Iron cobra
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the iron cobra is a construct
.
(1981).
The iron cobra appears in the second edition in Dragon
#164 (December 1990), including the normal iron cobra and the giant iron cobra. The iron cobra appears in the Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992).
The iron cobra appears in the third edition Fiend Folio (2003).
The iron cobra appears in the fourth edition Monster Manual
(2008), under the homunculus
entry.
or Spelljammer
. The iron cobra resembles a normal cobra
, only made of metal. The metal is usually, as its name suggests, iron
. The body is an interconnection of metal segments, while the fan is wing-like, and inscribed with runes. It has sharp fangs, and rubies for eyes.
, or servant. They are often placed in a dungeon or a laboratory or such to make the place seem more ominous/mystical and to torture, intimidate and simply stop those who come in. In some settings it is loaded with poison, while in other settings its bite merely causes sharp damage. It is also sometimes shown as being able to fire a deadly beam of energy from its jeweled eyes.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
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 iron cobra is a construct
Construct (Dungeons & Dragons)
Within the world of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, construct is a type of creature, or "creature type". Constructs are either animated objects, or any artificially constructed creature....
.
Publication history
The iron cobra first appeared in the first edition in the original Fiend FolioFiend Folio
Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(1981).
The iron cobra appears in the second edition 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...
#164 (December 1990), including the normal iron cobra and the giant iron cobra. The iron cobra appears in the Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992).
The iron cobra appears in the third edition Fiend Folio (2003).
The iron cobra appears in the fourth edition Monster Manual
Monster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(2008), under the homunculus
Homunculus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the homunculus is a construct.-Dungeons & Dragons :The homonculous was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk .-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
entry.
Description
The iron cobra is most common in settings with a sci-fi/steampunk fantastical theme, such as EberronEberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
or Spelljammer
Spelljammer
Spelljammer is a campaign setting for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, which features a fantastical outer space environment....
. The iron cobra resembles a normal cobra
Cobra
Cobra is a venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. However, not all snakes commonly referred to as cobras are of the same genus, or even of the same family. The name is short for cobra capo or capa Snake, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake"...
, only made of metal. The metal is usually, as its name suggests, iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
. The body is an interconnection of metal segments, while the fan is wing-like, and inscribed with runes. It has sharp fangs, and rubies for eyes.
Construction
The iron cobra is typically built and animated (they require more magic than machinery) by neutral or evil aligned mages in the above mentioned settings to act as a sentry, interrogator, assassinAssassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
, or servant. They are often placed in a dungeon or a laboratory or such to make the place seem more ominous/mystical and to torture, intimidate and simply stop those who come in. In some settings it is loaded with poison, while in other settings its bite merely causes sharp damage. It is also sometimes shown as being able to fire a deadly beam of energy from its jeweled eyes.