Legendary Creatures

      A cockatrice is a bird-like creature which primarily feeds on worms, grubs, small lizards, and the like. They have bright plumage, usually reds, yellows, and orange, all of which serve to warn away other creatures.  They are not large, being about the size of a large goose or turkey.  Although they do have wings and can fly, they tend to be ground-dwelling creatures, and are frequently encountered in small feeding flocks.  Cockatrice will avoid dangerous encounters, but males will defend females or young if they feel threatened.  They are relatively harmless save for the fact that the touch of a cockatrice feather turns flesh to stone, regardless of whether the cockatrice or the victim does the "touching".  They are immune to petrification themselves. 

      Cockatrice thrive in the wilderness, as their petrification ability means most predators give them a wide berth.  Their feathers are prized by inscriptionists of all types for use as ink pens.  Cockatrice eggs are also highly valuable, but dangerous, as a cockatrice’s petrification ability functions from the moment the creatures hatch. 

     A gelatinous cube is a scavenger occasionally found in deep dungeons and underground places.  Made up of slime and protoplasm, they are naturally transparent and nearly invisible except under strong light.  They can dissolve and digest almost any kind of organic material, but do no damage to inorganic material, such as stone or metals.  A cube will frequently contain a number of inorganic items within its body which it has picked up from victims.  

     Gelatinous cubes move slowly, scouring the floor, walls, and occasionally ceiling of cave passages and dungeon corridors.  While they do not specifically hunt living creatures, they will not hesitate to attempt to absorb any that they come across.  The cube secretes an aestheticizing slime which can paralyze the voluntary muscle system, leaving the victim helpless as the cube slowly surrounds and gradually digests them.  

     Gelatinous cubes have no intellect, and are not affected by mind-controlling or influencing spells.  They do not like fire, they are slowed but not damaged by cold, and are immune to electrical attacks, hold and paralysis attacks, or sleep spells.  

     Bramblings are small, plant-based creatures found in forests and swampy areas.  They are malevolent spirits, not particularly powerful but filled with malice against creatures they regard as unnatural to their natural area.  This in itself is somewhat ironic, as they are not really "natural" creatures themselves;  they are only found in natural areas heavily saturated with magic.  

      Bramblings are often called "gremlins of the woods", and the analogy is apt.  Because they are small and relatively weak creatures, they do not seek direct confrontations, but will harass and annoy intruders in any way they can.  They can be particularly problematic around campsites, making sleep difficult and distracting guards.  They will also steal anything they can carry away.  Dealing with them is difficult, as their resemblance to natural plants makes them perfectly camouflaged when immobile.  Detect Magic will, however, reveal their presence.  

      Plague Rats are horribly mutated gigantic rodents the size of small ponies.  Their bodies are covered in disgusting sores and blisters, which constantly ooze pus and infectious fluids.  These generate a disgusting smell which, at close range, induces nausea and choking.  Worse, when struck by weapons, the abcesses and lesions will burst and spray infectious fluids on those nearby.  Smashing weapons in particular cause extensive splattering, cutting weapons limit the spray to a reduced area, and thrusting/piercing weapons cause the least. 

      Plague Rats are dangerous creatures that will generally attack any living creatures; they do not appear to be afraid of anything but they will absolutely avoid fire.  They have sharp incisor teeth which can deliver a nasty bite, and as one might expect, a bite that comes with a free dose of saliva as toxic as their body fluids.  Regardless of how it is secreted, all the Plague Rat’s bodily fluids cause an acid-like reaction with normal flesh and a disease-inducing effect if released into the bloodstream.  The latter can only be treated with Cure Disease. 

      Plague Rats are rated as a class 2or 3 encounter, depending on their size, but in truth they should be considered a class or two more dangerous simply because they tend to be encountered in groups, where the collateral hazards of killing them in melee are as dangerous as the creatures themselves.  Plague Rats should always be killed at range if at all possible. 

     Basilisks come in many species, most of which vary primarily by habitat, coloration, and relative toughness, but otherwise are essential identical in their nature and capabilities.  Basilisks generally look like large monitor lizards, 12 to 15 feet long with tail, in a variety of colors but always immediately distinguishable by their eight legs.  Despite the many appendages, they are generally slow-moving creatures, and usually non-aggressive, feeding primarily on carrion. 

       Basilisks are, however, highly dangerous, as its gaze, if met directly, will turn creatures to stone.  In most species (and particularly those in the Blackmoor area), this appears to function only when the creature feels threatened; however, in such cases, it operates at substantial distance (60 to 80 yards?).  A basilisk's gaze (and its awareness) is known to extend into both the astral and ethereal realms as well, being lethal in the former and creating ethereal stone in the latter.  It is also worth noting that in any realm, the gaze effect can be reflected, and if reflected back upon the creature itself, will petrify the basilisk. 

       Pictured here is the Red Basilisk, common to all forested areas around Blackmoor.  

     Traditionally, Hell Hounds have been considered extra-planar creatures, as research makes it clear they are originally from the lower planes.  However, since it turns out these creatures can successfully breed with natural dogs and wolves, they have become semi-natural to the Prime Material plane, and are included here as legendary creatures.  

      Hell Hounds resemble large dogs or wolves (depending on what they have bred with), but their glowing eyes and skin (under their fur) gives them away.  They are highly aggressive and dangerous as either individuals or in packs.  Their powerful jaws are capable of delivering a severe bite, and they can breathe fire up to about 15 feet distant.  Hell hounds have exceptional senses, both sight and hearing, and are thus almost impossible to surprise.  They are further sensitive to invisible, camouflaged, ethereal, or out-of-phase creatures.  

     Goblin wolves are believed to have originally evolved from the experiments of evil wizards, but have become a naturally breeding creature over time.  They are known to exist in wild packs, but are also found in orc and goblin colonies, existing in a semi-domesticated symbiosis.  There are also reports of individual animals in an alpha role with otherwise normal wolf packs, but this appears rare.  

     Relatively little is known of these creatures.

     Unicorns dwell only in temperate woodlands, in wild and uninhabited areas.  In Blackmoor, these creatures are unknown, but we include them in out survey simply for their iconic value.

     Unicorns in the wild will usually avoid confrontations, but are capable of fiercely defending themselves if necessary.  They can strike with their forehooves like any horse, and their horn can damage creatures that require magic weapons to be hit.  Unicorn are almost impossible to surprise in the wild, and their ability to move quietly makes them likely to surprise opponents.  They cannot be charmed, or held by magic, and are not affected by poisons, gas effects, or death magic.  Once per day, a unicorn can dimension door to a spot it can see within roughly 100 yards.

     Unicorns can consent to become mounts, but they cannot be forced.  If they do, they are among the most loyal and courageous mounts an individual can possess.