Satyr (Dungeons & Dragons)

Infobox D&D creature
name=Satyr
alignment=Chaotic neutral
type=Fey
first=Monster Manual (1977)
mythical=Satyr
based=
wizards_image_URL=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG220.jpg
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/monstersS.html#satyr

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. [cite web |url=http://www.larpmag.com/Issue01_April_06/hotmakeasatyr01.htm |title=How to make a Satyr |accessdate=2007-02-02 |last=Hook |first=Nathan |publisher=LARP Magazine] Satyr's are the children of a satyr and dryad union, half-satyrs are the result of a satyr and human woman union.cite web |url=http://narzil.tfcentral.com/ecology.html |title=The Ecology of the Satyr (summary and review) |accessdate=2007-02-03] Satyr's are extremely sexual, and will attempt to woo any human females they meet. Half-satyrs are similar, and become interested in women at adolescence. [cite web |url=http://narzil.tfcentral.com/hooves.html |title=Hooves and Green Hair (summary and review) |accessdate=2007-02-03]

Publication history

Satyrs are based on the satyrs and fauns of Greek and Roman myth.Fact|date=July 2008

Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)

The satyr was introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in Supplement IV: "Gods, Demi-gods & Heroes" (1976). [Kuntz, Robert J. and James Ward. "Gods, Demi-gods & Heroes" (TSR, 1976)]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)

The satyr appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), [Gygax, Gary. "Monster Manual" (TSR, 1977)] where it is described as a sylvan woodland inhabitant primarily interested in sport such as frolicking, piping, and chasing wood nymphs.

The korred, a more chaotic relative of the satyr, was introduced in the 4th set of "Monster Cards" (1982), 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."

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

The satyr and korred appear first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), [Cook, David, et al. "Monstrous Compendium Volume One" (TSR, 1989)] and are reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). [Stewart, Doug, ed. "Monstrous Manual" (TSR, 1994)]

The satyr is further detailed in "Dragon" #155 (March 1990), in "The Ecology of the Satyr." [Menzies, Gordon R. "The Ecology of the Satyr." "Dragon" #155 (TSR, 1990)]

The satyr is detailed as a playable character race in "The Complete Book of Humanoids" (1993), [Slavicsek, Bill. "The Complete Book of Humanoids" (TSR, 1993)] and is later presented as a playable character race again in "Player's Option: Skills & Powers" (1995).

Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)

The satyr appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). [Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. "Monster Manual" (Wizards of the Coast, 2000)]

"Savage Species" (2003) presented the satyr as both a race and a playable class. [Eckelberry, David, Rich Redman, and Jennifer Clarke Wilkes. "Savage Species" (Wizards of the Coast, 2003)]

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). [Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. "Monster Manual" (Wizards of the Coast, 2008)]

Ecology

Always male, 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.

ociety

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 Damh 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.

atyrs in other media

In "Creature Competition: Battle Royal," a tournament 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. [cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20050930a |title=Creature Competition: Battle Royal |accessdate=2007-02-01 |publisher=Wizards.com]

References

External links

* [http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/MonstersS.rtf D&D creatures (version 3.5) that start with "S" including satyrs at wizards.com, rich text format]