Chameloid

Chameloids are man-sized reptilian bipeds. They have sharp claws and use them freely. They are regular packrats, taking what is not theirs and hording it away in their chambers. When confronted by most foes, they attack immediately. They are intelligent and can outwit most unsuspecting enemies with their quick shapechanging

Combat: Chameloids usually start battles using their sharp claws, inflicting moderate wounds on their foes, which slows them down enough so the chameloids can shapechange. Chameloids can shapechange at will to any ogre-sized or smaller creature. The process takes one round and heals 10-60% of the chameloid's wounds. They sometimes (20%) are able to mimic a human or demihuman character, confusing onlookers. Onlookers attempting to attack the chameloid in this state have a 40% chance of hitting the real character instead. Chameloids, however, radiate strong alteration magic when shapechanged, so this does not apply to those who can detect magic. In addition, while in normal form, a chameloid can attempt a leapdown attack. This attack takes two rounds. The first round is spent by the chameloid jumping out of sight of its enemies. The second round sees the chameloid come crashing down on its unsuspecting foe (Attack roll +4) causing 2-12 HP of damage. Chameloids have an extremely tough leathery hide, and all nonmagical weapons striking a chameloid have a 5% chance of breaking.

Habitat/Society: Chameloids thrive in dark, temperate areas. Since they have 90' infravision, it should come as no surprise that they prefer the dark. If caught in battle in full daylight, chameloids suffer -1 penalties to their attack rolls. Being intelligent creatures, they like to socialize among themselves, though they are always wary of other chameloids because of their free-willing nature. Many have there been times that a chameloid unknowingly meets another chameloid in disguise, only to be duped into trusting them with their "hard-earned" treasure.

Ecology: Chameloids are omnivores, though they don't eat too many vegetables. They prefer mammalian meat, especially human and demihuman meat. Roast elves' feet are a delicacy to chameloids, so they will attack elves for food on sight. However, they usually are forced to subsist off the land and steal herd animals for food due to the fact that they might inadvertantly touch off a vicious manhunt on chameloids.