Cooshee
| Cooshee | |
|---|---|
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing An elven cooshee hound, standing in the woods, depicted in "Featured Creatures", Dragon #67 (1982), by an unknown artist. | |
| Names | |
| Alt. Spelling: | Cooshie |
| Other name(s): | Elven dog, elven hound |
| General information | |
| Size: | Medium |
| Alignment: | Unaligned or neutral |
| Type: | Beast |
| Subtype: | Magical beast |
| First appearance: | Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982) |
Cooshee, also known as elven hounds, are a breed of long-lived dogs kept by elves.[1][2][3]
Description
Cooshee are rather large dogs,[1][2][3] with huge forepaws that sport long claws for a dog. They sport thick green coats of fur with brown spots.[1][2][3] Their claws are curved, allowing them better traction in the forest grounds they typically roam, and they have ears that point straight up.[2][3] Their tails curve high over their back,[1][2][3] except when scolded.[2][3] On average they weigh around 168 to 310lbs[1][2][3], standing at least 2ft at the shoulder,[2] most cooshee are typically almost as big as a pony and "the size of the largest common dog."[1][4]
Behavior
These creatures have a level of intellect comparable to most dogs,[1][2][3] but they have very independent spirits and are generally distrustful of creatures that aren't elves or half-elves.[2] They are also highly protective of their offspring.[3]
Abilities
Cooshee are known for being swift runners and sprinting faster than all but the fastest normal dogs.[2][3] They are also quite agile, are skilled at moving silently, and have barks that can be heard from over a mile away or potentially even further.[1][2][3] Though they only bark to warn their masters[1][3] or packmates.[3] Unlike normal dogs, cooshee do not make other sounds (whine, growl, bark, etc.).[3]
In addition, the green coloration of their coats coupled with their skill at moving silently make cooshee adept at hiding within brush or woodlands.[1][3]
Much like their elven masters, cooshee have some form of magical resistance against enchantment spells and are immune to sleep effects.[2] They also seem to share the elven affinity for nature.[3]
Combat
These creatures are quite effective fighters.[2] When engaging someone in combat, cooshee often try to knock them down with their large forepaws before biting at them.[1][4][3] These bites are said to be bone-crushing, capable of felling an orc warrior.[2] If ordered to subdue an opponent, they will simply close their jaws over the target's throat, resting their teeth against its skin.[3]
History
It is uncertain whether cooshee are a naturally occurring species, or one that has been bred into existence by elves.[3]
Ecology
In the wild these creatures are either found solitarily or in packs numbering five to twelve members.[2] Cooshee mate for life and pups bond strongly with their parents.[3]
Cooshee have long lifespans, commonly living for up to a hundred years.[2][3]
Elven hound pups can sell for around 150gp, while a fully trained adult hound can fetch at least 300gp. However, cooshee in general are rarely ever found for sale on the open market.[2]
Habitat
Cooshee are typically found in the same temperate,[2] meadows and woodlands as elves.[1][4]
Relationships
Cooshee are most commonly kept by grugach and valley elves as guard or hunting dogs, though occasionally high elves also keep them. They tend to avoid the company of other species of canines.[2][3]
Some elven rangers have cooshee as animal companions.[5] And some hound masters work with them.[6] They also sometimes act as servants of the Seldarine deities Rillifane Rallathil[7] and Solonor Thelandira.[8]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Monster Manual II (1983), p.26.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Races of the Wild (2005), p.189-190.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves (1992), Appendices, MC s.v. Cooshee.
- ↑ a b c "Featured Creatures". Dragon #67 (Nov 1982), p.11.
- ↑ Races of the Wild (2005), p.156.
- ↑ Demihumans of the Realms (1999) , p.48.
- ↑ Demihuman Deities (1998), p.122.
- ↑ Demihuman Deities (1998), p.133.
Bibliography
- Boyd, Eric L.. Demihuman Deities. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9585.
- Gygax, Gary. "Featured Creatures". Dragon #67. Lake Geneva , WI:TSR. 1982
- ———. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. Item code TSR2016.
- McComb, Colin. PHBR8 The Complete Book of Elves. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992. Item code TSR2131.
- Moore, Roger E.. FOR12 Demihumans of the Realms. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999. Item code TSR11316.
- Williams, Skip. Races of the Wild. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Item code 17928.
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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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | Dragon magazine #067 | 11 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e | 241 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) | 241 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 26 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | PHBR8 - The Complete Book of Elves | 118 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book One | 8 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book Two | 3, 12 | |
| Cooshie {Cooshee, Elven Dog} | Monster | WG12 Vale of the Mage | 9, 17, 24, 28 |