Satyr (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game, the satyr is a fey
creature. Satyrs started as standard D&D creatures, and later became a player character
class. Satyrs are the children of a satyr and dryad
union, while half-satyrs are the result of a satyr and human woman union. Satyrs are extremely lustful, and will attempt to woo any human females they meet. Half-satyrs are similar, and become interested in women at adolescence
.
s and faun
s of Greek
and Roman
myth.
(1976).
.
The korred, a more chaotic relative of the satyr, was introduced in the 4th set of "Monster Cards" (1982) and was created by Harold Johnson
, and was later detailed in Monster Manual II (1983). The korred is further detailed in Dragon
#119 (March 1987), in "The Ecology of the Korred."
The satyr is further detailed in Dragon
#155 (March 1990), in "The Ecology of the Satyr."
The satyr is detailed as a playable character race in The Complete Book of Humanoids
(1993), and is later presented as a playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers
(1995).
Savage Species (2003) presented the satyr as both a race and a playable class.
of the Seelie Court
.
Satyrs are interested only in sport: frolicking, piping, chasing wood nymphs, and other pleasures. They resent intrusions and drive away any creature that offends them. A lucky wanderer may stumble on a woodland celebration, which will contain an equal number of dryads and fauns plus other woodland creatures and even centaurs. Strangers are welcomed only if they contribute some good food and drink, especially superior wines. Such wine can also be used to lure or bribe satyrs. If a group includes elves, they have a better chance of being welcomed.
These celebrations last all night in warm months, with newcomers waking up the next morning with massive headaches, minus a few valuables, and not a woodland creature (nor their tracks) to be found.
The satyr's favored class is bard
, and they are usually chaotic neutral.
Satyrs are an inoffensive, fun-loving race. They rarely venture more than 10 miles from their homes, most often doing so to gather food. They are fond of venison and small game but also eat plants and fruits.
determined by fan voting, a satyr assassin was eliminated 6th out of twelve creatures, beating a gelatinous cube
, a vrock
, a juggernaut, a zelekhut, and a 12-headed hydra.
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...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
roleplaying game, the satyr is a fey
Fey (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Fey is a type of creature, or "creature type". Fey are usually humanoid in form, and are typified as having supernatural abilities and a connection to nature or to some other force or place....
creature. Satyrs started as standard D&D creatures, and later became 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...
class. Satyrs are the children of a satyr and dryad
Dryad (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the dryad is a fey creature based upon the dryad of Greek mythology. They are tree spirits with the forms of beautiful women who benevolently protect forests and woodlands...
union, while half-satyrs are the result of a satyr and human woman union. Satyrs are extremely lustful, and will attempt to woo any human females they meet. Half-satyrs are similar, and become interested in women at adolescence
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
.
Publication history
Satyrs are based on the satyrSatyr
In Greek mythology, satyrs are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus — "satyresses" were a late invention of poets — that roamed the woods and mountains. In myths they are often associated with pipe-playing....
s and faun
Faun
The faun is a rustic forest god or place-spirit of Roman mythology often associated with Greek satyrs and the Greek god Pan.-Origins:...
s of Greek
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
and Roman
Roman mythology
Roman mythology is the body of traditional stories pertaining to ancient Rome's legendary origins and religious system, as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans...
myth.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The satyr was introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in Supplement IV: Gods, Demi-gods & HeroesGods, Demi-gods & Heroes
Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes is a supplementary rulebook for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:The work provides information on the pantheons and constructs of the Egyptian, Hindu, Greek, Celtic, Norse, Finnish, Aztec, Mayan, Chinese, and Japanese mythologies, as well as...
(1976).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The satyr appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a sylvan woodland inhabitant primarily interested in sport such as frolicking, piping, and chasing wood nymphsNymph (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the nymph is a Fey. Nature's embodiment of physical beauty, they are so unbearably lovely that even a glimpse can blind or kill onlookers...
.
The korred, a more chaotic relative of the satyr, was introduced in the 4th set of "Monster Cards" (1982) and was created by Harold Johnson
Harold Johnson (game designer)
Harold Johnson is a game designer and editor, and an author of several products and articles for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR.-Early life and education:...
, and was later detailed in Monster Manual II (1983). The korred is further detailed in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#119 (March 1987), in "The Ecology of the Korred."
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The satyr and korred appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The satyr is further detailed in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#155 (March 1990), in "The Ecology of the Satyr."
The satyr is detailed as a playable character race in The Complete Book of Humanoids
Complete Book of Humanoids
The Complete Book of Humanoids is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was written by Bill Slavicsek for TSR, in 1993....
(1993), and is later presented as a playable character race again in Player's Option: Skills & Powers
Player's Option: Skills & Powers
Player's Option: Skills & Powers is a supplemental sourcebook to the core rules of the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This 192-page book was published by TSR, Inc. in 1995. The book was designed by Douglas Niles and Dale Donovan...
(1995).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The satyr appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).Savage Species (2003) presented the satyr as both a race and a playable class.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The satyr appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The satyr appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).Ecology
Satyrs have the legs and horns of a goat, but otherwise look human. They can play magical tunes on their pan pipes that cause varying effects as decided by the satyr. Satyrs are hedonistic creatures that frolic in the wild places of the world, and they dwell in temperate forests.Society
Satyrs are rarely found in groups of more than eleven such individuals, and often associate with other fey, such as nymphs and dryads. Shying away from the trappings of an organized society, a colony of satyrs usually includes young numbering 50% of the adults. Satyrs live in comfortable caves and hollow trees. They revere the god DamhDamh
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Damh is the fey deity of dance, song, and celebrations. His symbol is flutes, pipes, and a drum.-Publication history:...
of the Seelie Court
Seelie Court (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Seelie Court is a large, loose confederation of gods that consists of the leader Titania and her consort Oberon, as well as the following gods: Caoimhin, Damh, Eachthighern , Emmantiensien, Fionnghuala, Nathair Sgiathach, Skerrit, Squelaiche, and...
.
Satyrs are interested only in sport: frolicking, piping, chasing wood nymphs, and other pleasures. They resent intrusions and drive away any creature that offends them. A lucky wanderer may stumble on a woodland celebration, which will contain an equal number of dryads and fauns plus other woodland creatures and even centaurs. Strangers are welcomed only if they contribute some good food and drink, especially superior wines. Such wine can also be used to lure or bribe satyrs. If a group includes elves, they have a better chance of being welcomed.
These celebrations last all night in warm months, with newcomers waking up the next morning with massive headaches, minus a few valuables, and not a woodland creature (nor their tracks) to be found.
The satyr's favored class is bard
Bard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic . Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects...
, and they are usually chaotic neutral.
Satyrs are an inoffensive, fun-loving race. They rarely venture more than 10 miles from their homes, most often doing so to gather food. They are fond of venison and small game but also eat plants and fruits.
Satyrs in other media
In "Creature Competition: Battle Royal," a tournamentTournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...
determined by fan voting, a satyr assassin was eliminated 6th out of twelve creatures, beating a gelatinous cube
Gelatinous cube
A gelatinous cube is a fictional monster from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is described as a ten-foot cube of transparent gelatinous ooze, which is able to absorb organic matter.-Creative origins:...
, a vrock
Vrock
A vrock is a fictional demon from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds...
, a juggernaut, a zelekhut, and a 12-headed hydra.