Creature Mondays

Over the weekend, I had another stop on my Champion of Valor tour, over at Julie's. And today, Sandra's hosting me. Please be sure to stp by and leave comments for a chance to win prizes!

As seen in Dungeons and Dragons 3E Monster Manuel - Copyright Wizards of the Coast

Catoblepas - a legendary bull-like creature of Ethiopia. Although this picture shows a scrawny beast, the catoblepas is normally a the size of a bull. Its head is so heavy that the creature can only look downward. Its name is Greek for "that which looks downward". It is a sluggish creature and grim, with a heavy mane that covers its forehead, narrow blood-shot eyes, a scaly back, and shaggy eyebrows.

It is fortunate that the beast gazes downward because its look is poisonous. It only eats poisonous vegetation so its breath is also dangerous. When threatened, the catoblepas glares, bares its teeth, and emits a blast of foul-smelling breath  that causes its enemies to lose their voice and to experience fatal convulsions. Most animals avoid the catoblepas and it's no wonder why!