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Like most draconians, Sivaks relish the suffering of others, but Sivaks are particuarly nasty; no victim is too small or too weak to be victimized by a Sivak. Sivaks work especially well in teams, defending one opponent against unexpected attacks and surround opponents to assault them from all sides. Sivaks do not fight carelessly. Unless ordered by a strong leader, they do not go into battle when the odds are stacked against them, nor do they venture into an area where an ambush is possible. They refuse to fight to the death, flying to safety if a battle turns against them.
The Sivaks' movement flexibility gives them an important tactical advantage. They can race forward on all fours, silently glide from a height, or attack from the air. Many opponents are unfamiliar with the existence of flying draconians, giving the Sivaks the additional advantage of surprise--for instance, a Sivak charging on all fours can suddenly take to the air and swoop at its opponent from behind.
Sivaks are also powerful shapechangers. When a Sivak slays a humanoid of its size or smaller, it can take the form of the victim. It does not gain the memories, experiences, or spell use of its victim and, like all draconians, in continues to radiate magic, but its voice appearance voice are exact matches to those of the victim. A Sivak can remain in this new form as long as it wishes. A Sivak can remain in this new form as long as it wishes. A Sivak can change back to its normal form at any time, but cannot shapechange again unitl it kills another victim.
Sivaks use their shapechanging ability to explore or spy in lands hostile to draconians. A shapechanged Sivak can kipnap an opponent, destroy him, then shapechange to the form of its victim.
Sivaks attack with both claws for 1d6 points of damage each and with their long, heavy tails for 2d6 points of damage (the tails can strike opponents on any side). They also use a variety of weapons, including long swords, two-handed swords, battle axes, and spears. A favorite weapon is a Sivak-designed sword with barbed notches on each edge; this weapon causes 1d10 points of damage. Sivaks also use magical weapons whenever available.
Sivaks gain a +2 bonus to all saving throws.
What happens to a Sivak when it reaches 0 hit points depends on the size of the slayer. If the slayer was a humanoid the same size or smaller than the Sivak, the slain Sivak shapechanges into the form of its slayer. It remains in its death shape for three days, after which time it decomposes into black soot. If the slayer was not a humanoid or if it was a humanoid larger than a Sivak, the Sivak immediately bursts into flame upon reaching 0 hp, causing 2d4 points of damage to all within ten feet (no saving throw).
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