FREQUENCY: Uncommon
FREQUENCY: Uncommon ([Dungeon Level III])

NO. APPEARING: 1-6
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 4"
HIT DICE: 2
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: [Q]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Paralysation
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to fire
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Semi-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S (2' to 3' long)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III | 73 + 2

Fire snakes -- coloured in shades from blood-red to orange -- are always found in fires.
Some large permanent fires will contain 1-6 of
these creatures, though in smaller, semi-permanent fires such as firepits
and oil bowls there may be one snake. Beneath the snakes will be
the gems they accumulate.

Since their colour matches well with their surroundings they strike with a 60% chance of gaining surprise.

Paralysation: Their bite inflicts 1-4 HP of damage and injects a mild venom which causes paralysation of the victim for 2-8 turns unless the victim makes a save against Poison.

It is conjectured that fire snakes are larval salamanders.
 

    by Michael McDonagh