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Gypsy

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Gypsy was a general term used to refer to itinerant people of a typically roguish nature,[1] though the exact prevalence of rogues among such people was possibly exaggerated. Such people might otherwise be referred to as forest nomads[3] for their rural lifestyles and habit of traveling through woodlands,[2][4] or in some places as tzigone.[5][note 1]

Culture

People classified as "gypsies" lived rural, nomadic lives, traveling from place to place,[1][2][4][6] sometimes in groups with horse-drawn carts and wagons,[3][6] such as the vardos.[7] Occasionally they settled in one place for an extended period of time and operated stores.[8] The life of a gypsy was usually had by humans,[1][2][3][9][10] elves,[3][10] or half-elves.[1][9][10][11] Elves were generally well disposed to such people, especially wood elves, as were most rogues, bards, rangers,[2] and druids.[2][4] They ranged the gamut in terms of alignment, but tended towards lawfulness or neutrality.[12]

All gypsies lived by some form of rigid code of personal honor and laws.[12][13] These were colored by the morality and values characteristic of each individual's alignment,[12] but usually were considered unconventional in some manner by non-itinerant people.[3][12] A common aspect among these codes was a looser conception of property and ownership, feeling that in many cases ownership was a fleeting thing and not a sacred right. This worldview gave way to a rather roguish nature[3][13] that instilled among some outsiders a sense of distrust towards gypsies.[3][6][14]

They generally did not have any societal hierarchies, although sometimes they would lay claim to the titles of "King" or "Queen" in order to gain advantage in bartering,[3][15] as was the case with some gypsies in the Vast.[16]

MadameEva Fortune

There are many fortunes to be read by Madam Eva of the Zarovan Vistani.

Much like bards,[12] gypsies often knew a great deal of lore thanks to all their traveling,[14] having gathered much knowledge and common sense during their journeys.[1] This, coupled with a common proficiency in music,[2] lead many such people to take up the life of a true bard.[3]

What gypsies were most well known for were their skills in fortune-telling or soothsaying, often charging a price for their services.[12][6][17][18] They often utilized decks of cards in telling fortunes,[19][8][20][21] such as a tarokka deck,[21][22] or crystal balls.[23][24][25]

There existed a great variety of gypsy groups across the wider Realms,[6][26][27] as well as beyond Toril itself in the form of the aperusa of wildspace,[9] the Rhennee of Oerth,[28] and in the Domains of Dread, with the most notable group of Ravenloft being the Vistani.[1][29]

Throughout Faerûn's Western Heartlands[26][27] and further to the east in the Endless Wastes[30] there were the Gur, a human ethnic group[26][27] believed by scholars to be descended from Rashemaar.[27] The land of Rashemen in northeast Faerûn was likewise known to have gypsies that traveled far.[31] The greater Heartlands region and its neighboring regions were also home to an obscure nomadic group called the Valantra, the namesake for spelldancers.[32] In west Faerûn, the nation of Amn was home to large gypsy groups known as the Rom, with one notable member being Kveroslava who met the adventurer Gorion's Ward.[6] And the Dalelands of north Faerûn were home to some gypsy groups, one of which the weretiger Jahed originated from and traveled with most of his life before being dragged into the Domains of Dread.[33]

In the Vast, another region of northern Faerûn, was home to many people that identified as gypsies, especially in the city of Ravens Bluff.[34][35][36][37][11][8][23][38][39] There anyone not a member of the city's bards guild had to pay for a temporary permit in order to perform, an exception was notably made for gypsy bards so long as they first paid their respects at the guildhouse after entering the city.[36] Nevertheless, the guild was also host to some gypsy members.[11] Notable gypsies in the city included the silk merchant Madame Coth;[34] Asmera, a fortuneteller on Bubba Street;[19] Kisandra, a fortuneteller who offered temporary housing to the wandering gypsies of the Vast at the Crescent Moon;[40] Madame LaTachia;[23] and Jadrian, a jewelry merchant and member of the Knights of the Hawk.[8]

Abilities

Gypsies were often gifted in the Art,[12][15] though sometimes limited to the school of divination magic.[12][41] Common spells included clairaudience, clairvoyance, ESP, object reading, precognition, and telepathy. Fledgling mages, not yet skilled enough to use true forms of divination magic, might resort to learning spells that would allow them to fake seances, such as magic mouth, ventriloquism, unseen servant,[15] and audible glamer.[42] In place of arcane magic, other gypsies cultivated a connection with nature and gained the use of druidic spells, such as animal friendship, locate animals or plants,[3][2] and speak with animals.[3]

Beyond magic, it was quite common for gypsies to be psions,[15][17][28] often spontaneously developing powers as wild talents.[17] Those gifted with such abilities typically gained or chose to study the psionic equivalents of clairaudience, clairvoyance, ESP, and telepathy, as well as the unique psionic powers animal telepathy and telepathic projection.[15]

Many gypsies uniquely possessed an ability to lay curses upon people,[41][43][44][45] with some being so powerful that only a deity or the gypsy themselves could undo a curse.[46] They also had an affinity for identifying or recognizing the presence of curses.[34][19]

Possessions

Beyond innate abilities, gypsies often possessed or were skilled with magic items that emulated divination spells and utilized them in their fortune-telling,[12][15] such as crystal balls,[12][15][17] medallions of ESP,[40][17] and the rare deck of many things.[15][17] However, some merely had mundane crystal balls.[15] In terms of armor, gypsies generally avoided metal forms of protection as their heaviness and noisiness was anathema to a roguish approach.[12][47] This left them to choose such things as hide armor, leather armor, studded leather, padded armor, and sometimes even elven chainmail,[47] though others felt even the metalwork of elves couldn't be trusted when it came to stealth.[12]

Across many realms it was commonly found that gypsies wore vibrant clothing.[29] In the Vast for instance, gypsy women were well known for dressing in embroidered skirts that were brightly colored.[11]

Combat

Rather than engaging in direct confrontations, gypsies preferred the rather roguish approach of stealth and trickery.[12] They were typically quite skilled in fighting with daggers and knives,[12][3] though were also known to fight with such weapons as bows, crossbows,[12] and one-handed swords[12][3] like the khopesh and scimitar.[3] They generally forewent two-handed weaponry,[12][3] such as polearms.[3]

Appendix

Background

The word "gypsy" originated as a term for the Roma people during Europe's Middle Ages,[48] as a contraction of "Egyptian" after a mistaken belief they had originated from that country.[49] The term has also been mistakenly applied to the unrelated Irish Travellers and Scottish Travellers and others and to itinerant occupations such as tinkers. Today, this application is considered by some to be offensive but embraced by others, and over time the word has developed other meanings. These are ultimately derived from the original sense, but not regarded as pejorative and remain common in both the English language and in popular culture. In the case of this article, the term is used to refer to any itinerant (and sometimes roguish) person or group.

Notes

  1. ↑ In The Magehound it is said that the word tzigone meant "...gypsy in some obscure northern tongue...", but it is never specified what specific language the word came from. In the context of the novel, "northern" would mean anything north of the nation of Halruaa.

Gallery

Appearances

Adventures

Referenced only
Castle Spulzeer

Novels & Short Stories

Elfsong • King Pinch • The Magehound
Referenced only
Crypt of the Shadowking

Video Games

Pool of Radiance • Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession • Ravenloft: Stone Prophet • Baldur's Gate series (II: Shadows of Amn • II: Enhanced Edition)

Board Games

Mertwig's Maze

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

Monday's Child • Opposites Attract • Queen for a Day • The Stars and Moon Above • The Rogue of the World • Alter Egos • Live and Let Die: Monsters Everywhere • Envy Life • An Average Day in Ravens Bluff • The Good, the Undead, and the Ugly • The Gift of Song • Forever Hold Your Peace
Referenced only
One Thing... • A Near Death Experience • The Overlooked • Cloaks and Daggers

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 William W. Connors, Steve Miller (August 1997). Domains of Dread. Edited by Miranda Horner, Cindi Rice. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 271–272. ISBN 0-7869-0672-3.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 A. D. Rogan (March 1982). “Gypsies: A curse or a blessing”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #59 (TSR, Inc.), p. 17.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 Blake Mobley (1992). The Complete Bard's Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 28–29. ISBN 1-56076-360-4.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 David Pulver (1994). The Complete Druid's Handbook. Edited by Sue Weinlein. (TSR, Inc), pp. 41, 66. ISBN 156076886X.
  5. ↑ Elaine Cunningham (April 2000). The Magehound. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 4, p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-1561-3.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 BioWare (September 2000). Designed by James Ohlen, Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Black Isle Studios.
  7. ↑ Christopher Perkins, Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman (March 2016). Curse of Strahd. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 26. ISBN 978-0-7869-6598-4.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Matt James (February 1999). Envy Life. Living City (RPGA), p. 9.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Curtis Scott (1992). The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook. Edited by Barbara G. Young. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 51–52. ISBN 1-56076-347-7.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Michael John Wybo II (March 1993). “Open Your Mind”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #191 (TSR, Inc.), p. 18.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Catie Martolin, Rhonda Hutcheson (April 2001). The Gift of Song. Living City (RPGA), p. 6.
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 William W. Connors, Steve Miller (August 1997). Domains of Dread. Edited by Miranda Horner, Cindi Rice. (TSR, Inc.), p. 272. ISBN 0-7869-0672-3.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Elaine Cunningham (April 2000). The Magehound. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 7, p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-1561-3.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 William W. Connors, Steve Miller (August 1997). Domains of Dread. Edited by Miranda Horner, Cindi Rice. (TSR, Inc.), p. 273. ISBN 0-7869-0672-3.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 A. D. Rogan (March 1982). “Gypsies: A curse or a blessing”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #59 (TSR, Inc.), p. 18.
  16. ↑ Tom Wham (1988). “Rulebook”. Mertwig's Maze (TSR, Inc.), p. 8.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Blake Mobley (1992). The Complete Bard's Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 1-56076-360-4.
  18. ↑ David Wise (1995). Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani. Edited by Jonathan Caspian. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 13, 78–79. ISBN 0-7869-0155-1.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Laurie Fox (February 2000). An Average Day in Ravens Bluff. Living City (RPGA), p. 8.
  20. ↑ DreamForge Intertainment, Inc. (1994). Designed by Thomas J. Holmes, Christopher L. Straka. Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Jim Zub (June 2016). “Shadows of the Vampire 2”. Shadows of the Vampire #2 (IDW Publishing) (2)..
  22. ↑ David Wise (1995). Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani. Edited by Jonathan Caspian. (TSR, Inc.), p. 78. ISBN 0-7869-0155-1.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 George Aber (January 1998). Alter Egos. Living City (RPGA), pp. 8–9.
  24. ↑ Strategic Simulations, Inc. (1988). Pool of Radiance. Strategic Simulations, Inc.
  25. ↑ Daniel S. Donnelly (January 1995). Luck Takes a Vacation. Living City (RPGA), p. 7.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Dale Donovan, Paul Culotta (August 1996). Heroes' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 60. ISBN 0-7869-0412-7.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 106. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Michael John Wybo II (March 1993). “Open Your Mind”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #191 (TSR, Inc.), p. 17.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Bruce Nesmith, Andria Hayday, William W. Connors (1994). “Realm of Terror”. Ravenloft Campaign Setting (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 1-56076-942-4.
  30. ↑ Hand-outs included in David Cook (August 1990). The Horde. Edited by Steve Winter. (TSR, Inc.), p. Cannot cite page numbers from this product. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
  31. ↑ Elaine Cunningham (April 2000). Elfsong. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 1, p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-1661-3.
  32. ↑ William W. Connors (November 1995). Wizards and Rogues of the Realms. Edited by Anne Gray McCready. (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-0190-X.
  33. ↑ William W. Connors (1996). Monstrous Compendium - Ravenloft Appendices I & II. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 98–99. ISBN 0786903929.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Daniel S. Donnelly (February 1998). The Rogue of the World. Living City (RPGA), pp. 3–4.
  35. ↑ Tom Wham (1988). “Rulebook”. Mertwig's Maze (TSR, Inc.), p. 2.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Ravens Bluff Bard's Guild (HTML). Living City. RPGA. (1999-06-23). Archived from the original on 2000-03-05. Retrieved on 2023-10-03.
  37. ↑ Daniel S. Donnelly (May 1997). The Stars and Moon Above. Living City (RPGA), p. 2.
  38. ↑ Bruce Rabe (June 2000). Cloaks and Daggers. Living City (RPGA), p. 13.
  39. ↑ Clinton C. Tate (March 1995). Monday's Child. Living City (RPGA), pp. 11, 14–15.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Rollin Ehlenfeldt (July 1988). “The Living City: Crescent Moon”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #42 (TSR, Inc.), p. 7.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Chris Sims (October 2009). “Playing Vistani”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #380 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 78.
  42. ↑ A. D. Rogan (March 1982). “Gypsies: A curse or a blessing”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #59 (TSR, Inc.), p. 20.
  43. ↑ A. D. Rogan (March 1982). “Gypsies: A curse or a blessing”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #59 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 17, 19–20.
  44. ↑ George Aber (January 1998). Alter Egos. Living City (RPGA), pp. 18, 21.
  45. ↑ David Wise (1995). Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani. Edited by Jonathan Caspian. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 13, 70. ISBN 0-7869-0155-1.
  46. ↑ George Aber (January 1998). Alter Egos. Living City (RPGA), p. 18.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Blake Mobley (1992). The Complete Bard's Handbook. (TSR, Inc.), p. 30. ISBN 1-56076-360-4.
  48. ↑ Thomas M. Costa (1999). “Speaking in Tongues”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon Annual #4 (TSR, Inc) (4)., p. 29.
  49. ↑ Michael John Wybo II (March 1993). “Open Your Mind”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #191 (TSR, Inc.), p. 16.
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