#phandelyon

Image © @tredlocity​

[Commissioned by @crazytrain48​. Back to the weird world of Arduin, which isn’t that much weirder than classic D&D, only a little sideways. If there’s ethereal spiders, why not astral lions? Both the glowing eldritch mane and the eyes in said mane are new to this version.]

Phandelyon
CR 6 N Magical Beast
This creature looks much like a lion, with shimmering blue fur and a mane made of eldritch energy. Green and gold eyes flicker open and closed through the mane and its claws are coated in silver.

Phandelyons are big cats of the Astral Plane. They are descended from a population of lions that was brought to the Astral through wizardry, and were mutated by the energies that permute that realm. They spend as much time on the Astral and Material Planes, popping back and forth to investigate whatever catches their attention. Both male and female phandelyons grow manes, although the manes of the females are somewhat shorter. The eyes that appear in their manes are fully functional, and allow them to see 360 degrees and across planar boundaries.

A phandelyon’s tactics are much like those of a mundane lion, but are enhanced by its magical abilities. They typically appear from the Astral Plane to make a surprise charge, pouncing on foes, grabbing them and raking them with their back claws. They are cooperative hunters, and multiple phandelyons will pounce on the same prey in order to drag it down. If grievously injured, they typically flee back into the Astral. Most phandelyons are more curious than hostile towards humanoids, but the sight of a dozen blue lions suddenly surrounding a party often means that the humanoids attack first and ask questions later.

On the Astral Plane, no time passes, so a phandelyon only hungers when it spends time on the Material. As such, they need rather less food than mundane big cats, and their prides can get larger and remain stable. They spend the most time in the Material Plane when rearing young—pregnancy, growth and weaning all require time to pass, and thus mothers remain on the Material Plane while pregnant and nursing. The male phandelyons keep watch over their pride from the Astral Plane, staying close by in that transitive realm and ambushing anyone who would attack their cubs. Phandelyon prides can be found almost anywhere, although they typically avoid densely populated areas. For some reason, phandelyons love dwarves (perhaps their beards remind them of a mane), and are often found near the borders of dwarven territories.

Phandelyon       CR 6
XP 2,400
N Large magical beast (extraplanar)
Init+8;Sensesall-around vision, astral sight, darkvision 60 ft., Perception +14
Defense
AC18, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (-1 size, +4 Dex, +5 natural)
hp60 (8d10+16)
Fort+7,Ref+10,Will+7
DR10/magic
Offense
Speed40 ft.
Meleebite +11 (1d10+4), 2 claws +11 (1d6+4 plus grab)
Space10 ft.; Reach5 ft.
Special Attacks eldritch claws, pounce, rake (2 claws +11, 1d6+4)
Statistics
Str18,Dex18,Con13,Int8,Wis17,Cha11
Base Atk +8;CMB+12 (+16 grapple); CMD26 (30 vs. trip)
FeatsAlertness,Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Toughness
SkillsAcrobatics +13 (+17 when jumping), Perception +14, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +5, Survival +5; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Perception
LanguagesDwarven (cannot speak)
SQastral jaunt
Ecology
Environmentany land (Astral Plane)
Organizationsolitary, pair, gang (3-6) or pride (7-20)
Treasurenone
Special Abilities
Astral Jaunt (Su) A phandelyon can enter the Astral Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa, as a swift action three times per day. A phandelyon cannot take other creatures with it between planes.
Astral Sight (Su) A phandelyon on the Astral Plane can see onto the Material Plane in a 60 foot radius, and when on the Material Plane can see onto the Astral Plane in a 60 foot radius.
Eldritch Claws (Ex) The claw attacks of a phandelyon count as magic and silver for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction.