Lirana (Hunters in the Night)
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Subterrean |
| Frequency | Very rare |
| Organization | Bands |
| Activity Cycle | Any (underground), Night (above) |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Intelligence | Very (11-12) |
| Treasure | K, L |
| Alignment | Neutral evil |
| No. of Appearing | 10-80 |
| Armor Class | 0 |
| Move | 6 |
| Hit Dice | 2 |
| THAC0 | 19 |
| No. of Attacks | 3 |
| Damage/Attack | 1-3/1-3/1-6 |
| Special Attacks | Spit acid |
| Special Defenses | Hide in shadows, illusions |
| Magic Resistance | Nil |
| Size | T to G (1' to 20') |
| Moral | Steady (11-12) |
| XP Value | 270 |
(idea from Barbara Hambley's Darwath Triology)
Description
The lirana, or hunters in the night, are quasi-material beings from the Plane of Shadow. They can change their size, from less than a foot long to about twenty feet long, and their bodies are somewhat malleable, so they can go through holes smaller than their length. They attack with a claw, claw, tail attack routine, and if pressed will spit acid for 2d6 damage, save vs. breath weapons for half. They will not approach light, but they have the power to cast a sphere of darkness, draining the power of any light within the zone. Lirana typically attack in large numbers, but they are almost impossible to count. From 50% - 90% of the lirana present will attack each round, but they will flee if they lose more than half their original number. They possess a communal intelligence, and are very clever. They live in great underground caverns, usually on the ceilings. They can become almost impossible to see in any shadows (though note they will never venture forth during the day, and even strong moonlight can drive them off), hiding with a 90% chance of success. They generally do not use this ability to ambush, preferring to cast darkness over their victims and attack during the confusion.