Ecology of the Root Wilds

The Root Wilds of Mangal are a dense tropical region of uneven roots, lush vegetation, and diverse plant and animal life. Before being connected by the roots of great trees, Mangal was dotted with islands and archipelagos. Insects, rodents, and ground birds make up the majority of herbivores, and they are preyed upon by jungle cats, reptiles, giant arthropods of various types.   The terrain favors animals that are strong climbers and capable of maneuvering in difficult terrain and dense jungle. Many of the most dangerous animals are aggressive, territorial omnivores. Giant Boars are a favored hunting target of lizardfolk tribes, prised for their meat and tusks, which can be shaped into razor-sharp sickle blades. Hookbeaks are large ground birds that feed on carrion, fruit, and smaller reptiles, insects, and birds. They mature quickly, and if raised from a hatchling are prised mounts for the Root Wilds. Though not strong climbers, they can move through difficult terrain at a great pace.   Most sapient species are also omnivorous. Humans, goblins, and elves eat more fruit, roots, sap, and other vegetation, but occasionally small game native to their regions. Few humans or elves hunt large game, as their communities are small and less dangerous options are readily available. Goblins can eat just about anything, so they don't put a great deal of effort into acquiring food. Lizardfolk hunt large game, as their communities tend to be larger and hunting has more cultural significance to them. They are also able to eat more food less frequently than warm-blooded races and can subsist on vegetarian diets if need be.   Few large hooved mammals like deer or horses, wolves or dogs, or large flying predators remain. Some magical beasts or fey may still possess features reminiscent of these long-forgotten animals, though most natives no longer remember the non-magical beasts. A denizen of Mangal, if they ever encountered a horse, would think it had the face of a Tikbalang, not the other way around.   Mangal's planar isolation has also prevented it from being influenced by several extraplanar powers. Dark gods and demons hold no sway in the Wilds, so some creatures and races (like the Bindlewise Goblins) have developed very differently than on worlds where those entities have influence. Orcs, gnolls, sahuagin, and many similar races simply never arrived or developed due to their patrons' absence. When adventuring in the Wilds, you're more likely to encounter murderous fey, magical beasts, or outcasts rather than wholely alien societies shaped or controlled by dark powers.  

List of Beasts and Plant Creatures Native to Mangal

Unannotated creatures are found in the core Monster Manual. * denotes Volo's Guide to Monsters. Some creatures' behavior and/or alignment may differ. Creatures unique to Mangal or substantially different or noteworthy within the setting are linked to their own articles on this website. Different animals that would use the same stat block (in parentheses).  

• Awakened Shrub
• Awakened Tree
• Axe Beak (Hookbeak)
• Bat
• Bat, Giant
• Bat, Swarm
• Bear, Black
• Bear, Brown
• Beetle, Swarm
• Boar
• Boar, Giant
• Cat
• Centipede, Giant
• Centipede, Swarm
• Constrictor Snake
• Constrictor Snake, Giant
• Crab
• Crab, Giant
• Crocodile
• Crocodile, Giant
• Draft Beetle
• Fire Beetle, Giant
• Flying Snake
• Frog
• Frog, Giant
• Giant Isopod 
• Hawk
• Insect, Swarm
• Lizard
• Lizard, Giant
• Owl
• Panther (Jaguar)
• Phase Spider
• Poisonous Snake
• Poisonous Snake, Giant
• Poisonous Snake, Swarm
• Quipper
• Quipper, Swarm
• Rat
• Rat, Giant
• Rat, Swarm
• Raven
• Raven, Swarm
• Scorpion
• Scorpion, Giant
• Spider
• Spider, Giant
• Spider, Swarm
• Tiger
• Toad, Giant
• Vulture
• Wasp, Giant
• Wasp, Swarm
• Weasel
• Weasel, Giant
• Wolf Spider, Giant