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Pyrolisk (3pp)

This creature resembles a rooster with thinning feathers and leathery bat-like wings lightly covered in reddish-tinged feathers. Its tail feathers are a yellowish-brown save for one bright red feather.

Pyrolisk CR 3

XP 800
NE Small magical beast
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +9

DEFENSE

AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +2 natural, +1 size)
hp 26 (4d10+4)
Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +2
Immune fire

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d4-2 plus 1d3 fire)
Special Attacks conflagration gaze, pyrotechnics

STATISTICS

Str 6, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 9
Base Atk +4; CMB +1; CMD 14
Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse
Skills Fly +8, Perception +9

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Conflagration Gaze (Su)

A creature within 30 feet that meets a pyrolisk’s gaze bursts into flames, taking 4d8 points of damage (DC 13 Fortitude halves). A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same pyrolisk’s conflagration gaze for one day. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Pyrotechnics (Su)

Once per round, a pyrolisk can use pyrotechnics as the spell (caster level 4th). The pyrolisk can only use the fireworks version of the spell. A DC 13 Will save negates the blindness. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Editor's Note

The Fly skill is missing the modifier for being small (+2). It should read: Fly +10

GM's are encouraged to use this statistic.


Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learn more about a Pyrolisk. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (arcana)

DC Result
DC 13 Pyrolisks are a naturally-occuring mutation of the cockatrice.
DC 18 The gaze and bite of a pyrolisk can ignite flammable items.
DC 23 Unlike many fiery foes, a pyrolisk is not particularly susceptible to cold attacks.
DC 28 The red feathers of a pyrolisk can be used as a supplementary spell component to enhance fire spells.



ECOLOGY

Environment temperate plains
Organization solitary, flight (2-5), or flock (6-12)
Treasure standard

The pyrolisk resembles a cockatrice and is often mistaken for it (DC 25 Perception check to identify the pyrolisk successfully). The difference lies in the coloration of its tail feathers and wings: the pyrolisk has a single red feather in its tail and a reddish tinge to its wings. Otherwise, it is identical to the cockatrice in appearance.

The pyrolisk uses its gaze attack to ignite those that are unaffected by the blinding flash of its pyrotechnic ability. It is a fierce combatant, fighting until either it or its opponents are dead.

Debate rages over the origin of the pyrolisk. Some suggest that is it the result of magical experimentation. Others believe the original pyrolisk was actually a half-red dragon crossbreed. Still others think that the creatures are a naturally occurring mutation. Unlike cockatrices, pyrolisks collect non-flammable bits of treasure and their lairs are often filled with gems, coins, statuary and the occasional magic item. Whatever the origin of this strange creature, they are deeply hated and actively hunted in agrarian areas.

Pyrolisks are cruel monsters that delight in the suffering of other creatures. Even when not hunting for food, they will regularly light forest animals or livestock on fire to listen to their screams and cackle at the devastation as stands of trees or fields of grain are consumed.

If pyrolisks are a natural mutation of the cockatrice, then it will probably not be long before cyrolisks, acidolisks or even sonarolisks are encountered by travelers and adventurers.

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Forgotten Foes © 2010 Tricky Owlbear Publishing, Inc.; Authors Mark Gedak and Stefen Styrsky.