Monster Monday: Qishilong, the Chinese Chimaera

Today's Monster Monday is the qishilong, a chimaera of Chinese mythical creatures that serves as a powerful guardian and master of the four elements. One head is that of the qilin (or kirin), the so-called 'Asian unicorn' which gallops through the air on flaming hooves. The second head is of the shishi, or guardian lion (also known as a foo-dog), omnipresent guardians of palaces and temples throughout East Asia. The third head is of a Chinese dragon, or long (imperial dragon).

The qishilong is not itself a being of Chinese mythology, merely a creation of my own inspired by Chinese mythology. Chimaeras are inherently weird, and it is pretty fun to come up with ideas for new types of them.

The following text in gold is available as Open Game Content under the OGL. Open Game Content is ©2018 Jonah Bomgaars.

This rainbow-scaled, dragon-tailed creature has three heads – that of a guardian lion, an imperial dragon, and a kirin

Qishilong   CR 11

XP 12,800

LG Large outsider (air, earth, fire, good, law, water)

Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., cloud sight; Perception +22

Aura magic circle against evil (20 ft.)

DEFENSE

AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 20 (+11 natural, +3 Dex, -1 size; +2 vs evil, +1 while flying)

hp 133 (14d10+56)

Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +14; +2 vs evil, +1 while flying

SR 20; Resist acid 30, cold 30

Immune disease, fire, electricity, poison, paralysis, sleep

Defensive Abilities elemental advantage

OFFENSE

Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (perfect), swim 60 ft.

Melee bite +18 (2d6+5), bite +18 (1d8+5 plus grab), gore +18 (1d8+5), 2 claws +18 (1d8+5), tail slap +13 (1d8+2)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. tail slap)

Special Attacks breath weapon (40 ft. cone, 10d6 fire, DC 20), torrent breath (60 ft. line, 10d6, DC 20)

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 14^th)

   constant – detect evil, detect chaos

   at will – bless, create water, gust of wind, hydraulic push,

   3/day – color spray (DC 16), control water, cure moderate wounds, lightning bolt (DC 18), sanctuary (DC 16), scorching ray (DC 17), stone call (DC 17)

   1/day – break enchantment, control weather, plane shift (self only)

STATISTICS

Str 21, Dex 16, Con 17, Int 18, Wis 20, Cha 22

Base Atk +14; CMB +20; CMD 33 (37 vs trip)

Feats Combat Casting, Flyby Attack, Hover, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Lunge, Toughness

Skills Appraise +14, Diplomacy +23, Fly +26, Intimidate +23, Knowledge (nobility) +18, Knowledge (planes) +21, Perception +22, Sense Motive +22, Spellcraft +21, Stealth +9, Swim +30

Languages Common, Auran, Aquan, Celestial, Draconic, Ignan, Terran

SQ water breathing

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Elemental Advantage (Su)

While standing on solid ground, the qishilong gains DR 5/adamantine as its hide becomes tough and stony. While immersed in water, the qishilong gains fast healing 5. While flying in the air, the qishilong receives a +1 divine bonus to its armor class and saving throws. While completely engulfed in flames, as on the Elemental Plane of Fire or inside a volcano, the qishilong’s natural attacks deal an additional 1d6 points of divine fire damage which bypasses fire resistance and immunity.

Cloud Sight (Su)

A qishilong’s vision is not impeded by clouds or fog, or by spells that create areas of fog.

Breath Weapon (Su)

A qishilong’s qilin head can breath a 40 foot cone of fire as a standard action once every 1d4 rounds, dealing 10d6 points of fire damage. Those within the area of effect can make a DC 20 Reflex save for half damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Torrent Breath (Su)

A qishilong’s dragon head can breath a 60 foot line of pressurized water as a standard action once every 1d4 rounds, dealing 10d6 points of bludgeoning damage. Those along the area of effect can make a DC 20 Reflex save for half damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment any

Organization solitary

Treasure standard

The Qishilong resembles a chimera, but with a far more regal appearance. It has the body of a lion and the long tail and foreclaws of an imperial dragon, and the hooved hindlegs of a kirin. Its three heads have a blend of draconic and leonine features, but can most readily be distinguished by their number of horns: the dragon (lung) head has two horns and no mane, but a long trailing moustache-like tendrils; the kirin (qilin) head has a single horn, a flaming mane, and the moustache tendrils; and the guardian lion (shishi or foo-dog) head is stony, with no horns but a voluminous, curly mane. The whole body of the creature is covered in draconic scales that shimmer with rainbow luminescence. Qishilong are masters of the elements, representing between their three heads the four main elements of fire (qilin), water (lung), earth (shishi), and air (lung, qilin). They are stalwart protectors of Law and Good, doing battle across the planes against the forces of evil and chaos.

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Plot Hooks and Encounter Ideas

• A powerful warlord is mustering an army to overthrow the emperor, but his plans are continuously foiled by a pair of qishilong. He hires the PCs to defeat the guardian interlopers so he can continue his rebellion.
• Legend has it that the golden statue in front of the Temple of Ka Darong is actually an imprisoned qishilong. If someone could find the right combination of spells to free it, they would certainly be granted some sort of divine boon.
• As the party prepares for their last-ditch attempt to slay The Unmaker, they are approached by a qishilong emissary of the Celestial Kingdom. Perhaps, with her help, this won't be the suicide mission they feared it would be.

-your foo d20 despot