Hare

Hares were a species of small, gentle herbivorous mammals that lived in burrows. They were distantly related to the similarly looking rabbit, though were larger in size.

Behavior
Hares had a tendency to be skittish, though those that were familiars were far braver.

Abilities
Hares had a keen sense of both hearing and smelling. They were also known to be swift runners and jumpers.

Combat
When confronted with danger a hare would often try to dash away or hide.

History
The existence of hares on Toril dated back to the days of Netheril. In that era of history, the citizens of Ythryn were known to keep them as pets, often splicing them with wings.

At some point following the fall of Netheril, a sorceress known as the Weeping Witch used grimoires from that civilization to transform hares and foxes into monstrous beasts under her command.

Sub-Species

 * Arborean hare: Celestial hares that lived on the plane of Arborea.
 * Arcadian hare: Celestial hares that lived on the plane of Arcadia. They had a fur coloration that resembled copper.
 * Desert hare: A variety of hare that were adapted to life in desert environments. These could be found in Anauroch, around the oases of the Sword, as well as in parts of the land of Zakhara, such as around around the Oasis of the Golden Falcon. The nomadic people of Zakhara were known to use trained falcons to hunt for these creatures.
 * Rock hare: A species of hare found around the Spine of the World. They were quite plentiful around Hundelstone, due to rapidly growing moss and its inhabitants slaying most predatory beasts. The people of Hundelstone were known to cook a wide variety of dishes with rock hares.
 * Snowshoe hare: A species of hare found around the Icewind Dale region. Their bodies were adapted to cold climates and had shorter ears compared to other species of hare.

Diet
Hares were known to eat a wide variety of vegetables.

Habitats
Hares could be found in much of northwest Faerûn, especially in the Icewind Dale region. In west Faerûn, they could be found throughout both the Eastern and Western Heartlands.

In the Hordelands, hares could be found in the region's arctic plains and in the upper reaches of the Katakoro Plateau.

Relationships
Some arctic rangers were known to have snowshoe hares as animal companions.

Usages

 * Hares were a common hunter and trapper commodity in the Icewind Dale region and were commonly eaten by those who lived there.
 * Hares were one of the common sources of meat used by the Uthgardt villagers of Grunwald for their meat dumplings.
 * In the Dalelands, hares were served to patrons of The Shield and Keep and The Watchful Eye.
 * In Triboar, the Pleasing Platter served hares.
 * Near Mirabar, the inn known as The Sign of the Forgehammer would sometimes serve patrons hare meat as a side dish.
 * In the North, hares were served roasted to patrons of the Blue Clam and The Board Laid Bare.
 * In the town of Mosstone, patrons of the inn Oak Father's Boon were served a dish known as bowl of hares.
 * Hares were served stewed in a variety of establishments. In Cormyr, they were served to patrons of The Old Osyter and the Sleeping Cat. In the Western Heartlands, they were served to patrons of Gallowgar's Inn and The Jaded Unicorn.

Trivia

 * In his prophecies, the sage Alaundo gave the moniker "Year of the Leaping Hare" to 376 DR.
 * In the land of Kara-Tur, there existed a deity titled the god of the warren that presided over both hares and rabbits.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Divine Contention • Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
 * Novels
 * The Council of Blades &bull; The Jewel of Turmish
 * Video Games
 * Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms