Lion

Lions were powerful feline predators that travelled and hunted in large groups, known as prides.

Description
Male lions had large manes of golden fur. They were responsible for defending the pride against any attackers. Female lions, who had no manes, were the hunters of the pride. They used group tactics to hunt and provide food for the entire pride.. A male lion was 5 to 8 feet long and weighed 330 to 550 pounds. Females were slightly smaller.

Society
The symbol of a lion was used in heraldry across the Realms. The golden lion served as the currency of Cormyr.

Numerous locations in Faerûn were named after lions:
 * Way of the Lion (Sword Coast)
 * Grinning Lion (Waterdeep)
 * The Raging Lion (near Scornubel)
 * Roaring Lion Inn (Tantras)

Numerous organizations in Faerûn were named after lions: Nobanion was considered the deity of lions. Lions were among the favored animals of Anhur.
 * Army of the Lion of Aglarond
 * Black Lion tribe of Beorunna's Well
 * The Lionshield Coster was a trading company based in Yartar. Their symbol was a lion's head atop a field of blue.
 * Religion

The entrance to the Shining Temple of Bishamon in Aru was guarded by massive lion statues, carved of ebony with eyes of gold and teeth of crystal.

Habitat
Among other places, wild lion prides were found in the wild grasslands surrounding the ancient city of Cursrah in the area that would later become the Calim Desert.

Spotted lion

 * These animals were about thirty percent larger than the standard lion, and had a speckled outer coat. They roamed the plains and hills of the land, and exhibited similar form and behavior as other lions.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Star of Cursrah
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * Mayhem in the Earthspur Mines
 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition • Baldur's Gate II: The Black Pits II – Gladiators of Thay • Icewind Dale II • Neverwinter • Neverwinter Nights • Tomb of Annihilation