Giant sea turtles, otherwise known simply as giant turtles, were a monstrous variety of the mundane reptiles of the same name.[3][2]
Description[]
These creatures resembled the mundane sea turtle in all ways but size, including being very slow-moving. They had large bony shells — the upper half known as a carapace and the lower half known as a plaston — from which their limbs and head extended out from. While some species could hide themselves within these shells, others were incapable of doing so and thus could only plaster their limbs to the sides of their shells for protection.[2]
Behavior[]
These creatures were largely non-aggressive.[3] They usually tended to hide within their shells when confronted with danger rather than, rather than fleeing or fighting.[2] Though if seriously harmed, persistently abused, or persistently annoyed they would fight fiercely.[2][3]
Biology[]
Giant turtles had very long lifespans, ranging from thirty to up to a hundred and fifty years.[2]
Combat[]
These creatures fought by using their giant jaws.[2]
Species[]
- Archelon ischyras
- An ancient, prehistoric species of giant turtle that in some places persisted well beyond the Days of Thunder.
- Giant snapping turtle
- A monstrous variety of snapping turtle. They were commonly found in large lakes or rivers.[2] Though there also existed a subspecies unique to Zakhara, that was adapted to living on land in the High Desert.[4]
- Zaratan
- A gargantuan species of giant turtle that were often mistaken for islands. They primarily inhabited the seas around Zakhara.[5]
Reputation[]
Small boats were often capsized due to giant turtles surfacing from underneath them.[3]
Ecology[]
Diet[]
Giant turtles were an omnivorous species and would eat whatever they could find in their habitat. This included fish, small mammals, insects like worms, and fresh green vegetation. They had a distaste for carrion and rotting vegetation, but would resort to consuming them if starving.[2]
Habitats[]
Giant turtles could be found in a variety of oceans and seas.[2] On Toril they were particularly found in the waters around the Moonshae Isles,[6] Halruaa,[7] the Sarradra river in Neth Stand,[8] as well as the rivers and coasts of Phlan.[9]
Beyond Faerûn, giant sea turtles could be found around the island chain of Nada al-Hazan in the Crowded Sea.[10]
Beyond Toril, these creatures could be found on the planet of Oerth.[11]
Usage[]
The meat of these creatures was considered a delicacy by many cultures, being very palatable and highly nourishing. With those that dwelled in tropical regions being the most delicious.[2]
Some were known to transform the harvested carapaces of giant turtles into small huts, strong roofs, or even boats. Those that dwelled in tropical regions were said to have the most attractive of shells.[2] The people of Halruua were known to fashion the shells of giant turtles into polished, protective plates for the hulls of their skyships.[7][12]
Rumors & Legends[]
Some claimed that there existed a species of giant turtle similar to the giant snapping turtle, but adapted to arid desert regions.[2]
Trivia[]
- The Bone Throne within the Dungeon Level of Undermountain was partially made from the plaston (under carapace) of a giant turtle.[13]
- Those who specialized in sea-based magic could summon a giant sea turtle with the spell monster summoning VIII.[14]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
- Adventures
- Ruins of Adventure
- Novels
- Referenced only
- The Magehound
References[]
- ↑ Richard Baker, Joseph D. Carriker, Jr., Jennifer Clarke Wilkes (August 2005). Stormwrack. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 131–132. ISBN 07-8692-873-5.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Jon Pickens ed. (1995). Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two. (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 0-7869-0199-3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 97. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1994). Al-Qadim: Caravans: Adventure Book. (TSR, Inc), pp. 16–17. ISBN 1-56076-903-3.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Steve Kurtz (1992). Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix. (TSR, Inc). ISBN l-56076-370-1.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 16. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Tom Prusa (1993). The Shining South. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 1-56076-595-X.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (June 1999). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: A Wayfarers Guide to the Forgotten Realms”. In Erik Mona ed. Polyhedron #136 (TSR, Inc.), p. 9.
- ↑ Mike Breault, David "Zeb" Cook, Jim Ward, Steve Winter (August 1988). Ruins of Adventure. (TSR, Inc.), p. 84. ISBN 978-0880385886.
- ↑ David Cook (October 1992). “Nada al-Hazan”. In Bill Slavicsek ed. Golden Voyages (TSR, Inc.), p. 2. ISBN 978-1560763314.
- ↑ Cite book/Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix|55}}
- ↑ Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 56. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1991). “Campaign Guide to Undermountain”. In Steven E. Schend ed. The Ruins of Undermountain (TSR, Inc.), p. 50. ISBN 1-5607-6061-3.
- ↑ Deborah Christian (August 1995). “Arcane Lore: Sea Magic”. In Wolfgang Baur ed. Dragon #220 (TSR, Inc.), p. 72.