Catoblepas - Revision history

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2023-06-20T14:58:04Z

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1d4chan>Nubnuber: /* Gallery */

2021-04-20T23:46:10Z

Gallery

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	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	Catoblepas MM 2e.png~~\|2e~~		Catoblepas MCV1.jpg\|2e
			Catoblepas MM 2e.png
	Catoblepas_3e.jpg\|3e		Catoblepas_3e.jpg\|3e
	Catoblepas PF.png\|Pathfinder		Catoblepas PF.png\|Pathfinder

1d4chan>Nubnuber: /* Gallery */

2020-12-07T06:38:48Z

Gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 7 December 2020
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	==Gallery==		==Gallery==
	<gallery>		<gallery>
	~~File:~~Catoblepas_3e.jpg		Catoblepas MM 2e.png\|2e
	~~File:~~Catoblepas PF.png		Catoblepas_3e.jpg\|3e
	~~File:~~Catoblepas 4e.jpg		Catoblepas PF.png\|Pathfinder
	~~File:~~Catoblepas 5e.jpg		Catoblepas 4e.jpg\|4e
			Catoblepas 5e.jpg\|5e
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]		[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]

1d4chan>Skadooshbag at 21:44, 2 August 2020

2020-08-02T21:44:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:44, 2 August 2020
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	The catoblepas is possibly the reason why the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[gorgon]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and ''[[Pathfinder]]''.		The catoblepas is possibly the reason why the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[gorgon]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and ''[[Pathfinder]]''.

	For ''D&D'', the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition ~~up until [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_5th_Edition\|fifth]]~~; first appearing in Basic ''D&D'''s ''The Strategic Review'' #7 (April 1976), and then in the ''Eldritch Wizardry'' supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original ''[[Monster Manual]]'' (1977) for ''[[Advanced_Dungeons_&_Dragons\|AD&D]]'' 1st edition and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in ''[[Dragon Magazine]] #73'' (May 1983), which was... rather odd to say the least. In the article it laid out that the catoblepas as we know and love is simply the female of the species, and that the male is a much more lithe and sprightly creature reminiscent of a kangaroo, but is just as vulnerable to the female's toxic nature as any other creature. The only way the species seems to propagate is that the female, when in heat, begins to exude pheromones that attract the males, making them put aside their normal drive to not die. They will wait until the female's head is buried in the swamp muck feeding and then bum rush to tap that ass before she can look up and kill them.		For ''D&D'', the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition; first appearing in Basic ''D&D'''s ''The Strategic Review'' #7 (April 1976), and then in the ''Eldritch Wizardry'' supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original ''[[Monster Manual]]'' (1977) for ''[[Advanced_Dungeons_&_Dragons\|AD&D]]'' 1st edition and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in ''[[Dragon Magazine]] #73'' (May 1983), which was... rather odd to say the least. In the article it laid out that the catoblepas as we know and love is simply the female of the species, and that the male is a much more lithe and sprightly creature reminiscent of a kangaroo, but is just as vulnerable to the female's toxic nature as any other creature. The only way the species seems to propagate is that the female, when in heat, begins to exude pheromones that attract the males, making them put aside their normal drive to not die. They will wait until the female's head is buried in the swamp muck feeding and then bum rush to tap that ass before she can look up and kill them.

	The catoblepas also appeared in the ''D&D Master Rules'' set (1985), and later in the ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia'' (1991), in both cases renamed as the '''Nekrozon''' for some reason...		The catoblepas also appeared in the ''D&D Master Rules'' set (1985), and later in the ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia'' (1991), in both cases renamed as the '''Nekrozon''' for some reason...

1d4chan>QuietBrowser at 18:08, 11 February 2019

2019-02-11T18:08:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, 11 February 2019
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	In [[Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition\|5th Edition]], the catoblepas resumed its classic appearance, even being outright referred to as a combination of "bloated buffalo, dinosaur, warthog and hippopotamus". This version is a Challenge Level 5 Monstrosity, which sports a cudgeling tail, a stench so powerful it can inflict the poisoned condition, and a death ray gaze attack.		In [[Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition\|5th Edition]], the catoblepas resumed its classic appearance, even being outright referred to as a combination of "bloated buffalo, dinosaur, warthog and hippopotamus". This version is a Challenge Level 5 Monstrosity, which sports a cudgeling tail, a stench so powerful it can inflict the poisoned condition, and a death ray gaze attack.

			==Gallery==
			<gallery>
			File:Catoblepas_3e.jpg
			File:Catoblepas PF.png
			File:Catoblepas 4e.jpg
			File:Catoblepas 5e.jpg
			</gallery>

	[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]		[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]

70.180.78.102 at 20:40, 11 November 2018

2018-11-11T20:40:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 11 November 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The '''Catoblepas''' is an obscure monster from [[Roman_Empire\|Roman]] and Medieval European [[Monster_Manual\|bestiaries]], said to live in western Africa and generally assumed to be based on the wildebeest. Feeding on toxic plants, it resembles a long-necked, ugly, scaly-backed bovine, characterized most by the fact its hog-like head is too heavy for its long, slender neck, causing it to always look down at the ground - fortunately, as, depending on which version you read, either its gaze is immediately fatal or its breath is lethally foul-smelling.		[[File:Catoblepas 1977 - Monster Manual.jpeg\|right]]
			The '''Catoblepas''' is an obscure [[monster]] from [[Roman_Empire\|Roman]] and Medieval European [[Monster_Manual\|bestiaries]], said to live in western Africa and generally assumed to be based on the wildebeest. Feeding on toxic plants, it resembles a long-necked, ugly, scaly-backed bovine, characterized most by the fact its hog-like head is too heavy for its long, slender neck, causing it to always look down at the ground - and rather fortunately, as, depending on which version you read, either its gaze is immediately fatal or its stank breath is lethally foul-smelling.

	The catoblepas is possibly the reason why the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[gorgon]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[Pathfinder]].		The catoblepas is possibly the reason why the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[gorgon]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' and ''[[Pathfinder]]''.

	For D&D, the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition up until ~~the~~ [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_5th_Edition\|fifth]]; first appearing in Basic D&D's The Strategic Review #7 (April 1976), and then in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original Monster Manual (1977) for [[Advanced_Dungeons_~~%26_Dragons~~\|AD&D]] 1st edition and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in [[Dragon Magazine]] #73 (May 1983). ~~It also appeared in~~ the ~~D&D Master Rules set (1985)~~, and ~~later~~ in the ~~Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991)~~, in ~~both cases renamed as~~ the ~~Nekrozon, for some reason~~.		For ''D&D'', the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition up until [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_5th_Edition\|fifth]]; first appearing in Basic ''D&D'''s ''The Strategic Review'' #7 (April 1976), and then in the ''Eldritch Wizardry'' supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original ''[[Monster Manual]]'' (1977) for ''[[Advanced_Dungeons_&_Dragons\|AD&D]]'' 1st edition and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in ''[[Dragon Magazine]] #73'' (May 1983), which was... rather odd to say the least. In the article it laid out that the catoblepas as we know and love is simply the female of the species, and that the male is a much more lithe and sprightly creature reminiscent of a kangaroo, but is just as vulnerable to the female's toxic nature as any other creature. The only way the species seems to propagate is that the female, when in heat, begins to exude pheromones that attract the males, making them put aside their normal drive to not die. They will wait until the female's head is buried in the swamp muck feeding and then bum rush to tap that ass before she can look up and kill them.

	~~When AD&~~D ~~1e gave way to AD~~&D 2e, ~~it appeared~~ in the ~~Monstrous Compendium Volume One~~ (~~1989~~), ~~and was subsequently reprinted~~ in the ~~Monstrous Manual (1993)~~.		The catoblepas also appeared in the ''D&D Master Rules'' set (1985), and later in the ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia'' (1991), in both cases renamed as the '''Nekrozon''' for some reason...

	~~Dragon Magazine again came~~ to the ~~rescue~~ in ~~[[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_3rd_Edition\|3rd edition]]; Dragon #299~~ (~~September 2002~~) and ~~its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article~~ was ~~the first restoration of the catoblepas, which later became official~~ in the ~~Monster~~ Manual II (~~2002~~).		When ''AD&D'' 1e gave way to ''AD&D'' 2e the horrid beast appeared once more in the ''Monstrous Compendium Volume One'' (1989), and was subsequently reprinted in the ''Monstrous Manual'' (1993). They completely tossed out the odd sexual dimorphism from ''Dragon Magazine #73'', going back to its more standard ecology as lumbering bog grazer, but giving the creatures an occasional hankering for carrion or flesh that strikes during full moons.

	~~It went on~~ to ~~appear~~ in ~~the~~ [[Dungeons_~~%26_Dragons_4th_Edition~~\|~~D&D 4e~~]] ~~Monster Manual 3~~ and the ~~Pathfinder Bestiary 2~~, ~~both released~~ in ~~2010, and ultimately appeared~~ in ~~Volo's Guide~~ to ~~Monsters for 5th~~ edition.		''Dragon Magazine'' again came to the rescue in [[Dungeons_&_Dragons_3rd_Edition\|3rd edition]]; Dragon #299 (September 2002) and its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article was the first restoration of the catoblepas, which became official in the ''Monster Manual II'' in the same month. It remains pretty in-line to the 1st and 2nd edition renditions, but is said to have been created by some asshole [[wizard]] kit-bashing critters together in the same fashion as the [[bulette]]. Also, the range of its death ray vision is nearly tripled!

	~~The D&D version of the creature has traditionally been based~~ on ~~the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly~~ to ~~further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd ed MMII, its artwork has remained pretty much the same,~~ in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the ~~artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. They~~'~~re all generally inoffensive unless threatened, but do tend to have a fondness for meat that comes up once a month. In the~~ [[~~Forgotten Realms~~]], in ~~Cormyr~~, ~~catoblepases are domesticated~~ in ~~one area, making the legendary "[[List_of_/tg/_Cuisine#Satan.27s_Cheese_Cock\|Death Cheese]]" from their milk~~.		It went on to appear in the ''[[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_4th_Edition\|D&D 4e]] Monster Manual 3'' and the ''Pathfinder Bestiary 2'', both released in 2010, and ultimately appeared in ''Volo's Guide to Monsters'' for 5th edition.

	The ~~Pathfinder~~ version, in ~~contrast~~, ~~is more like~~ a ~~huge,~~ long-~~necked~~ and ~~really~~ ugly ~~pig with a toxic breath weapon~~. ~~Whereas~~ the ~~D&D version is generally inoffensive~~, the ~~Pathfinder version is a belligerent~~ and ~~malicious bullying thug of a creature~~.		The ''D&D'' version of the creature has traditionally been based on the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly to further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd Edition ''MMII'', its artwork has remained pretty much the same, in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. In the [[Forgotten Realms]], in Cormyr, catoblepases are domesticated in one area, making the legendary "[[List_of_/tg/_Cuisine#Satan.27s_Cheese_Cock\|Death Cheese]]" and "Deadeye Butter" from their milk.

	The ~~D&D 4th ed catoblepas~~ is ~~quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance~~ more like a ~~monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face~~, ~~it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]]~~ and a ~~creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[The Raven Queen\|Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity~~. ~~It comes in two versions;~~ the ~~Harbinger, which~~ is ~~bad enough with its poisonous breath~~, ~~and~~ the ~~Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath~~ and a ~~lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts~~.		The ''Pathfinder'' version, in contrast, is more like a huge, long-necked and really ugly pig with a toxic breath weapon. Whereas the ''D&D'' version is generally inoffensive, the ''Pathfinder'' version is a belligerent and malicious bullying thug of a creature.

	In 5th ~~edition~~, the catoblepas resumed its classic appearance, even being outright referred to as a combination of "bloated buffalo, dinosaur, warthog and hippopotamus". This version is a Challenge Level 5 Monstrosity, which sports a cudgeling tail, a stench so powerful it can inflict the poisoned condition, and a death ray gaze attack.		The ''D&D'' 4th Edition catoblepas is quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance more like a monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face, it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]] and a creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[The Raven Queen\|Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity. It comes in two versions; the Harbinger, which is bad enough with its poisonous breath, and the Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath and a lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts.

			In [[Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition\|5th Edition]], the catoblepas resumed its classic appearance, even being outright referred to as a combination of "bloated buffalo, dinosaur, warthog and hippopotamus". This version is a Challenge Level 5 Monstrosity, which sports a cudgeling tail, a stench so powerful it can inflict the poisoned condition, and a death ray gaze attack.

	[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]		[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]

1d4chan>QuietBrowser at 11:30, 10 February 2017

2017-02-10T11:30:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:30, 10 February 2017
Line 9:		Line 9:
	Dragon Magazine again came to the rescue in [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_3rd_Edition\|3rd edition]]; Dragon #299 (September 2002) and its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article was the first restoration of the catoblepas, which later became official in the Monster Manual II (2002).		Dragon Magazine again came to the rescue in [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_3rd_Edition\|3rd edition]]; Dragon #299 (September 2002) and its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article was the first restoration of the catoblepas, which later became official in the Monster Manual II (2002).

	~~Its final appearances thus far have been~~ the [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_4th_Edition\|D&D 4e]] Monster Manual 3 and the Pathfinder Bestiary 2, both released in 2010.		It went on to appear in the [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_4th_Edition\|D&D 4e]] Monster Manual 3 and the Pathfinder Bestiary 2, both released in 2010, and ultimately appeared in Volo's Guide to Monsters for 5th edition.

	The D&D version of the creature has traditionally been based on the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly to further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd ed MMII, its artwork has remained pretty much the same, in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. They're all generally inoffensive unless threatened, but do tend to have a fondness for meat that comes up once a month. In the [[Forgotten Realms]], in Cormyr, catoblepases are domesticated in one area, making the legendary "[[List_of_/tg/_Cuisine#Satan.27s_Cheese_Cock\|Death Cheese]]" from their milk.		The D&D version of the creature has traditionally been based on the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly to further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd ed MMII, its artwork has remained pretty much the same, in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. They're all generally inoffensive unless threatened, but do tend to have a fondness for meat that comes up once a month. In the [[Forgotten Realms]], in Cormyr, catoblepases are domesticated in one area, making the legendary "[[List_of_/tg/_Cuisine#Satan.27s_Cheese_Cock\|Death Cheese]]" from their milk.
Line 16:		Line 16:

	The D&D 4th ed catoblepas is quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance more like a monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face, it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]] and a creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[The Raven Queen\|Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity. It comes in two versions; the Harbinger, which is bad enough with its poisonous breath, and the Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath and a lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts.		The D&D 4th ed catoblepas is quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance more like a monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face, it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]] and a creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[The Raven Queen\|Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity. It comes in two versions; the Harbinger, which is bad enough with its poisonous breath, and the Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath and a lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts.

			In 5th edition, the catoblepas resumed its classic appearance, even being outright referred to as a combination of "bloated buffalo, dinosaur, warthog and hippopotamus". This version is a Challenge Level 5 Monstrosity, which sports a cudgeling tail, a stench so powerful it can inflict the poisoned condition, and a death ray gaze attack.

	[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]		[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]

24.252.99.176 at 18:07, 22 December 2016

2016-12-22T18:07:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 22 December 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The Catoblepas is an obscure monster from Roman and Medieval European bestiaries, said to live in ~~Ethiopia~~ and generally assumed to be based on ~~either~~ the ~~gnu~~. Feeding on toxic plants, it resembles a long-necked, ugly, scaly-backed bovine, characterized most by the fact its "hog-like" head is too heavy for its long, slender neck, causing it to always look down at the ground - fortunately, as, depending on which version you read, either its gaze is fatal or its breath is lethally ~~venomous~~.		The '''Catoblepas''' is an obscure monster from [[Roman_Empire\|Roman]] and Medieval European [[Monster_Manual\|bestiaries]], said to live in western Africa and generally assumed to be based on the wildebeest. Feeding on toxic plants, it resembles a long-necked, ugly, scaly-backed bovine, characterized most by the fact its hog-like head is too heavy for its long, slender neck, causing it to always look down at the ground - fortunately, as, depending on which version you read, either its gaze is immediately fatal or its breath is lethally foul-smelling.

	The ~~Catoblepas~~ is possibly the reason why the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[~~Gorgon~~]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[Pathfinder]].		The catoblepas is possibly the reason why the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[gorgon]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[Pathfinder]].

	For D&D, the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition up until the fifth; first appearing in Basic D&D's The Strategic Review #7 (April 1976), and then in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original Monster Manual (1977) for AD&D 1e and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in [[Dragon Magazine]] #73 (May 1983). It also appeared in the D&D Master Rules set (1985), and later in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), in both cases renamed as the Nekrozon, for some reason.		For D&D, the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition up until the [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_5th_Edition\|fifth]]; first appearing in Basic D&D's The Strategic Review #7 (April 1976), and then in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original Monster Manual (1977) for [[Advanced_Dungeons_%26_Dragons\|AD&D]] 1st edition and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in [[Dragon Magazine]] #73 (May 1983). It also appeared in the D&D Master Rules set (1985), and later in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), in both cases renamed as the Nekrozon, for some reason.

	When AD&D 1e gave way to AD&D 2e, it appeared in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and was subsequently reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).		When AD&D 1e gave way to AD&D 2e, it appeared in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and was subsequently reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).

	Dragon Magazine again came to the rescue in 3rd edition; Dragon #299 (September 2002) and its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article was the first restoration of the catoblepas, which later became official in the Monster Manual II (2002).		Dragon Magazine again came to the rescue in [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_3rd_Edition\|3rd edition]]; Dragon #299 (September 2002) and its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article was the first restoration of the catoblepas, which later became official in the Monster Manual II (2002).

	Its final appearances thus far have been the D&D 4e Monster Manual 3 and the Pathfinder Bestiary 2, both released in 2010.		Its final appearances thus far have been the [[Dungeons_%26_Dragons_4th_Edition\|D&D 4e]] Monster Manual 3 and the Pathfinder Bestiary 2, both released in 2010.

	The D&D version of the creature has traditionally been based on the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly to further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd ed MMII, its artwork has remained pretty much the same, in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. They're all generally inoffensive unless threatened, but do tend to have a fondness for meat that comes up once a month. In the [[Forgotten Realms]], in Cormyr, catoblepases are domesticated in one area, making the legendary "Death Cheese" from their milk.		The D&D version of the creature has traditionally been based on the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly to further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd ed MMII, its artwork has remained pretty much the same, in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. They're all generally inoffensive unless threatened, but do tend to have a fondness for meat that comes up once a month. In the [[Forgotten Realms]], in Cormyr, catoblepases are domesticated in one area, making the legendary "[[List_of_/tg/_Cuisine#Satan.27s_Cheese_Cock\|Death Cheese]]" from their milk.

	The Pathfinder version, in contrast, is more like a huge, long-necked and really ugly pig with a toxic breath weapon. Whereas the D&D version is generally inoffensive, the Pathfinder version is a belligerent and malicious bullying thug of a creature.		The Pathfinder version, in contrast, is more like a huge, long-necked and really ugly pig with a toxic breath weapon. Whereas the D&D version is generally inoffensive, the Pathfinder version is a belligerent and malicious bullying thug of a creature.

	The D&D 4th ed catoblepas is quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance more like a monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face, it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]] and a creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity. It comes in two versions; the Harbinger, which is bad enough with its poisonous breath, and the Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath and a lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts.		The D&D 4th ed catoblepas is quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance more like a monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face, it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]] and a creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[The Raven Queen\|Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity. It comes in two versions; the Harbinger, which is bad enough with its poisonous breath, and the Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath and a lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts.

	[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]		[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]

1d4chan>QuietBrowser: This can probably get fleshed out more, but this was all I could think to put up here.

2016-02-23T19:26:37Z

This can probably get fleshed out more, but this was all I could think to put up here.

New page

The Catoblepas is an obscure monster from Roman and Medieval European bestiaries, said to live in Ethiopia and generally assumed to be based on either the gnu. Feeding on toxic plants, it resembles a long-necked, ugly, scaly-backed bovine, characterized most by the fact its "hog-like" head is too heavy for its long, slender neck, causing it to always look down at the ground - fortunately, as, depending on which version you read, either its gaze is fatal or its breath is lethally venomous.

The Catoblepas is possibly the reason why the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Gorgon]] is a bull-monster that breathes petrifying gas, but the creature has appeared of its own accord in both [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[Pathfinder]].

For D&D, the catoblepas has a surprisingly long history, and has appeared in every edition up until the fifth; first appearing in Basic D&D's The Strategic Review #7 (April 1976), and then in the Eldritch Wizardry supplement (1976), it went on to appear in the original Monster Manual (1977) for AD&D 1e and was upgraded with its own Ecology article in [[Dragon Magazine]] #73 (May 1983). It also appeared in the D&D Master Rules set (1985), and later in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), in both cases renamed as the Nekrozon, for some reason.

When AD&D 1e gave way to AD&D 2e, it appeared in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and was subsequently reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).

Dragon Magazine again came to the rescue in 3rd edition; Dragon #299 (September 2002) and its "The Horrors of Cormyr" article was the first restoration of the catoblepas, which later became official in the Monster Manual II (2002).

Its final appearances thus far have been the D&D 4e Monster Manual 3 and the Pathfinder Bestiary 2, both released in 2010.

The D&D version of the creature has traditionally been based on the version described by Pliny the Elder and equipped with a lethal gaze, possibly to further distinguish it from the gorgon. Up until the 3rd ed MMII, its artwork has remained pretty much the same, in something of a parody of a sauropod; it has a hippo-like body and legs, a long serpentine tail tipped with a skull-crushing mace of bone, a serpentine neck, and a face like a hideously ugly warthog. The third edition changed the artwork for something... well, indescribable, but definitely not the same. They're all generally inoffensive unless threatened, but do tend to have a fondness for meat that comes up once a month. In the [[Forgotten Realms]], in Cormyr, catoblepases are domesticated in one area, making the legendary "Death Cheese" from their milk.

The Pathfinder version, in contrast, is more like a huge, long-necked and really ugly pig with a toxic breath weapon. Whereas the D&D version is generally inoffensive, the Pathfinder version is a belligerent and malicious bullying thug of a creature.

The D&D 4th ed catoblepas is quite a different beast altogether. With an appearance more like a monstrous bull with an elongated neck and a hideously humanoid face, it is given lore as a native of the [[Shadowfell]] and a creature that enters the mortal world at the behest of the [[Raven Queen]] to serve as an emissary of tragedy, death and calamity. It comes in two versions; the Harbinger, which is bad enough with its poisonous breath, and the Tragedian, an even bigger and more deadly monster that has both poisonous breath and a lethal gaze. Both versions actually have some pretty awesome fluff, and certainly stand out compared to their counterparts.

[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]