Dolphin

Dolphins a peaceful species of aquatic mammal plentiful in the waters of Abeir-Toril.

Combat
Dolphins were a rather peaceful species and generally would only attack if they or their young were threatened. When engaging in combat dolphins acted as organized units, taking commands from a central leader. In some cases they were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the rest of their pod.

Ecology
About 10% of dolphins were known to live in organized communities with other species, such as swordfish and narwhals, and would actively work to drive evil creatures out of their territory. Such areas also tended to be devoid of sharks and killer whales.

Habitats
Beyond Toril, there existed a single species of dolphin on the planet Athas and schools of dolphins on the planet Karpri that both possessed innate telepathy. Those on the planet Athas were additionally all psionic wild talents, but didn't have the discipline for formal study of full psionics.

Relationships
They were the allies of the aquatic elves and particularly old and intelligent dolphins could be found living with them in Myth Nantar. Some water genasi were known to keep dolphins as pets. And some aquatic rangers were known to have them as animal companions.

They also held a distant interest in humans and would warn sailors of pirates or other aquatic threats, such as merfolk and sahuagin, and in some cases even come to their aid. They held great enmity towards the sahuagin as a whole, viewing them as a threat, and would often raid their communities and destroy their eggs.

When traveling with a group of aquatic or seafaring adventurers they were known to identify with the group as a whole, rather than any one individual. They were rarely noted as abandoning such groups, even in situations where it meant saving their own lives.

Dolphins were sacred to the elven god Deep Sashelas as well as the deities Istishia, Valkur, and Trishina. Priests of Deep Dashelas were said to have a duty to protect endangered dolphins and were required to have one as a companion in order to rise within the priesthood. However, dolphins were particularly noted as taking up the role of priests for Trishina and had a special section of Thalasia relegated for them by the goddess.

Trivia

 * The helm of underwater action had images of dolphins carved into it.
 * Some sea elves were known to craft and wear jewelry that was shaped like dolphins.
 * They could be found in the Bay of Dancing Dolphins in Dambrath where they could be seen performing the Dance of the Dolphins every evening at dusk. This display would attract spectators from all around Faerûn. The locals thought the dolphins were responsible for the calm waters of the bay. They were allies of the triton that lived in a hidden underwater city.
 * A silver statue of a leaping dolphin crowned Dolphin's Leap, a temple to Valkur in the city of Velen.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Dungeon #64: "Grotto of the Queen"
 * Comic books
 * The Dragon in the Dale
 * Video Games


 * Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford