Bats in D&D and other fantasy, a brief rant.

[Agrippa]

One thing that always gets to me about much of western fatasy is the demonization and vilification of bats along with crows, ravens and wolves. I'll grant you that this is due in no small part to European myth and folklore, but I don't see why this always has to be the case, especially in D&D. In Chinese mythology bats are depicted as brings of joy and peace. In fact the symbol of the Five Blessings, a long life, riches, health, love of virtue and a natural death, was made up of five bats flying in a circular formation. Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not opposed to evil bat-like creatures or the villains using bat imagery. Just that there aren't that many good, or at least non-evil, bats or bat theamed characters in fantasy. Besides do any of these look like vile hellspawn bent on terrorizing and tormenting humanity?









This Flickr page.


P.S. One more fruit bat at the bottom.

[Blood axe]

Snakes get a bum rap too. Some animals just got screwed...what can you do?

[kaomera]

And giant centipedes...

[greyarea]

And trolls.

[kjc]

And trolls.

[Eldrad]

your'e all batty!

[Vlark]

Besides do any of these look like vile hellspawn bent on terrorizing and tormenting humanity?

This one does. He's plotting revenge. I can see it in his beady little eyes.

[Agrippa]

Besides do any of these look like vile hellspawn bent on terrorizing and tormenting humanity?

This one does. He's plotting revenge. I can see it in his beady little eyes.

I think he looks tired and indignant. Looks kind of like a very small and indignant corgi with wings.

P.S. I wonder what sort of magician would prefer to keep any one of the bats featured as a familiar. And what alignment would the vampire bat seem the closest to.

[barrataria]

Take a little trip to Queensland, and enjoy the earthy aroma of eleventy billion flying fruit foxes. Then report back on the bad rap

[Agrippa]

Take a little trip to Queensland, and enjoy the earthy aroma of eleventy billion flying fruit foxes. Then report back on the bad rap

I didn't mean to say bats smelled any good, just that they're not evil incarnate as many Western myths would state.