Gelatinous Cube (dʒəˈlætɪnɪəs kjuːb)
The Creeping Horror
A 10-foot high transparent ooze in the shape of a cube. Bits of debris float in its gelatinous body.
A gelatinous cube, also known as an athcoid, was a transparent ooze composed of mindless, gelatinous matter in the shape of a cube or rhombohedron. They were especially favored by the drow god Ghaunadaur.
“The dungeon's floors were spotless. That should have been our first clue.”Gelatinous cubes scour dungeon passages in silent, predictable patterns, leaving perfectly clean paths in their wake. They consume living tissue while leaving bones and other materials undissolved. A gelatinous cube is all but transparent, making it hard to spot until it attacks. A cube that is well fed can be easier to spot, since its victims' bones, coins, and other objects can be seen suspended inside the creature. Oozes. Oozes thrive in the dark, shunning areas of bright light and extreme temperatures. They flow through the damp underground, feeding on any creature or object that can be dissolved, slinking along the ground, dripping from walls and ceilings, spreading across the edges of underground pools, and squeezing through cracks. The first warning an adventurer receives of an ooze's presence is often the searing pain of its acidic touch. Oozes are drawn to movement and warmth. Organic material nourishes them, and when prey is scarce they feed on grime, fungus, and offal. Veteran explorers know that an immaculately clean passageway is a likely sign that an ooze lairs nearby. Slow Death. An ooze kills its prey slowly. Some varieties, such as black puddings and gelatinous cubes, engulf creatures to prevent escape. The only upside of this torturous death is that a victim's comrades can come to the rescue before it is too late. Since not every ooze digests every type of substance, some have coins, Metal gear, bones, and other debris suspended within their quivering bodies. A slain ooze can be a rich source of treasure for its killers. Whether this is true or not, the Faceless Lord is one of the few beings that can control oozes and imbue them with a modicum of intelligence. Most of the time, oozes have no sense of tactics or self-preservation. They are direct and predictable, attacking and eating without cunning. Under the control of Juiblex, they exhibit glimmers of sentience and malevolent intent. Unwitting Servants. Although an ooze lacks the intelligence to ally itself with other creatures, others that understand an ooze's need to feed might lure it into a location where it can be of use to them. Clever monsters keep oozes around to defend passageways or consume refuse. Likewise, an ooze can be enticed into a pit trap, where its captors feed it often enough to prevent it from coming after them. Crafty creatures place torches and flaming braziers in strategic areas to dissuade an ooze from leaving a particular tunnel or room. Spawn of Juiblex. According to the Demonomicon of Iggwilv and other sources, oozes are scattered fragments or offspring of the demon lord Juiblex. Ooze Nature. An ooze doesn't require sleep.
The Menagerie fought one in the ruins under the Outding Refuge Church. Later they found 4 hiding a trap made by Jacoby.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Description
Typically, a gelatinous cube measured between 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.6 meters) on a side and weighed as much as 50,000 pounds (23,000 kilograms), although legends existed of much larger cubes. The creature was completely transparent, with only a glint of its surface in the light to give away its position. The occasional random object floating in a well fed gelatinous cube's body could also serve as a warning of its presence to dungeon delvers. Gelatinous cube bodies were remarkably moldable. They could flow around objects and through narrow passages, quickly returning to their shapes once enough space was available.Genetics and Reproduction
Reproduction
Gelatinous cubes reproduced asexually by either dividing themselves into two smaller cubes of equal sizes or via budding. In the second case, a smaller, rubbery cube was excreted into a side corridor or on a pile of refuse, and left to fend for itself until it grew into a full-sized cube. These smaller cubes were not cared for and ran the risk of being absorbed by their own parents on their next trip down the corridor. Surviving young cubes then rapidly grew to adult sizes. When two gelatinous cubes met, they could temporarily fuse into a larger form that acted like a single creature. They could remain in that fused form for up to a few days before splitting and going their separate ways.
But that’s not the only time the cubes will split, about every 6 years a cube will split into two ‘baby’ cubes that are slightly smaller, about 8-feet on each side, and they will fully grow into a 10-foot cube after 3 months. Interestingly the Gelatinous Cube is also called an immortal creature, as nothing short of starvation or death by adventurers can end its existence. So after the apocalypse, there will be only roaches, twinkies, and Gelatinous Cubes. We call dibs on the twinkies and roaches.
Ecology and Habitats
Habitats
These creatures were typically found inhabiting underground locations or dungeons. They were more common in heavily frequented dungeons, attracted by the more readily available food and carrion. Environment: UnderdarkDietary Needs and Habits
Diet
Gelatinous cubes were omnivorous scavengers. Despite being extremely effective against flesh and cellulose, the digestive fluid of gelatinous cubes had no effect on inorganic matter or bones. Any inorganic matter would remain within their bodies for several weeks until eventually being cast out.Behaviour
Behavior
A gelatinous cube was a mindless predator that silently roamed ancient crypts and vaults in regular, predictable patterns. As they traveled the halls of old ruins, they absorbed any material in their paths from the floors and walls. Although incapable of climbing walls, particularly large gelatinous cubes could also absorb mold and moss from ceilings. Organic material was quickly dissolved in the acidic ooze that made up the cube's body, while bones and inorganic matter spent some time floating within the creature until eventually expelled. As they slid through the corridors, they left behind a perfectly clean path, except for an occasional slimy trail.Combat
When facing an opponent, a gelatinous cube could slam it with an acidic pseudopod or attempt to engulf it. It was possible, although difficult, for sufficiently strong creatures to escape engulfment by a gelatinous cube. Despite their slow speed, gelatinous cubes were strong and could easily push back and knock over even large creatures. When touching a creature, gelatinous cubes secreted a gummy paralyzing substance that was immediately absorbed through the skin into the victim's bloodstream. After successfully engulfing a victim, the cube moved pockets of an acidic digestive substance towards the victim's body, quickly digesting it. Survivors of gelatinous cube attacks displayed scars that resembled partially melted wax. Regardless of their sizes and homogeneous composition, gelatinous cubes were vulnerable to most usual forms of attack, although reports existed of cubes that were immune to electricity. Mind-altering effects were useless against the mindless creatures. Some were said to be slowed down by cold-based spells.Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Uses
Some creatures considered gelatinous cubes to be ideal means of cleaning out their dungeon lairs of all manner of organisms. Some tried to cultivate larger cubes in order to ensure that they could reach mosses or similar organisms that collected on ceilings.Harvesting
Instructions
Instructions: Because this creature is an Ooze, the player should roll a Investigation Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.
| DC | Item | Description | Value | Weight | Expiration | Crafting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gelatinous Cube Slime (vial) | The gelatinous, transparent cube begins to melt and lose it's form on death. The slime is extremely viscous, and has an acidic smell that burns the eyes. Samples of this ooze are often bought by alchemists and most merchants. | 7 gp | 1 lb. | 14 days | – |
| 10 | Gelatinous Residue (vial) | The gelatinous residue from a gelatinous cube carries much of the same acidic properties from its original form. Unlike samples taken from other oozes, the gelatinous cube's acid is difficult to identify when mixed with other liquids, making it the substance of choice among assassins with a subtler touch. Requires Enchanted Vial. Use: Drinking the gelatinous residue automatically deals 6d6 acid damage to the drinker. The gelatinous residue may be mixed with up to 5 oz. of other liquid and still retain this property. A DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check can identify a liquid that has had gelatinous residue mixed into it. | 7 gp | 1 lb. | 14 days | – |
This kind of creature does not normally carry treasure, but it may contain some coins and trinkets not yet dissolved. This kind of creature does not normally have or collect treasure. However, the creature may have a lair full of bodies, or reside somewhere that treasure already exists.
This creature produces no Harvested Meat as it is made of animated ooze.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Abilities
Gelatinous cubes could not see or hear, but were capable of sensing vibrations and were attracted to warmth.Civilization and Culture
History
According to the Demonomicon of Iggwilv, gelatinous cubes and other oozes were either fragments or the spawn of Juiblex. While this claim was not widely believed, the demon lord could exert control over them, imbuing them with a sense of purpose and even intelligence.
The Imperial Zoo of Amn successfully kept a gelatinous cube in captivity for about 12 years in the mid‒14 century DR.
In the mid-to-late 14 century DR, a wizard in Cormyr managed to cross a gelatinous cube with an ochre jelly to produce a creature which he could domesticate and train to keep the streets of Suzail clean. Unfortunately, his creation—which locals called a "jelly cube"—developed a taste for horses after only a few weeks, prompting the wizard to claim he had destroyed it with a fireball spell. However, after horses continued to vanish, rumors claimed that the jelly cube had not been destroyed, but had instead disappeared or been hidden by its creator (or perhaps had even turned invisible to avoid capture).
The Waterdhavian dungeon complex of Undermountain contained numerous gelatinous cubes, and the adventurer Haptooth claimed to have developed an oral antidote against the gelatinous cube's paralyzing secretion after years exploring it. In the late 15 century DR, the wizard Halaster Blackcloak, while experimenting with the duergar ability to enlarge their bodies, created a giant gelatinous cube that measured 30 feet (9.1 meters) on a side.
Historical Figures
Notable Gelatinous Cubes
Glabbagool, a sentient gelatinous cube who lived in the Underdark sometime in the late 1480s or 1490s DR.Sources
Source(s):
- Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 241–242. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 202. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 201–202. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), pp. 278–279. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- Ed Greenwood (August 1987). “The Ecology of the Gelatinous Cube”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #124 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 56–57.
- Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 11. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
- Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 240. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “The Settled Lands”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
- Eric L. Boyd, Ed Greenwood, Christopher Lindsay, Sean K. Reynolds (June 2007). Expedition to Undermountain. Edited by Bill Slavicsek. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 143, 148. ISBN 978-0-7869-4157-5.
- Christopher Perkins (November 2018). Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7869-6626-4.
- Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Exnihilia, Uligo, Informo (Athcoid, Cube)
Origin/Ancestry
Ooze (Shaped Cube)
Lifespan
Immortal
Conservation Status
None. Most civilized nations request a "kill on sight" to all such oozes.
Average Height
10'
Average Weight
15,000 lbs.
Average Length
10'
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
5E Statistics
Intellect Devourer
| Size | Large |
| Type | Ooze |
| Alignment | Unaligned |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
General Information
| Vision | Blindsight |
| Activity cycle | Any |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Favored terrain | Underground |
Appearance
| Average height | 10-15' |
| Average length | 10-15' |
| Average Weight | 50,000 lbs. |
| Skin color(s) | Transparent |
History
| First Appearance | Monster Manual, 1st ed. |
See Also: Gelatinous_cube on Forgotten Realms Wiki