Pyrolisk

This creature resembles a rooster with thinning feathers and leathery bat-like wings lightly covered in reddish-tinged feathers. Its tail feathers are a yellowish-brown save for one bright red feather.

Pyrolisk (CR 3)

Small Magical Beast (Fire)
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Initiative: +3
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision; Perception +9

Speed: 20 feet, Fly 60 feet (poor)
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +0 natural)
Hit Points: 22 (4d10)
Saving Throws: Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +4
Immunity: fire
Weaknesses: vulnerability to cold

Offense

Melee: bite +8 (1d4-2)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: conflagration gaze, pyrotechnics

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
6 (-2)	17 (+3)	11 (+0)	4 (-3)	13 (+1)	9 (-1)

Base Attack Bonus: +4
CMB +1
CMD 14

Feats: Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse

Skills: Fly +5, Perception +9, Stealth +11

Languages: Common (cannot speak)

Special Abilities

Conflagration Gaze (Su)

Burst into flames for 4d8 damage, range 30 feet, Fortitude DC 12 half. The flames burst from within the target creature and immediately burn out, so there is no continuing damage or burn effect. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same pyrolisk's conflagration gaze for one day. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Pyrotechnics (Su)

Once per round, a pyrolisk can cause an ordinary fire to burst into a shower of flashes, sparks, and bursts of light (as pyrotechnics, fireworks version only). Will DC 12 to negate the blindness. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Ecology

Environment: Any Temperate or Warm Land or Underground
Organization: solitary, flight (2-4), or flock (6-13)
Treasure: standard


The pyrolisk resembles a cockatrice and is often mistaken for it (Spot check at DC 25 to identify the pyrolisk successfully). The difference lies in the coloration of its tail feathers and wings: the pyrolisk has a single red feather in its tail and a reddish tinge to its wings. Otherwise, it is identical to the cockatrice in appearance.

The pyrolisk uses its gaze attack to ignite those that are unaffected by the blinding flash of its pyrotechnic ability. It is a fierce combatant, fighting until either it or its opponents are dead.

Credit The Pyrolisk originally appeared in the First Edition Monster Manual II (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1983) and is used by permission.

Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Gary Gygax.