Fire-Tailed Drake

This week's monster was inspired by imagery for the very amusing Weird Medieval Guys Twitter account. I've included the picture that created this idea at the end of this post:

FIRE-TAILED DRAKE

FREQUENCY: Very Rare
 
NO. APPEARING: 1
 
ARMOR CLASS: 3

MOVE: 15"

HIT DICE: 5

% IN LAIR: 10%

TREASURE TYPE: T, V

NO. OF ATTACKS: 3

DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8/2-12/2-12

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

SPECIAL DEFENSES: None

MAGIC RESISTANCE: 50%

INTELLIGENCE: Average

ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral

SIZE: L  (8' tall)

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

       Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

Fire-tailed Drakes are reclusive creatures who prefer to hunt at night in woodland. Despite their name, they are not dragons but do have some features that resemble them, especially their reptile-like skin and claws. Always encountered singly, it is not known how they reproduce and any lair encountered will be high within the trunk of an old rotting tree. They are very agile creatures, being able to jump up to 15 feet in one bound, and are adept at climbing.

 

In combat, they can attack with their bite (2-8 points of damage), the claws on their front or rear feet (2-12 points of damage) or lash out with their sharply-barbed tail (2-12 points of damage). They may also choose to attack with a magical flame that issues from their tail, and those struck by it will suffer 3-24 points of damage per round unless a saving throw vs wands is made. These flames will die out after 3 rounds and can only be extinguished by magical means (i.e. by casting Quench Fire).

 

Fire-tailed Drakes seem to be particularly interested in magical items and those individuals possessing the ability to cast spells. They have an odd habit of collecting their heads of such foes and their lairs will also contain the magical items that they once owned in life. 

 

If the creature is killed, its body will be immediately and wholly consumed by magical flames and anyone within 10' must save vs wands or receive 1-8 points of damage. However, its tail possesses one quarter of its hit points and, should any attacker successfully sever it, the remains of the creature will remain intact at death. Its claws may then be used in a similar way to flints for the purposes of creating fire. Should three of the numerous talon-like spines from its back be placed within a glass vessel or lantern and shaken, they will glow and provide light equivalent to a torch for one hour until agitated again.

The endmost part of its tail is a coral-like material that is brilliant white in colour. It will weigh 2d6 pounds and is highly prized in the manufacture of magical items that either protect from or emit flames. A pound of this material is worth 500 gold pieces.

 

Description: Fire-tailed Drakes are long-limbed and have dog-like faces with prominent and oddly curved ears. They see equally well by day and by night and have excellent hearing. Their bodies are pinkish yellow with distinct areas of russet red. Their claws are blue-black while their spines are a vivid blue-white.