ScitalisThis ophidian dragon’s scales and frills form a brightly colored
pattern, backlit like stained glass by the creature’s inner glow.Scitalis CR 12Source Bestiary 5 pg. 222 XP 19,200 N Large dragon Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +19DefenseAC 27, touch 17, flat-footed 23 (+4 Dex, +10 natural, –1 size) hp 175 (14d12+84) Fort +15, Ref +13, Will +11 Immune paralysis, sleepOffenseSpeed 50 ft.; fly 60 ft. (good) Melee 2 frills +21 (2d6+8), gore +21 (1d8+8), bite +21 (2d6+8
plus sedative), tail slap +19 (1d8+4) Space 10 ft., Reach 10 ft. Special Attacks breath weapon (40-ft. line, sedative, Fort DC 23,
usable every 1d4 rounds), prismatic patternStatisticsStr 26, Dex 19, Con 22, Int 9, Wis 15, Cha 14 Base Atk +14; CMB +23; CMD 37 (can’t be tripped) Feats Combat Reflexes, Flyby Attack, Hover, Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Power Attack, Wingover Skills Fly +19, Intimidate +15, Perception +19, Sense Motive +17,
Stealth +15, Survival +17 Languages DraconicEcologyEnvironment any land Organization solitary, pair, den (3–5) Treasure standardSpecial AbilitiesPrismatic Pattern (Su) Due to the hypnotic and distorting
effects of a scitalis’s colorful pattern, creatures that can see
the dragon take a penalty on attack rolls against it equal to
the dragon’s Charisma modifier (a –2 penalty for a typical
scitalis). As a standard action, a scitalis can enhance the
pattern, causing all creatures within 60 feet of it that can
see it to become stunned for 1d4+1 rounds (Will save DC 23
negates). Prismatic pattern is an illusion (pattern) effect. The
save DC is Constitution-based.
Sedative (Ex) A scitalis’s bite and breath weapon introduce a
potent sedative into its victims, causing them to become
staggered for 1d6 rounds. A successful DC 23 Fortitude save
reduces the duration to 1 round. This is a poison effect. The
save DC is Constitution based.DescriptionScitalises are horned dragons with long, ophidian
bodies; beautiful, many-colored frills; and thin,
tapered horns. Their heavy scales have an elliptical
shape, and grow ragged and thicker as the scitalises age.
A scitalis glows from within, its scales and frill lighting up
like a stained-glass window and projecting mesmerizing
patterns that the dragon uses while hunting.
Scitalises covet territory and food more than the gold
and gems that true dragons prize. They live in caves, forest
grottoes, and rocky crags, and mark their territories with a
combination of musk and their sour, bile-scented sedative.
Scitalises often range up to 5 miles from their nests every
few days to hunt large herd animals and livestock. Lacking
forelegs with which to tear apart a meal, scitalises allow their
kills to ripen for a day or so in their lairs before eating them.
They keep some treasure and can be bribed, burying what
they do attain in the walls and floors of their nests.
Scitalises lay clutches of one to three eggs, and males and
females share duties guarding the nest. The pair remains
together until the juveniles reach maturity after 2 years.
These eggs sell for 5,000 gp in large cities, and juveniles
can command prices of 8,000 gp. Scitalises coexist with
wyverns, but detest basilisks and griffons, which regularly
devour the scitalises’ eggs when they run across them.
An average scitalis is between 14 and 18 feet long and
weighs approximately 2,500 pounds.
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