Manticore

"Manticores love the taste of human flesh. That's why, on trips through the mountains, I always travel with human guards."
-Marthok Copperstone, Dwarven Copper merchant

The Manticore

A monster in every sense of the word, a manticore has a vaguely humanoid head, the body of a lion, and the wings of a dragon. A bristling mane stretches down the creature's back, and its long tail ends in a cluster of deadly spikes that can impale prey at impressive range.

Evil Predators

Manticores are fierce killers that hunt far and wide for prey. They work together to take down particularly large or dangerous creatures, sharing the meal once a kill is made. A manticore begins its attack with a volley of tail spikes, then lands and uses its claws and bite. When outdoors and outnumbered, it uses its wings to stay aloft, attacking from a distance until its spikes are depleted.
A manticore isn't particularly bright, but it possesses a malevolent nature and the ability to converse. In the course of attacking, it denigrates its foes and offers to kill them swiftly if they beg for their lives. If a manticore sees an advantage to be gained by sparing a creature's life, it does so, asking for a tribute or sacrifice equal to its loss of food.

Monstrous Relationships

Manticores serve wicked masters that treat them well and provide regular prey. A manticore might provide aerial support for an Orc horde or a Hobgoblin army. Another could serve as a hunting companion for a Hill Giant chief, or guard the entrance to a Lamia's lair.
The manticores' greatest territorial rivals include Chimera's, Griffon's, Peryton's, and Wyvern's. Manticores hunting as a pack often have the advantage of greater numbers. In addition to these creatures, manticores fear Dragons and avoid them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Monstrosity, Manticore:

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivore.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Darkvision 60ft, and
• Passive Perception 11

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

• Kelldorian (Common) or 
• Amorian (Northern Common).

Origin/Ancestry

Monstrosity (Manticore)