Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Monstrata
Order: Carnivora
Genus: Kymerus
Species: Kymerus Marntichoras
Height: 3.23 meters
Length: 8.53 meters
Wingspan: 21.33 meters
Weight: 1610 kg
Point Total to Slay: 30 points
Description:
The aptly-named Manticore – translated as “man eater” – is a fearsome and furious kymeric monster that can be found in India, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece. Its body is that of a great cat, with powerful limbs and dagger-like claws. Upon its back are two leathery, bat-like wings that can hold the Manticore aloft for up to 3 hours at speeds of 55 kmph. The Manticore’s face is a twisted amalgamation of bestial and man-like features with three rows of exceedingly sharp teeth set in its upper jaw and three in the lower. To the end of its tail is the stinger of a scorpion that can deliver a fatal dose of neurotoxin. If cornered or engaged in combat, the Manticore lets fly its stingers like arrows, and it can shoot a great distance. These stings which it shoots are a foot long and the thickness of a crossbow bolt.
Besides it’s bizarre and lethal physiology, the Manticore if feared because it actually prefers to devour humans, elves, dwarves and orcs. Indeed, a single Manticore will slaughter a great number – laying in wait not for a single person but for groups of 2 to 10 – and handily defeating even the best armed and armored opponents in mere minutes. Additionally, full-grown Manticore have been known to speak, an ability they use to taunt and terrify prey as they are being slaughtered.
Manticores are solitary creatures, only mingling in groups during mating season (which is fortunately only occurs once every 3 years). They are typically known to make their lairs underground or within caves, particularly ones in mountains that overlook settlements. A Manticore will wait for small groups to leave the city, then take to the air in pursuit. Manticore attacks are sudden, with the creature diving down on what it perceives to be the largest and strongest person in the group. It will then unleash a furious whirlwind attack of claws, wings, teeth and stings to quickly disable all other individuals in the group. Once all are subdued or killed, the Manticore will enjoy its meal on the spot – devouring the bodies whole.
Hunting the Manticore:
Our Jaeger Meisters recommend the highest degree of caution when engaging the Manticore that escaped from Pavio Yaz’s menagerie. His specimen was a full-grown adult male and – according to the sorcerer’s records – took the lives of 20 huntsmen during its capture.
While the creature’s vital areas are the same as that of a great cat like a panther or tiger, the biggest challenge will be keeping a suitable distance from the Manticore to minimize its ability to counterattack.