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Giant rats, also known as dire rats, were a species of large rodent.[1]

Description[]

Giant rats were much larger than the common rat, most growing to the size of a large dog. They were covered in coarse fur that was brown-black in color.[3][4]

Combat[]

Giant rats worked exceptionally well in groups, taking advantage of their numbers to attack more efficiently.[1] They attacked a target by biting them with its sharp incisors. Giant rats avoided attacking stronger creatures, especially those wielding fire, unless driven by extreme hunger or compelled to do so by a wererat or vampire. Giant rats were excellent swimmers, as such they were just as dangerous in the water as they were on land.[3][4]

The bite of these creatures carried a potentially lethal disease known as filth fever.[3] It was recommended that victims of giant rat bites sought immediate clerical attention.[1]

Ecology[]

Giant rats were common found in subterranean areas such as crypts, dungeons and sewers. They were also found in great numbers within graveyards, where they dug a network of tunnel to gain access to the corpses found within.[3][4]

Some were raised to be mounts by the Tasloi, alongside spider eaters.

Habitats[]

Giant rats could be found in the wild in the Silver Marches, particularly in the Rauvin Vale and Sundabar Vale, as well as in the High Forest.[6] In urban environments they were commonly found in sewers,[7] though they were liable to migrate elsewhere if a water cat moved into their territory.[7]

Beyond the Prime Material plane, giant rats could be found in the Domains of Dread.[8]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Trivia[]

A dire rat could be summoned as an animal companion in Neverwinter Nights.[9]

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
Treasure HuntThe Tomb of DamaraLost Crown of Neverwinter · Tales from the Yawning Portal
Novels
Referenced only
The Ring of Winter
Video Games
Descent to Undermountain · Neverwinter Nights · Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over DaggerfordNeverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 327. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 219. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 64. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 David "Zeb" Cook et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc), p. 115. ISBN 0-8803-8738-6.
  5. Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 81. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  6. Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 43–44. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
  7. 7.0 7.1 John Baichtal (August 1997). “The Dragon's Bestiary: Spawn of the Sewers”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #238 (TSR, Inc.), p. 72.
  8. William W. Connors (1996). Monstrous Compendium - Ravenloft Appendices I & II. (TSR, Inc.), p. 70. ISBN 0786903929.
  9. BioWare (June 2002). Designed by Brent Knowles, James Ohlen. Neverwinter Nights. Atari.

Connections[]

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