FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Mountains], [Temperate Wilderness Hills], [Temperate Wilderness Forest])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 2
MOVE: 6"/24"
HIT DICE: 2
% IN LAIR: 5% <(hollow trees or small caves)> (1 Pseudodragon: forest, TPL26:4th, REF4.31)
TREASURE TYPE: [Q] (X 10)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 ~ 16
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Poison sting (+4 to hit), see invisible
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Chameleon power
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 35%
INTELLIGENCE: Average
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (good)
SIZE: S (1 1/2' long)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IV | 200 + 2

SAVES: 14.15.16.17.17

Pseudo-dragons are found in any clime, save the coldest or hottest, when
they are found at all. These creatures are rare indeed and highly sought
after. They lair in great hollow trees || small caves.

Poison sting: The pseudo dragon can deliver a vicious bite with its small, dragon-like
jaws, but its major weapon is its sting-equipped tail. This appendage is
long and very flexible. The creature can MOVE it with flashing SPEED, and
strikes at +4 to its "to hit" dice. Any creature struck must save versus
poison or go into a state of catalepsy which lasts for 1-6 days. During this
time the victim appears dead and there is a 25% chance the creature will
actually die.

Pseudo-dragons have a chameleon-like power, so that they can blend with
any typical background and become 80% undetectable to creatures not
able to see invisible objects. They can see invisible objects.

Magic resistance is an innate characteristic of pseudo-dragons, and they
are able to transmit this resistance to a human (or humanoid) companion
when the pseudo-dragon is touching the other creature.

A pseudo-dragon communicates by means of a limited form of telepathy.
If the pseudo-dragon elects to become a companion of a human (or
humanoid), it can also transmit what it sees and hears to its companion up
to a distance of 24".

Aerial Combat: 24", class B.
Pseudo-dragons rely on their poisonous stingers in aerial combat.

Description: Pseudo-dragons appear exactly as miniature red dragons.
However, their coloration is a basic red brown, and can be changed as
noted.

IlexGarodan wrote:
Gary,

I know this may be a bit silly, but what was the inspiration behind the Pseudo-dragon?
 

A co-worker or a fan--
I do not recall which it was--that wanted a special familiar for his or her PC.
It didn't seem too out of line, so I was agreeable to the inclusion of the critter in the roster of AD&D monsters.

Cheerio,
Gary