Why, That's a Pyrosphynx!

Four commenters came through for me when I asked what the heck the thing is that my dear wife drew. I'd like to thank Fat Alibert, Alex Schroeder, Reverend Mike, and Gomez for their ideas, all of which have been mashed together to create:

Pyrosphynx

Pyrosphynxes are intelligent beasts distantly related to fey lions. Although they are native to the Feywild, pyrosphynxes also reside in the forests of the natural world. Pyrosphynx cubs are small and green, while adult pyrosphynxes are bright orange and red with tails wreathed in flame.

Level 4 Lurker

Pyrosphynx Cub

XP 175

Small fey magical beast

Initiative +9 Senses Perception +3; low-light vision
HP 45; Bloodied 22
AC 19; Fortitude 16, Reflex 17, Will 16
Speed 6

mClaw (standard; at-will)

+7 vs. AC; 1d6 + 4 damage

MUndeniable Cuteness (immediate interrupt, when the pyrosphynx cub is targeted by a melee attack; at will)

+8 vs. Will against the attacker; the attacker must target a different creature or end its attack.

CShattering Cry (standard; recharge 6) * Thunder

Close burst 2; +5 vs. Fortitude; 2d6 + 4 thunder damage, and the target is dazed until the end of the pyrosphynx cub's next turn.

Forest Camouflage

If a pyrosphynx cub is in forest terrain when it makes an initiative check at the start of an encounter, it can make a Stealth check to escape notice.

Alignment Unaligned Languages Elven
Skills Stealth +10
Str 11 (+2) Dex 16 (+5) Wis 12 (+3)
Con 15 (+4) Int 8 (+1) Cha 15 (+4)

Pyrosphynx Cub Tactics

A pyrosphynx cub uses its shattering cry as often as possible, trusting in its camouflage and undeniable cuteness to keep enemies from attacking it effectively.

Level 8 Brute

Pyrosphynx Sun Lion

XP 350

Large fey magical beast (fire)

Initiative +6 Senses Perception +6; low-light vision
HP 106; Bloodied 53
AC 20; Fortitude 21, Reflex 20, Will 19
Speed 6

mClaw (standard; at-will)

+11 vs. AC; 2d8 + 4 damage

MPounce (standard; at-will)

The pyrosphynx sun lion moves up to 6 squares and makes a claw attack. If the attack hits, the target is knocked prone.

MTail Lash (immediate reaction, when an enemy moves to a position where it flanks the pyrosphynx sun lion; at-will) * Fire

The pyrosphynx attacks the enemy with its fiery tail: reach 2; +9 vs. Reflex; 1d8 + 4 fire damage.

RSpitfire (standard; encounter) * Fire

Ranged 10; +9 vs. Reflex; 2d10 + 5 fire damage and ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends).

CEarsplitting Roar (standard; recharge 5 6) * Thunder

Close burst 5; +7 vs. Fortitude; 1d8 + 5 thunder damage, and the target is stunned until the end of the pyrosphinx's next turn. Miss: Half damage.

Alignment Unaligned Languages Common, Elven
Skills Intimidate +11
Str 18 (+8) Dex 14 (+6) Wis 15 (+6)
Con 16 (+7) Int 16 (+7) Cha 15 (+6)

Pyrosphynx Sun Lion Tactics

A pyrosphynx sun lion opens with a spitfire if no enemies are nearby, then a pounce if it can move without provoking opportunity attacks. Once in melee it uses its earsplitting roar as often as it can, and uses claw attacks if it can't.

Level 14 Artillery

Firebred Pyrosphynx

XP 1,000

Large elemental magical beast (fire)

Initiative +12 Senses Perception +11; low-light vision
HP 110; Bloodied 55
AC 26; Fortitude 26, Reflex 26, Will 25
Speed 6

mClaw (standard; at-will)

+20 vs. AC; 1d10 + 4

MTail Lash (immediate reaction, when an enemy moves to a position where it flanks the firebred pyrosphynx; at-will) * Fire

The pyrosphynx attacks the enemy with its fiery tail: reach 2; +19 vs. Reflex; 1d10 + 5 fire damage.

RSpitfire (standard; at-will) * Fire

Ranged 10; +19 vs. Reflex; 1d8 + 6 fire damage and ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends).

CFireburst (standard; recharge 6) * Fire

Close blast 5; +16 vs. Fortitude; 2d10 fire damage and ongoing 10 fire damage (save ends). Miss: Half damage.

CBurst of Rage (free, when first bloodied; encounter) * Fire

The pyrosphynx’s fireburst recharges, and the pyrosphynx uses it immediately.

Alignment Unaligned Languages Common, Elven
Skills Intimidate +16
Str 18 (+11) Dex 20 (+12) Wis 18 (+11)
Con 20 (+12) Int 18 (+11) Cha 18 (+11)

Firebred Pyrosphynx Tactics

A firebred pyrosphynx uses its spitfire every round. If enemies get too close it uses fireburst.

Pyrosphynx Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Arcana check.
DC 15: Pyrosphynxes are intelligent creatures that grow from tiny green cubs into large red and orange fire-breathing beasts.
DC 20: Some pyrosphynxes are raised and trained by creatures of elemental fire. These specimens are infused with elemental fire and become living artillery.

Encounter Groups

Pyrosphynx sun lions are often worshiped by tribes of humanoids that live in their territory. Firebred pyrosphynxes are often the treasured pets of azer beastlords.
Level 8 Encounter (XP 1,700)
* 1 pyrosphynx sun lion (level 8 brute)
* 2 pyrosphynx cubs (level 4 lurker)
* 1 greenscale marsh mystic (level 6 controller)
* 3 blackscale bruisers (level 6 brute)
Level 15 Encounter (XP 5,800)
* 2 firebred pyrosphynxes (level 14 artillery)
* 1 azer beastlord (level 17 soldier)
* 1 azer foot soldier (level 14 soldier)
* 3 azer warriors (level 17 minion)

Total monster-building time: around 3-4 hours, but that's a complete entry. It's got three variants, lore, encounter groups, and a new picture of the sun lion variant.