FREQUENCY: Very rare
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level III])
 

NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVE: 12"
HIT DICE: 1
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: [SB]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Poison
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: [SB]
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S (3' long)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III | 88 + 1

The invention of some great MU or minor deity, this segmented
automaton is made of an unknown metal and shaped in imitation of
a snake. It is believed that there are only a dozen or so of
these creatures in existence and they are quite valuable (high-level
MUs rate their value at 2000 gp if deactivated and the command
words are known).

The cobra is activated and deactivated by key words set by it's creator;
when activated, it can obey simple verbal commands. When immobile
it is absolutely silent but when moving it usually emits a soft rustling
noise not unlike that made by a normal snake.

It has no mind so it is not affected by spells affecting the mind (for
example sleep or charm) nor is it affected by webs. Non-magical
weapons inflict only half damage on it. It has the ability of an 8th
level thief to hide in shadows (in which case it is not detected by
infravision since it emits no body heat) and can also strike with
surprise from behind, moving in utter silence for short periods as
necessary. Its bite delivers a deadly poison (which also inflicts 1-3
points of damage) against which a victim must save at -2. The
capacity of the fangs is, however, limited; after three poisonous bites
the poison supply runs dry and the fangs simply inflict 1-3 HP of
damage. (If the controller of the snake is at hand, of course, the
fangs can be re-charged with poison when the opportunity arises).

Against magical spell attacks, other than those mentioned above, the
iron cobra makes a save as would a 12th level MU.

The iron cobra may be set to guard a treasure or to act as a bodyguard.
Alternatively, it can be ordered to track down and destroy
anyone whose name is known providing that person is within one
mile. In the latter case, the creature tracks down its quarry by homing
in on his psychic vibrations (the victim can block these, if he is aware
of the pursuit of the cobra, by mind blank or a similar spell).

It is said that some iron cobras contain in their fangs paralysing,
sleep-inducing drugs instead of poison; against these a victim would
need to make a normal saving throw.


UK1

<(FRC2 notes that these are made by The Red Wizards of Thay)>
<There is a dead iron cobra in an encounter in Polyhedron #17>

    by Philip Masters