The athach is a deformed, giant-like aberration.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Athachs have three arms. Two arms are located in the places where normal humanoids have their arms, while the third one sprouts from the chest. Athachs have a sickly green coloration, and are covered in a layer of short, soft, brown fur. They have pear-shaped, flabby bodies, orc-like faces, black teeth, many warts and veins in their skin, and curly (if matted) hair and beards.
They are depicted as wearing the hides of dead farm animals, and sometimes tribal decorations of bones, jewelry and webs of rope.
Personality and alignment[]
Athachs are usually chaotic evil.
Abilities and traits[]
Not overly intelligent, they prefer to attack by charging, with a morningstar in each of their three hands, into enemies and flailing at them indiscriminately (after a few rounds, however, they will typically attack whoever is causing them the most damage). If they cannot reach the enemy, they will throw rocks. They are immensely strong, and can easily bash any foe into a gory paste.
They are also poisonous.
Ecology[]
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Environment[]
Lair[]
Life cycle[]
Diet[]
Society and culture[]
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Relationships and family[]
Organization[]
Athachs can be either solitary, or in gangs of up to two or four individuals or tribes of seven to twelve.
Enemies[]
Allies and minions[]
Religion[]
Language[]
Athach language is a crude form of Giant.
Treasure[]
Harvesting[]
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History[]
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Notable athachs[]
For a full list of athachs, see Category:Athachs.
Related creatures[]
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Publication history[]
Basic D&D[]
The athach first appeared in the Master Rules (BECMI) (1985), and reappeared in the Rules Cyclopedia (1991). In the AC9 Creature Catalogue (1986), they were assigned the humanoid type; in the Rules Cyclopedia, this was specified as the giant humanoid variant.
AD&D 2nd edition[]
The athach was introduced into Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition in the Monstrous Compendium: Mystara Appendix (1994).
D&D 3rd edition[]
The athach returned in the Monster Manual (3.0) (2000) and the Monster Manual (3.5) (2003), where it was assigned the aberration type.
Creative origins[]
Athach is also a giant or monster in the folklore and beliefs of the Highland Scots.[1]
Reception and influence[]
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References[]
- ↑ Giants, Monsters and Dragons (2000).