Xill
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the xill is a nasty, insect-humanoid-like outsider
from the deserts and wastelands of the Ethereal Plane.
(1981).
The xill appeared in second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992). The xill appeared for the Planescape
setting in the Monstrous Compendium Planescape Compendium III (1998), and the Guide to the Ethereal Plane (1998).
The xill appeared in the third edition Monster Manual
(2000), and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003).
). Spines protrude from its elbows. It is both ugly and fiendish.
The xill is an evil creature which exists only to kill. It lurks in the Ethereal Plane, waiting for what is suspects will be a victim in the Material Plane. It then teleports to the Material Plane (similar to ethereal filcher
s, ethereal marauder
s, and phase spider
s), and ambushes the victim. It attacks with either its four limbs, or a variety of weapons (more civilized ones use weapons and hold a different one in each hand). They make full use of their Tumble skill in combat: Usually, one or two distract physically powerful enemies by attacking, then assuming a defensive stance while their fellows maneuver to advantage. Xill lay eggs in the bodies of defeated opponents, which devour the corpse from the inside out to hatch. Xill also have a paralyzing bite, and using their planewalk ability, can attack through thin air.
Xill speak Infernal.
They are lawful evil in alignment.
by A. E. van Vogt
.
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 xill is a nasty, insect-humanoid-like 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....
from the deserts and wastelands of the Ethereal Plane.
Publication history
The xill first appeared in the first edition in the original Fiend FolioFiend Folio
Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(1981).
The xill appeared in second edition in the Monstrous Compendium Fiend Folio Appendix (1992). The xill appeared for the Planescape
Planescape
Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994...
setting in the Monstrous Compendium Planescape Compendium III (1998), and the Guide to the Ethereal Plane (1998).
The xill appeared in the third edition Monster Manual
Monster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(2000), and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003).
Description
A xill resembles a 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m) humanoid, with gritty red skin, an insectoid head with spikes and horns and mandibles, clawed hands, and four arms (not unlike a thri-kreenThri-kreen
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the thri-kreen, or "mantis warriors", are an insect-like monstrous humanoid race. Thri-kreen are one of the primary player character races of the Dark Sun campaign setting, and have also appeared in the Spelljammer and Forgotten Realms campaign...
). Spines protrude from its elbows. It is both ugly and fiendish.
The xill is an evil creature which exists only to kill. It lurks in the Ethereal Plane, waiting for what is suspects will be a victim in the Material Plane. It then teleports to the Material Plane (similar to ethereal filcher
Ethereal filcher
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the ethereal filcher is a bizarre aberration.-Publication history:The ethereal filcher appeared in the third edition Monster Manual , and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual ....
s, ethereal marauder
Ethereal marauder
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, an ethereal marauder is a magical beast with abilities similar to ethereal filchers and phase spiders.-Publication history:...
s, and phase spider
Phase spider
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a phase spider is a magical beast akin to a predatorial version of the ethereal filcher.-Publication history:The phase spider first appeared in the original Greyhawk supplement ....
s), and ambushes the victim. It attacks with either its four limbs, or a variety of weapons (more civilized ones use weapons and hold a different one in each hand). They make full use of their Tumble skill in combat: Usually, one or two distract physically powerful enemies by attacking, then assuming a defensive stance while their fellows maneuver to advantage. Xill lay eggs in the bodies of defeated opponents, which devour the corpse from the inside out to hatch. Xill also have a paralyzing bite, and using their planewalk ability, can attack through thin air.
Xill speak Infernal.
They are lawful evil in alignment.
Creative origins
The xill is inspired by the ixtl, a devil-like alien from the science fiction novel The Voyage of the Space BeagleThe Voyage of the Space Beagle
The Voyage of the Space Beagle is a classic novel of science fiction by A. E. van Vogt in the space opera subgenre.The novel is a "fix-up" compilation of four previously published SF stories:...
by A. E. van Vogt
A. E. van Vogt
Alfred Elton van Vogt was a Canadian-born science fiction author regarded by some as one of the most popular and complex science fiction writers of the mid-twentieth century: the "Golden Age" of the genre....
.