A giant squid was a rare, gargantuan, and powerful squid.[2][1][3]
Description
These squids were similar to the standard molluscs that posed no threat to society. Giant squids, however, were dangerous hunters, and would attack anything they encountered, even ships.[1] They were absolutely huge, measuring over 60 ft (18 m) long, and had ten powerful tentacles.[2] Giant squids were protected by a hard shell, but were vulnerable in other areas.[3]
Krakens were a type of gargantuan squid. Despite their similarities, krakens were highly evolved, intelligent, and one of the most deadly types of creatures in existence.[2]
Behavior
Giant squids were excellent and fast swimmers, and able to jet away at extremely quick speeds.[1]
Combat
Such creatures mainly attacked by constricting their foes with their strong tentacles and biting them. It was possible for these squids to have their tentacles severed, and if so, they grew back within a few days. If they were losing a fight, they were able to emit huge inky clouds and swim away.[1]
Even vessels had little chance to survive a giant squid attack, as the molluscs could drag the whole ship to the bottom of the ocean.[2]
Ecology
These squids appeared in natural waters, such as in the Staunt Pools of Luruar[4] and Mlossae,[5] but also in other places. They were known to inhabit the Fated Depths, a water-based fiendish plane of limitless depth.[6]
Giant squids, though deadly predators, sometimes fell victim to hungry cachalot whales.[7] They had no need to hunt in groups, and only ventured alone.[1]
Uses
Giant squid sepia was a very common material component in spells, particularly those that involved language, detection, and reading.[8] It was used in erase,[9] message,[10] detect magic,[9] read magic,[11] and comprehend languages.[9] The archmage, Asmiak, noted in the Book of the Silver Talon that darkness, 15' radius had a reduced duration when a material component was replaced by giant squid sepia. Such giant squids could be summoned by the summon monster IX spell.[12]
The shape of squid ships, particularly the hull of Morkoth, resembled giant squids.[13] These giant animals were kept and revered by the Kraken Society.[14]
Appendix
Appearances
- Trading cards
- AD&D Trading Cards 1992 series #361
- Video games
Referenced only
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 281. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 331. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 92. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (January 2000). “The New Adventures of Volo: Onward!”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #267 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 82–83.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 152. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 282–283. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Westwood Associates (1989). Hillsfar. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Ed Greenwood, Tim Beach (November 1995). Pages from the Mages. Edited by Jon Pickens. (TSR, Inc.), p. 22. ISBN 0-7869-0183-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Tim Beach (November 1995). Pages from the Mages. Edited by Jon Pickens. (TSR, Inc.), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-0183-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Tim Beach (November 1995). Pages from the Mages. Edited by Jon Pickens. (TSR, Inc.), p. 21. ISBN 0-7869-0183-7.
- ↑ Template:Cite book/Player's Handbook 3.5 edition
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 215–223. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Beyond Software, Inc. (1991). Designed by Don L. Daglow. Gateway to the Savage Frontier. Strategic Simulations, Inc.