Manticore

Manticores are dreaded beasts of legend, considered by many to be a chimeran, a twisted abomination from The Wastes. The manticore is known for is variety of terrifying features and its tendency to eat its victims whole.

Appearance

The name "manticore" is given to various creatures of somewhat similar appearance. Generally, it refers to a monster like a red lion with a scorpion tail and venemous spines on its back. Some manticores have wings or horns or even both, and some manticores may have the head and face of a lion befitting their body, while others have the face of a man. Manticores are often said to have three rows of teeth, though not all tales befit such a description.

Nature

Little is known of manticores, but some scholars speculate they originated in the Wastes like so many other chimerans. They are common in legends across Parsanshar in particular, though they have long since spread to the southern reaches of the Achaean Empire as well. They are very hostile, if reclusive. Very rarely seen, they will stalk their prey, paralyze it, swallow it whole, and leave no evidence behind so it will not be caught. Manticores prefer the taste of Men over all other prey.

Legends

Manticores are such varied abominations that their mode of attack varies, as well. Their scorpion tail can paralyze victims, some say they can breathe fire, and they have great, powerful jaws with which to attack. Legends speak of how the manticore can fling venemous barbs from its back like arrows to paralyze its victims, making it easier to eat them alive, as the manticore prefers. As their name "man-eater" implies, they are said to always strive to swallow their paralyzed prey whole, and they are capable of digesting armor, weapons, bone, clothing, and most anything else. Manticores are among the most feared and legendary of all monsters.