Flying Bison

Incarnate: The Last of the Lacers

Flying Bison CR: 8

Huge beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 168 (16d12 + 64)

Speed: 25 ft , fly: 60 ft

STR

21 +5

DEX

11 +0

CON

18 +4

INT

4 -3

WIS

12 +1

CHA

8 -1

Saving Throws: Str +8, Con +7

Senses: passive Perception 11

Challenge Rating: 8

Basic Air Bending.

The bison can initiate basic air bending effects as a 5th-level lacer.

Dive.

If the bison is flying and dives at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a slam attack, the attack deals an extra 28 (5d10) bludgeoning damage to the target. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone.

Sure-Footed.

The bison has advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against effects that would knock it prone.

Actions

Multiattack.

The tamaraw makes two attacks: one slam attack and one gore attack.

Slam.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (3d12 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Gore.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (4d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Air Blast (Recharge 5-6).

The tamaraw lifts it tail and then slams it down, blasting air in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw. A creature takes 28 (5d10) bludgeoning damage on a failed save and is pushed 30 feet away and knocked prone. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and is not pushed or knocked prone.

The flying bison is a huge flying creature with six legs. Despite its enormous size and strength, the bison is able to float in the air effortlessly. The bison is a fairly intelligent creature, and is able to be trained as a creature capable of carrying people over long distances very quickly.
Vegetarians. A bison begins its life at a fraction of its adult size. Bison calves cannot ly, although quickly learn the skill within several weeks of being born. Bison use their ability to float to graze leaves from the tops of trees that other animals would not be able to reach. Their hardy constitutions allows them to eat prickly pinecones and other vegetation as well.
The Original Air Benders. It is said that the air benders originally learned the skill from the bison, who saw them floating in the sky and learned to do it themselves. Air Benders will often tattoo themselves with the markings of the bison, paying homage to what they see as a spirit animal for all air benders. The four great air sanctuaries were constructed in the mountains in which bison make their homes. While the bison do float in the air, many scholars have noted that this does not, in the strictest sense, seem to be actual air bending. To remain aloft with air bending would require powerful winds to buffet a person in the air, even moreso for a creature as large as the bison. Despite this, the winds around a flying bison are always described as calm, and peaceful. They seem to simply hover, defying gravity.
Versatile Companions. As the bison's home territory overlaps with air bending sanctuaries, these sanctuaries often have people dedicated to the taming of the bison. The bison are loyal companions, and can come to see people as part of its own herd. Bison form powerful bonds with their human companions, and will defend these people with all their power in the face of danger. Bison are often used to travel across the world, their ability to ly at great speeds and hold hundreds of pounds aloft without issue making them the perfect long-distance traveling companion. Bison are happy to make these journeys, and are at home in the skies.