Catoblepas

A catoblepas was a seeming mix of buffalo, dinosaur, warthog and hippopotamus that lived in swamps or wastelands.

Description
The aberration had the large body of a buffalo that sat atop squat legs that resembled those of a pachyderm. A catoblepas' head resembled that of a warthog and sat atop an elongated neck that seemed ill-suited for actual support. Perhaps the most terrifying feature of these beasts were their large and deadly bloodshot eyes.

It possessed a scent that reeked of death and famine, not dissimilar to the swamp gas that filled its favored environment. The scent was reminiscent of skunk's stench mixed with foul bog vapors.

Behavior
These monstrous creatures possessed animalistic intelligence, spending most of their time wandering around swampy domains to graze on grass, weed, an occasional carrion, or freely-slain adventurer. Whenever the full moon shone, it ventured out further to hunt for meat.

When catoblepas were pacified by feeding them eldella ferns, became significantly less dangerous. Humanoids that sought to domesticate them could slowly approach the beasts, harness them, and lead away from the swamps. Keeping catoblepas happy was the main tool of domestication as happy catoblepas were cooperative. Happiness came from constant supply of food. Domesticated catoblepas consumed wagonloads of of straw, oats, pigs, catfish, and mangers of mice and snakes.

Abilities
Catoblepases relied on their extremely keen sense of smell and darkvision that reached up to.

Combat
Its most feared ability was its deadly gaze that rotted away flesh of creatures caught in it. The deathly gaze affected Prime Material, Astral, and Ethereal planes simultaneously. Thankfully, the beast's neck was weak ant it took a catoblepas significant effort to raise its head and gaze upon opponents. When several catoblepases were locked in combat, they cooperated and tried to herd the targets into the crossfire of the death rays. A catoblepas could easily stun prey with its mace-like tail that whipped around at incredible speeds.

However, catoblepases were intelligent and opportunistic enough to size groups of humanoids up, instead of blindly attacking them. Unless on a hunt, desperate for food, or defending their youth, catoblepases did not attack groups of humans or other humanoid creatures. Furthermore, catoblepases learned from their previous mistakes and encounters.

Ecology
Catoblepases were very rarely encountered in the wild. While they roamed in swamps and marshes to begin with, their continued presence in an area cultivated disease causing beneficial flora to wither away and die. The fetid influence of catoblepas's presence in the area rendered any beneficial qualities of local flora or restorative qualities of fresh water greatly diminished. The very gases of their swamps started to carry the beasts' musk and local wildlife became aggressive and likely - deceased. They mated for life and lived in solitude, with a mate, or raising an occasional singular calf. Catoblepase parent were extremely protectives of their offspring and attacked any creatures that approached the calves.

Male and female catoblepases raised the young cooperatively. A calf reached maturity in nine years. Female catoblepases birthed a single calf every 10-12 years.

Catoblepases' diet consisted of mostly swamp vegetation, carrion, and occasional slain adventurer. Fish, swamp birds, eels, water rats, large amphibians, snakes, and other swamp animals were catoblepases' typical prey.

Catoblepases found eldella ferns to be delicious and, if lightly toasted and fed to these beasts, neutralized the deathray for 24 hours.

Certain degenerate creatures took on inhabiting areas dangerously close to catoblepas territories often did so to avoid notice.

Habitats
Even though they liked being submerged in putrid muck, catoblepases laired in sheltered areas with firm ground, surrounded by thick reeds or other boggy vegetation. The beasts never guarded their lairs as they often were the most deadly creatures in the vicinity. Coins, gems, and other valuables often ended up being scattered around their lairs - all the items left from deceased adventurers. However, catoblepases did not value those items and paid them no mind.

The biggest concentration of these creatures in the Realms was known to inhabit the Marsh of Chelimber , occasionally, in some of the marshes or peat bogs of High Moor, in the Western Heartlands. Cormyrean Farsea Marshes and the Vast Swamp were homes of domesticated catoblepases. They also dwelled in the Rat Hills, by Waterdeep.

Outside of Toril, catoblepases could be found on the worlds of Aebrynis, Krynn, and Greyhawk, and in the Domains of Dread. Some shadow beast catoblepases could travel between worlds and spread death. They were known to accompany the Raven Queen in Shadowfell. These shadow creatures were hard to destroy as after death, they reformed back in the Plane of Shadow.

Relationships
"I stared for a moment, then realization came crashing down. These were catoblepas, creatures that could normally kill with a glance! Here they were, rolling about in the mud like domestic pigs, and showing puppyish affection to a woman whom they would normally kill, instantly and mercilessly! I made some incoherent noises, and finally choked out words of astonishment."

- Brother Twick

The Marsh Drovers of the Farsea Marshes were also known to have domesticated whole herds of the beasts. These catoblepas considered farmers to be parts of their packs and did not used their deadly gazes on them. The domestication happened gradually over many generations of breeding with the use of eldella ferns that neutralized the creatures' death rays. The aggression was bred out, as well as catoblepases' instinctual solitude. The biggest herd consisted of twenty beast and they often protected the Drovers from raiding orcs, trolls, and bullywugs.

Catoblepases and gorgons were known to be used by assassin bugs to gestate their larvae as was evident by hides pockmarked left by emerging juvenile assassin bugs.

Catoblepases were vulnerable to the animal friendship spell, cast by experienced druids. When these monstrosities fell under such magical charm they remained friendly towards the caster, unless forced to be sword-fodder.

Worshipers of the Raven Queen often embarked on hunts for catoblepases in search of their deity's blessing. Those who returned from the hunt alive and bearing a best's head earned great esteem among their peers. Inhabitants of the Feywild were also known to hunt catoblepases during the Wild Hunt.

Usage
The flavorful death cheese sold by Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue was made by using catoblepas milk gathered by blind monks. It could be found for sale in the markets of Eagle Peak. Deadeye Butter was made using catoblepas milk and herbed to delicate perfection. Surprisingly enough, all catoblepas products were nutritious and delicious, including raw milk and meat.

Catoblepas horns were valued at 30 gp. Other parts of catoblepas were used by wizards, such as eyes, heart, and brain. These farmed spell components were sold in the markets of Eagle Peak and Proskur.

Lynx eye gem could be dissolved in catoblepas tears to create a base used for all healing or necromantic potions or in brewing such substances as Keoghtom's ointment.

History
It was believed that the first catoblepases were created by a Netherese archmage. However, others claimed that these monstrosities were created by gods of rot and pestilence as symbols of their divine influence.

A horrific catoblepas dwelt in a foul-smelling muckhole in the Temple of Orcus in the Underdark below the Bloodstone Pass in the early 14 century DR.

In 1366 DR, three riders of Lord Cleedis's and Janol Famisso's squadron were felled by a deadly catoblepas during the ride towards Ankhapur.

Rumors & Legends
Catoblepases were popular subjects of stories and legends due to their fearsome and dangerous nature. Locals considered it to be an ill omen when one of these creatures established a lair nearby. Even though these claims of ill fortune were false, the silhouette of a catoblepas symbolized death or doom in heraldry.

Some legends claimed that hags raised these creatures like cattle and fed on their milk.

Other tales said that individuals of impure heart could tame catoblepases. These stories were spawned by the fact that warlocks, death knights, and even hags were known to domesticate the bests and use them as mounts.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Mines of Bloodstone
 * The Accursed Tower
 * Novels
 * King Pinch
 * Comics:
 * Circle of Fear
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards