Nymph (Dungeons & Dragons)
Nymph | |
---|---|
Characteristics | |
Alignment | Chaotic Good |
Type | Fey |
Image | Wizards.com image |
Publication history | |
Mythological origins | Nymph |
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the nymph is a type of Fey. Nature's embodiment of physical beauty, they are so unbearably lovely that even a glimpse can blind or kill onlookers. They are based on the nymphs of Greek mythology.[1]
Publication history
The nymph first appeared in the original Blackmoor supplement (1975).[2]
The nymph appeared in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in the original Monster Manual (1977).[3]
The nymph appeared in the second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989),[4] and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[5] The reviewer from RPGnet felt that the nymph was one of the inclusions in the book that helped make forest environments "well covered".[6] The grain nymph appeared for the Dragonlance setting in the Taladas: The Minotaurs set (1991). The nymph was further detailed in Dragon #240 (October 1997).[7] The grain nymph and the unseelie nymph appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Four (1998).[8]
The nymph appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000),[9] and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003). The nymph (apsara) appeared in Oriental Adventures (2001).[10]
The nymph appeared in the fourth edition in Monster Manual 3 (2010).
Other publishers
The nymph appeared in Paizo Publishing's book Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary (2009), on page 217.[11]
Physical description
Nymphs resemble elven women, but are unfathomably perfect and beautiful. They are so physically attractive, in fact, that the slightest glance can stun a person, drive them mad, permanently blind them, or even kill them. Nymphs are able to suppress this effect if they choose to, however.
Society
Nymphs prefer attractive aquatic environments, such as a secluded cove or sandy beach, and are mostly solitary, though sometimes live in groups. They might assist a group of adventurers, or have a love affair with a man who wanders into their midst, but there is little contact between them and civilization otherwise (this is typical for a fey). Nymphs hate ugliness and evil.
In popular culture
In the Futurama movie Bender's Game, the character Amy becomes a nymph in Bender's Dungeons & Dragons-based fantasy world.[12]
References
- ↑ Bornet, Philippe (2011). Religions in play: games, rituals, and virtual worlds. Theologischer Verlag Zürich. p. 282. ISBN 978-3-290-22010-5. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ↑ Arneson, Dave (1975). Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor. TSR, Inc.
- ↑ Gygax, Gary (1977). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. TSR, Inc.
- ↑ Cook, David (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume One. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-88038-738-6.
- ↑ Stewart, Doug, ed. (1993). Monstrous Manual. TSR, Inc. ISBN 978-1-560-76619-3.
- ↑ Ashe, Robin (1 March 2010). "Review of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monstrous Manual". RPGnet. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ↑ Richards, Johnathan M. (October 1997). "The Ecology of the Nymph". Dragon. TSR, Inc (240): 73–78.
- ↑ Pickens, Jon, ed. Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Four. (TSR, 1998)
- ↑ Williams, Skip, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook. Monster Manual. Wizards of the Coast, 2000
- ↑ Wyatt, James. Oriental Adventures (Wizards of the Coast, 2001)
- ↑ Bulmahn, Jason (lead designer). Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary (Paizo Publishing, 2009)
- ↑ Woerner, Meredith (6 November 2008). "Bender Fixes The Gas Crisis With His 20-Sided Die". io9. Retrieved 22 August 2012.