New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. - Top - End - #1
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Flumph

    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    My own private Nogero
    Gender
    Male

    Question Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Well, they're both small blue humanoids, so it was the first thought that went through my mind when I learned about xvarts.

    Anyway, what I'm really interested in is who invented them and, especially, where did the name come from? Was it a random coinage, derived from some obscure word, or a word from another language? Or perhaps something else like an acronym or portmanteau?


    PS This probably goes in one of the D&D specific subforums, but I wasn't sure which one. Moderator feel free to move it (as if you really needed my permission for that).
    Curated Thread: Gazetteer of the Stick

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Ettin in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    The first thing that popped up when I Googled it.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Flumph

    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    My own private Nogero
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Quote Originally Posted by BWR View Post
    The first thing that popped up when I Googled it.
    Well, yes I saw that, but it doesn't tell me where the name came from.
    Curated Thread: Gazetteer of the Stick

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Yora's Avatar

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Germany

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    The xvart, created by Cricky Hitchcock, first appeared as the "svart" in White Dwarf #9 (October 1978).
    Wouldn't be too suprised if it's short for "svartalfar" or black elf, a kind of dwarf that also inspired drow and duergar.
    We are not standing on the shoulders of giants, but on very tall tower of other dwarves.

    Spriggan's Den Heroic Fantasy Roleplaying

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Ravens_cry's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2008

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Which in turn is probably related to the term swarthy, at least, etymologically speaking.
    Some literal mutant Smurfs with, in the original story, black skin are part of a story that has startling resemblance to your typical modern zombie story, even though it's much older than Night of the Living Dead.
    Quote Originally Posted by Calanon View Post
    Raven_Cry's comments often have the effects of a +5 Tome of Understanding

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Yora's Avatar

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Germany

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Yes, svart is the germanic root for black. English as always an exception.
    We are not standing on the shoulders of giants, but on very tall tower of other dwarves.

    Spriggan's Den Heroic Fantasy Roleplaying

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Ravens_cry's Avatar

    Join Date
    Sep 2008

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Yora View Post
    Yes, svart is the germanic root for black. English as always an exception.
    English is a bastard, in both senses of the word.
    Quote Originally Posted by Calanon View Post
    Raven_Cry's comments often have the effects of a +5 Tome of Understanding

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Kid Jake's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Mayberry, NC
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Next time I run D&D I think I'm gonna have a Xvart village lead by the venerable Papa Xvart who's constantly trying to capture and eat a local wizard and his familiar.

    Quote Originally Posted by Winter_Wolf View Post
    At least we can say Kid Jake has style. And possibly is insane.
    My Campaign Journals

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Flumph

    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    My own private Nogero
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Xvarts: mutant smurfs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Yora View Post
    Wouldn't be too suprised if it's short for "svartalfar" or black elf, a kind of dwarf that also inspired drow and duergar.
    This looks about right.

    Thanks for the help, everyone.

    Quote Originally Posted by kidjake View Post
    Next time I run D&D I think I'm gonna have a Xvart village lead by the venerable Papa Xvart who's constantly trying to capture and eat a local wizard and his familiar.
    That's just xvartastic. Don't forget Xvartette.
    Curated Thread: Gazetteer of the Stick

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •