#adnd

"Jaculus Token" © @dwollsadventures, accessed at his tumblr here

[The jaculus originally was a Roman legendary snake, one of many ludicrously lethal serpents encountered by Lucan's armies in Libya in his epic Pharsalia. For some reason, in D&D it's always been inherently plural as "jaculi". The Fiend Folio version always confused me; since it doesn't do more damage with its plummeting charge and isn't venomous, why use it over a normal snake? Rereading the entry for this project, and seeing references to them eating algae and insects and living in groups of up to 40, made me realize that the AD&D jaculi is intended as a piercer analogue. If you find the idea of killer stalactite mollusks showing up in outdoor adventures ridiculous, replace them with killer javelin snakes! In 3.5's Forgotten Realms book Serpent Kingdoms, the "jaculi" became sapient, psionic and rather stronger than the original 1 HD version. I am ignoring that take on the jaculus while making the 1e version a bit more like the folkloric jaculus (making it smaller, having the gore actually be more dangerous on a charge) while also making it more like a plausible speculative animal.

Incidentally, the name jaculus appears in the scientific literature associated with multiple North African animals. The genus name for jerboas is Jaculus, and Eryx jaculus is the javelin sand boa. Sand boas in general are noted for being folklorically lethal despite being harmless, probably because of their elaborate threat displays. Greek "snake bombs", which were clay pots filled with snakes catapulted at the enemy, included sand boas as much as they did venomous snakes (which is credited for being why E. jaculus is found in places like Sicily and Romania), and sand boas in Mongolia are identified with the olgoi-khorkhoi, the notorious Mongolian Death Worm.

If you appreciate all the research that goes into my monster writing, please join the Creature Codex Patreon. ]

Jaculus CR ½ N Animal This snake is long and sinuous, with eye spots covering the scales of its body. Its head is angular, and the large scales reinforcing the head give it the impression of being a living javelin.

The jaculi are unusual snakes in that they hunt large game in groups. They are ambush predators capable of surviving in a wide variety of habitats, although they require vegetation such as trees or shrubs to hunt. When waiting in ambush, a jaculus can change the color of its scales to better blend in with its habitat. A jaculus is not venomous, but instead uses the scales on its head and its ability to spring great distances to launch itself at prey like a missile. Multiple jaculi often attack the same target, the most impatient serpent launching itself and the rest following its example to bring down a prey item. Once on the ground, jaculi change their colors to bright display, hoping to scare off a response with the speed of their initial attack. This is because a jaculus relies on momentum as much as strength for its blows, and once grounded is relatively weak.

Like most snakes, jaculi live lives of quick bursts of energy followed by extensive periods of rest. Their fast twitch muscles and leaping ability require more food than usual for a snake of its size, but still less than a mammalian predator of the same size. Most jaculi eat somewhere between once a week and once a month. Their usual prey are ungulates ranging in size from goats to camels, but they will not hesitate to attack humanoids if particularly hungry. Jaculi have small and inflexible mouths for snakes, but uniquely can slice off strips of meat with their head scales and swallow prey in pieces. Jaculi are not sexually dimorphic, but males change color dramatically during their mating displays, showing bands and ripples of color in order to impress females and scare off rival males. Eggs are laid in communal dens and multiple females rotate in and out to guard the eggs. Parental care extends a few weeks after hatching, whereupon the young disperse to find their own hunting grounds.

Jaculi as Animal Companions Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft; AC +1 natural armor; Attack gore (1d4); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 5; Special Attacks javelin charge; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent 4th Level Advancement Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2

Monster Manual - Catoblepas

Eugh… I’d really rather not write this. I thought the scholars were exaggerating when they said it had “no redeeming features”. After a week following these horrid beasts around, I cannot help but concur. Hopefully the smell of this monster will leave my tunic one day.

--

Well, that's rather uncharitable for Lias. He must have not liked the catoblepas very much. Thankfully the anonymous author of Summoner Saga has more to say. (This is one of the few times that the Monster Manual and Summoner Saga project will cross-over, purely due to coincidence):

Catoblepas

(Hellenistic Natural Philosophy)

Joining the basilisk and gorgon as creatures who can kill with a look is the catoblepas. This medium-sized bovid inhabits flooded grasslands and swamps in the sub-tropical regions of Palet. Covered in a mixture of scales and patchy fur, its legs are short and ungainly, mismatched in size. The head of the catoblepas is attached to a long, thin neck which perpetually bows down. They spend their entire lives looking at the ground, snuffling for grass and herby plants like a hog. Along the neck is a mane where each hair has a stiff root attached to the neck. When needed, the catoblepas can tense its neck, causing the hairs to suddenly raise, exposing its hideous face. Whereas basilisks and gorgons petrify their victims, those who see the catoblepas suffer brain hemorrhages upon witnessing it. If that wasn't enough to keep creatures away, catoblepas also feed heavily upon a certain poisonous herb. Immune to the toxins, they allow the fumes from the herb to collect in their foregut. If the threat of their gaze isn't enough to dissuade a predator, the beast can also belch up this toxic gas. Unsurprisingly, catoblepas are solitary, lonely creatures. Mating is a rare event and they have few parental instincts, leaving calves to fend for themselves after they're weaned. No other creatures reside where a catoblepas makes its home. The only companion the grotesque creatures have are a swarm of blind parasites evolved especially to feed upon the catoblepas. With short limbs, a thin tail, and no companions willing to groom them, they suffer the presence of these freeloaders in quiet rage.