Goose Mother | |
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Details | |
Race | Bird Hydra |
Birthplace | Eldraine |
Colors | |
The Goose Mother is a giant bird hydra from Eldraine.
Description[ | ]
The Goose Mother is a massive goose with multiple heads. It lays one golden egg every hour, precisely on the hour.[1] Sometimes these eggs hatch into clutches of regular or giant geese that grow up to terrorize the marshes of Eldraine. Other times, the eggs contain trinkets or valuables. The fae folk of Eldraine's wilds have developed a symbiotic relationship with the Goose Mother, often bringing it fresh meat in exchange for the treasures inside its golden eggs.
While the Goose Mother sleeps, at least one of its heads is awake.[1] Its honks can enchant its enemies into a magical slumber.
Inspiration[ | ]
The Goose Mother is based on the eponymous Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs from Aesop's Fables, as well as the enchanted goose of "Jack and the Beanstalk." Its name is a reference to Mother Goose.
History[ | ]
Centuries before New Phyrexia's Invasion of Eldraine, an enterprising witch created a frothy stew composed of hydra's blood and goose feathers, from which the Goose Mother was born.[1] Within days, the Goose Mother grew to prodigious size, and the witch grew fearful. One night, while the Goose Mother slept, the witch took to its neck with a cleaver, but to her horror, two more heads sprouted in place of the first. Enraged, the Goose Mother devoured the witch and rampaged deep into the Wilds where it lives to this day.
The Goose Mother and Other Tales[ | ]
The Goose Mother is one of the subjects of the Eldraine folktale The Goose Mother and Other Tales.
Excerpt | Card Source |
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"That town is rudely blocking my view!" said the witch. The giant bowed and smiled. | Land Tax (Enchanting Tales, #9) |
The troll took the fauns' hesitation as fear and roared in triumph. In truth, they'd seen the ledge begin to crack beneath his weight. | Nature's Will (Enchanting Tales, #57) |
Tugrunn threw blow after blow, howling with pain as his fist met solid rock. The creature merely stared quizzically at him, unsure when the fight would start. | Repercussion (Enchanting Tales, #48) |
They laughed with glee as the pixie spun gold from straw. They smiled and shrugged when their curtains and clothes were next on the wheel. Then he grabbed their hair. | Smothering Tithe (Enchanting Tales, #13) |
Trivia[ | ]
- The Goose Mother appeared in the trailer for Wilds of Eldraine.[2]
- The Goose Mother received a stat block in D&D Monstrous Compendium: Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures.
Gallery[ | ]
Wilds of Eldraine key art.
The Goose Mother in the Wilds of Eldraine trailer.
Kellan steals the Goose Mother's egg.
In-game references[ | ]
- Represented in:
- Depicted in:
- Doubling Season (Enchanting Tales, #52)
- Doubling Season (Enchanting Tales, #81)
- Quoted or referred to:
- Land Tax (Enchanting Tales, #9)
- Nature's Will (Enchanting Tales, #57)
- Repercussion (Enchanting Tales, #48)
- Smothering Tithe (Enchanting Tales, #13)
References[ | ]
- ↑ a b c James Wyatt et al. (2023). "D&D Monstrous Compendium: Vol. 4: Eldraine Creatures". Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wilds of Eldraine Official Trailer (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (September 1, 2023).