Medium humanoid (firenewt), neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (chain shirt, shield)
Hit Points 22 (4d8 + 4)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 13 (+1) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) | 11 (+0) | 8 (-1) |
Damage Immunities fire
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Draconic, Ignan
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Amphibious. The firenewt can breathe air and water.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The firenewt makes two attacks with its scimitar.
- Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
- Spit Fire (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The firenewt spits fire at a creature within 10 feet of it. The creature must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
Firenewts are a rare and aggressive species of lizardmen that inhabit volcanic regions. They have red or orange scales and can breathe fire. They worship a deity called Imix, who represents fire and destruction. Firenewts are heat seekers, and need hot water to live and breed. They become sluggish and hibernate if they are away from a source of moist heat for too long. Firenewts practice alchemy, and often chew a mixture of sulfur, mineral salts, and oil that enables them to spit fire.
COMBAT
Firenewt warriors are the most common and aggressive variety of firenewts. They are typically armored in chain mail and carry one or two weapons made from metal or stone. They also use their fire breath as a weapon, spitting fire at close range or breathing fire in a cone. Firenewts are immune to fire damage, and can withstand extreme heat. They often use giant striders or salamanders as mounts or weapons, and sometimes employ fire-based traps or explosives in their lairs. Firenewts are not very intelligent or wise, and tend to rely on brute force and fanaticism in combat.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Firenewts live in a cruel, martial society dominated by priests. Firenewts encountered outside their lair are members of a hunting or war party. They delight in torturing captives and roasting them alive. Intertribal relations tend toward genocidal warfare. Warriors earn great honor by destroying the hatching ground of an enemy tribe.
Firenewts live in regions that contain hot springs, volcanic activity, or similar hot and wet conditions. They dig tunnels and chambers in the earth, and create channels and sluices to circulate hot liquid through their settlements. Firenewts mine for minerals and metals, which they use for smelting, smithing, and alchemy.
Firenewt females lay two to six eggs twice each year. All eggs are collected by the priests and taken to the hatching ground. The hatching ground is the heart of both the firenewt colony’s life and the priests’ power. Although eggs and hatchlings are supposedly raised communally without record or regard for bloodline, in truth the priests maintain secret records for each egg. The priests discreetly eliminate the eggs of their enemies or of those who possess “undesirable” traits. Eggs hatch in six months. The young are divided by sex and assigned to groups of ten that are each raised and taught by two females. Each young firenewt is assigned to an adult who serves as mentor. The priests reward their allies by secretly assigning them their actual offspring.
Firenewts are hostile toward all outsiders, including other lizardmen, whom they consider rivals for territory and resources. They rarely ally themselves with any but the most powerful of evil beings.
ECOLOGY
Firenewts have a low impact on the ecology of their surroundings, as they mostly inhabit areas that are inhospitable to most life forms. They do not cultivate crops or keep livestock, but rather hunt for food or raid nearby settlements. Firenewts sometimes trade with other fire-based creatures, such as efreeti or azers, but they are generally distrustful of outsiders. Firenewts have few natural predators, as most animals avoid their fiery breath and stench.