Black Wooden Horse

Large construct, Unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 51 (6d10 + 18)

Speed 60 ft., fly 90 ft.

STR 18 (+4) · DEX 13 (+1) · CON 16 (+3) · INT 2 (−4) · WIS 10 (+0) · CHA 5 (−3)

Skills Athletics +6, Acrobatics +3

Gear Ornate saddle and bridle set with precious metals and jewels (lootable, worth 250 gp)

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Traits

Construct Nature. The horse doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Mechanical Controls. A creature riding the horse can use a Bonus Action to manipulate its hidden control levers, commanding it to fly, land, or take the Dash, Disengage, or Dodge action on its turn. Without a rider manipulating the levers, the horse acts on its own instincts to protect itself, usually by fleeing or attacking whoever harmed it.

Actions

Multiattack. The horse makes two Hoof attacks.

Hoof. Melee Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) Bludgeoning damage, and the target is Prone.

Reactions

Sudden Ascent. When a creature makes a melee attack against the horse or its rider, the horse can fly up to 15 feet vertically without provoking opportunity attacks. If this movement carries the horse out of the attacker's reach, the triggering attack automatically misses.

Lore

Black Wooden Horse is a legendary flying steed carved from dark wood and ivory by a wise sorcerer in the fairy tale "The Black Wooden Horse" from "One Thousand and One Nights" that uses a hidden mechanism to carry a prince to distant lands.

In ancient Persia there once reigned a king named Sabur. He had three daughters and a single son, Prince Kamar al-Akmar. Sabur loved nothing more than throwing lavish feasts, showering nobles, travelers, and beggars with gifts.

From The Fairy Tale Compendium · Fern Flower Press