Ettin (Dungeons & Dragons)
| Ettin | |
|---|---|
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| Characteristics | |
| Alignment | Usually Chaotic evil |
| Type | Giant |
| Image | Wizards.com image |
| Stats | Open Game License stats |
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Ettin is a giant-like creature. The creatures' name derives from Old English eoten 'giant', a word cognate with the Jötunn giants of Norse mythology.
The ettin was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
The ettin appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a nocturnal, two-headed giant that dwells in remote places and lairs underground. An ettin wears tattered animal skins, and is filthy. Typical ettin weapons are spiked clubs. Their two heads make them hard to surprise, and let them control their left and right arms separately. Although they are described as "giant-like", the initial text notes their similar appearance and likely relation to orcs. In G3: Hall of the Fire Giant King a group of four ettins guards the Hall of Dead Kings. The giant two-headed troll in the first edition Fiend Folio (1981) is an ettin/troll crossbreed. An ettin serves as guard and beastkeeper in dungeon level three of T1-4: Temple of Elemental Evil, and on level four, there is another ettin with one head suffering from paranoid delusions and poor sleeping habits.
The ettin was detailed in Dragon #92 (December 1984), in Ed Greenwood's article "Duh 'Cology of Duh Ettin". Ettins are described as largely solitary, with mated pairs coming together only until their offspring is self-sufficient. Occasionally, they will band together under a strong-willed or slightly more intelligent leader. Ettins are stupid, but sometimes cunning; they are slow to trust strangers. The article confirms the ettin's right-body dominance, and it is noted that ettins do not argue with themselves, but having two brains does give an ettin special resistance to some mind-affecting spells. Although an ettin cannot regrow a lost head, an ettin who survives the loss of one head is able to continue a normal life with just one, but other ettins view it as deformed. Ettins have pink to brown flesh, usually darkened by layers of dirt. The combat tactics of ettins are to crush and batter opponents, but they will resort to throwing things if necessary. An ettin might bargain with opponents if it thinks that will get it more food, but won't necessarily stick to the bargain. They are described as worshipping the hill giant god Grolantor, but under variant names such as "Grolettinor" or "Grelinor". Cultural and societal connections with hills giants are mentioned, as are the facial similarities with orcs.
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