Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the Ettin is a giant
-like creature. The creatures' name comes from the Anglicization of the Jötunn giants of Norse mythology
.
The first edition of the Monster Manual
states that the left arm of an ettin inflicts 2 hp of damage less than the right and one of the ettin's heads is always on alert, thereby reducing its chance of surprise.
An ettin is usually chaotic evil in alignment.
The ettin was detailed in Dragon
#92 (December 1984), in Ed Greenwood
's "Duh 'Cology of Duh Ettin".
Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
The fire-souled ettin appeared in Dragon #314 (December 2003).
The hooded pupil ettin appeared in Libris Mortis
(2004).
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...
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 Ettin is a giant
Giant (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giant is a type of creature, or "creature type." Giants are humanoid-shaped creatures of great strength and size.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
-like creature. The creatures' name comes from the Anglicization of the Jötunn giants of Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
.
Description
An ettin has two heads, each of which is capable of independent thought, and each controls one arm for attacking. The left head directs the left arm and right head directs the right arm during combat. The two heads disagree constantly, but will work together when there is a common threat.The first edition of the 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...
states that the left arm of an ettin inflicts 2 hp of damage less than the right and one of the ettin's heads is always on alert, thereby reducing its chance of surprise.
An ettin is usually chaotic evil in alignment.
Publication history
The ettin was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The ettin appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a giant-like creature with two heads.The ettin was 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...
#92 (December 1984), in Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
's "Duh 'Cology of Duh Ettin".
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the ettin, in the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The ettin appears first in the Monstrous CompendiumMonstrous Compendium
The Monstrous Compendium is a series of accessories for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Volumes:MC1 Monstrous Compendium, Volume One was published by TSR in 1989...
Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The ettin appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The ettin appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).The fire-souled ettin appeared in Dragon #314 (December 2003).
The hooded pupil ettin appeared in Libris Mortis
Libris Mortis
Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead is a book which is an official supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game...
(2004).