The Baric was a Recalled D&D Monster Similar to a Platypus/Rat Hybrid

The platypus is an odd creature in our world and it turns out we missed out on a weird platypus- and rat-like monster in Dungeons & Dragons. Well, we got it, but then it was removed very quickly after. The story goes that TSR, the original makers of D&D, released a module in 1980 called Palace of the Silver Princess and in this adventure was the baric. The baric is described as being roughly three feet long, weighing at 40-50 lbs, had a bill with rows of sharp teeth, and it had six legs. (I’m a little sad it doesn’t have a beaver’s tail.) Not going to lie, it sounds terrifying. However, the artwork for Palace of the Silver Princess was deemed offensive because it featured a baric assaulting a tied-up woman. This controversy led to TSR almost immediately recalling the module and rewriting almost all of it. Unfortunately, the baric did not make it into said rewrites and has not been brought back into the world of D&D since.

The baric was brought to Pathfinder though via Tome of Horrors, so in theory you could convert it for D&D and bring it into the story.

Also, the baric was not the only casualty of the rewrites. A few other monsters were lost including a three-headed giant race called ubue that had both male and female heads. Reportedly the art for the ubue included heads of D&D staff members. There was even a sentient bubble monster that got cut.

Even though the Palace of the Silver Princess was recalled, some people still got some copies and a first version can sell for up to $3,000 at some auctions. Are you sad the baric is gone or do you not care?

VIa: CB