I like Linnorms. Do you?

[Sebastian Francis]

I'm a big fan of the Linnorm (sp?) from Monster Manual 2, those ancient, sinister, slithery dragon-cousins that that have two front legs and a long, serpentine body. Two questions:

1. Have any of you used a linnorm (as a DM) or encountered one (as a player)? Tell us about it.

2. Were linnorms in an earlier edition of (A)D&D? If so, which tome?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Love 'em myself. They actually come from Norse myth, if I'm not mistaken, and I think their name in the actual mythology is "lindorm," rather than "linnorm." (Though I'm sure it's been transliterated both ways.)

While I've never used one in game, I did use one in one of my earlier (and unpublished) novels. I'd love to use one in-game, the opportunity simply hasn't come up.

They first appeared (IIRC) in second edition, in one of the Monstrous Compendium annual supplement things. In that version, Corpse Tearer was a unique individual, rather than being just another species of linnorm. (I'll be going back to that notion, if I ever use them.)

 

[Khayman]

They've shown up in our Planescape campaign as we're all a bunch of Norse berks from Glorium. Nasty things. We've negotiated with one or two grey linnorms, and were nearly taken apart by a third.

The Corpse-tearer Nidrhogr is also a unique beast in our campaign, though it seems to have spawned a clutch of humanoid half-linnorm offspring that are bent on our doom. Guess we shouldn't have killed their kinsman when we tried to steal Odin's eye from the Well of Mimir.

Linnorms were in 2e --- statted in Monstrous Compendium Annual vol. 1, I believe. I also seem to recall flightless and even limbless dragons from an old issue of (surprise!) Dragon.

BTW, Mouseferatu --- is that avatar new? Looks cool.

 

[Mouseferatu]

BTW, Mouseferatu --- is that avatar new? Looks cool.

Not really new, no. Been using it since last year. It's my professional logo, actually, created by a very talented friend of mine, named Chung-Mau Cheng, who's in the advertising biz.

Glad you like it, though.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I do like them, but those buggers are too powerful for the levels we usually play at.

Linnorms did indeed appear in Monstrous Compendium Annual vol.1. In that book you can find the Corpse Tearer, Dread, Flame, Forest, Frost, Gray, Land, Midgard, Rain and Sea types of Linnorms. The Midgard and Corpse Tearer Linnorms are indicated as being unique.

AR

 

[DMH]

I like the linnorms and I wish they had made a total conversion. They make an interesting varient that I think Iron Kingdoms have kept in spirit.

They were in Dragon 183 and those descriptions were stripped down for the 1st Annual MC.

 

[Crothian]

I wasn't a fan of them. I think they needed to explain more about them to really help them fit.

 

[Jolly Giant]

The linnorm from Norse myth was a unique creature, created by Odin himself. It had a serpent-like body; no legs, claws or wings, but it had an acid breathweapon.

The Midgardorm (="world-wyrm") was a sea-serpent, so huge that it could stretch its body around the world and bite its own tale.

Nidhog (="cowardly stinger") is also from the norse myth, but he was just a tiny viper.

 

[Alzrius]

IIRC, aren't the linnorms in the 3E Draconomicon, but for the most part, renamed to be "land wyrms"?

 

[Jolly Giant]

IIRC, aren't the linnorms in the 3E Draconomicon, but for the most part, renamed to be "land wyrms"?

YRC! (You recall correctly) They're at least very similar to linnorms. But before that, there were some linnorms in 3e's MM2.

And for the record: Yes, I think linnorms are cool, but have not yet used them. I probably will in my next campaign though, which will have a viking-theme.