Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale
Encyclopedia
Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale is a powerful artifact of the world of Oerth
Oerth
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Oerth, pronounced as "Orth" or "oyth", is the name of the fictional planet on which one of the earliest campaign settings, the World of Greyhawk, is located...

, 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...

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...

.

Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)

Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale first appeared in the fourth supplement to the original D&D rules, 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).

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

Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale was also mentioned in the original 1979 Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...

.

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

Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale was further developed in 1993's Book of Artifacts
Book of Artifacts
The Book of Artifacts is a supplemental sourcebook to the core rules of the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This book, published by TSR, Inc. in 1993, details 50 different artifacts, special magic items found within the game at the Dungeon Master's...

.

Description

The artifact resembles a bejeweled bird with crystal eyes and golden feathers. A small key on its belly makes the bird appear to be powered at least partly through clockwork. A cage with a mesh of golden wires encases the Nightingale and prevents it from escaping.

The Nightingale is animate, and will hop on its perch to perform, spreading its wings and singing beautiful songs.

Boons

The Nightingale is rumored to emit beams of brilliant light from its eyes, different colored beams having various effects. Those who remain within 30 feet of the artifact neither hunger or thirst. Other rumored powers include the restoration of lost energy levels, a slow effect, speak with animals, bless, detect evil, music of the spheres, zone of truth, and emotion.

Baneful effects

The owner of the Marvelous Nightingale becomes increasingly childlike, insomniac, and easily frightened, and must always speak the complete truth.

There is a cumulative chance that the power within the artifact will break free, possessing its owner and going on an enraged killing spree.

History

The Nightingale was created some 1,700 years ago at the direction of Queen Ehlissa the Enchantress. Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen
Mordenkainen is a fictional wizard from the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. He was created by Gary Gygax as a player character and is one of the oldest characters in roleplaying fiction...

 believes much of the thaumaturgy in its creation to have been performed by the mysterious Xagy and the goddess Joramy
Joramy
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Joramy is the goddess of Fire, Volcanoes, Wrath, Anger, and Quarrels...

.

Somehow, Ehlissa managed to keep the force imprisoned within the Nightingale from escaping in all the centuries of her reign.

Additional reading

  • Holian, Gary
    Gary Holian
    Gary Holian is an American author of several products and articles for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, especially for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting...

    , Erik Mona
    Erik Mona
    -Career:Erik Mona served as the editor-in-chief of Dragon magazine since 2004 and Dungeon magazine from 2004 to 2006; at the time, both magazines were published by Paizo Publishing, until the license through Wizards of the Coast expired in September 2007...

    , Sean K. Reynolds
    Sean K. Reynolds
    Sean K Reynolds is a professional game designer who has worked on and co-written a number of D&D supplements for Wizards of the Coast, as well as material for other companies. He does not put a period after his middle initial.-Background:...

    , and Frederick Weining
    Frederick Weining
    Frederick Weining is among those credited for design of the Dungeons & Dragons Gazetteer and the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, both published by Wizards of the Coast. He has also authored or co-authored a number of Greyhawk articles for the Living Greyhawk Journal, the Oerth Journal, and...

    . Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
    Living Greyhawk Gazetteer
    The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Despite the title, the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer is not exclusive to the Living Greyhawk Campaign...

    . Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

  • Henson, Dale, and Doug Stewart, eds. Encyclopedia Magica
    Encyclopedia Magica
    The Encyclopedia Magica is a series of four volumes of accessories for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1994-1995....

    Vol 3. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.

  • Moore, Roger E
    Roger E. Moore
    Roger E. Moore is a designer of role-playing games. He is best known for his long-running tenure as editor of Dragon magazine, and was the founding editor of Dungeon magazine.-Early life:...

    . Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins
    Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins
    Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins is a 1998 sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. The 128 page book was written by Roger E...

    . Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
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