Ostriches were a species of large flightless birds.[1]
Description[]
Ostriches were among the largest avians found on Toril. They had a small head with a flat beak, a long featherless neck, and a large body covered in feathers. They had wings but were unable to fly. Females had brown or grey feathers, while males had black feathers with white feathers on their wings and tail.[1]
Abilities[]
Ostriches were exceptional runners, capable of reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour). To maintain stability while running, an ostrich extended its wings.[1]
Combat[]
Ostriches defended themselves from predators with kicks from their powerful legs.[1]
Sub-Species[]
Ecology[]
Ostriches were herbivores and lived in flocks. A male ostrich had up to four mates at a time. A female laid her large eggs in a nest, where she incubated them until hatching, with the male protecting the nest from predators.[1]
Habitats[]
Ostriches were known to commonly be found around oases in Anauroch.[4]
Relationships[]
In Kara-Tur, the sohei of the Lo Chi Monastery had domesticated ostriches that they used for transportation.[5]
Usages[]
The white feathers from the males were in high demand for their use in clothing and hat decorations. Ostriches were commonly farmed.[1] Aurora's Emporium sold ostrich feathers at five sp each.[6] In Zakhara, ostriches sold at markets for up to 45 gp.[7]
Ostriches were a delicacy served during royal balls and events in Sumbria of the Blade Kingdoms. The birds were roasted whole and served with the heads still on the birds.[8] Ostrich plumes were decorating the striking helmets of the Blade Captains, the military and civil governors of the Blade Kingdoms.[9]
Trivia[]
An ostrich could be summoned by the conjure animals spell.[10]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- The Council of Blades
- Adventures
- Dungeon #8, "The Flowers of Flame"
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 David Cook (1991). Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix (MC11). (TSR, Inc), p. 6. ISBN l-56076-111-3.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 41. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ Don Turnbull (1981). Fiend Folio. (TSR Hobbies), p. 19. ISBN 0-9356-9621-0.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (November 1991). Anauroch. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 45. ISBN 1-56076-126-1.
- ↑ Jay Batista (November/December 1987). “The Flowers of Flame”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dungeon #8 (TSR, Inc.) (8)., pp. 55, 58.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 76. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 87. ISBN 978-1560763581.
- ↑ Pauli Kidd (November 1996). The Council of Blades. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 2, p. 24. ISBN 978-0786905317.
- ↑ Pauli Kidd (November 1996). The Council of Blades. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 1, p. 8. ISBN 978-0786905317.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 222. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.