Editing Gargoyle (section)

=Fantasy Gaming=
Gargoyles are a staple in fantasy games, where they are usually depicted more as grotesques. They are often creatures of living stone, similar to [[golem]]s in many ways, but intelligent, often mimicking living creatures in traits like needing to feed and reproduce, and usually evil - ironically, given the actual gargoyles were supposed to be protectors. [[Clark Ashton Smith]]'s [[Averoigne]] story may have a hand in that . . .

They're typically good at pretending to be statues until they're ready to ambush unsuspecting prey. In [[D&D]] for lower-level parties, if the PCs haven't found a magic weapon yet ... yeah, they're immune to non-magic. The gargs in [[B4: The Lost City]] ''will'' fuck you up unless your DM has planned some way to direct you to where the magic sword is at.

As for other old-school adventures, gargoyles were one of those encounter-table wanderers in [[Drow Trilogy|D1]] (like the [[ghouls]]) whose lair isn't detailed in the setpieces but (unlike the ghouls) we're not told which hex they're from. Just where they're not from.

A stronger version called a marlgoyle appeared in [[S4: The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth]] and then in 1e's Monster Manual II (where it is misspelled "margoyle"). (The marlgoyle - correctly spelled - roams [[GDQ1-7: Queen of the Spiders]]' encounter tables, if you're using those, which you shouldn't.) Their name may or may not be a pun based off [[wikipedia:Marl|a type of sedimentary rock]].

2e ([[Lorraine Williams|You Know Who]]) devoted a module to these guys. [[Skip Williams]], [[WG9: Gargoyles]]. It wasn't good.

In [[Pathfinder]], they are a breed of lesser Earth [[Element]]al, originally hailing from the elemental planes before migrating to the easier, more prey-rich environment of the Material Plane. 

In 5th edition D&D, the fact that gargoyles are earth elementals who can ''fly'' is explained as their being the spawn of [[Ogremoch]], the Evil [[Archomental]] of Earth, who created them in mockery of the Air creatures he so hates.

In Warhammer Fantasy, Gargoyles are magically animated stone figures. Most, but not all, have Daemonic features such as bat-like wings and bestial features. They may be found guarding ancient ruins, seeming to be part of their decoration. They may also be created by means of certain forbidden rituals. Some may be commanded by their creators, while other follow simple instructions that were given to them long ago – usually to destroy all who trespass on their territory. Mention is also made in the backstory of Aranessa Saltspite of how the previous captain of the pirate ship "The Swordfysh" she joined was eventually eaten by a Sea Gargoyle.

<gallery>
Gargoyle ODD3.png|Original D&D
Gargoyle 1e.jpg|1e
Gargoyle MCV2.jpg|2e
Gargoyle MM 2e.png
Gargoyle 3e.jpg|3e
Gargoyle 4e.jpg|4e
Gargoyle 5e.png|5e
Gargoyle B1.png|Pathfinder
Gargoyle ARG.png
</gallery>
'''Marlgoyle'''
<gallery>
Marlgoyle S4.png|S4
Margoyle 1e.png|1e
Marlgoyle Polyhedron 22.jpg|Now with wings
</gallery>

==Accordlands==
The ''[[Warlords of the Accordlands]]'' setting, first a card game and then a d20 adaptation, had gargoyles as constructs by the [[Dwarves]].

Dorfs are K-selected (they live long, breed less) in that setting as in most settings, and are harried by eeevil from the [[Underdark]] also as in most settings. Oh right, and they're not exactly welcoming of non-dwarf immigrants. As to how these dorfs are still alive, the Accordlands floats a solution: same way as the Japanese are still alive, they build robots.

Accordlands gargoyles run the gamut according to how much it costs to build them, and to what the specific need is. Some are sentient; all are dwarf-loyal. With one important exception.

If a sentient gargoyle falls in battle, the dwarves might cut some corners and raise its rubble ''back'' up as a quick-'n-dirty gargoyle. ''These'' tend evil, because they're - face it - undead. They might still be dwarf-loyal(ish), but they're not reliable, and they're abominations.