Giant ant

Giant ants, also called zuka ants in Kukalatu language of the Malatran Plateau, were a type of ant, but much bigger. There were several types, workers, warriors, soldiers, drones, and the queen.

Abilities
Much like regular ants, giant ants communicated through the use of complex pheromones. These pheromones were also highly acidic and were known to be used offensively by giant ants.

History
In the 883 DR, chaotic magic emanating from Hellgate Keep drove a colony of giant ants to burrow beneath the Grandfather Tree and the Halls of Mists. By 1370 DR this colony was still known to be inhabiting the Hall of Mists, having created an extensive network of tunnels.

Ecology
Giant ants lived together in hives consisting of hundreds of members, most of whom were of the worker variety. Workers maintained the nest, while warriors fended off intruders. Warriors also acted as explorers and guardians of workers and went traveling beyond the confines of their nests. By contrast, giant ant soldiers almost always remained within their nest, unless ordered by their queen.

Their social organization was said to rival that of most humanoids.

Habitats
Giant ants were known to live in the Bandit Wastes of Lapaliiya in southwest Faerûn. They dug a warren of tunnels beneath the barrens. In north Faerûn, they could be found in the heavy forests of Cormanthor.

A colony of ants inhabited the Hall of Mists in High Forest. Due to long-term exposure to the magic within the hall their physiology was altered, granting them regenerative and phasing abilities comparable to a phase spider.

Beyond Faerûn, giant ants could be found in parts of Kara-Tur. In the Zakhara region's Crowded Sea, giant ants could be found on the island chain of Nada al-Hazan and the archipelago of Jazayir al-Sartan.

Beyond the Prime Material plane, giant ants could be found in the Elemental Plane of Earth and in the Beastlands.

Relationships
They often competed with ankhegs for territory. If they ever killed or drove away the adults of an ankheg nest, the broodlings left behind would be made to serve the giant ant colony.

Though difficult to tame and separate from their hive, some people were known to use giant ant workers as pack animals and soldier ants as fearless combat mounts. Queen pheromone admixture, a potion developed by alchemists, would help ease the process of capturing and taming a giant ant by making the drinker smell like a queen.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Dungeon #69, "Slave Vats of the Yuan-ti" • Dungeon #87, "The Raiders of Galath's Roost"
 * Novels
 * Feathered Dragon
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * Sharp Teeth, Mostly Tasty &bull; Silver Lining