Otyugh

An otyugh ("AHT-yuhg"), or gulguthra, is a fictional monster in the Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying game.

Ecology

Environment

Otyughs are usually found underground, in places like sewers.

Typical physical characteristics

An otyugh is an aberration with a large (eight feet in diameter), bloated body covered with a rock-like skin that is brownish gray in color, which is in turn covered with dung. An adult otyugh usually weighs around 500 pounds. Its three thick legs give an otyugh slow ground movement, but enable it to pivot quickly. With three eyes on a leaf-like stalk that moves quickly from side to side, it can quickly scan a large area. An otyugh's primary means of attack is by two long tentacles which are laden with bony thorn-like ridges.

Alignment

Otyughs are usually neutral, though lifeleech otyughs are evil.

Society

Otyughs are rarely found in groups of more than four individuals, and are often solitary.

Variant otyughs

Even more fearsome then the otyugh is the neo-otyugh, a larger, more ferocious species of otyugh, which has some psionic powers as well as a bite which can lead to super-tetanus.

One other species of otyugh (appearing in the Monster Manual III) is the Lifeleech Otyugh, which possesses additional tentacles and a supernatural ability allowing it to benefit from healing spells cast in the vicinity as if it were an additional target.

Other media

• In the Final Fantasy series, the Ochu is based on the otyugh.
• In the video game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, the otyugh is one of the monsters the player can encounter.
• In the web comic Yet Another Fantasy Gamer Comic, an Otyugh and a Neo Otyugh each offer to be the boyfriend of one of the main characters.
• In the game Guild Wars, the Ranger class has a skill named Otyugh's Cry.

Creative origins

The otyugh was created by Gary Gygax.

References

• Burlew, Rich, et al. Monster Manual III(Wizards of the Coast, 2004).

• Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (TSR, 1989).

• Greenwood, Ed. "The Ecology of the Gulgrutha." Dragon #96 (TSR, 1985).

• Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977).

• Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1994).