Encounter Anecdote
The breach had barely sealed when they arrived. Not through it—over it. Thin shapes circling the tear like gulls over a battlefield. One landed beside the crystallized remains of the anomaly and began peeling it apart with delicate, hooked claws. When we advanced, it only hopped backward, waiting. Watching. Measuring whether we were food—or future food.
Taxonomies
Threat Level: Low (individual), Moderate (group over extended exposure)
Biome: Universal — Ruins, Battlefields, Breach Sites, Disaster Zones
Intelligence Level: Animal (Clever)
Power Category: Dimensional
Origin: Unknown Extradimensional Ecosystem
Physical Form: Lean Quadruped with Membranous Gliding Wings
Behavioral Disposition: Opportunistic, Patient, Non-Aggressive Unless Provoked
Environmental Interaction: Residual Energy Consumption, Dimensional Scent Tracking, Boundary Thinning
Social Structure: Loose Flocks
Narrative Role: Aftermath Cleaner, Breach Indicator, Slow Escalation Hazard
Physical Description
Carrion Gliders are gaunt, long-limbed creatures roughly the size of large dogs, with elongated forelimbs that stretch into leathery membranes for silent gliding. Their hides are mottled gray and violet, blending easily into smoke, ash, or twilight.
Their heads are narrow and beak-like, lined with fine, flexible teeth suited for scraping residue rather than tearing flesh. Eyes glow faintly amber in darkness. When perched, they fold themselves into angular silhouettes like broken scaffolding.
They rarely flap to fly; instead, they launch from height and drift on subtle air currents—or on invisible distortions left behind by dimensional instability.
Overview
Carrion Gliders are not predators in the traditional sense. They feed on residual dimensional energy—the “aftertaste” of breaches, summoned entities, collapsed portals, magical detonations, and reality distortions.
Unfortunately, their feeding behavior has consequences.
As they scrape and ingest these residues, they unintentionally:
Thin local dimensional fabric.
Reactivate dormant micro-rifts.
Attract other entities that follow instability.
Cause environmental “echo overlaps” (brief terrain duplication, phantom architecture, displaced objects).
A single glider causes minor flickers. A flock circling a major disaster site can prolong instability for days or weeks.
They are not malicious. In fact, they often reduce long-term contamination by consuming dangerous residue. The problem lies in the short-term turbulence their feeding produces.
Behavior
Arrive quickly after large-scale dimensional events.
Avoid direct combat unless cornered.
Withdraw once residue is depleted.
Compete with others through intimidation displays rather than violence.
If attacked, they slash defensively and attempt to glide to safety. They do not pursue fleeing prey unless it is already weakened.
Encounter Frequency and Usage
Extremely Common in any Altered Dimension experiencing frequent breaches.
Use Carrion Gliders to:
Signal that a breach recently occurred.
Complicate cleanup operations.
Prolong instability in a “secured” area.
Create environmental hazards without introducing an active villain.
They are ecological consequences, not antagonists.
OpenD6 Stat Block
Attributes:
Strength: 3D
Dexterity: 4D
Intelligence: 2D
Perception: 5D
Wits: 3D
Presence: 2D
Skills:
Glide 6D
Tracking (Dimensional Residue) 6D
Brawling 4D
Stealth 4D
Special Abilities:
Residue Sense: Automatically detects recent dimensional disturbances within long range.
Energy Consumption: Feeding reduces long-term anomaly risk but triggers short-term instability effects.
Boundary Disturbance: While feeding, minor spatial distortions occur within short radius.
Glide Escape: May disengage vertically without provoking standard pursuit penalties.
Scavenger’s Patience: Gains advantage when attacking wounded or weakened targets.
Typical Gear: None
Basic Fantasy Stat Block
Armor Class: 14
Hit Dice: 3 (13 hp average)
Move: 30 ft., glide 60 ft.
Attacks: Claws (1d6)
Special: Detects recent breaches; feeding causes minor reality distortions; surprise on 1–3 near anomaly sites
Morale: 7
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 60
Design Note
The Carrion Glider fills the “ecological aftermath scavenger” niche. It spreads not through conquest but through opportunity. Its presence tells players: Something happened here—and reality hasn’t fully healed.
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