A mastodon is an ancient relative of the elephant that has a long pair of tusks. [1]
Description
Mastodons stand about 10 feet (3 meters) tall at the shoulder and weigh more than 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms). Their tusks grow up to 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 meters) long, almost as long as their bodies. In cold climates, mastodon species grow long, shaggy fur, but those in snowy environments have shorter tusks. [1]
Abilities
They are outstandingly strong, and were able to haul about 62,400 pounds (28,300 kilograms) worth of cargo. [1]
Behavior
These creatures are much more ferocious and aggressive than their elephant relatives. [1]
Combat
Mastodons usually charge their opponents in combat, throwing their weight behind their attacks. Their foes are also met with a long and powerful set of tusks, meaning they can attack opponents from range. They will trample and gore their foes. [1]
Ecology
These huge animals can adapt to live in many types of environments, from cold and temperate forests to jungles and tropical islands. Mastodons often organize themselves into small groups and herds of up to six. [1]
Habitats
In Sarlona , herds of wild mastodons roam the remotest reaches of the Tashana Tundra . Sometimes, they are captured and transported to Riedra and trained as beasts of burden to serve the Inspired . [1]
Meanwhile, in Xen'drik , mastodons are found in the mountains of the far south. Frost giants take the very biggest of them and tame for use as their mounts. [1]
Finally, in Khorvaire , a species of grizzly mastodon is found in the northern Hoarfrost Mountains . The Jhorash'tar orcs sometimes hunt their for food. [2]
Usage
Only very powerful druids are able to use these hulking beasts as animal companions . [1]
They are outstandingly strong, and if trained are able to carry up to 12,580 pounds (5,706 kilograms) and haul up to about 62,400 pounds (28,300 kilograms) worth of cargo. [1]
The tusk of a full-grown mastodon fetches over 500 gp in Khorvaire . Hence, ivory hunters in Xen'drik pursue stories of massive mastodon graveyards where their tusks may be found in abundance, but are inevitably lured to their dooms. [1]
Appendix
External Links
- Mastodon article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki , a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 Andrew Finch , Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel , Chris Perkins (August 2004). Monster Manual III . ( Wizards of the Coast ), p. 101. ISBN 0-7869-3430-1 .
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Eric Williamson (2005). Mark of Heroes : Finding the Way . ( Wizards of the Coast ), p. 15.