Giant lamprey

Giant lampreys were a monstrous variety of the parasitic leech-like eels of the same name.

Description
Much like the mundane lamprey, these creatures had round sphincter-like orifices that were ringed with sharp teeth. Their bodies measured around in length. They typically had a sickly brown, green, or grayish coloring.

Behavior
These creatures had horrible tempers. They were largely driven by a desire to eat and reproduce. They tended to aggressively fight other creatures in order to protect their lairs.

Biology
Much like their smaller kin, giant lamprey had a near flawless homing sense, allowing them to pinpoint creatures up to away. They also were particularly vulnerable to fire.

These creatures injected some form of poison into the creatures that they attached themselves. While this poison was harmless to creatures other than fish, it imparted a severely sour taste upon the latter that many considered to be inedible.

Combat
Much like a leech or giant leech, used their mouths to fasten themselves to prey, from which they gradually drained blood. Once full, they detached themselves from their prey, but otherwise they largely refused to let go unless killed.

Habitats
Giant lampreys could be found in both fresh and saltwater environments, but were almost never encountered in shallow water, only deep waters. They typically made their lairs within underwater caves or coral formations.

In Faerun, they were particularly known to the inhabit the lake Moonsea, the River Ashaba of Cormanthor, Dragon Reach, and the Sea of Fallen Stars. On the Moonshae Isles, they could be found in various bodies of freshwater. In the Unapproachable East, giant lamprey could be found in the lakes of Rashemen.

Relationships
In salt water habitats, sharks often preyed upon giant lamprey.

Rumors & Legends

 * Local legends around Marsember persistently claimed that obscure sea cults dwelled in the city that fed living sacrifices to giant lamprey.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Polyhedron #77, "Downunder the Living City" • Curse of the Azure Bonds