Plasma Dog
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Fire Elemental Plane |
| Frequency | Very Rare |
| Organization | Pack |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | Anything Combustible |
| Intelligence | Animal (2-4) |
| Treasure | Nil |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| No. Appearing | 2-12 |
| Armor Class | 4/10 |
| Movement | 12" Fl (B) |
| Hit Dice | 1+1 |
| THAC0 | 19 |
| No. of Attacks | 1 |
| Damage/Attack | 1-8 |
| Special Attacks | Envelop, Breath Fire |
| Special Defenses | Fire resistance |
| Magic Resistance | Nil |
| Size | S (4' long) |
| Morale | Unsteady (5) |
| XP Value | 270 |
Description
These ravenous creatures from the elemental plane of fire resemble dogs that are composed entirely of golden orange flames. Where their head might be, however, exist only clawing fingers of red fire. They maneuver rapidly through the air and never seem to stand still for a moment.
Combat
In many aspects they closely resemble their more powerful cousins the Fire Elementals. However the much quicker Plasma Dogs have the ability to fly and they can spit balls of flame. Fortunately they are relatively vulnerable creatures and easily slain, if they can be hit.
The primary form of attack for a Plasma Dog is to envelop their target with their body and consume it with flames. On a successful to hit roll, a Plasma Dog has enveloped its target and it proceeds to burn the victim doing 1d8hp of damage per round. The victim can normally escape this envelopment only through a successful saving throw versus breath weapons. The victim can also strike at the enveloping dog, however, attacking against AC 10. Anybody else who attempts to strike the dog must roll a natural 20 or instead damage the victim.
Plasma Dogs can also spit balls of red flames from their mouths, doing 1d6hp of damage on the first round and then 1d4 on the second. The range on these balls of flame is 2"/4"/7". Any target struck by the flame ball can save versus breath weapons for half damage. Fire-based creatures or those protected by an endure heat spell only suffer half damage, and a successful saving throw will negate any damage from heat. Any combustible items struck by the flame ball must save versus magical fire or be consumed by the flames.
While there is nothing substantial to strike in the body of a Plasma Dog, metal weapons drain their essence and they take full damage. Wood, stone, and other non-metallic weapons only do half-normal damage. They also take damage from strong winds, suffering 1hp per round for every 5 mph above 25. Finally, Plasma Dogs suffer double normal damage from cold or water-based attacks. Unlike a Fire Elemental, a Plasma Dog can cross a body of water or other non-flammable liquids. However, entering such a body would be immediately fatal.
Habitat/Society
The Plasma Dog is only at home in extremely hot conditions, and must linger in such an environment to survive. Temperatures cool enough for water to condense will soon kill a Plasma Dog. These creatures are quite social and are often found in a pack that often behaves like a group of wolves. There is always a pack leader and a hierarchy in such a group. The strongest individuals are expected to attack any enemies first, but always gain the best fuel and the right to breed with the slightly smaller females.
Ecology
They will consume any form of flammable materials, including clothing and other equipment. Plasma Dogs have an insatiable hunger and will hunt for fuel even in conditions they find uncomfortable.