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Create a Random Holiday NPC: Hollyclaw, the Festive Chimera

What happens when the iconic symbols of different holidays converge into a single entity? You get Hollyclaw, the Festive Chimera—a creature equal parts friend and foe, depending on how your

party treats the spirit of the season. Hollyclaw can be a helpful guide or a chaotic adversary, bringing thematic flair to your holiday campaign. Below, you’ll find their lore, a stat block, and suggestions for using Hollyclaw in your game.

Lore

Hollyclaw is a magical amalgamation of holiday traditions given life. Its lion body is wreathed in tinsel and lights, its antlers shimmer with frost, and its serpent tail resembles a coiled string of enchanted fairy lights. Hollyclaw is drawn to places where holiday celebrations are most vibrant, feeding on the joy and camaraderie of the season. However, if it senses greed, selfishness, or apathy, its festive cheer can turn to chaos, and it will test mortals to determine their worthiness.

Hollyclaw, the Festive Chimera

Large Monstrosity, Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 136 (16d10 + 48)
Speed: 40 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)

Saving Throws: Dex +5, Cha +6
Skills: Insight +5, Performance +6, Perception +5
Damage Resistances: Cold, Radiant
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
Languages: Common, Sylvan

Festive Aura. Creatures within 20 feet of Hollyclaw feel the spirit of the season. At the start of their turn, they must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be affected by one of the following

effects (Hollyclaw’s choice):

• Cheerful: Gain temporary hit points equal to Hollyclaw’s Charisma modifier (+3).
• Distracted: Have disadvantage on attack rolls against Hollyclaw until the start of their next turn.

Holiday Spirit Recharge (1/Day). Hollyclaw can cast Heroes’ Feast without requiring material components.

Actions

Multiattack. Hollyclaw makes three attacks: one with its bite, one with its claws, and one with its tail.

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
• Tail Lash. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 2) radiant damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Legendary Actions (Optional) Hollyclaw can take up to 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn.

• Gift of Light. Hollyclaw causes a burst of radiant light to explode in a 10-foot radius. Creatures of Hollyclaw’s choice within range take 8 radiant damage (no save) and are blinded until the end of their next turn.
• Holiday Challenge. Hollyclaw teleports up to 30 feet to a creature within its line of sight, challenging them with a low growl. The creature must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.

Using Hollyclaw in Your Campaign

As a Friendly Ally: Hollyclaw might appear as a whimsical guide, assisting adventurers in their holiday mission. It could offer cryptic advice, use its Heroes’ Feast to bolster morale, or defend the party against a common foe. Play up its quirky personality, having it speak in rhymes or burst into spontaneous carols.

As an Adversary: If the party’s actions displease Hollyclaw, it might shift from ally to antagonist. Perhaps the adventurers are tasked with defending a greedy town from Hollyclaw’s wrath, or maybe they’ve been selfish themselves, and Hollyclaw wants to teach them a lesson. Its Festive Aura and radiant abilities can make for a memorable and thematic battle.

A Moral Dilemma: Hollyclaw’s motives may not be entirely clear. Is it truly malevolent, or is it trying to protect the spirit of the season? The party might need to choose between fighting it outright or finding a way to appease its demands, such as restoring an abandoned holiday tradition or helping a town rediscover its joy.

Bring Hollyclaw into your game this season to add a touch of holiday magic, mischief, or mayhem. Whether as a friend, foe, or something in between, this festive chimera is sure to make your holiday session unforgettable! If Hollyclaw becomes a foe, perhaps he returns with the seasonal end of the year more potent than last year to exact revenge on naughty adventurers. But that is up to you to decide.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!