Page 67 - Serpent Kingdoms
P. 67

MONSTERS


                      This large, birdlike reptile has a long, toothy beak, a thin   Treasure: None
                      headcrest, sharp talons, and small claws at the joints of its   Alignment: Always neutral
                      leathery wings. Its eyes are large and yellow, and its scaly skin   Advancement: 19–36 HD (Gargantuan), 37–54 HD (Colossal)
                      sprouts small tufts of downy feathers.
                                                                         This immense creature walks on four short but massive legs.
                     Pteranadons  are  large  pterosaurs  occasionally  used  as  fl ying   Two rows of bony plates line its back, and its tail is covered
                     mounts.                                             in long, bony spikes. Its head is relatively small, and its mouth
                                                                         ends in a powerful beak.
                                        COMBAT
                     Pteranadons are fi shers, used to hunting their prey on the wing.   The stegosaurus is an immense yet stupid herbivore often found
                     They do not generally like to fl y into a raging melee on the   in the plains and jungles, where it feasts on grasses, plants, and
                     ground, but are more comfortable in the swoops and dives of   leaves.  These  creatures  are  most  often  encountered  in  herds,
                     aerial combat with other fl ying creatures or mounts.  which are vicious enough as a group that only the most brazen
                       Carrying Capacity: A light load for a pteranadon is up to   predators dare attack them.
                     300 pounds; a medium load, 301–600 pounds; and a heavy load,     The stegosaurus has a small head and a tiny brain. Its mouth
                     601–900 pounds. A pteranadon can drag 4,500 pounds.  is a powerful beak, and its thick legs end in round feet studded
                                                                       with hoofl ike claws. Its hind legs are longer and stronger than its
                                    IN THE REALMS                      front ones, allowing it to rear up to get at leaves high above the
                     Like most dinosaurs, the pteranadon is native to the jungles   ground. The two rows of bony, leaf-shaped plates along its neck,
                     of Chult and is not regularly encountered anywhere else. Some   back, and tail are used for the collection and dispersion of heat.
                     of the more powerful creatures of Chult train pteranadons to   These plates give way to vicious spikes at the end of an unusually
                     actively hunt those who would intrude on their territory.  muscular tail.

                               TRAINING A PTERANADON                                       COMBAT
                     Training a pteranadon to bear a rider requires six weeks of work   The stegosaurus is by and large a peaceful animal, but it is quick
                     and a DC 25 Handle Animal check, and an exotic saddle is   to defend itself from predators and hunters. When threatened,
                     needed to balance upon the creature’s back. A pteranadon can   it uses its two front hooves to kick opponents while swinging its
                     fi ght while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack   mighty tail about, catching its enemies with the vicious spikes.
                     unless a Ride check is successful.                  Powerful Charge (Ex): A stegosaurus typically begins a battle
                                                                       by charging at its opponent. In addition to the normal benefi ts
                     Stegosaurus                                       and hazards of a charge, this tactic allows the creature to make
                                                                       a single slam attack with a +17 attack bonus that deals 4d8+12
                     Gargantuan Animal                                 points of damage.
                     Hit Dice: 18d10+183 (264 hp)                        Trample (Ex): Refl ex DC 27 half. The save DC is Strength-
                     Initiative: –2                                    based.
                     Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
                     Armor Class: 14 (–2 Dex, –4 size, +10 natural), touch 4, fl  at-  IN THE REALMS
                      footed 14                                        Like most dinosaurs, the stegosaurus is native to the jungles
                     Base Attack/Grapple: +13/+33                      of Chult and is not regularly encountered anywhere else. These
                     Attack: Slam +17 melee (2d6+8)                    fearsome creatures are hunted by many jungle creatures because
                     Full Attack: 2 slams +17 melee (2d6+8) and tail slap +12 melee   they provide an abundant source of meat.
                      (4d6+12)
                     Space/Reach: 30 ft. (long)/10 ft.                 Jaculi
                     Special Attacks: Powerful charge, trample 2d6+12
                     Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent        Medium Magical Beast
                     Saves: Fort +23, Ref +9, Will +8                  Hit Dice: 6d10+15 (48 hp)
                     Abilities: Str 27, Dex 7, Con 30, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 10  Initiative: +3
                     Skills: Listen +14, Spot +18                      Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
                     Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Run,   Armor Class: 16 (+3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 13, fl at-footed 16
                      Skill Focus (Spot), Toughness                    Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+9
                     Environment: Warm plains                          Attack: Bite +9 melee (1d6+4)
                     Organization: Solitary, pair, or herd (5–8)       Full Attack: Bite +9 melee (1d6+4)
                     Challenge Rating: 7                               Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.




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             620_96566_SerpentKing54-91.indd   66                                                               5/12/04, 3:24:29 PM
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