Sting rays, also known as stingrays, were a relatively common mundane species of aquatic animal in the ray family.[3][4] They were cousins of the much larger manta ray.[2]
Description[]
The bodies of these creatures generally grew to be 3 feet (0.91 meters) across and weigh roughly 25 lb (11 kg). Their tails were similarly 3 feet (0.91 meters) and had one or more barbs near their base.[2]
Behavior[]
Like other species of ray, this creature tended to hide its body beneath the silt and sand of the seafloor so they could surprise their prey.[3] Their cover themselves with sand [5] or burrowing beneath it,[2] which rendered them mostly camouflaged to other predators. However, because of this other creatures, such as humans, were often at risk of accidentally stepping upon them.[2][3][5] They could be irritable, but were rather lethargic.[6]
Biology[]
These creatures possessed a wide-angled vision.[6] The barbed tails that gave sting rays their name contained a powerful, painful venom that induced nausea[2] and a temporary state of paralysis.[3]
Combat[]
When threatened, such as being accidentally stepped on, sting rays would lash out at the offending creature with their barbed tails and injected them with its poison.[2][3][5]
Ecology[]
Sting rays were often encountered solitarily, in pairs, or in schools of five to twelve members.[2]
Diet[]
Sting rays were a bottom feeding species of aquatic animal.[5] Like all species of ray, pungi rays were carnivorous creatures. They primarily fed upon mollusks and crustaceans.[3]
Habitats[]
These creatures could be found in a variety of aquatic environments, in regions with a warm[2] or tropical climate, though like most species of ray they typically they inhabited shallow waters.[3] In the Realms, sting rays were particularly known to inhabit the Sea of Fallen Stars.[7]
Relationships[]
Some druids that frequented aquatic environments were known to have sting rays as an animal companion.[8] And some sea mages were known to keep them as familiars.[6]
Some nereids were known to keep sting rays as pets.[9]
Usage[]
The tails of these creatures could be fashioned into a form of whip.[10] Other creatures were known to harvest their venom to use as poison.[11]
Trivia[]
- Those who specialized in sea-based magic could summon a sting ray with the spell monster summoning II.[12]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Appearances[]
- Video Games
- Referenced only
- Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ BioWare (June 2005). Designed by Keith Hayward, Rob Bartel. Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast. Atari.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Richard Baker, Joseph D. Carriker, Jr., Jennifer Clarke Wilkes (August 2005). Stormwrack. Edited by John D. Rateliff, John Thompson. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 168–169. ISBN 0-7869-3689-4.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 David "Zeb" Cook et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 0-8803-8738-6.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 81. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 82. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 David Howery (December 1993). “Familiar Faces”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #200 (TSR, Inc.), p. 33.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Joseph D. Carriker, Jr., Jennifer Clarke Wilkes (August 2005). Stormwrack. Edited by John D. Rateliff, John Thompson. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-3689-4.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 104. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Joseph D. Carriker, Jr., Jennifer Clarke Wilkes (August 2005). Stormwrack. Edited by John D. Rateliff, John Thompson. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 107. ISBN 0-7869-3689-4.
- ↑ BioWare (June 2005). Designed by Keith Hayward, Rob Bartel. Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast. Atari.
- ↑ Deborah Christian (August 1995). “Arcane Lore: Sea Magic”. In Wolfgang Baur ed. Dragon #220 (TSR, Inc.), p. 72.