Xytar

Because of xytars' fiery breath, inexperienced travelers sometimes mistake these 8-foot-long lizard-like creatures for dragons. Xytar hides, though predominantly yellow, bear red and orange mottling along the back. Xytars have six legs and long, toothy jaws. They dwell in hot desert areas and can go without water for weeks.

The carnivorous xytars hunt in packs, often targeting passing caravans and settlements on the fringes of deserts. They can breathe a cone of fire 30 feet long and 10 feet wide at the base. A favorite xytar tactic involves first breathing fire to "soften up" the victims, then closing in to snap and bite in melee.

Alchemists seek out the throat sacs that create the lizards' fire, using them to concoct potions of fire breath. With much difficulty, xytars can be trained to attack. The creatures must be raised by their trainers and will not respond to anyone else. Only sis'thik lizard-kin are known to commonly raise xytars.

Note: The xytar originally appeared in this form in the Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix for the AD&D game from TSR. Its use here is for the purposes of providing context for the campaign only.