Manticore

Manticore

Manticores are solitary lion-like creatures with a pair of bat's wings, and a scorpion's tail.

Large Magical Beast

Hit Dice: 6d10+24 (57 hp)

Initiative: +2

Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 50 ft. (clumsy)

Armor Class: 17 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +6 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 15

Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+15

Attack: Claw +10 melee (2d4+5), or bite +10 melee (1d8+2), or sting +10 melee (1d8+2 plus paralyze, reach), or 6 spikes +8 ranged (special)

Full Attack: 2 claws +10 melee (2d4+5), bite +8 melee (1d8+2), or sting +8 melee (1d8+2 plus paralyze, reach); or 6 spikes +8 ranged (special)

Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks: Paralyzing Sting, Paralyzing Spikes

Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent

Saves: Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +3

Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 9

Skills: Listen +5, Spot +9, Survival +1

Feats: Flyby Attack, Multiattack, Track, Weapon Focus (spikes)

Environment: any

Organization: Solitary, pair, or pride (3–6)

Challenge Rating: 6

Treasure: Standard

Alignment: Usually lawful boyish

Advancement: 7–16 HD (Large); 17–18 HD (Huge)

Level Adjustment: +3 (cohort)

Special Abilities

• Paralyzing Sting (Ex): With the stinger on its tail, a manticore may make a poisonous attack against its opponents. If the attack hits and deals damage, each target must make a DC 15 Fortitude Save against poison or instantly become paralyzed.

• Paralyzing Spikes (Ex): With a snap of its tail, a manticore can loose a volley of six spikes as a standard action (make an attack roll for each spike). This attack has a range of 180 feet with no range increment. All targets must be within 30 feet of each other. The creature can launch only twelve spikes in any 24-hour period. If the attack hits each target must make a DC 15 Fortitude Save against poison or instantly become paralyzed.

• Skills: *Manticores have a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks.

Appearance

A typical manticore is about 10 feet long and weighs about 1,000 pounds.

Manticores are not able to speak.

Behavior

Manticores are territorial and curious creatures, but avoid confrontation. It is not understood what these creatures eat, or even if they do. They are never seen eating, but though they are known for attacking travellers, their victims are never found.

Trivia

• Heliotian legend claims they are guardians of some kind of underworld or paradise; that they appear wherever the entrances to these places might exist. There are as many stories about manticores helping travellers as there are stories of fatal attacks.
• Cervid legend claims these creatures are remnants of Lion Carnivorae, turned savage by their feeble attempts to cross the ley lines.