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...

(D&D) 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...

, the ki-rin are magical beast

Magical beast (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, magical beast is a type of creature, or "creature type". Magical beasts are similar to animals in many ways, but usually have a higher intelligence, and possess supernatural or extraordinary abilities....

s. They are based on

Qilin in popular culture

The Qilin has appeared many times in works of popular culture.-Literature:* In Jorge Luis Borges's Book of Imaginary Beings, there is a section on "The Unicorn of China", of which he writes:...

 the mythological Qilin

Qilin

The Qilin is a mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creature known throughout various East Asian cultures, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a wise sage or an illustrious ruler. It is a good omen that brings rui . It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over...

 (or kirin in Korean and Japanese).

Publication history

The ki-rin first appeared in the original Dungeons & Dragons game supplement Eldritch Wizardry

Eldritch Wizardry

Eldritch Wizardry is a supplementary rulebook by Gary Gygax and Brian Blume, written for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which included a number of significant additions to the core game.-Contents:...

(1976).

The ki-rin 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 ki-rin appeared in the second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The psionic variant of the ki-rin appeared in The Complete Psionics Handbook

The Complete Psionics Handbook

The Complete Psionics Handbook is a supplemental rulebook for the 2nd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1991 by TSR Inc. It contains a variety of information useful to playing psionic characters in the game....

(1991).

The ki-rin appeared in the third edition Oriental Adventures

Oriental Adventures

Oriental Adventures is the title shared by two hardback rulebooks published for different versions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...

(2001).

Description

Ki-rin are always lawful good.

Ki-rin worship Koriel

Koriel

In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Koriel is the ki-rin deity of learning, protection, and vigilance against evil. His symbol is the horn and eyes of a ki-rin.-Publication history:...

.

Ki-rin resemble unicorns

Unicorn (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a unicorn is a mysterious, majestic magical beast. It resembles an imposing and beautiful white horse, with glowing eyes, a silky mane and tail, and the stereotypical spiraling, shell-shaped horn coming from its forehead...

 somewhat. They are powerful spellcasters, and roam the skies looking for good deeds to reward, and malefactors to punish.

Influence

An obituary to Gary Gygax

Gary Gygax

Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....

specifically highlights the Kirin as an example of the way in which D&D embraces world culture and folklore.