Lammasu (Dungeons & Dragons)
| Lammasu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | Magical beast |
| Image | Wizards.com image |
| Stats | Open Game License stats |
| Publication history | |
| Mythological origins | Lamassu |
In the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, the lammasu are a race of good magical beasts.
Publication history
The lammasu is based on the lamassu of Mesopotamian mythology, being winged, leonine champions of good.
The lammasu was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975).[1]
The lammasu appears in the first edition Monster Manual.[2] The lammasu appeared as a character class in White Dwarf #17, by Lewis Pulsipher.[3] The greater lammasu first appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983).
The lammasu and the greater lammasu appeared in second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989),[4] and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The celestial lammasu appeared in the Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix (1991).[5] The lammasu was further developed in Dragon #224 (December 1995).[6]
The lammasu appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000),[7] and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003).
Description
They are also lawful, although they have little interest in the conflict between law and chaos. Their innate magical powers let them cast spells as a 7th-level cleric.
A type of celestial, half-dragon lammasu known as a golden protector is also described in the Monster Manual. They are the offspring of a celestial lammasu and a gold dragon and live in the material plane where they combat evil. Their draconic heritage lets them breathe fire.
References
- ↑ Gygax, Gary and Robert Kuntz. Supplement I: Greyhawk (TSR, 1975)
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
- ↑ Pulsipher, Lewis (February–March 1980). "My Life as a Werebear". White Dwarf (article) (Games Workshop) (17): 33.
- ↑ Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (TSR, 1989)
- ↑ LaFountain, J. Paul. Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix. (TSR, 1991)
- ↑ Ashley, Belinda G. "The Ecology of the Lammasu" Dragon #224 (TSR, 1995)
- ↑ Williams, Skip, Jonathan Tweet, and Monte Cook. Monster Manual. Wizards of the Coast, 2000