Giant Strider (CR 1)
Large Magical Beast (Fire)
Alignment: Always neutral
Initiative: +1 (Dex); Senses: Listen +4
AC: 16 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 15
Hit Dice: 2d10+6 (17 hp)
Fort +6, Ref +4, Will -1
Speed: 40 ft.
Space: 10 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +2; Grapple +10
Attack: Bite +5 melee; or kick +5 melee
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee; or kick +5 melee
Damage: Bite 1d8+4; or kick 1d8+4
Special Attacks: Fireball
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 1, Wis 9, Cha 8
Special Qualities: Fire subtype. healing from fire, resistant to magic
Feats: Run
Skills: Listen +4
Advancement: 3-6 HD (Large)
Climate/Terrain: Warm mountains
Organization: Solitary or flock (2-6)
Treasure/Possessions: None
Source:
Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn
Ostrich-like featherless birds adapted to life in the hottest conditions, giant striders are usually found as the mounts of firenewts.
Giant striders stand about 8 feet tall and have mottled, leathery skin of dusky red. Their eyes glow a dull red, and steam constantly billows from their noses and mouths. Their beaklike jaws are lined with razor-sharp teeth.
Combat
Giant striders can attack opponents either to the front, with a vicious bite, or behind, with an even nastier kick. They do not fear battle, and they make excellent war mounts.
Fireball (Su): Twice per hour, a giant strider can emit a small fireball from ducts near its eyes. Each fireball has a range of 60 feet and a burst radius of 10 feet. Creatures caught by the blast must make a Reflex save (DC 14) or take 1d6 points of damage. A successful save negates all damage.
Fire Subtype (Ex): Fire immunity, double damage from cold except on a successful save.
Healing from Fire (Ex): Not only do giant striders take no damage from fire, they are healed by it. Once during each 3 rounds that a strider is exposed to intense heat or flame, the creature gains the benefit of a cure light wounds spell (1d8+1 hp healed). A fireball spell or other intense, fiery attack fully heals the creature instantly.
Resistant to Magic (Ex): Giant striders gain a +2 bonus on all saving throws against magical effects.
In The Realms
Giant striders are usually found as mounts for firenewts, and share the firenewts' geographical range. The only place where striders have been found in the wild is the Flame Fault on Tuern, suggesting that they may have originated on this distant island.