Winter wolf
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
roleplaying game, the winter wolf is a magical beast
which lives in cold forests and plains.
, and elements of norse mythology
.
(1977).
The winter wolf appeared in second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
The winter wolf appeared in the third edition Monster Manual
(2000), and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003).
The winter wolf appeared in fourth edition in Monster Manual 2 (2009).
The winter wolf is pretty similar in habits to normal wolves. It hunts either solitary or in packs, in its desolate environment, searching for game. It has a good sense of smell, is stealthy, and is prized for its fur. It is distinguishable from other wolves, including the arctic wolf, however, in that it has a breath weapon; it can breathe ice. This gives it an obvious advantage in combat. It also attacks with its teeth and claws. There is little else which needs to be said about the creature.
Winter wolves can speak Giant and Common.
They are regarded as neutral evil 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...
roleplaying game, the winter wolf 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....
which lives in cold forests and plains.
Creative origins
The winter wolf is likely to be based upon the arctic wolfArctic Wolf
The Arctic Wolf , also called Polar Wolf or White Wolf, is a subspecies of the Gray Wolf, a mammal of the family Canidae. Arctic Wolves inhabit the Canadian Arctic, Alaska and the northern parts of Greenland....
, and elements 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...
.
Publication history
The winter wolf appeared in first edition in the original 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...
(1977).
The winter wolf appeared in second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
The winter wolf appeared in the third edition 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...
(2000), and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003).
The winter wolf appeared in fourth edition in Monster Manual 2 (2009).
Description
A winter wolf resembles a normal wolf, only with white or another pale color fur. Despite being large (8 feet long and 4 and a half feet tall), it is somewhat more slender and petite than other wolves.The winter wolf is pretty similar in habits to normal wolves. It hunts either solitary or in packs, in its desolate environment, searching for game. It has a good sense of smell, is stealthy, and is prized for its fur. It is distinguishable from other wolves, including the arctic wolf, however, in that it has a breath weapon; it can breathe ice. This gives it an obvious advantage in combat. It also attacks with its teeth and claws. There is little else which needs to be said about the creature.
Winter wolves can speak Giant and Common.
They are regarded as neutral evil in alignment.