Guenhwyvar



In the fictional universe of Forgotten Realms, Guenhwyvar is a magical black panther from the Astral Plane. Guenhwyvar weighs about 600 lb (272 kg). The panther was created by writer R.A. Salvatore, who named one of his own cats after the panther.

Guenhwyvar is called to the Prime Material Plane by a onyx figurine, most recently in the possession of the drow Drizzt Do'Urden.

The name Guenhwyvar is similar to one of the translations of Guinevere, wife of King Arthur.

History
Guenhwyvar was created by the ranger-wizard Anders Beltgarden. The onyx figurine, a Figurine of Wondrous Powers, was originally owned by Josidiah Starym of Myth Drannor, and has also been possessed by the drow mage Masoj of House Hun'ett, whom Drizzt Do'Urden killed in battle. Drizzt then took the figurine from his corpse because he could not bear to see Guenhwyvar used to do evil. In his time after leaving Menzoberranzan, Drizzt took to summoning Guenhwyvar as often as possible, to help combat the extreme loneliness that Drizzt faced. In this time they became even closer than before, and they share a deep empathy with each other. Guenhwyvar has saved Drizzt's life more than once in their common history. Even though some of Drizzt's companions (especially Wulfgar and Bruenor) were at first suspicious of the panther, it later became an important "team" member. During the Siege of Darkness Guenhwyvar was nearly destroyed entirely because of the time of troubles, in which magic all across Fearun was in complete chaos. Because of Cattie-Brie's quick thinking, Guenhwyvar was saved, and once the time of troubles passed things were restored to normal.

Characteristics
Guenhwyvar is very much like Drizzt. The panther accepts him as a master, but loves him as a friend. Guenhwyvar's relationship to Drizzt is unique. The panther can be summoned forth from the figurine up to three times per week, for a total of 24 hours altogether during that time. If the panther is slain while activated, the panther reverts to the figurine form, and can be called forth again later.

Gender Controversy
There is some debate as to the gender of Guenhwyvar. The panther is normally referred to with the pronoun "it," but R. A. Salvatore often describes "it" with very feminine descriptions.

In some books—most notably The Crystal Shard—Guenhwyvar is occasionally referred to with the pronoun "he," but in some other Salvatore books and most outside sources, the panther is referred to as "she."

Some even assume that Guenhwyvar, being a being from another plane, is in fact genderless, similar to Dungeons & Dragons deity Corellon Larethian.

Novels and Modules

 * Guenhwyvar (PDF)

Guenhwyvar