This week's monster is once again 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.
GOLDEN SHRIEKER
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 2-6
ARMOR CLASS: 4/6
MOVE: 12"/18"
HIT DICE: 5
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: M (x2)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 6 (in complete form)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6, 1-6, 1-6, 1-6, 1-8, 1-8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Shriek
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Splitting, paralysation
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Semi-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (7' tall in complete form)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Golden Shriekers are monsters consisting of two creatures living in a symbiotic relationship. They are most commonly encountered in underground places, but might also be found residing within ruins and similarly lonely places. It can utter a terrible shriek which acts as if it were a Fear spell cast by a 3rd level Magic-User, but may only use this form of attack once per day. It will also use the claws on its hands and feet (inflicting 1-6 points of damage) and teeth (inflicting 1-8 points of damage per mouth) against its chosen victim. Any individuals carrying gold items will become the main focus of their onslaught, with those possessing the most gold attracting the most attention. The flesh of any victims of the Shrieker will be consumed by its head,
whilst any gold items will be greedily consumed by the mouth within the
lower part of the creature's body.
Should the Shrieker lose 75% of its hit points, it may choose to split into two parts. The head will detach itself from the body and use its wings to continue fighting individually or attempt escape by flying away, and possesses 50% of the remaining hit points. However, in this form it will also use a 4 foot long whip-like 'tail' which will paralyse any opponents struck by it that fail to save vs paralysation. The other part of the body may chose to fight or flee, and possesses the other 50% of the remaining hit points. When whole, the Shrieker has an armor class of 4, but when separate each part has an armor class of 6. The treasure the creature possess will be found within the gullet of its lower half, although it will be reduced to misshapen lumps.
Description: These creatures have long scaly limbs and patterned bat-like
wings extending from a large round head which is covered with thick black bristles. This and the body also possess
their own set of large glassy eyes and a wide mouth full of sharp teeth. Both mouths and eyes are a vivid blood red. The body of the Shrieker is a dull gold colour but after feasting this takes on the appearance of being brightly polished.
