Swarm of Quippers
Medium Swarm of Tiny Beasts · · CR 1
- Swarm of Tiny Beasts
- Medium
- Tier 1
Swarm of Quippers at CR 1 is logged as a medium swarm of tiny beasts; alignment unaligned. Habitat: underwater. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 1
- Type
- Swarm of Tiny Beasts
- Size
- Medium
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Underwater
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014)
Ecology
Quippers are subterranean cousins of piranhas, adapted to lightless waters and colder temperatures. They thrive in flooded dungeons, sunless rivers, and Underdark lakes where falling debris regularly delivers food. Their populations are limited only by available prey, and they cannibalize each other during lean times to maintain a stable swarm size. Cave fishers and aboleths prey on them. Surface piranhas cannot survive in quipper habitats due to temperature and salinity.
Behaviour
Quippers are blind and rely on water vibrations and lateral-line sensing. They detect blood from over a mile away through underground rivers. Like piranhas they attack in frenzy when triggered, but their cold patience means they wait silently for hours between feedings. They never approach light willingly. Captive quippers refuse food in lit tanks and starve themselves, a feature that frustrates aquarists and pleases dungeon designers.
Origin
Some scholars claim quippers were piranhas magically adapted by drow priestesses to populate Underdark waterways. Others insist they are an independent species that evolved in isolated cave systems over millennia. Folk tales describe a fey curse that turned a clan of merfolk children into the first quippers after they mocked a sea-witch, leaving them forever hungry and forever blind in their cold inheritance.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Swarm of Quippers
- What is the challenge rating of Swarm of Quippers?
- Listed CR for Swarm of Quippers: 1. Match it to a party that matches tier-1 encounter math.
- What type of creature is Swarm of Quippers?
- The bestiary type for Swarm of Quippers is swarm of tiny beasts, medium size.
- Where does Swarm of Quippers live?
- You'll find Swarm of Quippers in Underwater according to the bestiary entry.