Vrock
Encyclopedia
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. They are considered one of the weaker types of demons.
supplement (1976).
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The screaming lesser fiend appeared in the Wrath of the Immortals set, in "Book One: Codex of the Immortals" (1992).
An ancient vrock known as The Beast appeared in Dungeon
#25 (September 1990).
The vrock true tanar'ri also appeared for the Planescape
campaign setting
in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
Savage Species (2003) presented the vrock as both a race and a playable class.
, the name 'vrock' was not used to describe these creatures, and instead a vrock was referred to as a 'Demon Type I'. They were weak, as far as demons were concerned.
In 2nd edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
, TSR stopped using the word 'demon
' and instead called the vrock and the other demons from the 1st edition of Dungeons & Dragons 'Tanar'ri'. This may have been related to the negative reaction that the religious right of the 1980s had to the Dungeons & Dragons game.
3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons gave the vrock its demon status back, but for purposes of backwards compatibility with 2nd edition Dungeons & Dragons a sub-classification of demons called Tanar'ri was created, of which the vrock and all of the other demons from the 1st edition Monster Manual were members. In 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons, vrock are most known and feared for the dance of ruin—a power that lets 3 vrock cavorting in concert unleash a tremendously damaging blast of energy.
Another Vrock appears in the D&D Miniatures: Dungeons of Dread set #20 (2008).
Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demons are the most widespread race of fiends. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss...
from 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...
. It resembles a humanoid with the head, claws, and wings of giant vulture
Vulture
Vulture is the name given to two groups of convergently evolved scavenging birds, the New World Vultures including the well-known Californian and Andean Condors, and the Old World Vultures including the birds which are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals on African plains...
. Vrock typically stand eight feet tall and weigh 800 pounds. They are considered one of the weaker types of demons.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The type I demon appeared under the demon entry in the Eldritch WizardryEldritch 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:...
supplement (1976).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The type I demon (vrock) appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the type I demon, which is known as the screaming demon, first appearing in the Immortal RulesDungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1986 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
set, in the DM's Guide to Immortals (1986). The screaming lesser fiend appeared in the Wrath of the Immortals set, in "Book One: Codex of the Immortals" (1992).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
In this edition, demons became known as tanar'ri, and this creature officially became known as the vrock, a "true tanar'ri", appearing first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Outer Planes Appendix (1991), and then reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).An ancient vrock known as The Beast appeared in Dungeon
Dungeon (magazine)
Dungeon Adventures, or simply Dungeon, was a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150...
#25 (September 1990).
The vrock true tanar'ri also appeared for the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The vrock (tanar'ri) appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000); in this edition, the name demon is resumed, and tanar'ri are now considered a sub-type of demon.Savage Species (2003) presented the vrock as both a race and a playable class.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The vrock appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003).Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The vrock appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), again under the demon entry.History
In the 1st edition of the Monster ManualMonster 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...
, the name 'vrock' was not used to describe these creatures, and instead a vrock was referred to as a 'Demon Type I'. They were weak, as far as demons were concerned.
In 2nd edition Advanced 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...
, TSR stopped using the word 'demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
' and instead called the vrock and the other demons from the 1st edition of Dungeons & Dragons 'Tanar'ri'. This may have been related to the negative reaction that the religious right of the 1980s had to the Dungeons & Dragons game.
3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons gave the vrock its demon status back, but for purposes of backwards compatibility with 2nd edition Dungeons & Dragons a sub-classification of demons called Tanar'ri was created, of which the vrock and all of the other demons from the 1st edition Monster Manual were members. In 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons, vrock are most known and feared for the dance of ruin—a power that lets 3 vrock cavorting in concert unleash a tremendously damaging blast of energy.
Known vrock
- Arrikk: From Hellbound: War Games, page 65
- The Cuckoo: Standing Stone (presumably referenced again in Heart of Nightfang Spire)
- Grzzlat: I2 Tomb of the Lizard KingTomb of the Lizard KingTomb of the Lizard King is a D&D adventure module published in 1982 by TSR. In Tomb of the Lizard King, the players are employed by the Count of Eor to discover what monstrous force has been terrorizing caravans and peasants near the village of Waycombe...
(on the random encounters table) - Jaazzpaa: DungeonDungeon (magazine)Dungeon Adventures, or simply Dungeon, was a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150...
#25, "The Standing Stones of Sundown" - Rhunad: Heart of Nightfang Spire
- Shaakat, Rejik, and Morbaat: The Paladins, book two of the Forgotten RealmsForgotten RealmsThe Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
Double Diamond Triangle Saga. - Chaohinon of the Void: From Neverwinter NightsNeverwinter NightsNeverwinter Nights , produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames , is a third-person perspective computer role-playing game that is based on third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules. It was originally to be published by Interplay Entertainment, but the publisher's financial...
, Chapter One Finale.
Critical reception
The demon (vrock) was ranked third among the ten best mid-level monsters by the authors of Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies. The authors chose the vrock as "the best example" out of four or five "to represent the evil-outsider-from-the-infernal-realms niche".Other media
The Vrock appears in the D&D Miniatures: Archfiends set #58 (2004).Another Vrock appears in the D&D Miniatures: Dungeons of Dread set #20 (2008).
External links
- Known vrocks at the d20 NPC Wiki