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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shade" data-source="post: 5404518" data-attributes="member: 287"><a href="http://www.enworld.org/cc/converted/view_c.php?CreatureID=651" target="_blank">Creature Catalog - Preview Creature</a>ScythetailFREQUENCY: UncommonNO. APPEARING: 1-6 (1d10-4, min. of 1)ARMOR CLASS: 5 (tail: AC 3)MOVE: 13#HIT DICE: 2 + 2% IN LAIR: 40%TREASURE TYPE: J, K, L, M, N, Q possibleNO. OF ATTACKS: 2DAMAGE/ATTACK: See belowSPECIAL ATTACKS: Spell use, clawsSPECIAL DEFENSES: Protective barbsMAGIC RESISTANCE: StandardINTELLIGENCE: LowALIGNMENT: NeutralSIZE: M (body to 4’, tail to 7')PSIONIC ABILITY: NilA lizardlike predator that inhabits rocky areas and cold wastes, the scythetail is actually a mammal. The scythetail eats berries and rock lichens if it has to but prefers freshly killed meat. Scythetails hunt alone for the most part but band together temporarily to attack formidable prey (such as caravans or herds of livestock). Cunning and daring, they like to hit and run, attacking repeatedly without allowing a return attack. Scythetails will follow armed prey tirelessly (for days, if necessary), awaiting an opportunity to strike with advantage.A scythetail gains its name from its principal weapon: a bony, scythelike tail that the creature wields as well as a man wields a scythe. With it, the scythetail can slash for 2d4 hp damage or stab for 1d4 + 1 hp with the barbed end of its shaft or with the point of the scythe blade. Scythetails attack with a slash 75% of the time and with a stab 25% of the time. A scythetail can also bite with its turtlelike jaws for 1d4 + 1 hp damage. If it lands atop or clambers atop a victim, the scythetail can also rake with its four claws (for 1d4 hp damage each).Nevertheless, the scythetail rarely approaches prey so closely, preferring instead to dart about, slashing with its tail, until its prey is killed or rendered helpless. The tail has an armor class of 3 and takes 9 hp damage before it is broken or severed. A scythetail can regenerate a lost tail slowly, at the rate of 1 hp per day of rest, until the 9 hp are restored (this occurs in addition to any normal healing).A scythetail has limited magical powers. Once per round, it can cause fleeing or escaping prey to trip (as the second-level druid spell) by utilizing something it has touched previously (for example, a vine or branch). This ability is used sparingly-- thrice per day. A scythetail’s gray, horny hide protects it well. In addition, its body is adorned with a row of razor-sharp barbs which can gash unwary opponents for 1d4 hp damage. The scythetail’s bones are rich in iron (it always cracks the bones of its prey to eat the bone marrow), and are thus hard and durable. A scythetail’s tail will serve a human as a scythe weapon, although it cannot keep an edge sharp enough to cut grass or crops satisfactorily.The knotted muscle at the base of the tail is a prized delicacy, and scythetail rump roasts are welcome on any royal table. The belly of a scythetail often contains coins and gems gained from civilized prey, for a scythetail will eat anything that fits in its maw. Scythetails are resistant to poison (+2 on all saving throws) and quick to learn the habits of prey. Scythetails wander afar in search of food, staying briefly in caverns, rock ledges, or large trees. Scythetails seldom drag prey back to a lair, unless the lair is used for raising their young.In spite of this care, few scythetail young ever make it past the early stages (25% chance). Those scythetails that are raised from birth are cared for only by the mother; the father disappears shortly after mating. Scythetail young have 1 HD, do half damage on all attacks, and have poor control of their trip ability (all potential victims save vs. spell at +3 to avoid effects).Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #140 (1988).</blockquote>

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