Nug

Nugs are animals that populate the underground locations of Thedas. They are small, hairless, nearly blind creatures with pointed snouts for digging.
They are primarily found in the Deep Roads.

Basic Information

Anatomy

"Most laugh at the thought of nugs squealing about, but I'll have you readers know that nugs are not always laughing matters. While taking my leave to watch the Grand Tourney, I saw a nug at least the size of half an elephant. It was rode by a strange Avvar man. A war nug as he called it. I saw it alone take down a legion of men just by barreling through them. It seemed to love oranges."
— Ferdinand Genitivi, in Thedas: Myths and Legends

Biological Traits

They are described as being poorly adapted for any non-temperate environments and serving as prey to many different creatures, but still somehow managing to proliferate. A feature of nugs often treated as "creepy" is the fact that all their limbs end in appendages very similar to hands. This characteristic is also present in their larger relatives.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Nugs are harmless and docile omnivores which are known to eat almost anything they find on the cavern floors, including insects, worms, and when the pickings are lean, limestone and simple metals. Because of their frequent diggings in shallow pools and mud pits, the Dwarves gave them the nickname of "mud splashers". Nugs can also be found in Orzammar as domesticated pets.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Nugs provide an ample supply of food for the dwarves. Nugs are such an integral part of the dwarven diet that Varen, a former Legionnaire, became a Paragon after he discovered that nugs were edible. They can be prepared in a variety of ways such as nug pancakes and nug-gets. Many dwarves adore nug-seared on a hot metal plate and finished in the oven—and dressed in a cream sauce flavoured with deep mushrooms.
A popular sport among the lower castes is nug racing. Special nug breeders ensure that nugs get big enough without much fat on them. Then before the race, special tunnels are prepared so that the viewers can watch the nug racing from above. Starved for a day, the usually sluggish nugs will start running once they smell roasted roof beetles. The nugs are also painted with House emblems. While most nobles will prefer to go and watch the much more respected Provings, some attend the races which brings money to the sport. Naturally the casteless are also involved since successful breeders can earn a decent living. After nugs can no longer race, they are consumed as food.

The common nug.