Tasloi (pronounced: /ˈtæzlɔɪ/ TÆZ-loy[4]) were humanoid jungle-dwellers whose race was thought to be thousands of years old.[5]
Description[]
Tasloi were 3 ft (0.91 m) tall with gold, cat-like eyes; their green skin was thinly covered in coarse, black hair. They had a stooped, crouching posture and their knuckles dragged on the ground when they walked.[5]
Abilities[]
Tasloi were known to be very quick and nimble as they moved between the trees, however, their eyes were easily dazzled in bright sunlight. Despite this, tasloi did possess low-light vision.[1]
Combat[]
Tasloi normally attacked from above, dropping from the treetops onto unwary opponents. If they managed to gain surprise, they used nets to ensnare adversaries, otherwise attacking with their short swords and javelins. They always used hit-and-run tactics in order to wear down tough foes, thus avoiding any stand-up fights. Tasloi always tried to abscond with slain bodies, thus saving food for the group.[6]
Society[]
Tasloi lived in small groups consisting of several families. Their lairs were usually a series of large trees interconnected by vines and ropes, constructed on platforms high in the jungle canopy. They rarely ventured above these canopies due to the sensitivity of their eyes.[1]
On the ground below the platforms they raised dire rats or spider eaters as beasts of burden and mounts. If the village did have any spider eaters, those beasts were reserved as steeds for the most powerful tasloi in the settlement.[6]
Homelands[]
In the Shining South tasloi were known to inhabit the Forest of Amtar, Lluirwood, and the Great Swamp of Rethild.[7] Somewhere in the waters of interior Faerûn, tasloi were major inhabitants of the island of Tasloiomitasloi.[8][note 1]
Beyond Faerûn, tasloi could be found in the tropical and sub-tropical forests and mountains of Kara-Tur,[9] including the Malatran Plateau.[10]
Beyond Toril, some tasloi could be found on the planet Bodi.[11]
Religion[]
A perched tasloi, as depicted in AD&D Trading Cards.
Most tasloi worshiped an aspect of Maglubiyet, the god of the goblins.[6] Though those that inhabited Tasloiomitasloi worshipped a deity by the name of Loitasloitas.[12]
Languages[]
Tasloi spoke their own language, though some were also known to speak common or Sylvan.[6]
Relationships[]
Dakon were known to hold great hostility towards tasloi. This often resulted in violent conflicts with them and their banderlog allies.[13]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ It is never specified exactly what body of water the island is located in.
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Video Games
Card Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Further Reading[]
- James Wyatt (August 1999). “Half-Pint Heroes”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #262 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 29–34.
- Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 118. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 71–72. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 340. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 188. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 30.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 71. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 72. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
- ↑ Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 84, 87, 89. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
- ↑ Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
- ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), pp. 114–115. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ Uncredited (December 1994). “Tribes of the Nubari”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #102 (TSR, Inc.), p. 12.
- ↑ Nigel Findley (July 1991). Practical Planetology. (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 156-076134-2.
- ↑ Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
- ↑ Nick Parenti (November 1992). “Ecology of the Dakon”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #187 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 26–27.