Giant gars were a rare, larger-than-normal variety of gar.[2][4]
Description[]
These creatures had long, sleek, and aerodynamic bodies that measured 21 to 30 feet (6.4 to 9.1 meters) in length.[2] They had small fins but were covered in large,[1] hard, overlapping scales. Their mouths were similar to those of an alligator or crocodile and contained needle-sharp teeth.[2]
Behavior[]
Giant gars were comparatively far more aggressive than their smaller cousins.[2][4] They were largely fearless and considered anything small enough to swallow to be prey.[1]
Combat[]
These creatures were capable of swallowing whole their victims, as well as objects up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length.[2][4] Even giant gars that were considered to be small in size were capable of swallowing whole elves and dwarves.[4]
History[]
A giant gar was one of many creatures installed as guardians in the Temple of Gulkulath within Undermountain.[5]
Sub-Species[]
- Blackfins
- A species of giant gar that inhabited areas with cold water. They were known to be found around some areas of the Moonshae Isles.[6]
Ecology[]
Giant gars lived in groups known as schools,[2][1] typically comprising up to six members.[4][1]
Habitats[]
These creatures were known to inhabit deep freshwater lakes and rivers in temperate regions.[2][4]
In the land of Faerûn they could be found in the waters around Cormanthor,[7] particularly in the River Ashaba.[8][9] They also inhabited the River of Gems in Anauroch,[10] the shallows of the Rat Hills,[11] freshwater bodies in the Moonshae Isles,[12] the Sea of Fallen Stars,[13] that sea's northern fjord Dragon Reach,[9] and Thay's River Lapendrar.[14]
Beyond Faerûn, they could be found in the tropical and subtropical fresh waters of Kara-Tur.[15] Within the Underdark, giant gars could be found in the upper lake of Deepearth.[16]
Besides Toril, giant gars were known to be found on the planet of Oerth.[17]
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
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Clifford Horowitz (July 2004). “Silicon Sorcery: The Temple of Elemental Evil”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #321 (Paizo Publishing), p. 60.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 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. {Template:1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1991). “Campaign Guide to Undermountain”. In Steven E. Schend ed. The Ruins of Undermountain (TSR, Inc.), p. 22. ISBN 1-5607-6061-3.
- ↑ Aquatic encounters table and map of Aithelar included in Ed Greenwood (1991). Halls of the High King. (TSR, Inc).
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 12. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Random encounters table included in Ed Greenwood (1989). Tantras (adventure). (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-88038-739-4.
- ↑ James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 66. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2020-07-05). River Lapendrar Fauna (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-07-05. Retrieved on 2024-01-15.
- ↑ Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), p. 61. ISBN 0-88038-851-X.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (1986). Dungeoneer's Survival Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 87. ISBN 0-88038-272-4.
- ↑ Grant Boucher, William W. Connors, Steve Gilbert, Bruce Nesmith, Christopher Mortika, Skip Williams (April 1990). Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-88038-836-6.