Monster: Lithira

Lithira
Armour Class: 8
Hit Dice: 3*
Move: 180' (60')
Attacks: 2 hooves
Damage: 1-4/1-4
No. Appearing: 2-20
Save As: C3
Morale: 7
Treasure Type: Special
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 50

Found in oases and the grasslands that make up the desert's southern reaches, the lithira is a delicate looking creature that travels in small herds and resembles an antelope in basic build. Long of limb and neck, the “pearl gazelle” sports a long plumed tail, large black eyes, and a snowy coat in addition to the plate of pearly horn that gives the creature its common name. Though this plate -– spanning the top of the skull and down the length of the muzzle -– is lovely in its own right, the lithira's true treasure lies in the smooth organic gemstone found in the skull-bone beneath. Deep ruby in the female and amethyst in the male, these “pearls” are highly valued as talismans with up to 200gp in good condition.

In combat the lithira attacks with sharp forehooves, inflicting 1-4 hit points of damage per hoof. though not immune to non-magical weapons, if a lithira is struck by mundane steel it will dissolve into an insubstantial, mist-like form for a round. During this time the lithira may not be attacked at all, save by magic; the pearl gazelle will attempt to flee if possible, and any further attacks while the lithira is in mist form provoke a magical backlash against the attacker of 1-8 hit points of damage.