Toads were a type of amphibian closely related to Frogs, though they differed in appearance and habitat preferences. Toads typically had dry, bumpy skin and shorter legs, which made them more suited for walking or short hops than long leaps. They were often found in drier environments such as forests, fields, or gardens, though they still required water for breeding and laying eggs. Toads also underwent metamorphosis, beginning life as aquatic tadpoles before transitioning to a terrestrial form.
While both toads and frogs shared a similar diet of insects and small invertebrates, toads were generally more tolerant of dry conditions and could travel farther from water sources. Their skin secreted mild toxins that helped deter predators, making them less vulnerable than frogs to certain threats. Though often grouped together in common speech, toads represented a distinct branch within the broader amphibian group and served many of the same ecological functions as their frog relatives.
Due to their ability to thrive in a variety of climates, their importance in many mythologies across Somnum, and their importance for a variety of magical Spellwork, toads were commonly employed as Familiars.