Niferns were scaly dog-like creatures often kept by scalykind.[1]
Description[]
Niferns were roughly goat-sized quadrupeds with a muscular body covered in mud-colored scales. Their eyeless heads looked like strange hybrids of those of canines and lizards, featuring elongated muzzles and oversized jaws. Additionally, their plated dog-like tails featured poisonous stingers, and were carried over their backs, much like those of scorpions.[1][2]
Abilities[]
Although blind, niferns' heightened sense of smell made them excellent trackers.[1]
Behavior[]
The niferns' appetite made them bloodthirsty creatures, attacking almost anything they encountered.[1]
Combat[]
Niferns fought by rushing their opponents, attacking with their immobilizing poisonous stingers. Creatures that withstood the paralyzing effect were then attacked with their claws and jaws.[1]
Ecology[]
In the wild, niferns were known to form highly territorial packs of upwards of 30 individuals, typically led by the largest and strongest among their number.[1]
Niferns were popular among scalykind. In particular, lizardfolk, troglodytes, and dragonkin frequently kept them as hunting animals, and yuan-ti additionally kept them as guards.[1][3]
In their native Underdark, niferns were used as trackers by the likes of illithids, drow, and a number of other underground races.[1]
History[]
On Flamerule 3, 1479 DR, a pack of niferns stalked Harp, Kitto, Boult, and Verran through the ruined city of Hisari.[2]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- The Fanged Crown
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jenna Helland (January 2009). The Fanged Crown. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 22. ISBN 0-7869-5093-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 140. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.