Derro

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Greyhawk creature
Derro
Derro01.jpg
A typical derro, as depicted in Underdark (2003). Art by Vance Kovacs.
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Type: Monstrous humanoid
First appearance: Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

The derro are a species of monstrous humanoids descended from enslaved dwarves and humans magically crossbred by the ancient Suel. They first appeared in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons First Edition module Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth.

Ecology[edit]

The derro are a strange and sadistic race; furthermore, they are clever, stealthy, and murderously insane. It is very common for a derro to devote themself to some strange quest, such as collecting only certain types of gemstones for a magical device or slaying as many members of a particular race as possible. Other derro are assigned specific missions by powerful derro savants. These mission-driven derro might join a company of comrades to fulfill their irrational goals.

Environment[edit]

Derro are widespread and are likely to be found in small tribes throughout the Underdark. Derro warrens exist in many drow and duergar cities, and independent derro strongholds lie in the deepest reaches of the Underdark. Derro scouts and marauders search the areas near and around their settlements for victims to enslave and torment.

The majority of derro dwell beneath the Sea of Dust, their ancient homeland, but derro communities are now found beneath the Hellfurnace Mountains, in Zahind, in the Abbor-Alz hills, in the Domain of Greyhawk, and in the Rakers, the Griffs, and the Corusk Mountains.

A major derro enclave is rumored to be located beneath the Forgotten City of the ancient Suel. The Honeycombed Halls of the Diirinken is another significant derro community.

Typical physical characteristics[edit]

Derro appear to be degenerate dwarves, dwarflike humans, or some hybrid of the two. They average four feet in height. Their rough skin is white with bluish undertones and spotted with short tufts of coarse hair. Derro hair is straight and tends to be tan or pale yellow. Their eyes are most disturbing, lacking visible pupils.

Alignment[edit]

Derro are usually chaotic evil.

Society[edit]

All members of a derro tribe share a common tribal name, origin, history, dialect, and culture; most often they are extended families whose tribal name is taken from their savant leader or patron deity.

Males and females are roughly equal in derro society. Derro tribes keep slaves, usually humans, orcs, or dwarves, treating them barbarically. Humans and derro can successfully interbreed, always producing derro offspring. Derro and dwarves can also interbreed; their children are sterile males of great strength.

Religion[edit]

The gods of the derro include Diirinka and Diinkarazan, though few other than the illithids know about the latter deity. Local pantheons typically worship minor demigods as well - a derro god of death and a god of war are common. Some derro tribes have turned to other deities; these renegades are hunted down by the faithful of Diirinka at every opportunity. Tribes of derro worshiping Beltar can be found beneath the Rakers, the Griffs, and the Corusk Mountains. A tribe in Sterich ruled by the loremistress Eldrua has converted to the worship of Orcus.

Language[edit]

The derro language, called Derrosh, has roots in Ancient Suloise and Dwarvish. Most derro are also proficient in Drow, Orc, Dwarvish, and Common.

History[edit]

The derro were created circa -1219 CY after the Imperial Congress of the Suel Imperium, following much debate, gave their official approval. The derro were intended to be a race of slaves meant to serve as miners, bred from human and dwarven prisoners and slaves using horrific magic. The Suel name for them was thurgamazar, or "little miners." The current name from them, derro, is derived from the Flan phrase dwur-rohoi, or "twisted dwarves."

Fortubo was so outraged by this abuse of magic and sapient beings that he virtually abandoned humanity, joining the dwarven pantheon in protest.

The derro inherited magical prowess from their Suloise ancestors as well as a covetous streak from the dwarves. They remained slaves until the Rain of Colorless Fire destroyed the Suloise Empire, leaving the derro tunnels and mines intact. The derro viewed the Rain as a great liberation, gathering under the leadership of their savants and slowly spreading into the Flanaess as far as the Thillonrian Peninsula.

The komazar bredthralls were an attempt by the Scarlet Brotherhood at replicating the ancient Suel creation of the derro.

Publishing history[edit]

The Derro "were cut from the Greyhawk appendix to the Monstrous Compendium (MC5) for lack of space."[1]

External link[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. Dragon #169 (May 1991), p.6.

Bibliography[edit]

———. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. Item code TSR2016.
———. Sea of Death. Delavan, WI: New Infinities, 1987.
———. DMGR4 Monster Mythology. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992. Item code TSR2128.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Clanbooks of the Doomgrinder Derro Item Book, LT3 The Doomgrinder 48
Derro Savant Monster LT3 The Doomgrinder 2, 5, 10, 31-43, 45, 48
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster LT2 Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad 46
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster DMGR4 - Monster Mythology 14, 59, 60, 65
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Dragon magazine #191 22, 65, 67
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Dragon magazine #241 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Dragon magazine #276 84
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Dungeon magazine #070 65
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Dungeon magazine #077 48
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 67
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster From the Ashes: Campaign Book 29, 36, 37
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster From the Ashes: Monstrous Compendium Insert Insert (Dwarf, Derro)
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 125
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 57
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 18, 171
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e 96, 97
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) 96, 97
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 49
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e 42
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, D&D 5e 158-159
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Player's Guide to Greyhawk 38, 39, 50
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book Two 10
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster Slavers, AD&D 2e 61, 125
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster The Adventure Begins 38, 64, 79
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster LT3 The Doomgrinder IBC, 2-7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 28-48
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster The Scarlet Brotherhood 3, 12, 22, 25, 82, 87
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster LT1 The Star Cairns 2, 3, 23, 25-29, 37
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster WGA3 Flames of the Falcon 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 59, 60
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster WGR1 Greyhawk Ruins 89-90
Derro {Dwur-rhoi, Dwurroh, Thurgamazar} Monster WGR3 Rary the Traitor 34, 35, 38, 40
Derrosh Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #241 42
Diirinken, Halls of (Derro) Kingdom Dragon magazine #241 43
Diirinken, Halls of (Derro) Kingdom From the Ashes: Campaign Book 37
Diirinken, Halls of (Derro) Kingdom Player's Guide to Greyhawk 50
Dwarf, Derro Monster Reference SEE Derro (Dwur-rhoi) (Dwurroh) (Thurgamazar)