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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/manticore

Name:
	Manticore  (Magical Creature)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 1-4
	Climate/Terrain: Any
	Frequency      : Uncommon
	Organization   : Solitary
	Activity Cycle : Any
	Diet           : Carnivore

Description:
	The manticore is a true monster, with a leonine torso and legs, batlike
	wings, and a man's head, a tail tipped with iron spikes, and an appe-
	tite for human flesh.

	The manticore stands 6 feet tall at the shoulder and measures 15 feet
	in length. It has a 25-foot wingspan. Each section of the manticure
	closely resembles the creature it imitates. The leonine torse has a
	tawny hide, the mane is a lion's brown-black color, and the batlike
	wings are dark brown with sparse hair. All manticores have heads that
	resemble human males; the mane resembles a heavy beard and long hair.

Combat:
	In combat, the manticore first fires a volley of 1-6 tail spikes (180
	yards range as a light crossbow). The manticore can fire four such vol-
	leys each day (the spikes regrow quickly). Next, the manticore closes
	with its prey and attacks with its front claws and sharp teeth. In an
	outdoor setting, the manticore tries to stay in the air to minimize its
	chance of being attacked. It is a clumsy flier, however, and cannot use
	its teeth in the air.

Habitat/Society:
	Manticores can be found in any climate but prefer warm lands to cool
	ones. This reflects the wide climate range of their favourite food,
	humans. A manticore's territory may cover 20 or more square miles and
	includes at least one human settlement. Such territories usually over-
	lap with those of other manticores and other man-eating predators like
	dragons.

	Manticores mate for life. The male remains with the female during ges-
	tation and hunts for her. Manticores bear one or two cubs which grow
	rapidly to adulthood in five years. In their first year, cubs lack fly-
	ing ability, but they are still small enough for an adult to grasp in
	its forelegs. There is a 20% chance that a she-manticore's lair holds
	cubs under one year old. Older cubs are able to inflict little damage
	with their front paws and bite.

	Manticore cubs can be caught and trained to assist evil humans. Such
	training is difficult and dangerous, especially since domesticated
	adults have an 80% chance of reverting to a wild state. Manticores will
	not allow themselves to be used as mounts. Wild adults may voluntarily
	ally themselves with evil humans, provided such allies can provide them
	with a steady, ample food supply.

	Manticores normally eat their prey where they kill it. Males sometimes
	haul slain prey back to their mates or drag still-living prey to their
	lairs for the cubs to practice killing.

	Manticores collect their victimes' valuables for a variety of reasons,
	including curiosity, emulation of other monsters who collect treasure,
	the man-scent on the things, or because they know humans value the
	things and therfore might come looking for them. Their lack of real
	hands prevents most manticores from using what magical items fall into
	their possession. However, manticores that have allied with evil humans
	may possess magical items designed specifically for their use. Examples
	include magical collars or bracelets that are, in effect, oversized
	magical rings.

Ecology:
	Manticores are wide-ranging carnivores that have successfully survived
	in every region inhabited by humans, whether in the wilderness or un-
	derground. They are nightmarish opponents but invaluable allies if con-
	ditions are right. A manticore's pelt is a mark of the most powerful
	hunters and warriors. An intact, cured manticore hide complete with
	wings is worth 10000 gold pieces.