Scalper
The Scalper is a creature of twisted magical design. It was created to plague an enemy's lands and terrorize it's populace. Long after the kingdom that created these beast faded into dust, the Scalper live on past it's creators. No such creature would normally exist in nature and one who is learned in the ways of beasts will see the several creatures that are present in the make-up of the scalper. Scalper are not as numerous as they once were, but if left in areas where their population can grow unchecked, they can reach plague-like population. A scalpers primary source of food is the brain matter from humanoid creatures. They have no discernible preference as to what kind of humanoids they like to feed upon. In times of low food, the Scalper will subsist upon lower creatures of the forest. When the food is low, many Scalpers will take flight and find new food sources elsewhere. Often, a group of Scalpers will inhabit abandoned buildings or parts of building that are still used. From these urban perches, the Scalpers will hunt under the cover of darkness. These creature are little known in most lands, and when they attack leaving behind bodies with half their heads missing-it can create quite a uprising in myth. Many believe them to be demons, they were created to strike fear into the people and they are designed well.
Battle Tactics:
Scalpers will only attack by surprise. They will only attack groups if they outnumber then 2 to 1. Scalpers will be perched in a tree or roof and wait for unsuspecting prey. Using the cover of darkness they will swoop down upon the head of an indented victim. They will latch on to the victim's neck with it's four powerful tentacles and then bite down on the victim's head with it's massive jaws. Once it has latched on it the Scalper will continue to bite until the victim is killed at which point it will fly off with it's meal (the top part of the head and brains). Scalpers are very hard to hit in flight as they can maneuver quite well in the air. Scalpers can easily dodge most missile fire and will stay out of melee range until they attack. Once a Scalper has latched on to a target it is quite easy to hit, but one must be careful not to further injure the victims head! When a scalper is killed it discorporate into a sticky, foul smelling goo. Because one can never bring a body of one of these beasts back as proof, it further perpetuates the myth. Groups of adventures have brought back bags of foul smelling sludge to show as proof of their victories-most are skeptical at best.
Habitat:
Scalpers tend in inhabit wooded areas that are frequented by humanoids, they will also settle in urban areas at times when food is scarce. Scalpers will follow their food source but tend to stay away from extremes of heat and cold much like most humanoids.
Ecology:
Scalpers live for about 20 years, they breed prolifically however, give birth to hundreds of young each year. These creatures are asexual and lay a hoard of eggs in mud or similar substance. Most of the young will not survive, being eaten by their siblings. About 10-100 make it to adult hood. These creatures live in packs of a sort and hunt in groups. They have no leader, more like a school of predatory fish in behavior.
Description:
Scalpers are half spherical in body shape, most being from 12"-24" across. On the top of their bodies are bat-like leathery wings. On each side of the creature are sets of tentacles. The under side of the creature is a gaping maw with rows of sharp serrated teeth, much like a sharks. Above the mouth is a large evil-looking eye. They are able to change their color to match most natural surroundings, so their color varies depending on the current perch.