Stargazer

The stargazer is a big, four-legged reptile that lives on asteroids. Its rocky, crystal-studded hide imitates an outcrop of precious stone and gives it AC -2. Most are reddish or violet, suggesting ruby or amethyst, though citrine, emerald, and sapphire kinds also exist. Under this glittering shell hide a frog-like mouth full of razor teeth and four sharp claws folded beneath the body. The hide soaks up sunlight to warm the animal and to charge its lightning.

Lying in a shallow scrape and posing as a rich gem deposit, the stargazer lets passing animals and treasure-hungry explorers come to it. Anything that moves within 25 feet triggers twin lightning bolts from its eyes, each dealing 6d6 and able to target a different victim. It then heaves itself up and lunges to bite for 4d6 and claw for 1d8. It can fire six bolts in all, two per round, before it must stop and recharge.

A losing stargazer curls into a ball with its stony shell outward, shielding its soft AC 8 belly, and rolls off in a random direction; roll 1d12 and read it as a clock face. Anyone in that path must save vs. breath weapon or be run over for 4d6 crushing damage.

Stargazers bask on the sunlit faces of large asteroids. They live alone, mate briefly, hide their eggs, and leave them. Each defends 1-3 square miles, and two may share one asteroid by claiming opposite sides of its gravity plane. During mating season, rivals may fight to the death over mates, prey, or ground. When an area grows crowded, a stargazer kicks off the asteroid with its strong hind legs, curls into a ball, and drifts through space asleep until another asteroid's gravity, or a ship full of eager treasure seekers, catches it. Starship travel has carried them far afield.

A vicious killer, the stargazer tends to fly into berserk rages against big foes. Its body is its treasure: the shell is an organic form of the gem it resembles. Without a permanency spell, though, the shell decays into powder within 1d6 days of the beast's death. A jeweler can cut a treated shell into 1d6 gems worth (4d6+1) x 1,000 gp each.