Editing Manticora (section)

==Titanspawn Manticoras==
Appearing in the 1st Creature Collection, the [[Monster Manual]]s of the [[Scarred Lands]], the manticora are commonly known as "Vangal's Cats", as this twisted race are a warped melding of human and cat created by the malicious god [[Vangal]], an offshoot of the same project that created the [[manticore]]s.

Unlike most [[catfolk]], their human side predominates, which makes them look particularly hideous; a manticora has a human face, with features twisted to give it a vaguely feline cast, and a human body covered in russet-gold fur. Their digitigrade legs end in feline paws, whilst their human-like hands sport black, retractile claws in lieu of nails. Like their manticore cousins, the manticora sports shark-like teeth, which it constantly sheds and replaces. They stand between 5'6" and 6'6" tall, although their tendency to hunch forward - the race is capable of falling to all fours for greater speed - makes them seem shorter.

Manticora embody most of the worst traits of cats and humans. They are affirmed man-eaters; human flesh is a great delicacy among the race. What's more, manticora enjoy hunting for sport, particularly sentient races; they take great pleasure in the fear and pain of their prey. To one of Vangal's cats, there is no greater proof of their hunting superiority than to be able to deliver agonizing, terror-stricken death to the victim of their choice. By tormenting their prey, they believe that they reaffirm their position at the top of the food chain.

Manticora society is based on the pride; these war bands are more inclined to rove from place to place than to stake out a territory of their own. Once they've entered a hunting ground, they take prey with little regard for the long-term health of the ecology. Manticora never mark their territories; that might deprive them of potential prey. A pride is led by a powerful male and his mates (usually three or four of them), all of whom are likely to have a few levels in one or more character classes. Scarred Lands manticora make proficient [[barbarian]]s, [[ranger]]s, [[fighter]]s, [[rogue]]s and evil [[druid]]s; their preferred multiclass is [[barbarian]]. Manticora [[cleric]]s typically choose the [[Cleric Domain|domains of Destruction and Strength]]. They have very few [[wizard]]s, although a few prides are notorious for bloodlines that produce more than their share of [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)|sorcerers]]. Vangal's cats are unlikely to keep domestic animals, although some prides have bred a particularly vicious breed of lion to guard their camps. Only the strongest prides can afford this luxury, for it requires them to bring in all the more meat.

Vangal's cats can use weapons, but only if they feel that their prey is dangerous. When they're confident in their ability to take a victim down, they resort to tooth and claw for "added intimacy." They're skilled at curing hides, and they typically wear armor sewn together from the hardened skins of their prey, augmented with the occasional scrap of scavenged metal. When using weapons, they prefer short harpoons (like barbed shortspears) designed to sink into flesh and stay there, weighting prey down. When closing for the kill on a dangerous victim, they use spiked chains to entangle their foes or simple chopping or slashing weapons.

Manticora tactics typically involve harrying their prey to tire it out, sneak attacks and even psychological warfare. Although they're sufficiently ferocious to fight in open combat, they prefer keeping a fight on their terms at all times.