Chimera

The chimera is a large magical beast that appears to be an amalgam of several different creatures. A chimera is usually Chaotic Evil in alignment.

Physical description
A chimera has the hindquarters of a goat, the forequarters of a lion, and a set of dragon wings. The beast has three heads: a horned goat, a lioness, and a dragon. The dragon head can be black, blue, green, red, or white, and has a breath weapon appropriate to the color. They rarely mate; their creation is the result of "a dark mystery better left unexplained".

Combat
The chimera usually does not perceive humans as a threat, but will normally attack the easiest source of food, and will leave humans alone if an easier source is available. It will not hesistate to withdraw from combat if it becomes injured, and will not seek vengeance later. The chimera prefers to attack by swooping from the sky, attacking with its claws and its jaws, but it will also charge along the ground, leading with its lion head. Once entered into combat, it will use its dragon head to defend against attackers while its lion head will attempt to grasp its victim's neck in its jaws and snap it. It is not uncommon for the goat head to sleep throughout the entire battle.

Society
Chimeras' dragonish nature often leads them to attack intelligent beings for their treasure and to live solitary existeneces in caves, though some take after the lion and live in prides.

Mating usually occurs annually in late spring, with the females being extremely reluctant to perform the act, and even attempting to hide. They typically struggle against the more powerful males, breathing fire from the dragon head. The pregnancy will last around a year, with the average birth consisting of six offspring, which she will abandon after only a few days.

The excess milk produced by the female chimera after abandoning its offspring will be released while she sleeps. It is a thick, black liquid, which acts as an intoxicant for orcs and can be highly prized.

Gorgimera
The gorgimera is a variant of the chimera, with the hindquarters (and third head) of a gorgon instead of a goat. Its gorgon head likewise has a gorgon's breath weapon.

Cormanthor
The chimerae in Cormanthor are nomadic rather than territorial, and as a result, have a beneficial impact upon the ecology, choosing to prey on weakened or sick animals all over the forest. They sometimes cool themselves by submerging in mud during the summer. Due to the density of the forest in most parts, the chimera's aerial abilities are limited. Mating between chimerae typically occurs in the rimwood area, with the female being characteristically reluctant.

About ten percent of Cormanthor chimerae have pink lips, but the majority have black lips.

Chimerae in Cormanthor will fly to the top of elms in sunny weather, to benefit from the warmth. This causes those with pink lips to suffer from sunburn, making it difficult and painful for them to eat. As a result, red-lipped chimerae are extremely aggressive and will stop at nothing to vent their rage.