Asabi (CR 1)
Medium Monstrous Humanoid
Alignment: Usually lawful evil
Initiative: +1 (Dex); Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
AC: 15 (+1 Dex, +2 leather, +2 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Hit Dice: 3d8 (13 hp)
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +4
Speed: 50 ft., burrow 20 ft.
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +3; Grapple +3
Attack: Scimitar +3 melee; bite -3 melee; or light crossbow +4 ranged
Full Attack: Scimitar +3 melee; bite -3 melee; or light crossbow +4 ranged
Damage: Scimitar 1d6/18-20; bite 1d4; or light crossbow 1d8/19-20
Special Attacks: -
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10
Special Qualities:
Feats: Combat Reflexes; Skill Focus (Jump)
Skills: Hide +7, Jump +17, and Move Silently +7
Advancement: 4-6 HD (Large)
Climate/Terrain: Temperate desert
Organization: Squad (2-5) or tribe (6-48 asabis, 2-16 stingtails)
Treasure/Possessions: Standard
Source:
Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn
Asabis are desert-dwelling reptilian humanoids who are found as mercenaries or slaves in the service of evil creatures.
A normal asabi stands about 7 feet tall and has a 9-foot-long tail that stabilizes the creature when it stands upright. Asabis' thick. pebbly skin is brown or gray in hue, fading to dun or light green on the belly. They have yellow, egg-shaped eyes with horizontal slit pupils. Their limbs protrude from their sinuous bodies at odd angles, and they move with quick, awkward-looking gestures. Their heads swing from side to side atop thin necks. Their narrow skulls have sloping foreheads that end in protruding brows.
Combat
Asabis are cunning and enjoy planning ambushes for their prey, whether they are hunting desert nomads for their own enjoyment or engaged in warfare at a master's behest. Their favorite tactic is to hide themselves under the sand, listening for the approach of foes and rising up to attack with surprise.
Skills: All asabis are especially good jumpers. Their maximum distance is 20 feet for a standing jump and 15 feet for a standing high jump.
ASABI SOCIETY
Left to themselves, asabis live in tribes under the rule of a council of elders and a warleader. They may ally themselves with other evil creatures for mutual gain, or even adopt such beings into their tribe.
IN THE REALMS
The most notable involvement of asabis in the history of the Realms occurred in the Year of the Turret (1360 DR), when the Harper ranger Lander entered Anauroch to prevent an army roused by the Zhentarim, which included a number of asabi mercenaries, from dominating the Bedine tribes and seizing control of trade across the desert. With the help of a Bedine witch named Ruha, Lander rallied the Bedine tribes to destroy the Zhentarim army. A number of asabis were enslaved by the phaerimms under Anauroch. When the archmages of Shade destroyed their masters, most of the asabis escaped, and they continue to hire themselves out as mercenaries or serve other masters - such as illithids and beholders - as mindless slaves.
"Asabi" is the Bedine name for this race. The Common tongue names them "laerti," a word with its origins in the forgotten lore of Netheril.