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A chimera (pronounced: /kˈmɛərrəky-MAIR-ruh[7] or: /ˈkɪmʌrʌKIM-u-ru[8] about this audio file listen or: /kɪmˈrʌkim-AYR-u[8] about this audio file listen or: /ɪmˈrʌchim-AYR-u[8] about this audio file listen or: /ˈɪmʌrʌCHIM-u-ru[8] about this audio file listen; plchimerae[5][6] orchimeras[1][3]) was a large magical beast that was a combination of several different creatures, namely a dragon, a goat, and a lion. Although typically unintelligent, chimeras were self-aware creatures, with a limited capacity for language, often Draconic.[3]

Description[]

A chimera had the hindquarters of a goat, the forequarters of a lion, and a set of dragon wings. Additionally, a chimera had three heads, that of a horned goat, a lion, and a dragon.[3][2] This head typically resembled a red dragon, though it was not unlikely to find ones with heads resembling other species of chromatic dragon.[2]

Abilities[]

All chimeras had access to an array of various abilities. Each of the heads was capable of a unique attack, but the most dangerous by far was the dragon breath of the chimera's draconic head. The exact attack varied from one individual to another, as in dragons, with the type varying based on color. For instance, a chimera with a white dragon head would cast a breath of cold air, while one with a red dragon head would bellow forth scorching flames.[9]

Behavior[]

Chimerabattle

A group of adventurers battling a chimera.

Chimeras were not very intelligent creatures.[2] Their dragon-like natures often led them to attack intelligent beings for their treasure and to live solitary existences in caves, though some took after the lion and lived in prides.[5]

A chimera did not usually perceive humans as a threat, but would normally attack the easiest source of food, and would leave humans alone if an easier source was available. They would not hesitate to withdraw from combat if they became injured, and would not seek vengeance later. A chimera preferred to attack by swooping from the sky, attacking with its claws and its jaws, but they would also charge along the ground, leading with their lion head. Once entered into combat, they would use their dragon head to defend against attackers while their lion head will attempt to grasp its victim's neck in their jaws and snap it. It was not wholly uncommon for the goat head to sleep throughout the entire battle.[10]

Species[]

Other than variants based around which type of dragon a chimera imitated, there were other species of chimera to consider:

Cormanthor chimerae
The chimerae in Cormanthor were nomadic rather than territorial, and as a result, had a beneficial impact upon the ecology, choosing to prey on weakened or sick animals all over the forest. However, some of them were born with lips that were sensitive to sunlight, and as a result became extremely aggressive due to regular sunburns.[10]

In addition to those species, chimerae were known to crossbreed, generating bizarre hybrids:

Dracimera
A Hybrid of a chromatic dragon and a chimera. While there were wild dracimeras, some had been purposefully breed by the Cult of the Dragon.[11]
Mantimera
A cross between a manticore and a chimera, whose lion's head was replaced by a manticore's.[12]
Gorgimera
The gorgimera was a variant of the chimera, with the hindquarters and third head, of a gorgon instead of a goat. A gorgimera's gorgon head likewise had their respective breath weapon.[13]
Thessalmera
A hybrid of the chimera with an unknown monster.[14]

Other hybrids may have been possible, such as with ankhegs, though none had been reported as of the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR.[15]

Ecology[]

Chimeras were typically seen in groups of two or three.[2]

Mating usually occurred annually in late spring, with the females being extremely reluctant to perform the act, and even attempting to hide. They typically struggled against the more powerful males, breathing fire from the dragon head. The pregnancy would last around a year, with the average birth consisting of six offspring, which she would abandon after only a few days.[10] The excess milk produced by the female chimera after abandoning its offspring would be released while she slept. It was a thick, black liquid, which acted as an intoxicant for orcs and could be highly prized.[10]

Diet[]

Chimeras were an omnivorous species. They primarily ate meat and would resort to a herbivorous diet whenever prey became scarce or non-existent.[5]

Lairs[]

Due to the draconish part of their nature,[5] chimeras often made their lairs within caves.[2][5] They often decorated these with the bones and belongings of their prey.[2] Their hoards tended to consist primarily of copper and silver coins, with the occasional bits of jewelry and magical items.[5]

Habitats[]

Chimeras were very adaptable creatures, able to thrive in most climates.[2] Though they were most often found in hilly regions with a temperate climate.[3]

Languages[]

Chimeras were capable of understanding both Common and Draconic[2][3] though they could not speak them.[1]

Relationships[]

Some intelligent creatures were known to train chimeras, using them as pets, guardians, or even mounts. They were sometimes found to be in the company of azers and hill giants.[2]

Rumors & Legends[]

Some misguided sages claimed that chimeras were created by Demogorgon, the two-headed demon lord.[16]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
Bloodstone PassFour from CormyrThe Rise of TiamatPrinces of the ApocalypseWaterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad MageSleeping Dragon's WakeBaldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Novels
SwordmageThe Fallen Fortress
Video Games
Dungeon HackEye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth DrannorIcewind Dale IIWarriors of Waterdeep
Card Games
AD&D Trading CardsDragonfire: Chaos in the Trollclaws
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Mayhem in the Earthspur Mines

Gallery[]

Further Reading[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet and Monte Cook (October 2000). Monster Manual 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-7869-1552-1.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  7. Dungeons & Dragons FAQ (HTML). Wizards of the Coast. (2003). Archived from the original on 2017-07-09. Retrieved on 2018-05-22.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 26.
  9. Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Cormanthor”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  11. Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 99. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.
  12. Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 68–69. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
  13. Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 70. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
  14. Ed Greenwood (February 1985). “The Ecology of the Chimera”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #94 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 24–26.
  15. Ed Bonny, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Skip Williams, and Steve Winter (September 2002). Monster Manual II 3rd edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 206. ISBN 07-8692-873-5.
  16. Ludia (May 2019). Designed by Stephen David Wark, et al. Warriors of Waterdeep. Ludia.

Connections[]


True Felines
Mundane felines: CheetahHouse catJaguarLeopardLionMountain lionOcelotPantherRed tigerSaber-toothed tigerSand catSnow leopardSnow tigerSpotted lionTiger
Giant felines: Dire lionDire tigerGiant lynx
Magical felines: Cath sheeCrag catElven catJaguar lordJana-nimrJana-qitatLuck eaterSabu lordSwamplight lynxTressymWater cat
Planar felines: Fey pantherSpectral panther

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