Wraith (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the wraith is an undead
creature.
(1974), where they were described as high-class wights
with more mobility.
The soul beckoner, a creature similar to the wraith, is introduced in the module Dark Clouds Gather
(1985).
(1977), and Expert Set
(1981 & 1983). The wraith was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
The soul beckoner wraith appears in Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix (1990).
The desert wraith appeared in the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting
supplement Old Empires
(1990).
The Athasian wraith for the Dark Sun
campaign setting appears in Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix II (1995).
The wraith undead dragon appears in Dragon #234 (October 1996).
The wraith template appeared in Dragon #300 (October 2002), and included the merfolk wraith as a sample creature.
Savage Species (2003) reprinted the wraith template, including the kobold wraith as a sample creature.
The evolved wraith appears in Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead
(2004).
City of Splendors: Waterdeep (2005), for the Forgotten Realms
setting, featured the sea wraith. Anauroch: The Empire of the Shade (2007) featured the orb wraith.
The incarnum wraith appeared in Magic of Incarnum (2005).
The acidwraith appeared in Dragon #131 (February 2006).
A wraith is always lawful evil. A wraith appears as a sinister, spectral figure robed in darkness. It has no visual features or appendages, except for its glowing red eyes.
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 wraith is an undead
Undead (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
creature.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The wraith 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 high-class wights
Wight (Dungeons & Dragons)
A wight is an undead creature in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:The wight takes its inspiration from the barrow-wights in the world of Middle-earth created by J. R. R...
with more mobility.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The wraith appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as an undead, similar to a wight, with a chilling touch that drains life energy.The soul beckoner, a creature similar to the wraith, is introduced in the module Dark Clouds Gather
Dark Clouds Gather
Dark Clouds Gather is an adventure module published in 1985 for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Plot summary:...
(1985).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the wraith, 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), and 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). The wraith was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game
Dungeons & Dragons Game (1991 boxed set)
The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1991....
set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The wraith appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).The soul beckoner wraith appears in Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix (1990).
The desert wraith appeared in the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The 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...
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...
supplement Old Empires
Old Empires
Old Empires is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1990).
The Athasian wraith for the Dark Sun
Dark Sun
Dark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting featuring the fictional desert world of Athas. The original Dark Sun Boxed Set campaign setting was released in 1991....
campaign setting appears in Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix II (1995).
The wraith undead dragon appears in Dragon #234 (October 1996).
Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)
The wraith appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).The wraith template appeared in Dragon #300 (October 2002), and included the merfolk wraith as a sample creature.
Savage Species (2003) reprinted the wraith template, including the kobold wraith as a sample creature.
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)
The wraith appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), and included the dread wraith.The evolved wraith appears in Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead
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).
City of Splendors: Waterdeep (2005), for the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The 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...
setting, featured the sea wraith. Anauroch: The Empire of the Shade (2007) featured the orb wraith.
The incarnum wraith appeared in Magic of Incarnum (2005).
The acidwraith appeared in Dragon #131 (February 2006).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The wraith appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).Description
A wraith is an incorporeal creature born of evil and darkness, despising light and all living things. A wraith drains the constitution from living creatures, turning them into new wraiths upon death. A wraith is powerless in natural sunlight and will flee from it.A wraith is always lawful evil. A wraith appears as a sinister, spectral figure robed in darkness. It has no visual features or appendages, except for its glowing red eyes.