Fish of the River Chionthar
"The river glitters not only with the sun but with the scales beneath." — Berdusk fisher’s proverb
The mighty River Chionthar sustains trade, travel, and life along its winding course. Its nutrient-rich waters are home to a diverse array of fish, some common fare, others rare and revered. This guide details the most iconic species found within its depths.
The Silverfin
Appearance: A sleek, ribbon-bodied fish with shimmering silver scales that glint like sunlight on water. Its trailing dorsal fin gives it a graceful, ethereal quality.
Average Length: 10–14 inches
Habitat: Open midstream waters, often in schools.
Lore: Fisherfolk believe the first silverfin of spring brings luck and prosperity. Scales are sometimes sewn into bridal veils as blessings of abundance.
Culinary Notes: Delicate, buttery flesh—ideal for roasting or steaming with river herbs.
The Copperback Perch
Appearance: Compact and muscular with a burnished copper back and a belly tinted with bluish-green, reminiscent of verdigris.
Average Length: 8–12 inches
Habitat: Shallow reed beds and willow roots.
Lore: The perch’s copper back is said to reflect Chauntea’s blessing of abundance.
Culinary Notes: Mild and flaky, perfect for frying or baking.
The Mudglint
Appearance: A bottom-dweller with an elongated, eel-like body, earthy brown scales, and two striking shiny golden stripes located dorsally from head to tail.
Average Length: Up to 16 inches
Habitat: Silty riverbeds and rocky shallows.
Lore: Mudglint charms carved with twin stripes are carried by river pilots for safe passage.
Culinary Notes: Firm, earthy-tasting meat. Best smoked or stewed for hearty meals.
The Deepshadow Pike
Refer to Deepshadow Pike stat block below for additional details
Appearance: A long, torpedo-bodied predator with jagged black striping over dark green scales. Its gaping maw is lined with razor teeth.
Average Length: 3 feet or more
Habitat: The deep, slow-moving channels of the Chionthar.
Lore: A whispered terror among fisherfolk—hooks bent, lines snapped, and boats overturned are all blamed on the monstrous "Deepshadow."
Culinary Notes: Tricky to prepare, but smoked pike is a river delicacy prized at feasts.
Fishing the River Chionthar
Downtime Activity Rules for Adventurers Fishing Check: Survival (Wis) or Sleight of Hand (Dex) DC by Conditions:- Calm morning: 9
- Calm midday: 11
- Light rain or dusk: 13
- Heavy rain or murky water: 15
- At night or in deep channel: 17
Catch Table (d20):
1: Nothing
2–4: Snagged Line
5–8: Copperback Perch (1d4)
9–14: Silverfin (1d4+1)
15–17: Mudglint
18–19: Deepshadow Pike (see stats below)
20: Roll on Special Finds Table
Special Finds Table
1. Pouch of 2d6 sp tangled in weeds
2. A silverfin with golden flecks (worth 25 gp)
3. Rusted dagger etched with arcane runes
4. Ancient scroll tube fragment (possible quest hook)
5. A tiny water elemental splashes and vanishes
6. Something massive tugs you under—make a DC 15 Strength save!
DNDB: https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/5656957-deepshadow-pike. Created by DMB23
A long, torpedo-bodied predatory fish with jagged black striping over dark green scales found within the deep slow-moving channels of the River Chionthar in Faerŭn. Its gaping maw is lined with razor teeth. The Deepshadow Pike averages 5 feet (1.5 m) in length, but some up to 8 feet (2.4 m) have been found on rare occasion.
Lore: A whispered terror among fisherfolk from Easting to Elturel—hooks bent, lines snapped, and derelict canoes and river rafts are all blamed on the monstrous "Deepshadow."
Culinary Notes: Tricky to prepare, owing to a delicate (and easy to pierce) toxin gland located ventrally behind the lower jaw; however, smoked pike is a river delicacy prized at feasts in Elturgard.
| MOD | SAVE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| DEX | 19 | +4 | +4 |
| CON | 14 | +2 | +2 |
| MOD | SAVE | ||
| INT | -2 | -6 | -6 |
| WIS | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 1 | -5 | -5 |
Traits
Blood Frenzy. The Deepshadow Pike has advantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that doesn’t have all its hit points.
Water Breathing. The Deepshadow Pike can breathe only underwater.
Actions
Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 4) Piercing damage plus 5 (1d6 +4 Poison damage, and the target has the Poisoned condition until the start of the Deepshadow Pike's next turn.
Bonus Actions
Thrash. As a bonus action, the Deepshadow Pike may, if it has made a successful Bite attack on this turn (even if causing no damage), attempt to lock its jaws on its target, twisting and jerking. Location: roll a die appropriate to the number of limbs the target has (e.g., 1d4 for a 4-limbed humanoid) to determine which limb is thrashed. The target must succeed on a STR save or drop whatever the target is holding or carrying with that limb (e.g., shield or weapon), which could result in the target being Disarmed.
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