Aitvaras

This creature appears as a mix of cat, rooster and small dragon, having black fur, black feathers and black scales. It looks at you with a friendly expression in its little evil green eyes.

Monster Encyclopaedia II: The Dark Bestiary
Author J. C. Alvarez
Series Monster Encyclopaedia
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2005

An aitvaras is a strange monster with a mischievous nature and the custom of seeking human allies. Once the creature finds a human master or partner to attach itself to, it serves as a pet, guardian and thief, all rolled into one. Whatever the aitvaras steals it gives to its master, in exchange for food and shelter. It can also be commanded to kill, although its combat abilities are not much to speak of. The aitvaras appears as a Tiny black dragon with feathered wings, a rooster’s crest, and the eyes, ears and tail of a cat. It of course makes an excellent familiar for evil spellcasters.

Aitvaras
Tiny magical beast
Hit Dice	2d10+2 (13 hp)
Initiative	+4
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares), Climb 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (average)
AC	20 (+2 size, +4 Dexterity, +4 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple	+2/-9
Attack	Bite +8 melee (1d3-3) or claw +8 melee (1d2-3)
Full Attack	2 claws +8 melee (1d2-3) and bite +3 melee (1d3-3)
Space/Reach	2½ ft. /0 ft.
Special Attacks	Breath weapon
Special Qualities	Darkvision 60 ft., dimension door, Low-Light Vision, telepathy 60 ft.
Saves	Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +1
Abilities	Strength 5, Dexterity 19, Constitution 12, Intelligence 13, Wisdom 12, Charisma 12
Skills	Balance +13, Climb +12, Hide +18, Jump +13, Listen +6, Move Silently +10, Search +3, Sleight of Hand +17, Spot +6
Feats	Weapon Finesse
Environment	Any
Organisation	Solitary
Challenge Rating	1
Treasure	Standard
Alignment	Always neutral evil
Advancement	3 HD (Tiny), 4-6 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment	+3 (Improved Familiar)

Combat

An aitvaras is a weak combatant, preferring a quick retreat with its opponent’s belongings rather than a face-to-face confrontation.

Breath Weapon (Ex): Once every 1d4 rounds, an aitvaras can breathe a cone of fire 5 feet long and 2½ feet wide at the end. Any creatures caught within this cone suffer 2d4 points of fire damage, with a Reflex save (DC 12, Constitution based) allowed for half damage. An aitvaras cannot use its breath weapon more than three times per day.

Dimension door (Su): An aitvaras can use dimension door on itself at will, as the spell of the same name at caster level 7th. An aitvaras cannot carry more than 5 pounds while using this ability and cannot use it on a target other than itself.

Telepathy (Su): Aitvaras can communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature within 60 feet.

Skills: An aitvaras gains a +8 racial bonus on Balance, Climb and Jump checks. It gains a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently and Spot checks. An aitvaras gains a +8 racial bonus on Sleight of Hand checks. It can always take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. An aitvaras uses its Dexterity modifier instead of its Strength modifier for Climb and Jump checks.