Vishap

A vishap is a wingless dragon, cunning and cowardly in equal measure, as vain and greedy as any of its kind. It looks ponderous and likes to seem lazy, but it runs, climbs and leaps with startling agility. Its scales shift to match its surroundings, giving it +4 on surprise. Its sight, smell and hearing are superb, and it senses invisible creatures and objects within 10 feet per age category. It speaks the common trade tongue of the desert lands fluently, plus up to five other languages.

It grows from 2 HD and AC 7 at hatching to 16 HD and AC -4 at the oldest, over 80 feet long plus tail, gaining 5% magic resistance at age 5 that rises to 40%.

Unlike its western kin, a vishap has no breath weapon, no spells, no dragon fear and no remote sensing of its lair, so it lives on its wits. Camouflaged, it studies a target for days before approaching to talk. Victims who seem weak and fearful are attacked at once. Weak ones who flatter it may be spared if they promise their treasure or their service as slaves. Those who look ready to fight are allowed to leave, then ambushed later when off guard.

It bites and claws one opponent, and its tail can sweep as many as four man-sized foes, each taking 2d4 base damage and making a Dexterity check or falling and losing their attacks the following round.

Every vishap is immune to enchantment/charm spells from hatching. With age it gains, once a day unless noted: sleep twice a day when young, invisibility as a juvenile, suggestion as an adult, charm monster when very old, and undetectable lie when venerable.

Vishaps lair in shallow, open caves with a clear view of every approach and entrance, and they always keep at least one secret escape route in case they are cornered. Being destructive by nature, most die young and violently.

They are carnivores with a special taste for humans and demihumans, though they will eat carrion or even plants to survive. Sometimes several cooperate to enslave an entire village, feeding on the terrified worship of its people.