Behir
| Behir | |
|---|---|
|
A behir in the original Monster Manual II (1983), by Gary Gygax | |
| Characteristics | |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Type | Magical beast |
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the behir (/bɛˈhɪər/ be-HEER)[1] is a huge serpentine magical beast.
Publication history
The behir first appeared in the first edition adventure module, The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982),[2] and was reprinted in the Monster Manual II (1983).[3]
The behir appeared for the second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989),[4] and was reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[5] The creature was expanded upon in Dragon #156 (April 1990), which introduced the desert behir and the jungle behir.[6]
The behir appeared for third edition in the Monster Manual (2000),[7] and then the 3.5 edition Monster Manual (2003). The Halruaan behir appeared on Wizards of the Coast's website,[8] and then in Shining South (2004). The creature was expanded upon in Dragon #333 (July 2005).[9]
The behir appeared in the fourth edition in Monster Manual 2 (2009).
Game depiction
Physical description
A behir is a huge blue serpentine magical beast with a crocodilian head; the creature is around forty feet long and weighs around four thousand pounds. They can run quickly on their twelve short, powerful legs, or slither by folding their legs close to their body. A behir can breathe a line of powerful electricity or swallow opponents whole by dislocating its jaw in serpentine fashion.
The behir is covered in hard scales and has a keel of spines running down its neck, as well as two on its head. These spines are used for grooming purposes and not combat.
A variant of the Behir from the Forgotten Realms campaign setting is the Halruaan Behir. Coming from the country of Halruaa, it is much smaller and more magical than its cousin. They are kept as guardians and occasionally as pets.
Environment
Behirs commonly inhabit warm, hilly regions, often living in caves high in hills/cliffs(or other shelters above ground level). A Behir's territory extends over 400 Sq miles. They are rare however and will not be encountered frequently.
Alignment
A behir is often neutral in alignment.
Society
Behirs are usually solitary, though they sometimes gather in mated pairs.
Behirs will not coexist with dragons, and will take great pains to drive a dragon out of their territory, moving only as a last resort.
Other publishers
The behir appeared in Paizo Publishing's book Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary (2009), on page 34.[10]
References
- ↑ Mentzer, Frank. "Ay pronunseeAY shun gyd" Dragon #93 (TSR, 1985)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (TSR, 1982)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II (TSR, 1983)
- ↑ Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One (TSR, 1989)
- ↑ Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1993)
- ↑ Jones, Tony. "The Ecology of the Behir." Dragon #156 (TSR, 1990)
- ↑ Williams, Skip, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)
- ↑ The Beasts of Halruaa
- ↑ Cagle, Eric. "The Ecology of the Behir." Dragon #333 (Paizo Publishing, 2005)
- ↑ Bulmahn, Jason (lead designer). Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary (Paizo Publishing, 2009)