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Giant bombardier beetles were a species of giant beetle.[3]

Description[]

The bodies of bombardier beetles generally grew to be around 4​ to ​6 feet (1.2​ to ​1.8 meters) in length.[4][3][2]

Combat[]

As a defense mechanism, bombardier beetles were able to expel clouds of reddish acidic vapor from their abdomens that had a horrible smell.[4] The sound of them expelling this acid could be deafening, potentially stunning nearby creatures.[4][3] They could also emit a cloud of fire to protect themselves, a few times per day.[3]

Ecology[]

Bombardier beetles were often solitary creatures.[3]

Like most species of beetle, these creatures lacked good eyesight or hearing. Because of this, bombardiers primarily relied upon their tactile and taste senses. The latter was done by means of their antennae.[4]

Diet[]

Unlike many beetles, bombardier beetles were solely carnivores, feeding mostly on carrion and gathering carcasses as places to lay their eggs.[4][3]

Habitats[]

Bombardier beetles were typically found to dwell above-ground in forests[4][3][2] of warm climate regions.[2]

In north Faerûn they were known to inhabit parts of Cormanthor's forests[5][6] and the Dragon's Eye in the Spine of the World.[7] In south Faerûn they could be found in the Forest of Amtar and the Lluirwood,[8] as well as the Mere of Dead Men.[9]

On the Chultan Peninsula, giant bombardiers were a common sight in the jungles of the nation of Samarach.[9]

Beyond Toril, they could be found on the planet of Krynn.[10]

Usage[]

The substances inside bombardier beetles could be harvested from dead specimens and used create small explosives.[3] Their glands could be mixed with the blood of a black dragon in a broth to enchant its tooth.[11]

History[]

In the late 15th century DR, the Chang Emporium shipped bombardier beetles alongside fire and tangler beetles on the caravel Dragonfly to the city of New Velar, intending to have them sold by Lin-Woh as guardian animals. However, once there an offloading accident occured, leading cages to crash to the ground and unleash many of the beetles trapped within them.[12]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. Pierre van Rooden (September 2008). The Prospect (DALE1-1). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), pp. 7–8.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 284–285. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 18. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 9. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  5. Ed Greenwood (March 1993). “Campaign Guide to Myth Drannor”. In Newton H. Ewell ed. The Ruins of Myth Drannor (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 1-5607-6569-0.
  6. James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Cormanthor”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 10. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  7. Black Isle Studios (June 2000). Designed by Matt Norton. Icewind Dale. Interplay.
  8. Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 84, 87, 89. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Obsidian Entertainment (November 2008). Designed by Tony Evans. Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir. Atari.
  10. Rick Swan et al. (1990). Monstrous Compendium Dragonlance Appendix. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 88. ISBN 0-88038-822-6.
  11. Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 82. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.
  12. Pierre van Rooden (September 2008). The Prospect (DALE1-1). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), pp. 5–6.
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