An Anadjiin is a creature native to Anadia in Realmspace in the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1][2]
Overview[]
The anadjiin is a vicious apex predator native to the planet Anadia in the crystal sphere known as Realmspace.[1] A few anadjiin have managed to make it offworld and have been reported on other worlds, often resulting in incredible devastation.[2]
Description[]
An anadjiin is a humanoid with a tough reptilian hide which deflects most weapons. The top of the creatures head has a spiny crest which has an abundance of small capillary blood vessels along the surface which allows the anadjiin to cool off in the hottest of environments. However, it limits the anadjiin's ability to survive in cool climes.
The anadjiin has two huge insect-like eyes sitting on the sides of its head, giving the creature a 360°-field of vision at all times. The brain of the anadjiin is so highly developed that it is able to assimilate information at all times and act on it immediately. Anadjiin cannot see in the dark, and therefore prefer to hunt during the day.
An anadjiin's mouth is unusual when compared to other creatures. Most of the mouths' structure, including the jaws and the teeth, is arranged vertically rather than horizontally. Once the creature has grabbed hold of its prey, there is no way to force the anadjiin to release its victim short of killing it, and even then its jaw must be broken before its hold is released.
The creature has a stout tail which it uses to stabilize itself, and is never used as a weapon in combat. Each of the anadjiin's hands is tipped with six-inch long claws, which it uses as its primary weapons. Wounds caused by the claws continue to bleed until they are bound or healed.[1]
Personality[]
Anadjiin have a close bond with nature itself and ensure they hunt prey in such a way they maintain natures balance, never overhunting a region, or a particular species to extinction. To this end, the anadjiin hunt the halflings and umber hulks of Anadia to prevent them from becoming too plentiful. Although feared for their ruthlessness, anadjiin have never been known to attack a druid or a ranger.[1][2]
Combat[]
Because the anadjiin cannot see in the dark, it prefers to shelter and sleep at night, and is active during the day. When attacking an opponent, an anadjiin relies on its speed and agility to gain the advantage. If it faces a single opponent, an anadjiin attacks with its bite and does not let go until its victim is dead, tearing away at its victims abdomen hoping to disembowel it.
If the anadjiin faces more than one opponent, it attacks what it judges to be the weakest individual until it falls, hoping to scare away the rest of its opponents. At this point the anadjiin will recover its prey and return to its den.[1]
Society[]
Anadjiin live in small family units, and are always ready to fight to the death to protect their young and their mate. However, in times when food is scarce, anadjiin are known to kill and eat their young, ostensibly to spare them the pain of starvation. Separate family units often work together in order to find food, and almost never fight among themselves when prey is found. The anadjiin are aware that it is more efficient to work together, and ensure that each individual receives their fair share.[1]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Anadjiin article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.