What exactly is Eldrich magic and where does it come from?
- Thread starter Shellman
- Start date
Joshua Randall
Legend
Eldritch is simply a cool sounding word, often used by H.P. Lovecraft and pals to describe things. I am not aware that the word has any game-rule significance in D&D.
From dictionary.com:
el·dritch (adj.)
Strange or unearthly; eerie.
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[Perhaps Middle English *elriche : Old English el-, strange, other; see al-1 in Indo-European Roots + Old English rce, realm; see reg- in Indo-European Roots.]
From dictionary.com:
el·dritch (adj.)
Strange or unearthly; eerie.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Perhaps Middle English *elriche : Old English el-, strange, other; see al-1 in Indo-European Roots + Old English rce, realm; see reg- in Indo-European Roots.]
Sigurd
First Post
Eldritch is a word made popular by horror writers at the end of the last century. This genre is sometimes called 'Gothic' horror because of its appeal to classical and Pre Raphaelite images.
It often means ghostly, creepy, and very old. Usually the older the better. Lovecraft extended the time frame back before human evolution. In the D20 universe I tend to think that traditional folk creatures, often especially elves, are eldritch. There is no real requiement that an elf be more 'eldritch than a bugbear but it tends to work out that way.
Sigurd
It often means ghostly, creepy, and very old. Usually the older the better. Lovecraft extended the time frame back before human evolution. In the D20 universe I tend to think that traditional folk creatures, often especially elves, are eldritch. There is no real requiement that an elf be more 'eldritch than a bugbear but it tends to work out that way.
Sigurd
lukelightning
First Post
Dweomers are often eldritch, arcane, and esoteric.
lukelightning
First Post
Or just make up new words. My wizard has some really dingdangwoozle magic!
Estlor said:
Mouseferatu
Hero
[pure guesswork]
Given that "eldritch" is frequently used with warlocks (i.e. "eldritch blast"), it wouldn't surprise me, in WotC products, to see "eldritch" come to refer primarily to warlock magics, as another option from "arcane" and "divine." I don't think this will be a formal useage--as in, there won't be rules for arcane vs. divine vs. eldritch--just a common one that writers pick up and take advantage of.
[end pure guesswork]
Given that "eldritch" is frequently used with warlocks (i.e. "eldritch blast"), it wouldn't surprise me, in WotC products, to see "eldritch" come to refer primarily to warlock magics, as another option from "arcane" and "divine." I don't think this will be a formal useage--as in, there won't be rules for arcane vs. divine vs. eldritch--just a common one that writers pick up and take advantage of.
[end pure guesswork]
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