The Hydra was a species of reptilian monster with multiple heads.[2]
Description[]
A hydra generally had between two and seven heads [2], with two to five headed hydras being the most common. However, a nine headed hydra was rumoured to roam the lands of southern Khul.[3]
Some scholars speculate that the hydra possessed just one interconnected brain.[4] While this could be true of some types of hydra, generally each hydra's head had a separate brain.[2] In any case, attacking the body rather than the heads had hitherto proved to be the most effective way to kill a hydra.[2]
They were usually covered in green and brown scales, and could grow up to thirty two feet long.[2]
Notable Hydras[]
The Hydra of High Xamen[]
The Archmage of Mampang slew a great seven headed hydra in the caves of High Xamen, which he subsequently transformed into the Seven Serpents.[5]
The Hydra in The Citadel of Chaos[]
There was a huge six-headed hydra in the Black Tower.[6] It was partly notable for a slight discrepancy. Its heads also grew back and it could be deterred from attacking by revealing a Golden Fleece.[6]
This hydra was a remarkably strong example of the monster. It could be duplicated using the creature copy spell, but the hydra was so large that the spell would have to be cast three times.[6] It was next to impossible to fight it, only its "Creature Copy" could engage it in combat. Attempting to otherwise engage it in combat it would usually result in their death. There were only three known ways past the hydra: ensnaring 5 or 6 of its heads with a pocket myriad, revealing to it a Golden Fleece, or a "Creature Copy" defeating it.[6]
Further Notes[]
A two-headed hydra rearing from a swamp.
- In Hydras are described as being like "immensely fat-bodied, four legged lizards",[4] whereas the illustration of the hydra in The Citadel of Chaos showed it to have a generic serpentine body without limbs. Of course there could be physical variations of the hydra, but most likely, with The Citadel of Chaos being only the second Fighting Fantasy gamebook, the world of Titan was not as well developed, and the book simply drew upon traditional portrayals of the Hydra.
- Defeating the Lernaean Hydra was one of the twelve labours of Herakles in Greek mythology.
Further Information in Canon[]
More information can be found at:Source[7]
The Fighting Fantasy 10th Anniversary Yearbook
(pg54-55#*)
Out of the Pit
(Large) (pg69#*, pg80, pg127)
Allansia
(pg157)
The Warlock's Way
(para26, para34, para41, para76, para105, para136, para164, para190, para207, para246, para305, para388, para407, para431, para487#)
The Warrior's Way
(para26, para41, para51, para105, para164, para190, para246, para305, para388, para407, para431, para487#*)
The Citadel of Chaos
(para37, para67, para143, para328*, para360#)
Island of the Lizard King
(para29#, para209#, para235*, para272, para344#, para389)
Seas of Blood
(paraCover*, para222, para306, para333*)
Chasms of Malice
(para171)
The Seven Serpents
(para150)
The Crown of Kings
(para455, para499)
Titan - The Fighting Fantasy World'(Large) (pg105*)
Titan - The Fighting Fantasy World'(Small) (pg244-245*)
Warlock Issue 2
(pg4#, pg5)
See Also[]
- Hydragon
- Sea Hydra
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
- Citadel of Chaos (AFF)
- Crystal of Storms
- The Citadel of Chaos (book)
- The Warlock's Way
- The Warrior's Way
Sourcebooks
- Advanced Fighting Fantasy – The Roleplaying Game (mentioned)
- Beyond the Pit (mentioned)
- Out of the Pit
- Titan - The Fighting Fantasy World (mentioned)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Per head.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Out of the Pit - pp.171-172/69
- ↑ The Fighting Fantasy 10th Anniversary Yearbook - pp.54-55
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Fighting Fantasy 10th Anniversary Yearbook - p.55
- ↑ Titan - The Fighting Fantasy World - p.105
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 The Citadel of Chaos - 328, 360
- ↑ Complete list of references catalogued by FF Titan Bestiary