A dusk beast was one of the ephemeras, a class of outsider native to the Plane of Shadow.[1][2]
Description[]
A dusk beast appeared, in silhouette, as a squat two-headed lizard about the size of a man. However, being wholly composed of shadowstuff, it only appeared as a transparent shadow, making them excellent at hiding. Its four legs were hazy and faded from view before reaching its feet. However, its fanged heads and wickedly barbed tail remained in sharp resolution.[1][2]
Combat[]
When confronted by an intruder, a dusk beast hid itself in the darkest shadow, then ambushed as many opponents as it could reach. Proving two heads were better than one, it could bite with both sets of fangs and also lash with its barbed tail. Thanks to its shadowstuff nature, it could extend its necks or tail to unnatural length versus its size, attacking up to 10 feet (3 meters) away, which could take targets by surprise.[1]
Ecology[]
Dusk beasts were nourished by areas of shadow, but not darkness—they would starve in a place of utter darkness as much as they would in full brightness. They dwelled in environments that would provide deep shadow, like canyons, forests, and dim subterranean areas; these were guarded prime feeding grounds.[1] They could track by scent.[2]
Behavior[]
Dusk beasts hated strong light and full darkness in equal measure. They savagely guarded their feeding grounds and sought to protect them, especially attacking those who brought light sources such as lanterns that caused their shadow-food to flee.[1]
They lived in packs of up to five but could be found singly.[1]
They were intelligent and knew the Common language.[2]
Lands[]
Dusk beasts were possibly found wild in the Shadow Swamp in the Plane of Shadow.[3]
Notable Dusk Beasts[]
In the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR, a dusk beast named Grask served as companion to the shadar-kai Sithierel on the Necreme as they plied the Shadow Swamp. It was presumed destroyed by adventurers in service to Mystra in early Eleint.[2][4]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 61, 169–170. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Richard Baker, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (March 2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 94. ISBN 978-0-7869-4119-3.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (March 2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 978-0-7869-4119-3.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (March 2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7869-4119-3.