Hippogriff (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, a hippogriff is a magical beast
based upon the hippogriff of various mythologies. It is part eagle
and part horse
, and sometimes regarded as part griffon
and part horse (indeed, in mythology a hippogriff
is the offspring of a griffon
and a mare
). Depictions of the hippogriff vary; sometimes they are shown as a horse with the forequarters of a giant eagle, and sometimes as a horse with wings, an eagle's head, a mane and tail of feathers, and feathered lower legs.
(1974), where they were described as fierce fighters that attack with both hooves and sharp beaks.
(1977), Expert Set
(1981 & 1983), and the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).
entry, including the hippogriff dreadmount.
Hippogriffs are highly prized as aerial steeds. Because they are not as intelligent as griffons, a friendly attitude from the hippogriff to the rider/tamer is not required, but they still require an exotic saddle and 6 weeks of training (those are fairly standard issue for most flying mounts in the D&D universe, however). The easiest way to tame a hippogriff is to steal an egg and raise it from birth, but as said before, hippogriff eggs are not easy to obtain due to the ferocity of their defenders.
Hippogriffs cannot speak, and they are regarded as neutral in alignment.
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...
, a hippogriff is a 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....
based upon the hippogriff of various mythologies. It is part eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
and part horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
, and sometimes regarded as part griffon
Griffon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the griffon is a powerful, majestic and highly intelligent magical beast.-Publication history:The griffon was based upon the griffons of various mythologies.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
and part horse (indeed, in mythology a hippogriff
Hippogriff
A Hippogriff is a legendary creature, supposedly the offspring of a griffin and a mare.- Early references :...
is the offspring of a griffon
Griffon
Griffon is a type of dog, a collection of breeds of originally hunting dogs. There are three recognized lines of the griffon type Fédération Cynologique Internationale FCI, the griffon vendéens, the wirehaired pointers, and the smousje...
and a mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
). Depictions of the hippogriff vary; sometimes they are shown as a horse with the forequarters of a giant eagle, and sometimes as a horse with wings, an eagle's head, a mane and tail of feathers, and feathered lower legs.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The hippogriff was one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game, in the Dungeons & Dragons "white box" setDungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1974), where they were described as fierce fighters that attack with both hooves and sharp beaks.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The hippogriff appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a fierce fighter and omnivore that nests on rocky crags.Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the hippogriff, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1977), Expert Set
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
(1981 & 1983), and the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The hippogriff appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The hippogriff appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The hippogriff appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The hippogriff appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), under the griffonGriffon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the griffon is a powerful, majestic and highly intelligent magical beast.-Publication history:The griffon was based upon the griffons of various mythologies.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
entry, including the hippogriff dreadmount.
Characteristics and habits
Unlike the proud and majestic hippogriffs of myth, hippogriffs in Dungeons & Dragons are fairly bestial, being far less intelligent than griffons. They live in temperate to tropical hills, in areas where it is particularly flat and barren, allowing them quick and easy access to the skies. They attack by diving and attacking with their claws and beak. Though regarded as clumsy attackers, flocks of hippogriffs do know to attack in concert. They can kill large prey such as bison, even being able to carry it off in their feet, but being omnivorous, do not always have to revert to such things. When it comes to defending eggs and newborns, hippogriffs are deadliest.Hippogriffs are highly prized as aerial steeds. Because they are not as intelligent as griffons, a friendly attitude from the hippogriff to the rider/tamer is not required, but they still require an exotic saddle and 6 weeks of training (those are fairly standard issue for most flying mounts in the D&D universe, however). The easiest way to tame a hippogriff is to steal an egg and raise it from birth, but as said before, hippogriff eggs are not easy to obtain due to the ferocity of their defenders.
Hippogriffs cannot speak, and they are regarded as neutral in alignment.