In the Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...

role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

, an imp is a devilish

Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...

 creature based on the imp

Imp

An imp is a mythological being similar to a fairy or demon, frequently described in folklore and superstition. The word may perhaps derive from the term ympe, used to denote a young grafted tree.-Folklore:...

s from folklore.

Publication history

The imp first appeared in the first edition in the original Monster Manual

Monster Manual

The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...

(1977).

The imp appeared in second edition in Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The imp appeared for the Planescape

Planescape

Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...

 setting in the Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).

The imp appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000) under the "devil

Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...

" entry, and again in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003). The imp appeared as a player character

Player character

A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...

 race in Savage Species

Savage Species

Savage Species is a sourcebook for use as a supplement in the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game, detailing the use of monstrous races as PC races.-Contents:...

(2003). The bloodbag imp, the euphoric imp, and the filth imp appeared in the third edition Fiend Folio

Fiend Folio

Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...

(2003).

Description

In the role-playing game, imps are weak devils and are typically wizards'

Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)

The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...

 familiars

Familiar spirit

In European folklore and folk-belief of the Medieval and Early Modern periods, familiar spirits were supernatural entities believed to assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic...

. An imp is able to shapeshift into two of the following forms at will: large spider, raven, giant rat, or goat.

Imps are always Lawful Evil and only associate with Lawful Evil wizards

Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)

The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...

.

Types of Imp

• Imp - Clever devil that aids evil mortals with dark counsel and trickery.
• Imp, Filth - Foul-smelling imp with a talent for forgery and translation.
• Imp, Bloodbag - Imp that serves as infernal nurse corps.
• Imp, Euphoric - Imp that serves as dealer of hallucinogenic slime.