The pair of creatures, like massive lions with strangely draconic faces, gnaw contentedly on a pile of treasure. The female’s spiraling horns sweep back over her skull while her mate’s single horn curves up from between his eyes.

Devourers of Wealth. Pixiu feed upon gold, silver, jewels, and magic items. Offering them valuables is an easy way to gain their attention or to pass unmolested when they are guardians of a pass, spring, or shrine. Their love of bells, baubles, and (especially) gold and silver necklaces leads them to work with bandits and wizards, so long as they are well-fed. In particular, they enjoy looting shrines and temples of bronze or silver bells.

Ambitious and Docile. Female pixiu are often more ambitious and cunning than the males. In some cases, male pixiu are seen as more docile or mistaken for unusual lions or chimeras; a female pixiu always stands out in both her boldness and her aggression.

Trained Hunters. Wealthy merchants and nobles have been known to raise and train pixiu as loyal companions. A well-trained pixiu is able to hunt for treasure and return the wealth to its master without eating it.

Pixiu

Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 112 (15d10 + 30)
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	15 (+2)	14 (+2)	5 (-3)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)

Skills Perception +4
Damage Resistances necrotic
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages understands all, but can’t speak
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Consume Treasure. The pixiu has an appetite for gold, silver, and jewels and consumes them whenever possible. If the pixiu attempts to eat a magical coin, gemstone, or piece of jewelry, the object has a 25% chance of breaking, dispelling its magic and rendering it useless. If the object doesn’t break, the pixiu gives up trying to eat it.

Protector of Qi. The pixiu is immune to disease and to effects that would lower its maximum hp. In addition, each ally within 10 feet of the pixiu has advantage on saving throws against disease and is immune to effects that would lower its maximum hp.

Treasure Sense. A pixiu can pinpoint, by scent, the location of precious metals and stones, such as coins and gems, within 60 feet of it.

Actions

Multiattack. The pixiu makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) slashing damage.