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Birdpipes, also known as a shalm, satyr pipes, panpipes,[3] pan flute,[1] or syrinx,[2] were a variety of flute instrument.[1][6]

Description[]

Birdpipes were somewhat related to the common longhorn.[4] They consisted of a series of hollow tubes of different lengths,[4][6][7] all vertical,[4] that were fastened together in a row[7][8] from smallest to largest.[7]

This instrument was played by blowing across the tops of its pipes, as well as moving them from side to side to play different notes. They produced a sweet, rippling,[7] rich sound that was said to be capable of charming ferocious animals.[4][7]

Availability[]

Birdpipes-2e

A set of birdpipes from Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.

  • Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue was known to sell birdpipes.[4]

Notable Pan Flutes[]

Notable Users[]

Individuals[]

  • Arilyn Moonblade carried around a silver set of panpipes.[12]
  • Arrion Weatherspoon was skilled in playing the panpipes.[13]
  • Dragonbait owned a set of birdpipes that he had made himself.[14]
  • Drake Bluenote, a member of the bardic group Adagio Jones and The Goodwinds, played birdpipes to produce abstract tunes.[15]
  • Joel of Finder carried a set of bird pipes he used to composed music when dealing with stressful situations in the late 14th century DR.[16]

Races & Intelligent Creatures[]

  • When it cames to elves, this instrument was quite popular among wild elves and wood elves.[3][17]
  • Birdpipes were considered sacred to satyrs,[17] who often carried around a set. Through their pipes a satyr could perform a number of magical effects.[18][19][20] And the alternative name of "satyr pipe" derived from the close association between between satyrs and the instrument.[3]
  • Beyond satyrs, these instruments were popular among many fey.[7]
  • Panpipes were a common instrument of storm giants.[21][22]

Religions[]

  • Birdpipes were sacred to the goddess Lliira.[3][17]
  • Panpipes were the holy symbol of the Olympian deity Pan, who was also known for carrying around enchanted panpipes.[2]

Rumors & Legends[]

  • On the world the Olympian pantheon originated from, worshipers of the pantheon believed that either Hermes[23] or Pan were responsible for the creation of the pan flute.[6]
  • Some sages believed that pan flutes were brought to Faerûn from the Feywild.[24]

Appendix[]

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

Adventures

Novels & Short Stories

Referenced only
The Black Bouquet

Video Games

Card Games

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jeremy Crawford (September 2019). “Rulebook”. Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7869-6683-7.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 127–128. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 124. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  5. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lisa Smedman (February 1994). “Magic to a Different Beat”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #202 (TSR, Inc.), p. 12.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Jesse Decker (January 2005). Complete Adventurer. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 127. ISBN ISBN 0-7869-3651-7.
  8. Ed Greenwood (July 1987). “Music of the Forgotten Realms”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #123 (TSR, Inc.), p. 13.
  9. DreamForge Intertainment (1993). Designed by Thomas Holmes, Chris Straka. Dungeon Hack. Strategic Simulations.
  10. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 185. ISBN 978-0786965622.
  11. Black Isle Studios (August 2002). Designed by J.E. Sawyer. Icewind Dale II. Interplay.
  12. Elaine Cunningham (April 2000). Elfshadow. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 225–226. ISBN 0-7869-1660-5.
  13. Ed Greenwood (October 1998). The City of Ravens Bluff. Edited by John D. Rateliff. (TSR, Inc.), p. 35. ISBN 0-7869-1195-6.
  14. Jeff Grubb, Kate Novak (October 1988). Azure Bonds. (TSR, Inc.), p. 146. ISBN 0-88038-612-6.
  15. Tim Beach (July 1990). “The New Rogues Gallery: Adagio Jones and The Goodwinds”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #54 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 8–9.
  16. Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb (December 1997). Tymora's Luck. (TSR, Inc.), p. 203. ISBN 0-7869-0726-6.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 22. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  18. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  19. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 220. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  20. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 267. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  21. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet and Monte Cook (October 2000). Monster Manual 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-1552-1.
  22. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  23. Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
  24. Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
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