Inktober Monstrosities: H for Hippocamp

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The Hippocamp, or Hippocampus (not to be confused with the latin name for the common sea horse, or the part of the brain integral in navigation and memory) is a classic, both in real world mythology and in the world of D&D.

Half horse with webbed hooves, half fish, the hippocamp is obviously the result of someone taking the description of a common sea horse a tad too litteraly. They are part of both Etruscan, Phoenician and Greek mythology, among other things described as the horses of Poseidon, god of the sea. They are a common motif on fountains and heraldic designs throughout the world.

In D&D they are usually called Hippocampus, and they first appeared in the original Monster Manual, and then later throughout 2nd and 3rd edition. 5th edition does have stats for a Giant Sea Horse, but no mention is made there to it having hooves, so that is clearly just an oversized version of the common sea horse.



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