Shambling mound
Encyclopedia
The shambling mound is a fictional plant-like creature in the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game. The shambling mound is also called shambler, a name which lends itself to the eponymious magic spell.
fantasy
role-playing game
. Some have noted the creature's resemblance to the comic characters Man-Thing
and Swamp Thing
, both of which were preceded by a similar comic character called the Heap
.
, The Strategic Review #3, August 1975.
The shambling mound was detailed in Dragon
Annual #2 (1997), in the "Ecology of the Shambling Mound".
Another, large sized miniature called stormrage shambler appeared in the D&D Miniatures: Unhallowed set (2007).
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...
roleplaying game. The shambling mound is also called shambler, a name which lends itself to the eponymious magic spell.
Publication history
The shambling mound is among the first creatures to appear in the Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & 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...
. Some have noted the creature's resemblance to the comic characters Man-Thing
Man-Thing
The Man-Thing is a fictional character, a monster in publications from Marvel Comics. Created by writers Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Gerry Conway and artist Gray Morrow, the character first appeared in Savage Tales #1 , and went on to be featured in various titles and in his own series, including...
and Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
, both of which were preceded by a similar comic character called the Heap
The Heap (comics)
The Heap is the name of several fictional comic book muck-monsters, the original of which first appeared in Hillman Periodicals' Air Fighters Comics #3 , during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books...
.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The shambling mound first appeared in the official newsletter of TSR GamesTSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, The Strategic Review #3, August 1975.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The shambling mound appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as an apparent heap of rotting vegetation, although in reality an intelligent form of vegetable life that suffocates prey in its slime.Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The shambling mound appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The shambling mound was detailed 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...
Annual #2 (1997), in the "Ecology of the Shambling Mound".
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The shambling mound appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The shambling mound appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The shambling mound appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), along with the stormrage shambler.Ecology
Shambling mounds are intelligent, carnivorous plant creatures, though they appear to be rotting heaps of vegetation.Typical physical characteristics
Shambling mounds are usually about six feet tall, with an eight foot girth, when they stand erect. Most weigh around 3,800 pounds. Their brains and sensory organs are located in their upper regions. In their natural environment, shambling mounds are almost invisible. They can move through water easily, and have been known to creep into camps in their range at night to attack. Stories tell of shambling mounds moving about in electrical storms without flinching from the frequent lightning strikes, even direct strikes.Miniatures
The shambling mound appears in the D&D Miniatures: Harbinger set (2003).Another, large sized miniature called stormrage shambler appeared in the D&D Miniatures: Unhallowed set (2007).