Electric eels were a rarely-sighted species of eel in Faerûn[5] that possessed the unique ability to discharge a field of electricity.[4][1][3] Electric eels endemic to saltwater and ocean environments were sometimes called marine eels.[1]
Description[]
Electric eels had long scaleless bodies, with mouths devoid of teeth, and two short pectoral fins. They also had a single pelvic fin that stretched across most of the length of their stomach. This pelvic fin enabled the eels to quickly propel themselves in any direction, even backwards. Their bodies were largely a dull gray, though often displayed either green or red coloration on both their stomach and throat.[1]
However, the body length of a fresh water and marine electric differed significantly.[4] Electric eels that inhabited freshwater environments typically grew to an average length of 9 feet (2.7 meters).[4][1] The marine variety were known to grown to lengths of around 20 to 40 feet (6.1 to 12 meters).[3]
Biology[]
Electric eel possessed an inherent immunity any form of damage from electicity.[4][1]
Behavior[]
Like most species of eel, an electric eel were not aggressive creatures and would only attack if disturbed or threatened.[1]
Combat[]
When either hunting or needing to protect itself, an electric eel was capable of discharging a jolt of electricity out to radius of 15 feet (4.6 meters). This would either stun or outright kill most nearby creatures. If done for the purpose of self-defense, an electric eel would typically try to flee from their opponent afterwards in order to recover from the discharge.[1]
Rumors & Legends[]
In the late-14th century DR, rumors circulated claiming that kuo-toa were trying to capture and domesticate electric eels to guard their lairs.[5]
Ecology[]
Outside of when it came time for them to breed, electric eels spent most of their life solitarily. However, often times releasing a jolt of electricity would attract nearby electric eels, hopeful that they can take part in eating a killed creature.[1]
Diets[]
Electric eels were a carnivorous species. They typically feasted upon small fish and frogs, swallowing them whole as they lacked teeth.[1]
Habitats[]
Electric eels were known to inhabit shallow bodies of both fresh water and salt water, commonly at depths of 30‒150 ft (9.1‒46 m).[1][3] Some particular bodies of water that the fresh water variety were known to inhabit were the Lake of Dragons[6][7] and tropical areas of the Sea of Fallen Stars.[8]
Beyond the Prime Material plane, electric eels could be found in the Para-Elemental Plane of Ooze.[9]
Relationships[]
Though very difficult to train, some aquatic rangers were known to have them as animal companions.[10]
Usages[]
Several crushed electric eels could mixed with the blood of a blue dragon in a broth to enchant its tooth.[11]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The 2nd edition alignment given in the original source is "Nil", which should be read as Neutral according to this Sage Advice answer by Skip Williams in Dragon Magazine Issue #155: "The nil alignment rating is a holdover from an early draft of the Monstrous Compendium material. Originally, a rating of nil indicated that a creature was not intelligent enough to have an alignment at all. However, the nil rating was dropped during rewriting and should have been replaced with the neutral alignment."
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Under Fallen Stars
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
- Electric eel article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 David "Zeb" Cook, et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Two. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-8803-8753-X.
- ↑ Skip Williams (March 1990). “Sage Advice”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #155 (TSR, Inc.), p. 86.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 62. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Coastal Aquatic Lands: The Sea of Fallen Stars”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “The Settled Lands”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 79, 124–125. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ Monte Cook and William W. Connors (December 7, 1998). The Inner Planes. Edited by Michele Carter and Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 84. ISBN 0-7869-0736-3.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1993). The Complete Ranger's Handbook. Edited by Elizabeth Danforth. (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 1560766344.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 82. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.