Manticore

A Manticore is a legendary monster with the head of a man, the body of a lion, and the tail of a giant scorpion

Origin
Myths of the Manticore originated in Persia, where the word means "Man-eater". A greek physician, Ctesias by name, worked at the palace of the Persian king for a while and then brought tales of the creature back to Greece. It was then featured in a number of greek myths.

Characteristics
The Manticore was said to be sapient, like humans, but utterly incapable of suppressing its predatory instincts. It could speak and often used this ability to lure unwary humans into its grasp. It could launch an invisible dart from its tail that, if touched, caused sudden, painful death. It was considered on of the most dangerous creatures in the world, perhaps more so than the Chimaera.