Boggle
| Boggle | |
|---|---|
 A boggle as depicted in Volo's Guide to Monsters, illustration by Shawn Wood (2016) | |
| General information | |
| Size: | Small (3') |
| Alignment: | Chaotic neutral |
| Type: | Monstrous humanoid (3e) or Fey (4e/5e) |
| First appearance: | Secret of the Slavers Stockade |
"Boggles are the little bogeys of fairy tales."[1] They are diminutive, mischievous humanoid creatures known for their ability to create tiny portals through which they can reach.
Ecology
Typical physical characteristics
Boggles are small, usually around three feet tall,[2][3] and seem disproportionate with bald, bulbous heads. Their hands, feet, arms, legs, noses, are different lengths or sizes, and seem somewhat misshapen, being vastly different from one to the next.[2][3] They have rubbery, hairless skin which is usually blackish-blue to dark gray.[2][3]
""
The majority of boggles' diet is from scavenging. They eat "organic refuse, insects, plants and lichens, and kills from other predators. They seem particularly fond of ants, grubs, and sweets, and can be enticedwith a bit of a bribe. Boggles sometime herd beetles, slugs, and lizards in thei rnests."[3]
Environment
"They lurk in the fringes of the Feywild and are also found on the Material Plane, where they hide under beds and in closets, waiting to frighten and bedevil folk with their mischief. A boggle is born out of feelings of loneliness, materializing in a place where the Feywild touches the world in proximity to an intelligent being that feels isolated or abandoned. For example, a forsaken child might unintentionally conjure a boggle and see it as a sort of imaginary friend. A boggle might also appear in the attic of a lonely widower’s house or in the caves of a hermit."[1]"
The lair of boggles, or "nest",[2][3] is usually in a cave, cavern, burrow or den, or "hideaway hollowed in a wall".[3] Boggles use the oil from their bodies and "the debris of their digging to form a mortar, like a mud wasp's nest"[3] to create clay-like frames, cubbies, pits, or a grillwork which pocket their lairs.[2][3][1]
Personality
"Boggles engage in petty pranks to amuse themselves, passing the time at their hosts’ expense. A boggle isn’t above breaking dishes, hiding tools, making frightening sounds to startle cows and sour their milk, or hiding a baby in an attic. Although a boggle’s antics might cause distress and unintentional harm, mischief—not mayhem—is usually its intent. If threatened, a boggle flees rather than stand and fight."[1]"
Abilities
STR 8, DEX 18, CON 13, INT 6, WIS12, CHA 7[1][4]
Boggles typically have low intelligence,[2][3]
"A boggle excretes an oil from its pores and can make its oil slippery or sticky. The oil dries up and disappears an hour later."[1]"
The oil secreted from bloggles' pores is viscous, non-flammable, and black.[2][3]
"A boggle can create magical openings to travel short distances or to pilfer items that would otherwise be beyond its reach.... The rift is invisible and disappears after a few seconds—enough time for the boggle to step, reach, or attack through it."[1]"
Society
The social organization of boggles is usually like tribal or a familial group.[2][3] A group of boggles is a "gen" and young are called a "kit".[3]
Relationships
"A boggle makes a decent servant for a strong-willed master, and wicked creatures such as fomorians and hags sometimes shelter boggles in their lairs. Warlocks who form pacts with archfey have also been known to command boggles, and charismatic individuals who make the right offers have enjoyed temporary alliances with these little tricksters. A bored boggle always finds some way to entertain itself."[1]"
Language
Boggles speak Sylvan, like most fey,[1] though they tend to whine and gibber when dealing with other creatures.[2] In some editions, boggles have a language of their own, which sounds like "grunts and whistles".[3]
Gallery
External links
Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.
- Boggle. DnDBeyond. Retrieved on 5 January 2023.
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. Item code TSR2016.
- Pickens, John, ed. Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two. Renton, WA: TSR, 1995. Item code TSR2158.
- Crawford, Jeremy, lead designer. Mike Mearls, Christopher Perkins, et al. Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2022. ISBN 978-0-7869-6787-2
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boggle | Monster | A2 Secret of the Slavers Stockade | 4, 10, 12, 20, 23, 36, 37 | |
| Boggle | Monster | Monstrous Compendium - 1995 Annual, Volume 2 | 22 | |
| Boggle | Monster | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 20 |