In the Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...

 fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

, the nightmare is an outsider

Outsider (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, an outsider is a type of creature, or "creature type". Outsiders are at least partially composed of the essence of a plane other than the Prime Material Plane....

 that comes from the Gray Waste of Hades

Gray Waste

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Gray Waste is a strongly evil aligned plane of existence...

.

Publication history

The nightmare was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)

The nightmare appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), where it is described as a "demon horse" or "hell horse" from the lower planes, ridden primarily by powerful demons

Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, demons are the most widespread race of fiends. The demons are chaotic evil by nature, and are native to the Abyss...

 and devils

Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, devils are a powerful group of monsters used as a high-level challenge for players of the game. Devils are Lawful Evil in alignment and originate from the Nine Hells of Baator. True to their Lawful Evil alignment, devils are locked in a strict and brutal...

, night hags

Night hag (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the night hag is an outsider that comes from the Gray Waste of Hades. The night hag's relationship to other types of hags is unclear...

, vampires

Vampire (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the vampire is an undead creature. A humanoid or monstrous humanoid can become a vampire, and looks as it did in life, with pale skin, haunting red eyes, and a feral cast to its features...

, and liches

Lich (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lich is an undead creature; a spellcaster who seeks to defy death by magical means.-Dungeons & Dragons :...

.

Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)

This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the nightmare, in Creature Catalogue (1986), and the Creature Catalog (1993).

The lesser nightmare appeared in the Escape From Thunder Rift module included with the Dungeon Master Screen (1993).

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)

The nightmare appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix (1991), and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).

The nightmare was further detailed in the first Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).

Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)

The nightmare appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).

Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)

The nightmare appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), including the cauchemar, a larger and more powerful sort.

The lesser nightmare appears in the Planar Handbook (2004).

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)

The nightmare appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008).

Description

A nightmare resembles a large black horse, though flames wreathe its hooves and trail from its nostrils.

A nightmare is always neutral evil. It is able to travel to other planes, and can bring its rider therewith. Nightmares sometimes serve powerful evil creatures as mounts.

Lesser and greater (called cauchemars) versions of the nightmare are known to exist.