Leonal [Guardinal]

A leonal is a tall, muscular humanoid in short tawny-gold fur with a great red mane. Its lower legs are a big cat's, steel-hard talons hide in its hands, and its flattened lion's muzzle looks both regal and terrifying when a yawn bares its fangs.

Don't fight one. A leonal has a frost giant's Strength (21), rending talons and a deadly bite, and gains -4 on initiative in any round it attacks physically. It can dodge missiles and missile-like magic (arrows, bolts, thrown weapons, flame arrow, acid arrow, burning hands, but never magic missile) with a save vs. paralyzation.

Thrice daily it roars in a cone 60 feet long and 20 feet across at the end: the roar acts as a holy word, deals 2d10 points of damage, and deafens for a day those failing a save vs. spell (-1 to surprise, 20% spell failure). Evil beings within 200 yards must also save vs. spell or suffer fear for 2d6 rounds.

A double-strength protection from evil, 20-foot radius, surrounds it. Once per round it may use ESP, hold monster, know alignment, continual light, polymorph self, wall of force, a 10d6 fireball, or a five-missile magic missile. Three times daily it can neutralize poison, cure disease or cure critical wounds; once daily, heal; once yearly, grant a wish. It is never surprised and is harmed only by +3 or better weapons.

Leonals are loners who prowl remote forests and peaks, stately in repose but tireless and merciless against darkness. Other guardinals regard them as royalty and will raise armies or take up quests at their command, an authority leonals use only when a matter is too big to handle themselves. They range widely across the planes hunting trouble, and a rare few serve good powers as agents or advisers.