Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

Habitat/Society: Small groups of pteramen
(10-30) do not recognize a ruler, but are led by the
most vocal or most powerful individual. These small
groups tend to be roving bands with established territory
and are normally shunned by larger, more
sedentary tribes.
Larger tribes are more organized, usually in a manner
resembling that of other civilizations in the region.
These groups tend to fare better as they’re
more efficient hunters and can more effectively defend
themselves from foes.
Pteramen communities, regardless of size, all look
alike: a collection of grass-and-leaves huts set high
in thick-trunked jungle trees. Each hut usually
houses a single pteramen family of 1d4 individuals.
Children leave the tribe upon maturity, and often
band together in small groups (of 10-30) until they
establish a territory of their own.
Ecology: Although omnivorous, most pteramen
prefer freshly killed meat. Pteramen consider the
meats of titanotheres, balucitheria, and axebeaks to
be delicacies. They often fly vast distances (in pteradon
form, the most efficient for long-distance
flight) when their scouts locate any of the above
creatures.
They also consume the fruit of jungle trees and
certain roots, barks, and flowers. Ironically, Chult’s
true pteradons and pterodactyls often prey on small
groups of pteramen.
History: A group of several dozen pteramen
joined in Kaverin Ebonhand’s assault on the Chultan
city of Mezro. They even added a new tactic to
their combat repertoire: dropping rocks, large
clumps of burning plant material, and even incendiary
or explosive liquids (such as oil of impact) on the
city. Mezro’s spellcasters met this attack with fireballs,
lightning bolts, and walls of force that acted as
shields above important buildings, troop concentrations,
and so on.
Eventually, Kaverin himself was defeated by the
Harper Artus Cimber, and without their leader, all
the Chultan natives (most of his forces), fled back to
their normal lives in the jungle.
Sources: Ring of Winter, JungIes of Chult.
Shadevari
Creatures from ancient myth
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Very (11-12)
TREASURE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil
No. APPEARING: 1d3
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVEMENT: 18
HIT DICE: 7+7
THAC0: 13
No. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 1d8+2(×2)/2d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: First strike
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Bat away missiles, +2 weapons
or better to hit
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 33%
SIZE: M
MORALE: Fearless (20)
XP VALUE: 2,000
Beasts from the long-lost past of Toril, shadevari
were recently summoned to be the servants of Shadowkings.
They are bipedal and covered with irongray
lizard scales, with misshapen faces; two black
tusks curving like scimitars from their mouths. A
single, serrated onyx horn crowns their foreheads;
wicked barbs sprout from their chests, arms, and the
crests atop their heads; shallow depressions exist
where their eyes should be to finish their ghastly
faces. The beasts have retractable talons on their
hands and feet.
Combat: The shadevari are very quick in combat.
Barring magical spells or items such as haste or a short
sword of quickness, shadevari always strike first in a
combat round. The beasts are hurt only by enchanted
weapons of +2 or better. Any blows from
lesser weapons quickly heal. Shadevari also have a
chance to bat away missile weapons directed at
them. For hurled missiles such as daggers, spears, or
hand axes, shadevari must make a successful attack
roll vs. AC5. For propelled missiles such as arrows or
crossbow bolts, the roll is against AC2.
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