Tatzlwyrm

This serpentine creature has the head of a ferocious dragon and two relatively small forearms that end in tiny claws.

Tatzlwyrm (CR 2)

Medium Dragon
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +2
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision; Perception +8

Speed: 30 feet, Climb 30 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
Hit Points: 22 (3d12+3)
Saving Throws: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +5
Immunity: paralysis, sleep

Offense

Melee: bite +5 (1d8+3 plus Grab)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: poison gasp, Pounce, Rake (2 claws +5, 1d4+2)

Spells Known (CL 5th):

• 2nd (5/day) - Daze Monster (DC 17), See Invisibility
  
  
• 1st (8/day) - Burning Hands (DC 16), Magic Missile, Obscuring Mist, Shield
  
  
• 0 (at will) - Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Flare (DC 15), Ghost Sound (DC 15), Message, Touch of Fatigue (DC 15)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
14 (+2)	15 (+2)	12 (+1)	5 (-3)	14 (+2)	11 (+0)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +5 (+9 Grapple)
CMD 17 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Nimble Moves, Stealthy

Skills: Climb +14, Escape Artist +5, Intimidate +4, Perception +8, Stealth +10 (+16 in dense vegetation)

• Racial Modifiers: +6 Stealth in dense vegetation

Languages: Draconic

Special Abilities

Poison Gasp (Ex)

A tatzlwyrm's breath contains a poisonous vapor. While grappling, instead of making a bite or rake attack, a tatzlwyrm can breathe poison into its victim's face. A tatzlwyrm must begin its turn grappling to use this ability-it can't begin a grapple and use its poison gasp in the same turn. Tatzlwyrm poison: Breath-inhaled; save Fort DC 12; frequency 1/round for 2 rounds; effect 1d2 Str damage; cure 1 save. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Ecology

Environment: Any Forests
Organization: solitary or nest (2-5)
Treasure: standard


Tatzlwyrms are thought to be primeval relatives of true dragons, having branched off the line millennia ago and evolved in a way that sets them notably apart. Undersized compared to their larger cousins, tatzlwyrms are nonetheless ferocious in their own right.

And while tatzlwyrms are hardly impressive specimens when put beside their notorious relatives, most other reptiles can't compare to them mentally. They understand Draconic, though other languages are beyond most tatzlwyrms' limited comprehension. Nevertheless, tatzlwyrms are deeply cunning, building complex lairs and rudimentary traps.

Tatzlwyrms are quite rare, and only a few particularly curious and lucky adventurers can claim to have seen a living specimen. Reports do agree on some basic features, however. About the size of a full-grown human, tatzlwyrms have only two limbs and no wings, and possess a weak poisonous breath similar to the breath weapons of their true dragon relatives. An adult tatzlwyrm is 6 to 8 feet long, including its winding, organless tail, and it weighs between 400 and 500 pounds. A tatzlwyrm's scales give the creature limited camouflage, ranging through various shades of green, brown, and gray.

Like true dragons, tatzlwyrms are strict carnivores. They spend most of their time hiding, waiting to attack any prey that ventures too near. They consume their food slowly in the dark security and seclusion of their lairs. Tatzlwyrms have a remarkable knack for ambush and camouflage.