Phoenix Guards

Weak in battle but deadly in death, stay far away from this elemental beasts.

(35 hp, 100 xp) - These creatures from the elemental plane of fire could actually be encountered in the original game through an Easter egg accessible by touching the tombstones in the city of Nashkel, but there's no avoiding them in Durlag's Tower. While they are relatively weak opponents in battle, phoenix guards have a tendency to explode into fireballs and to rise from the dead after they appeared to have been dispatched.

Polar Bear

This lonely polar bear isn't much of a threat, and he's the only one of his kind you'll encounter.

(66 hp, 900 xp) - These new beasts can be found on the island of ice, which you can reach by embarking on Shandalar's quest. Very similar to, and often associated with, mountain bears, although these frosty creatures have a few additional hit points.

Sirine Queen

Hail to the queen. Too bad she doesn't have any subjects nearby to protect her.

(hp 75, 6,000 xp). All of these malevolent creatures are capable of casting dire charm and improved invisibility, and should be taken out with rapidly firing missile weapons to prevent them from getting off their dangerous spells. Having a dispel-magic spell or two ready is also prudent, as is sending a few summoned monsters as cannon fodder, animated undead or charmed animals.

Succubus
(50 hp, 3,000 xp) - One of these demons is trapped in the upper floors of Durlag's Tower. Although normally possessing bat-like wings, the captive succubus has fallen prey to one of the curses infesting the tower, and will seek your assistance. If you choose to dispatch this evil creature instead, you'll have to be wary of her ability to cast domination, invisibility or dimension door at will, as well as her ability to temporarily energy drain constitution and dexterity points away from your characters (but not experience levels, as in pen-and-paper AD&D).

Next: monster and animal types (cont.)
 

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