content-identificationdungeons-and-dragonsmonsters
The displacer beast is one of the game's iconic monsters. But it does not seem to come from the same kind of medieval bestiary like the gorgon, or from cheap plastic toys like the owlbear or bulette.
I've seen claims that the monster was vaguely inspired by a PJ Farmer critter in his "Created Universes" series, or that it came from A. E. van Vogt's Voyage of the Space Beagle.
Does anybody know what its literary (or other) origin is?
The answer can be found on page 2 of all books under the heading On the Cover accompanied by the full image of the cover.
The PHB reads:
In this fiery scene illustrated by Tyler Jacobson, the fire giant King Snurre, suffering no fools to live, calls his hell hounds to join him in confronting unwelcome guests in his home.
The monster on the cover is a Fire Giant (MM p.154) accompanied by Hell Hounds (MM p.182).
King Snurre is…
the final antagonist in the classic Against the Giants modules. Originally used as tournament modules, they were published in 3 parts (G1, G2 and G3) in 1978 and then together (as G1-3) in 1981. The AD&D module G1-3 is available at DMs Guild and a 5E conversion is part of Tales from the Yawning Portal. Versions were also published for other editions of AD&D and D&D.
The DMG reads:
Tyler Jacobson illustrates the arch lich Acererak as he raises an army of undead and prepares to unleash it on an unsuspecting world.
The monster on the cover is a Lich (MM p.202).
Acerak is…
the antagonist of the even-more-classic Tomb of Horrors module. Also originally a tournament, it was first published as S1 in 1978. Like G1-3, it is available at DMs Guild and part of Tales from the Yawning Portal.
Acerak has been mentioned in many, many adventures over the last 30 years. Most recently, he is (perhaps) the power behind the Tomb of Annihilation. Maybe. So much contradictory information has been written that it can't all be true. Can it?
The MM reads:
Raymond Swan land illustrates the Xanathar ambushing explorers in the darkest depths of Undermountain, proving that the beholder crime lord's interests run deep beneath the city of Waterdeep.
The monster on the cover is a Beholder (MM p.28).
Xanathar the beholder is…
the leader of the Xanathar Thieves' Guild in Skullport, as described in many sourcebooks and modules. The 5E book Xanathar's Guide to Everything is said to be based on his research and knowledge.
Best Answer
It was inspired by a creature called the coeurl.
You are correct: it was inspired by the coeurl, from A. E. van Vogt's 1939 science fiction story Black Destroyer, which was later made into the first six chapters of his 1950 novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle (1950).
From the word of Gary Gygax himself, dated January 26, 2005:
From the description, he can only be referring to the coeurl, the antagonist of Black Destroyer, which absorbs phosphorous (in the novel, potassium) from living beings. It is also described as having the ability to control vibrations, which the AD&D 1e Monster Manual describes is the origin of the displacer beast's displacement ability. To quote Wikipedia's summary of Black Destroyer:
And as per Wikipedia's summary of The Voyage of the Space Beagle:
Gygax also confirmed the work as the displacer beast's inspiration in a forum post on February 12, 2005:
August 2, 2007:
Gygax previously suggested it may have been inspired by a creature from P. J. Farmer's World of Tiers science fiction series, which at the time the displacer beast was published (1977) consisted of the novels The Maker of Universes (1965), The Gates of Creation (1966), A Private Cosmos (1968), Behind the Walls of Terra (1970), and possibly The Lavalite World (1977). March 10, 2003:
However, it's possible he was mis-remembering in this instance.