Editing Girtablilu

'''Girtablilu''', also known as '''Scorpion Men''', are scorpion-human hybrid [[monster]]s in the myths of ancient Babylon and other Akkadi-language cultures. Whilst the mythical monster is obscure, and its name practically unpronounceable, it has sparked a basic idea that continues to pop up here and there throughout fantasy realms.

The typical presentation of a Girtablilu - or at least one of its spiritual heirs - is a [[centaur]] or [[drider]]like creature, with a humanoid's upper body emerging from where the head should be on a giant [[scorpion]]. These creatures are usually high-level monsters, since they combine the ability to wield weapons with powerful pincers and a wicked venomous sting from their lashing tail.

==D&D==
There have been three different forms of Scorpion Man throughout the editions of [[Dungeons & Dragons]]; two outright called "Scorpion Men", and the [[Scorrow]] of [[Eberron]], who are that setting's unique take on [[drider]] and season the girtablilu by mixing it with the [[drow]].

The oldest scorpion men in D&D are the scorpion men of Nimmuria, in the [[Mystara]] setting. These grotesque albino monsters conquered the land of Nimmuria by betraying its original occupants, the [[Enduk]]s after they were welcomed into the region and then usurping the trappings of Enduk society for themselves. For this, they were cursed with albinism/translucent flesh, forcing them to hide in the [[Underdark]]. For more details, see the [[Manscorpion]] page.

The other scorpion-man race of D&D is the Tlincalli of the [[Forgotten Realms]]. These scorpion-men lack the normal pincers of their kind; instead, their hands crudely resemble pincers, having only two fingers and a thumb. They are believed to be the descendants of an ancient civilization of [[human]]s who fell into evil behavior and were ultimately cursed for their malice; they now inhabit inverted cities built into the [[Underdark]] below desert regions, where they enslave surfacers - mostly humans and [[dwarves]] - to handle manual labor and finer detailing that their stiff and inflexible digits hamper.

Finally, there are the [[Scorrow]] of [[Eberron]]; arrogant and haughty predatory [[drow]]-scorpion hybrids who believe themselves to be blessed by the drow god [[Vulkoor]].

==Pathfinder==
The girtablilu finally had their name used when [[Pathfinder]] created its own race of scorpion-people. Unlike the one-dimensional monsters of D&D, PF's girtablilu are a neutral force; monstrous humanoids whose culture revolves around honoring the memories of lost deities and ancient faiths, which they perform by devotedly guarding ancient ruins in deserts, badlands and other hostile regions where they can survive. Intensely religious, they are natural [[theocracy|theocrats]], with their leaders invariably being [[oracle]]s, [[shaman]]s or [[cleric]]s. Their driving belief is that their protection maintains ancient wardings and barriers against malevolent forces from other realms, and they are loathe to allow others to violate their sacred trust. Still, they much prefer to scare off trespassers than kill them, and can be reasoned with - unless they think you're a tomb robber, in which case you'll be shown no mercy.

==Monstergirls==
{{Monstergirls}}

Though less common than their spider-girl counterparts, scorpion-girls have been around a long time, and girtablilu is as good a name for them as any. Much like a spider-girl, a scorpion-girl's portrayal varies widely, from a fierce and agressive predator to a shy, meek girl who just wants to be loved to somebody who acts tough, but melts into a romantic sweetheart when alone with her special someone. They tend to be very good mothers, given the real-world scorpion's maternal behavior, and some even extrapolate from this to argue they make good [[maid]]s.

In the [[Monster Girl Encyclopedia]], the girtablilu is a branch of the [[Drider|Arachne]] family who resembles a dusky-skinned woman emerging from the foreparts of a giant scorpion. Their pincers are very small, because this species of mamono relies heavily on its aphrodisiac and euphoric venom; sadistic in nature, they ambush men who catch their eye, stinging them repeatedly to physically force them into a state in which they can mate with them.

[[Category: Monsters]] [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Pathfinder]]