Throat leech

The throat leech was a deadly parasite found in the High Moor region of Faerûn.

Description
Throat leeches resembled small wooden twigs about long.

Combat
If ingested, a throat leech attached itself to the inside of the victim's throat and began sucking blood until it was sated or until it was removed or killed. It took a full ten minutes to sate a throat leech, swelling as it fed, but during that time the victim had a serious chance to choke to death. If magical methods like cure disease were not available, the best way to kill a throat leech was to pierce it with a heated wire or other thin, sharp object that would fit into the victim's mouth. The hot wire caused the leech to burst and die. It took a steady and dexterous hand to successfully skewer a throat leech without further harming the victim.

History
In the late 14 century DR, Ravens Bluff resident Skully sometimes sought out and purchased throat leeches. He secretly offered these for sale at his shop, Skully's Bar and Bait, as highly priced fishing bait.

Ecology
Careful filtering of water before drinking was one sure way to prevent accidental ingestion of a throat leech. One could also prevent ingestion by boiling their water or purifying it through magical means.

Habitats
Throat leeches were primarily known to inhabit the High Moor, but they could survive in any body of fresh water.

Throat leeches could also be found in Chult, the freshwater areas of the Moonshae Isles, the Moonsea lake, the River Ashaba of Cormanthor, and Dragon Reach.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds • Tomb of Annihilation