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A winter wolf was more akin to a worg than an actual wolf, being of wicked intelligence and cunning.[3]

Description[]

It grew to about 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length, 4 ft 6 in (1.4 m) at the shoulder, and weighed around 450 lb (200,000 g).[3] They had glistening white or silvery coats of fur and eyes that were either silvery or a very pale blue,[5] with the latter eye color being more predominant in their species.[3]

Personality[]

These creatures were known to often have a foul disposition.[5]

Combat[]

Using their fur as camouflage, winter wolves would lay in wait for prey.[1] When an ambush was triggered, winter wolves would encircle their prey and take turns to attack, or attempt to pin it. They could breathe gusts of cold as well as bite their victims. They could also trip their enemies. They were immune to cold and cold magic, but were vulnerable to fire.[3][5]

Society[]

Northlanders vs winter wolf-5e

A winter wolf attacking a group of Northlanders.

Winter wolves typically lived in packs of around three to five.[3] They were well organized and their leaders were both the strongest and smartest among them. When hunting they typically traveled against the wind in order to ensure that their prey couldn't smell them.[6]

Diet[]

Like all wolves, these creatures were a carnivorous species.[3][5]

Homelands[]

Winter wolves were only known to inhabit cold climates,[3][5] particularly in forests and plains.[3]

They inhabited the region of High Ice, where they often hunted ice toads.[6] In the Unapproachable East, winter wolves could be found in the the High Country[7] and coastal regions of Rashemen,[8][9] as well as Ashanath and Rawlinswood.[10]

Beyond Faerûn, they could be found in nearly all arctic areas of Kara-Tur.[11]

Beyond the Prime Material plane they could be found in the plane of Clangor, where they were used as mounts by the plane's goblin inhabitants, and the plane of Jotunheim where they were as large as elephants.[12]

Languages[]

Winter Wolves were known to speak their own bestial language,[1][5] as well as the language of worgs,[5] Common, and Giant.[3]

Relationships[]

Winter wolves were sometimes found as allies and guardians of frost giants, white dragons, and other evil arctic beings.[3]

The pelts of these creatures could often sell for around 5,000 gp.[5]

Notable Winter Wolves[]

Appendix[]

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

Aventures
Dungeon #15, "The Glass House"Shadowdale: The Scouring of the LandStorm King's ThunderIcewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Video Games
Baldur's GateIcewind DaleIcewind Dale: Heart of WinterBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of AmnBaldur's Gate: Dark AllianceDungeons & Dragons OnlineNeverwinter: Curse of Icewind DaleIdle Champions of the Forgotten RealmsNeverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea
Card Games
Spellfire: Master the MagicDragonfire (Chaos in the Trollclaws)
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Eye of the TempestIn Dire NeedA Dish Best Served ColdJarl RisingThe Fallen Star

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 340. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. Rob Heinsoo, Stephen Schubert (May 19, 2009). Monster Manual 2 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 210. ISBN 0786995101.
  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 3.14 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 256. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  4. Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 362. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 101. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  6. 6.0 6.1 James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Anauroch”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), pp. 22–23. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  7. Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 77. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  8. Rashemen Encounters Charts included in Anthony Pryor (June 1995). Spellbound. Edited by Michele Carter, Doug Stewart. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 978-0786901395.
  9. Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 92. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
  10. Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 90, 92. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
  11. Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), p. 61. ISBN 0-88038-851-X.
  12. Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 147, 160. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
  13. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  14. Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 132. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
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