In the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

, the aurumvorax (a-rum-VOR-aks), or "golden gorger," is a magical beast

Magical beast (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, magical beast is a type of creature, or "creature type". Magical beasts are similar to animals in many ways, but usually have a higher intelligence, and possess supernatural or extraordinary abilities....

.

Publication history

The aurumvorax was created by Gary Gygax, and first appeared in 1980's Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

Expedition to the Barrier Peaks is a 1980 adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game written by Gary Gygax. While Dungeons & Dragons is typically a fantasy game, the adventure includes elements of science fiction, and thus belongs to the science fantasy genre...

. The creature later appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983). The aurumvorax was further developed in Dragon

Dragon (magazine)

Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...

#132 (April 1988).

The aurumvorax appeared in the second edition Monstrous Manual (1993).

The aurumvorax appeared in the third edition in Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk

Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk

Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk is an adventure book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The adventure is set in the game's World of Greyhawk campaign setting, specifically in and around Castle Greyhawk and its dungeons. As such, it is an update to the...

(2007).

Ecology

The aurumvorax seems to have a deep affection for precious ores and minerals, which it consumes to supplement its mainly carnivorous diet. It often lairs near places where such things can be found. Gold seems to be its preferred inorganic dish. Many say that the aurumvorax's disproportionate strength is due to eating these things. The aurumvorax is widely hunted for its fur, which can be used to make garments of great strength and beauty.

Environment

The aurumvorax makes its home in alpine forests. Aurumvoraxes often burrow into solid rock to make their lairs.

Typical physical characteristics

An aurumvorax resembles something akin to a rodent or mustelid

Mustelidae

Mustelidae , commonly referred to as the weasel family, are a family of carnivorous mammals. Mustelids are diverse and the largest family in the order Carnivora, at least partly because in the past it has been a catch-all category for many early or poorly differentiated taxa...

 such as a badger

Badger

Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are nine species of badger, in three subfamilies : Melinae , Mellivorinae , and Taxideinae...

, weasel

Weasel

Weasels are mammals forming the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. They are small, active predators, long and slender with short legs....

, marmot

Marmot

The marmots are a genus, Marmota, of squirrels. There are 14 species in this genus.Marmots are generally large ground squirrels. Those most often referred to as marmots tend to live in mountainous areas such as the Alps, northern Apennines, Eurasian steppes, Carpathians, Tatras, and Pyrenees in...

, gopher

Gopher (animal)

The term gopher as it is commonly used does not relate to any one species, but is a generic term used to describe any of several small burrowing rodents endemic to North America, including the pocket gopher , also called true gophers, and the ground squirrel , including Richardson's ground squirrel...

 or ferret

Ferret

The ferret is a domesticated mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur...

, but larger, and it has eight legs. It also has slightly leonine features, and its golden-brown fur is as strong as plate armor. Despite the small size and rodent-like appearance, the aurumvorax is quite physically powerful.

Society

The aurumvorax is a solitary creature with similar habits to many real-life woodland animals.

Aurumvoraxes cannot speak.