Jaculis (pronounced: /dʒɑːˈkuːliz/ jah-KOO-leez[1][4] or: /ˈdʒækuːliz/ JÆK-oo-leez[4]) were agile, tree-dwelling creatures that resembled snakes.[2][note 1]
Description[]
Jaculis looked like snakes with mauve to dark purple scales and an arrow-shaped head topped with sharp, forward-pointing horns.[2] Some members of this species displayed heads that were more broad and flat, with razor-edged horns projecting as a ridge on either side.[3]
Behavior[]
These creatures were not innately aggressive or hostile towards others, though they were very territorial and easily excitable.[3]
Abilities[]
Jaculis were capable of camouflaging themselves, comparable to the famed ability of a chameleon,[3] changing the color of their skin to match their surroundings. They were also known to be talented climbers and swimmers.[2] Some described them as being capable of launching themselves with a force and accuracy comparable to that of javelins.[3]
Combat[]
Jaculis lured in their prey with animal trance, then attacked with its sharp horns and its ability to constrict. If a foe proved too troublesome, jaculis jumped from tree to tree to escape, then swung around and pursued the prey for a better opportunity.[2]
Ecology[]
Diet[]
Jaculis subsisted primarily on a diet of tree moss and insects.[3]
Habitats[]
Jaculis could live in nearly any environment, though being serpents they had a preference for warm climates.[2] Furthermore, being arboreal creatures they were typically encountered in forests and jungles, though some were known to adapt to living within buildings that had many pillars.[3]
In Interior Faerûn, jaculis could be found in the jungle within the Cathedral of Emerald Scales.[5]
Notable jaculi[]
Moa, one of the Nine Trickster Gods of Chult, was a jaculi.[6]
Trivia[]
Serphidians were able to shapechange into jaculi through use of their specially granted snake skin spell.[7]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ In their first appearance "Jaculi" was stated as being both the singular and plural form of their species name. However, in the books of later editions such as Serpent Kingdoms and Tomb of Annihilation the plural form was changed to "Jaculis."
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf
Video Games
Board Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 225. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 66–68. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Don Turnbull (1981). Fiend Folio. (TSR Hobbies), p. 53. ISBN 0-9356-9621-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 26.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 141. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 256. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 88. ISBN 978-0786906574.