Cloud Ray, Athasian

''You step on an outcropping of rock, when suddenly it transforms into a huge creature with a broad, flattened speckled-brown body on top and drab olive and white underneath. Four jet-black eyes stares at you, its 20-feet maw lined with razor-sharp teeth open.''

Tactics
The preferred attack of the cloud ray is to simply swallow its victim whole. Failing that, the cloud ray will employ the dangerous tail zip. The cloud ray will move in as close as possible on a silent glide, then strike the target with its tail, using a whip-like motion. The tail whip lashes out so quickly that it produces noise, like a thunder clap. The zip alone can easily destroy most buildings in a few swipes.

Description
Through the skies and clouds of Athas slowly fly these deadly giants. Cloud rays can sometimes be seen crossing the evening sky flapping their huge pectoral fins. Cloud rays wander aimlessly through the Athasian skies always searching for their next meal, which consists mainly of rocs, pterrax, and other flying creatures. On rare occasions they land on the ground and may be mistaken for an outcropping of rock.

After a good meal, cloud rays will sometimes psionically dream travel while their meal digests. Cloud rays have territorial respect for others of their species and, with very few exceptions, do not intrude into another ray's air space. They are solitary beings except when they seek a mate. Females have a gestation period which lasts over 3 years. They bear living young while airborne. The male catches and supports the young ray on his back for the first year of its life while the female forages. After the young cloud ray learns to fly and becomes self-sufficient, the three go their separate ways.

Although innately psionic, cloud rays become infuriated when someone tries to contact their minds. It drives them into a tremendous rage, and they will do anything they can (except land) to capture and devour the offender.