Dungeons & Dragons/Monsters/Cooshee

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the cooshee is a magical beast. Also known as the "elven-dog", they are a magical breed of canines bred and kept by elves. Cooshee were heavily influenced by the Cu Sith of Celtic mythology.

Description
Cooshees resemble large huskies with green fur and brown spots. Their tail curves up over their back, and they have slightly pointed ears. Their paws are large and heavily clawed. They are highly intelligent, very fast, and incredibly agile. Cooshees are regarded as neutral good. They cannot speak, but understand Elvish.

Ecology
Cooshees are used by elves as scouts, guardians, and companions. Most wood elf patrols usually have several adult cooshees with them. Cooshees never bark unless to warn their elven masters. If they do so, they can be heard up to a mile away. Cooshees attack by charging prey at breakneck speed and slashing with their front paws. They can also bite. Almost no prey is fast enough to escape or dodge a cooshee.

Cooshee are found in areas ruled by elves (specifically wood elves), and are often tamed by them. They are traditionally wild creatures, living in family packs of eight or so individuals and sharing the same habits as normal wild dogs.

Publication history
The cooshee have appeared in the following publications:
 * It first appeared in first edition in Dragon (November 1982).
 * In the adventure module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982),
 * Reprinted in the original Monster Manual II (1983) as the cooshee (elven dog).
 * In second edition for the Dragonlance setting in Tales of the Lance|Tales of the Lance (1992).
 * The Complete Book of Elves (1992).
 * Under the "mammal" entry in the Monster Manual (1993).
 * The Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games.