Carrion crawler
| Carrion crawler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Characteristics | |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Type | Aberration |
| Image | Wizards.com image |
| Publication history | |
| Source books | Monster Manual (various editions) |
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the carrion crawler a type of fictional monster. A carrion crawler is described as a large yellow and green caterpillar-like aberration. The carrion crawler was introduced in the game's first supplement, Greyhawk, in 1975. The carrion crawler subsequently appeared in the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game's original Monster Manual sourcebook, and then continued to appear in the game's second edition, third edition, and fourth edition.
Publication history
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The carrion crawler was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975). It is described as a worm-shaped scavenger whose touch causes paralyzation.[1]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The carrion crawler appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a worm-like cephalopod that scavenges in subterranean areas.[2]
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the carrion crawler, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983).[3][4][5] The carrion crawler was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991),[6] the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).[7]
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The carrion crawler appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989),[8] and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[9]
The carrion crawler was detailed in Dragon #267 (January 2000), in the "Ecology of the Carrion Crawler".[10]
The aquatic carrion crawler appeared in Dungeon #79 (March 2000).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The carrion crawler appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).[11]
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The carrion crawler appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The carrion crawler appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), including the enormous carrion crawler.[12]
Description
The carrion crawler was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game. In all editions of the game, carrion crawlers are said to live underground, but will sometimes go to the surface for food. They are akin in appearance to a 3-to-4-foot-long (0.91 to 1.22 m) centipede. A carrion crawler possesses eight long tentacles protruding from the sides of its head, which allow it to stun its prey. The creature eats carrion, but it is known to kill live prey. Carrion crawlers are of neutral alignment.
Carrion crawlers in other media
Carrion crawlers can be found in the Dungeons & Dragons games Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and Icewind Dale. In Baldur's Gate II a carrion crawler plays the role as an old man's companion. The player has a choice whether or not to kill the carrion crawler, to take its blood for a quest. They are also a creature in Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil.
D&D Miniatures
The carrion crawler appears in the D&D Miniatures: Dragoneye set #41 (2004).
It also appears in the D&D Miniatures set Against the Giants: Enormous Carrion Crawler (#54).
Licensing
The carrion crawler is considered a "Product Identity" by Wizards of the Coast and as such is not released under its Open Game License.[13]
References
- ↑ Gygax, Gary and Robert Kuntz. Supplement I: Greyhawk (TSR, 1975)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by J. Eric Holmes. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1977)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Tom Moldvay. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1981)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules (TSR, 1983)
- ↑ Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991)
- ↑ Slavicsek, Bill. Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game (TSR, 1999)
- ↑ Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One (TSR, 1989)
- ↑ Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1993)
- ↑ Richards, Jonathan M. "Ecology of the Carrion Crawler: Crawlspaces, The" Dragon #267 (TSR, 2000)
- ↑ Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
- ↑ Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)
- ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". D20srd.org. Retrieved 2007-02-23.