. It perches calmly on its ranger’s shoulder — until battle begins, when it launches with a shriek of spinning blades and arcane fire.

Traits

• Arcane Guidance. While perched on its master’s shoulder, the Rotorhawk grants the ranger advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks involving sight or hearing.
• Miniaturized Weapons Array (Recharge 5–6). The Rotorhawk can unleash stored arcane energy in a flurry of projectiles. This functions as the magic missile spell (1st level), creating three glowing bolts of force (1d4+1 each). At 7th level or higher, the ranger can upgrade the array to fire as a 2nd-level magic missile (four bolts).
• Rotor Disengage. When a creature targets the Rotorhawk with an attack, it can use its reaction to gain +4 AC until the start of its next turn by rapidly spinning its rotors to deflect the blow.
• Flyby. The Rotorhawk’s training and design allow it to dart in and out of combat with lightning precision. The Rotorhawk doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
• Mechanical Familiar. If reduced to 0 HP, the Rotorhawk explodes in a harmless puff of smoke and gears. It can be reassembled by either a ranger or artificer with 1 hour of work and 25 gp of materials.

Actions

• Blade Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage.
• Missile Barrage (Recharge 5–6). The Rotorhawk unleashes its magic missile array as described above.
• Multiattack (Tier 2+) The Rotorhawk makes two attacks: one with Steel Talons and one with Magic Missile Pods.
• Steel Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 4 slashing damage.
• Magic Missile Pods (Recharge 5–6). The Rotorhawk releases a flurry of arcane bolts. At base tier, fires one dart (1d4 + 1 force). Each higher tier adds one dart. Targets are chosen individually within 120 ft.
• Mini-Rocket Barrage (Tier 3+). Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 60/240 ft., one target or 10-ft radius. Hit: 2d8 fire + 1d8 thunder damage. On a failed DC 14 Dex save, creatures in the area are knocked prone by concussive force.
• Tactical Flyby (Recharge 5–6). (Tier 3+) As part of its movement, the Rotorhawk can perform a high-speed strafing maneuver. Until the start of its next turn, it does not provoke opportunity attacks and can make one ranged attack against a creature it flies past.

Bonus Actions

• Evasive Rotor Spin. The Rotorhawk spins its rotors in a burst of air and light. Until the start of its next turn, it gains +2 AC and advantage on Dexterity saves.
• Target Lock (Tier 2+). As a bonus action, the Rotorhawk locks onto one creature it can see within 60 ft. Its next ranged attack against that creature has advantage, and deals +1d6 damage.

Lair Actions (optional for boss-encounters or downtime hangar scenes)

• Self-Repair Protocol: The Rotorhawk regains 10 HP at the start of its turn if it hasn’t taken damage since its last turn.
• Recon Sweep: Emits a sonar ping (30-ft radius) revealing invisible or hidden creatures until the end of the next round.
• Sonic Disruption: Emits a blaring rotor screech — creatures within 20 ft. must succeed on a DC 13 Con save or have disadvantage on spell concentration checks until end of next turn.

Scalable Mechanics

Ranger Level	Rotorhawk Tier	HP	AC	Attack Bonus	Damage Dice	Special
3-6	1 Recon Drone	45	15	+5	1d6	Magic Missile (2 darts)
7-10	2 Assault Drone	60	16	+6	1d8	Rocket Burst (3 darts)
11-14	3 Strike Drone	75	17	+7	2d8	Storm Barrage (4 darts)
15+	Warhawk Prime	90	18	+8	3d8	Give ‘Em Hell (6 darts +Lighting Damage)

Linked Communication Matrix (starts at tier 2) The Rotorhawk maintains a constant mental and auditory connection with its bonded owner through a blend of arcane resonance and mechanical telemetry. Range: 1 mile (extends to 10 miles at Tier 3+, unlimited on the same plane at Tier 4) Type: Telepathic or Vocal (see below)

Description: The Rotorhawk’s internal core translates its thought-signals into understandable phrases for its master, often in a clipped, analytical tone — or, if flavored more whimsically, a chirpy personality.

Modes of Communication

• Arcane Telemetry (default):
• The Ranger hears a calm, synthetic “voice” in their mind — the Rotorhawk’s AI spirit communicating status, warnings, and target data.
• Allows silent communication in stealth missions or coordinated combat.
• Can transmit sensory data like heat signatures, enemy direction, or danger proximity.

Tactical Benefit While the link is active:

• The Ranger has advantage on Perception checks relying on sight or hearing when the Rotorhawk is airborne within range.
• Once per short rest, the Rotorhawk can use a Free Action to warn its master of an incoming threat — granting advantage on one Dexterity saving throw or avoiding surprise in combat.
• If destroyed, the Rotorhawk transmits a final distress beacon revealing its location for 1 minute before shutting down.

Personality
The Rotorhawk is loyal and pragmatic, often emitting low chirps that sound suspiciously like a rotating engine. It occasionally performs little “fly-by” maneuvers around campfires to show off, and tends to perch facing outward — ever vigilant, its rotors idling like a cat’s purr.

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Rotorhawk base images were built using ChatGPT using prompts by Alien Graphics ©2025 Alien Graphics

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