Behemoths (also known as dinosaurs or thunderers[3]) were a group of ancient reptilian creatures found on Toril.
Description
Behemoths came in many shapes and sizes though, as their name implied, the best known were typically very large. Behemoths could be either herbivorous or carnivorous, depending on the species. Unlike dragons, behemoths were incapable of speech and were non-intelligent by nature.[4]
Behemoths came in many varieties, from small to large, but most shared a number of physical features. Behemoths were, for instance, all covered in a layer of pebble-like skin. Most also demonstrated a well-developed sense of smell, which predatory behemoths used to hunt. [4] Many were also herbivorous.[5]
Psychology
Like dragons, predatory behemoths had a powerful lust to hunt, their razor-sharp teeth suitable for rending prey apart and were also highly territorial. Herbivorous behemoths were usually less aggressive although when defending their young or wounded or after being startled or irritated, they could be vicious enemies [4]
History
It was widely believed by scholars of Candlekeep that behemoths existed in the time period known as the Days of Thunder.[6] In those ancients times, various species of behemoths thrived until a cataclysm changed the world so drastically that most of the behemoths went extinct.[7]
Sages from Candlekeep didn't had a unified theory about the nature of the catastrophe. Some believed the sun temperatures diminished to a degree that produced a global climatic change. Others believed this cataclysm was the Tearfall. And a lunatic sage proclaimed the cataclysm was actually a war between the gods and their enemies.[8]
Whatever the truth, only a handful of behemoths, among them the proto-dragons, were able to survive and evolve to the members of the species that existed in the present age.[8]
Ecology
Habitats
Behemoths often lived in areas very much isolated from humanoid habitation. They usually were found in remote mountain valleys, isolated rocky plateaus, dense tropical island forests, or secluded in the deepest and darkest of the jungles.[4]
Species
There were multiple species of behemoths, some of which are listed below.
Anatotian
A species of herbivorous behemoth with a duck like mouth, they are timid and easily frightened.
- Bloodspike behemoth
- Herbivorous behemoths marked by large plates resting along their spine and a notoriously bad temper.
- Ceratosaurus
- A large, carnivorous variety of behemoth marked by a horn-like ridge along its snout.
- Deinonychus
- Small, predatory behemoths roughly the size of humans that were highly social.
- Elasmosaurus
- An aquatic species of behemoth roughly fifty feet in length, much of which was from its extremely long neck and serpentine tail.
- Macetail behemoth
- Macetail behemoths were extremely territorial behemoths, covered in natural armor from head to toe.
- Megaraptor
- Superficially similar to deinonychus, though much larger, megaraptors were notable for their large hand claws.
- Pteranodon
- An enormous flying behemoth that fed on fish. They were common in Chult.[9]
- Triceratops
- Short-tempered and aggressive even for a herbivore, triceratops were recognizable by their three horns and armored head.
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Among the largest predatory behemoths, tyrannosaurus was both a predator and a scavenger.
References
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 79–80. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 60. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 148. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet and Monte Cook (October 2000). Monster Manual 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-1552-1.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 7. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 66. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
Sources
- Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.