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

Physical Base Bonus: +5

Mental Base Bonus: +2

Attack: Melee + (Claw 2d4+5, or Bite 1d8+5, or Tail Whip 1d + , reach)

Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks: Lion's Roar, Tail Whip, Snatch

Saves: Fort +, Ref +, Will +, Wit +

Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 9

Skills: Athletics +, Flight +, Initiative +, Intimidation +, Perception +, Survival +

Racial Features: Darkvision 60 ft., Flying, Lion's Roar, Low-light Vision

Feats: Scent,

Talents: Fledgeling Training, Basic Flight Training, Rookie Training

Maneuvers: [Flight G1], [Flight G1], [Flight G2], Snatch [Flight G2], [Athletic G1], Tail Whip [Athletic G1]

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

• Snatch (Ex) [Flight, Racial]:

Prerequisite: Flight, Strength 17+

Benefit: The steed has the ability to snatch flightless opponents off the ground and carry them into the sky. When attacking from the air, the animal makes a normal attack with its natural weapon. This attack must enable the steed to carry off the opponent. Thus, it must be a bite, a claw, or some other attack that would enable the steed to get ahold of its opponent. If the attack is successful, the steed may immediately make a Grapple check as a Free Action and without provoking an Attack of Opportunity. If the Grapple is also successful, the steed snatches the target off the ground and may carry it away. The target of this attack must be at least one size smaller than the creature making the Snatch.

• 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.