Manticore

A monster in every sense of the word, a mantocore 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 impate prey at impressive range.

     Evil Predetors Manticores are fierce killers that hunt far and wide for prey. They work together to take down particularly large or dangerous creatures, sharing the mean 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 denigerats 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 a sacrifice to equal to its loss of food.

      Monstrous Relationships Manticores serve wicked masters that treat them well and provide regular prey. A manticore might provide areial support for an orc horde or a hobgoblin army. Another could serve as a hunting companion for a hill giant cheif, or guard the entrance to a lamia's lair.

     The manticore's greatest territorial rivals include chimeras, griffons, preytons, and wyverns. Manticores hunting as a pack often have the advantage of greater numbers. In addition to these creatures, manticores fear dragons and avoid them.