Savage Menagerie: Mantisaur

No. Enc.: 1d3 (1d6/2)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 8
Attacks: 3 (2 claws, bite)
Damage: 1d12/1d12/1d8
Save: L4
Morale: 9
Hoard Class: II

A Mantisaur is a 12-foot-tall descendant of the Bygone preying mantis species. However, at some point in its lineage, the Martisaur took on reptilian characteristics as well. The creature moves on six hind legs, holding the front half of its body upright. It attacks by rending with two large clawed front limbs for 1d12 hit points of damage. The Mantisaur can also bite with its mandibles for 1d8 hit points.

In spite of its size, a Mantisaur can cling to virtually any surface, walking along vertical walls and overhead ceilings as easily as if they were on the ground. One preferred hunting tactic is to lurk on cavern ceilings or along the outside walls of Bygone ruins, hoping to drop down upon unsuspecting prey.

The Mantisaur is covered with a chitinous exoskeleton giving it a higher armor class. However, much like its reptile ancestors, the Mantisaur's armor is in a scale-like form rather than the insect-like, one-piece covering usually found on giant insects. The Mantisaur constantly sheds these scales, which can be collected and traded to most merchants or weaponsmiths for a fair price. A suit of Mantisaur armor gives the wearer an AC of 5, and just adding the scales to an existing suit could add a +1 AC bonus if done by a trained blacksmith.

One unusual mutation of the Mantisaur is that is has a limited phasing ability. The Mantisaur's physical form "ignores" wood and plantlife, passing through the material as if it weren't there. A Mantisaur can race through a forest or thicket in a straight line, ignoring any trees and obstacles as it phases through the material. A Mantisaur will also ignore any damage taken from a wooden weapon (clubs, arrows, etc.) as the weapon will pass harmlessly through the creature.

Mutations: phasing (limited), wall crawling 

NOTE: Today's mutant was created using straight rolls on The Random Esoteric Creature Generator.