Wyvern

From Greyhawk Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Greyhawk Creature
Wyvern
General information
Alignment:Unaligned or neutral (evil)
Type:Dragon
First appearance:Monster Manual 1e (1977)

Tthe wyvern is a species related to dragons, but differ in size and that they are tetrepods (four-limbed), unlike dragons who have six. "The wyvern is a huge flying lizard with a poisonous stinger in its tail."[1]

Ecology

Wyverns eat animals which humanoids would call livestock, like "horse, pig, or a handful of sheep".[1] For a healthy diet, they must consume the equivalent of a medium-sized creature each day.[1]

Similarly to most birds, while wyverns eats their prey whole, they aren't able to digest things like bones or metal.[1]

Typical physical characteristics

"This two-legged lizard is bigger than an ogre. It has a long tail tipped with a thick knot of cartilage from which a stinger protrudes much like that of a scorpion. It has leathery bat wings and huge jaws filled with long, sharp teeth. ... A wyvern's body is dark brown to gray; half of that length is tail."[2]

A typical adult wyvern is generally 15[2] to 35 feet[1] long, half of which is their tail.[1][2] The wingspan of an adult ranges from about 20 feet[2] to as much as 50 feet.[1] They continue growing, and exceptionally old wyverns are even larger.[3]

Wyverns resemble true dragons, but are much smaller and lack the forelegs of their larger kin. They have sharp talons and crocodile-like heads with red or orange eyes.[1] Located in their long, flexible tails are deadly, poisonous scorpion-like stingers. Proportionally, they have large wings, more than two and a half times the size of their torso length.[4] Unlike true dragons, wyverns do not have breath weapons.

Wyverns do not have a strong natural odor,[2][1] and are able to use this to advantage when hunting prey who would otherwise notice a predator by scent.

Wyverns are "distant cousins" to dragons.[2][5] But,"despite appearances, a wyvern is more closely related to drakes than dragons"[6]

The following chart uses descriptions from Ecology of the Wyvern to equate age based on size categories given in various editions. In first and second editions, the wyvern in the core monster books would be mature adult wyverns, and in third, fourth, or fifth, they would be juvenile wyverns.

Wyvern size by age
Age Years Size
Hatchling 0 (Tiny)
(growing) 4 mo. Small[4]
Young 6 mo. Medium[4]
Juvenile 6 mo. - 1 1/2 yr Large (12'-15')[2][4][6]
Immature 1 /12 yr Huge (15'+)[2][4]
Mature 4 1/2 yr Gargantuan (35')[1][2][4]
*(In 3e, 35' would technically be Colossal)

Environment

Wyverns make their homes in caves in cliffs or mountains overlooking forests, jungles, or even plains or deserts. They are most commonly encountered in hills and mountains.[7]

The Abbor-Alz commonly have wild wyverns in the area,[8] as do the Drachensgrab Hills[9] and Cairn Hills.[10][11] They are even known along the Wild Coast.[11] Though uncommon, wyverns are also occasionally encountered in the Blemu Hills, Bluff Hills, Flinty Hills, Spine Ridge, Stark Mounds, and Tors.[12]

There are rare wyverns "native to the Shadowfell, but are found throughout the natural world, especially in areas with strong ties to the Shadowfell."[6]

Alignment

Wyverns are typically unaligned[6][5][7] or neutral.[2] Though in early editions (first and second) their agressive and hostile manner sometimes is described as neutral with evil tendencies.[13][1][note 1]

As mounts

Despite their surly demeanors, some humanoids train wyverns as mounts.[5][6] However, "To domesticate a wyvern, a ... master must handle the creature from its birth."[6] "But doing so presents a difficult and deadly challenge. Raising one as a hatchling offers the best results. However, a wyvern's violent temperament has cost the life of many a would-be master."[5]

Abilities

The eyesight of a wyvern is highly acute and keen by nature.[2] It's other senses are, as well.[5][6][7]

Despite supposedly being stupid, wyverns are rather deadly and cunning in combat.[14] They prefer to always be in flight, and take any opportunity to take flight if not doing so already.[4]

Wyverns typically do not fight on the ground, unless they have to.[4][5][7] On the ground, wyverns attack with their teeth and with their deadly tail stinger's poison (which can kill instantly). If a wyvern is severely wounded, it is likely to take to the air again.[6][5]

If flying, wyverns can also use their teeth and stingers, but prefer to swoop down, and slash at prey with their claws, or even grab them, carry them up into the air, and drop them. Wyverns are careful to be silent when flying, and to keep their shadow unseen.[citation needed] This gives them the benefit of stealth if the foes are unaware of the creature.[citation needed] Wyverns eat the remains of those they kill,[1][4] and take their valuables if they are treasure-hoarding wyverns.

Poison

The poison (technically a venom) of a wyvern is "coveted by alchemists"[7][5] because it can be made into a horribly lethal poison useable on weapons.[15] The poison is made through a laboriously difficult process and is incredibly rare and expensive (3,000gp).[15] The natural poison is actually made stronger by the alchemical process than that found in nature.[16]

It is an "inky black liquid" and "rots away flesh and bone, melts sinew, and boils the blood"[16] and "burns through its victim's bloodstream, disintegrating veins and arteries on its way to the heart.[5] Similar to wyverns' bodies in general, the poison of a wyvern cannot normally be smelled.[17] The wyvern's poison grows in potency as it ages, weak when it is young—not reaching it's full virulency until it is an adult.[4]

Wyvern's use their poison to mark their territories.[4] However, in a non-dry natural environment, it will be "diluted or washed away within a week forcing frequent refurbishing circuits by the wyverns."[4] When exposed to air and sunlight, the poison hardens to a tar-like consistency.[17]

The flesh of a wyvern is not pleasant-tasing, due to their poison. Even though all wyverns are immune to the poison, they will never eat a creature slain by another wyvern's poison or the flesh of another wyvern, because it is so distasteful.[17]

Possessions

"Most wyverns don’t hoard treasure, but their lairs are littered with the possessions of past victims."[5] Some wyverns do have the treasure hoarding habits of true dragons, and acumulate such wealth in their lairs, while other wyverns don't.[17]

Society

Wyverns are usually solitary, living by themselves or with a mate and/or young,[1] but occasionally gather together into groups called "flights"[2][6] in order to hunt if game is sparse, or if they are serving a true dragon and need to cooperate for some sinister purpose. Though incredibly aggressive and stupid, only young wyverns attack their own kind, and that is usually to show dominance or establish territory. Adult wyverns, despite their beastly nature, solve disputes, fights, and arguments in a non-lethal manner.[1] This involves the competing wyverns struggling with each other to force their stinger (and thus, their venom) inito the mouth of their opponent. Because wyverns cannot tolerate the taste of another wyvern's poison, this is a tactic that establishes dominance.[18]

Mating occurs in late autumn or early winter.[17] There is typically only a single egg, but a female wyvern may have two eggs if its environment has especially abundant resources. The egg comes within 60-90 days, and hatches after only a month. A juvenile wyvern is ready to leave the nest by the time they are a full year and a half, thus they do not mate but every other year.[17] Within six months a young wyvern can fly, and by nine months they are expert flyers.[4]

Wyverns also sometimes work with and serve dominating evil true dragons, for purposes unknown.[1]

Language

The only vocalizations commonly made by wyverns are "a loud hiss, which sounds like a hot sword plunged into water, and a low, deepthroated growl, much like that of a bull crocodile"[1] or "alligator".[2][17]

In third edition, Wyverns can speak Draconic "but usually don’t bother"[2] instead making the same sounds described in earlier editions.

In fourth edition wyverns speak no languages,[6] though they do not mention the creatures' natural sounds either way. Fifth edition wyverns have no language, but it does mention hissing and growling.[5]

Notable examples

Creative Origins

The Dungeons & Dragons wyvern is inspired by the real-world mythical beast of the same name. The wyvern is prominent in medieval heraldry.[25]

References

Notes

  1. ↑ This alignment is usually written in shorthand stat blocks for 1e and 2e as "neutral (evil)".

Citations

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Monstrous Manual (1993), s.v."Wyvern".
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Monster Manual v3.5 (2003), p.259.
  3. ↑ a b Ivid the Undying (1995), p.75.
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Ecology of the Wyvern".  Dragon #A1 (Annual #1 1996), p.11.
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Monster Manual (2014), p.303.
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Monster Manual (2008), p.268.
  7. ↑ a b c d e Monster Manual (2025), p.337.
  8. ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.143.
  9. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.57, Atlas.
  10. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), Encounter cards #14.
  11. ↑ a b Slavers (2000), p.18.
  12. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), Encounter cards #12.
  13. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.102.
  14. ↑ Monstrous Manual (1993), p.366.
  15. ↑ a b Dungeon Master's Guide (2000), p.80.
  16. ↑ a b Player's Option: Heroes of Shadow (2011), p.30.
  17. ↑ a b c d e f g "Ecology of the Wyvern".  Dragon #A1 (Annual #1 1996), p.10.
  18. ↑ "Ecology of the Wyvern".  Dragon #A1 (Annual #1 1996), p.10-12.
  19. ↑ Ivid the Undying (1995), p.126.
  20. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.57, Campaign Book.
  21. ↑ Slavers (2000), p.46.
  22. ↑ Ivid the Undying (1995), p.55.
  23. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.48, Campaign Book.
  24. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.30, Atlas.
  25. ↑ "Wyvern," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wyvern&oldid=1268792146 (accessed February 10, 2025).

Bibliography

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from the D&D Lore Wiki— (Wyvern).

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Advancing the Wyvern (Savage Tidings) Publication Backdrop, Dragon magazine #353 58-62
Bey Wyvernthorn Non-player character [T7], WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk 10, 11, 12
Sea Wyvern, The (Ship) Item Ship, Dragon magazine #350 68
Sea Wyvern, The (Ship) Item Ship, Dragon magazine #359 97
Sea Wyvern, The (Ship) Item Ship, Dungeon magazine #147 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 74
The Red Wyvern Non-player character Male, Human, Pre-gen [Brd10], Expedition to the Barrier Peaks: Original Adventures Reincarnated #03, D&D 5e 334
The Sea Wyvern's Wake (Savage Tide) Adventure Located in: Amedio, Dragon magazine #350 64, 68
The Sea Wyvern's Wake (Savage Tide) Adventure Located in: Amedio, Dragon magazine #359 97
The Sea Wyvern's Wake (Savage Tide) Adventure Located in: Amedio, Dungeon magazine #141 16-48
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Against The Giants: The Liberation of Geoff 24, 90, 96
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Dungeon magazine #114 46
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #12
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #14
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 61
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders: Map/Monster Booklet 24
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Greyhawk: Supplement I, OD&D 17, 37, 63, 64
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, I7 Baltron's Beacon 22
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC1 - Monstrous Compendium Volume 1 Insert (Wyvern)
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Encounter Tables
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 102
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e 366
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) 366
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e 259
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 259
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.0e 186
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 4e (Deluxe Edition) 268
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e 303
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #06 10,11,13,14
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, Return to the Tomb of Horrors 13
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, S1-4 Realms of Horror, Adventure Booklet 58, 63
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book One 4, 7
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, SJR6 Greyspace 36
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, WG12 Vale of the Mage 28
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, X1 The Isle of Dread (1st-3rd printing), D&D Basic 6
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, The Isle of Dread: Original Adventures Reincarnated #02, D&D 5e 24, 64, 106, 107, 117, 148
Wyvern Monster Native of: Material Plane, X1 The Isle of Dread (4th printing), D&D Basic 8
Wyvern Watch (LVL2) Spell Spell (Cleric), Unearthed Arcana, AD&D 1e 28, 35
Wyvern Watch (LVL2) Spell Spell (Cleric), Unearthed Arcana, AD&D 1e (Premium Edition) 28, 35
Wyvernen Settlement Settlement, From the Ashes: Campaign Book 55, 57
Wyvernen Settlement Settlement, Slavers, AD&D 2e 7, 46, 47
Wyverntor Settlement Mine, Defensive Structure, Ivid the Undying 126
Retrieved from "https://gateway.greyhawk.city/greyhawkwiki/index.php?title=Wyvern&oldid=92636"