Encounter: The Menacing Manticore

Encounter Level: 6

Background: The party is traveling through a vast expanse of grasslands, with rolling hills and small patches of tall grass. These plains are known for their beautiful sunsets and dangerous predators. Recently, a manticore has been spotted terrorizing travelers and local wildlife.

Encounter Setup: As the party crosses the grasslands, they notice the sky darkening as evening approaches. In the distance, they hear the roar of a beast and see a flock of birds suddenly take flight, scattering in all directions. Following the commotion, they come upon a scene of carnage where a manticore has attacked a merchant caravan.

Description: The scene is chaotic, with overturned carts and injured or dead horses and merchants. The manticore, a fearsome creature with the body of a lion, the wings of a bat, and a spiked tail, circles overhead, occasionally diving to attack the survivors who are desperately trying to defend themselves.

Encounter: The party arrives just as the manticore is preparing for another attack. The surviving merchants, injured and terrified, are trying to fend off the beast with makeshift weapons. The party has a chance to intervene and protect the remaining merchants.

Combat Encounter:

Manticore: CR 5

Tactics: The manticore will use its flight to its advantage, swooping down to make tail spike attacks before flying out of reach. It will target weaker-looking individuals first, hoping to scatter the defenders and pick them off one by one. If the party manages to injure it significantly, it will attempt to flee to find easier prey.

Resolution: If the party defeats the manticore, they save the merchants and secure the area. The grateful survivors offer the party a reward of 100 gold pieces and a Scroll of Fireball (uncommon magic item) from their trade goods. Additionally, they share information about other dangers and opportunities in the grasslands.

Treasure:

Gold Reward: 100 gold pieces
Scroll of Fireball: Uncommon magic item

Follow-Up:

The merchants tell the party about other caravans that have gone missing, leading to potential future quests to uncover what happened to them.
One of the merchants offers to hire the party as guards for the rest of their journey, providing a source of income and more adventures.