Mastodon

More vicious and territorial than their more domesticated cousins, mastodons are ancient creatures related to elephants. Mastodons usually live in isolated forests, jungles, or tropical islands. In colder climates, they grow thick coats of fur, making them look very shaggy. A few species, especially those that live in snow regions, lack the extended tusks of the mastodon described here.

A mastodon stands 10 feet high at the shoulder and weighs over 4,000 pounds. Mastodon tusks are 12 to 15 feet long, providing the animal reach with its gore attack.

A mastodon, like an elephant, charges at threatening creatures. A mastodon’s long tusks allow it to attack at a distance that far outreaches its opponent’s ability to melee.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a mastodon is up to 4,152 pounds; a medium load, 4,153–8,304 pounds; and a heavy load, 8,305–12,480 pounds. A mastodon can drag 62,400 pounds.

Druids of 16th level or higher can select mastodon animal companions. Apply a −15 adjustment to the druid’s level for purposes of determining the companion’s characteristics and special abilities.

Herds of mastodons freely wander the untamed hinterlands of the Tashana Tundra on the continent of Sarlona. Occasionally these enormous animals are captured and brought to Riedra, becoming beasts of burden for the Inspired. Frost giants living in the mountains of southern Xen’drik use Gargantuan mastodons as mounts. Many ivory hunters have been lured to their deaths in Xen’drik by rumors of great mastodon graveyards filled with tusks. A tusk from an adult mastodon can be sold for 500 gp or more in Khorvaire.

Mastodons once walked as far west as Vaasa, Damara, and Narfell. However, encroaching civilization has pushed them east, into the Endless Wastes. There, small herds of mastodons still roam. However, the mastodon population dwindles year after year. An ivory tusk from a mastodon can fetch 500 gp or more in Thay and other lands farther west.