Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Pronunciations

As a kid, I butchered pronunciation of even the most common words. So when it came time to play Dungeons & Dragons, I often struggled with words. Some more common ones, I could find in the dictionary, but other words from the game were so specific, that I would up guessing.

In January of 1985, Frank Metzer compiled a post in Dragon #93, titled Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd (An informal index of the right things to say). It has turned into one of the most useful articles for me and I have been using it often lately to confirm that over the years my pronunciation has been incorrect.

The article is 5 pages long I am also going to transcribe it to make it easier for people to find on the web.

Abbreviations used:

(M) = from the AD&D Monster Manual, AD&D Monster Manual II, or FIEND FOLIO Tome
(P) = AD&D Players Handbook
(D) = AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide
(G) = DEITIES & DEMIGODS Cyclopedia
(R) = AD&D Rogues Gallery game accessory
(W) = WORLD OF GREYHAWK Fantasy World Setting

A

• Aaqa (D) – A-ka

• Aarakocra (M) – æ-ra-KO-kra

• Abbathor (G) – æB-ba-th0r

• Abishai (M) – æB-i-shy

• Aboleth (M) – æB-o-leth

• Abyss (P) – a-BIS

• Acererak (W) – a-SER-ur-æk

• Achaierai (M) – a-CHY-ur-y

• Acheron (P) – æTCH-ur-un

• Acolyte (P) – æK-o-lyt

• Adept (P) – a-DEPT

• Adherer (M) – æd-HEER-ur

• Adonaisí Deep (D) – æD-o-nyz

• Aerdi (W) – AYR-dee

• Afanc (M) – AY-fænk

• Agathion (M) – a-GAY-thee-0n

• Aishapra (M) – y-SHæP-ra

• AlíAkbar (D) – al-æK-bar

• Alastor (M) – a-LAS-t0r

• Aleax (M) – AY-lee-æks

• Algoid (M) – æL-goyd

• Allosaurus (M) – æl-lo-SAR-us

• Al-miíraj (M) – æl-mi-RAJ

• Almor (W) – æL-m0r

• Alu-demon (M) – æL-oo-dee-mun

• Alzoll (M) – æL-zal

• Amaimon (M) – a-MY-mun

• Amir (M) – a-MEER

• Amon (M) – AY-mun

• Amphisbaena (M) – æm-fis-BAY-na

• Anatosaurus (M) – æn-æh-to-SAR-us

• Androsphinx (M) – æN-dro-sfinks

• Anhkheg (M) – æNK-eg

• Ankisaurus (M) – an-ki-SAR-us

• Ankylosaurus (M)ænk-ee-lo-SAR-us

• Annis (M) – æN-nis

• Anstruth College (P) – æN-struth

• Anthraxus (M) – æn-THRAK-sus

• Antrodemus (M) – æn-tro-DEE-mus

• Apatosaurus (M) – a-pat-o-SAR-us

• Arcadia (P) – ar-KAY-dee-a

• Arcanadaemon (M) – ar-CæN-a-day-mun

• Archelonischyras (M) – AR-ka-l0n i-SHY-rus

• Arkayn (D) – ar-KAYN

• Arlanni (D) – ar-LAN-ee

• Arrarat (R) – æR-a-rat

• Arturís Dolmen (D) – AR-t0rz DOL-men

• Arumdina (G) – a-rum-DY-na

• Ascomoid (M) – æS-ko-mid

• Asmodeus (M) æz-mo-DAY-us, or æz-MO-dee-us

• Aspis (M) – æS-pis

• Atabeg (M) – æT-uh-beg

• Atamen (M) – æT-uh-men

• Atomie (M) – æT-uh-mee

• Audible Glamer (P) – a-di-bul GLæ-mur (or GLAY-mur)

• Augury (P) – AG-ur-ee

• Aurora Borealis (W) – a-ROR-a b0r-ee-æL-is

• Aurumvorax (M)a-rum-V0R-æks

• Azer (M) – AY-zur

B

• Baalberith (M) – BAYL-bur-ith

• Baalzebul (M) – BAYL-ze-bul

• Baalzephon (M) – BAYL-ze-fan

• Baba Yaga (D) – ba-ba YA-guh

• Babau (M) – ba-BOW

• Bactrian camel (M) BæK-tree-en kæ-mu1

• Bael (M) – bayl

• Bahamut (M) – ba-HA-mut, or BA-ha-mut

• Baku (M) – BA-koo, or BæK-oo

• Ballista (D) – ba-LIST-a

• Balor (M) – BAY-l0r

• Baluchitherium (M) – ba-loo-ki-THEER-ee-um

• Banderlog (M) – BæN-der-log

• Banshee (M) – BæN-shee

• Baphomet (M) – ba-FOM-et, or BAF-u-met

• Barbican (D) – BAHR-bi-kun

• Bardiche (P) – bar-DEESH

• Barghest (M) – bar-GEST

• Bar-lgura (M) – bar-lu-G0R-a

• Bartizan (D) – BAR-ti-zun

• Basidirond (M) – ba-SID-i-rund

• Basilisk (M) – BæZ-i-lisk

• Bet de corbin (P) – bek-de-K0R-bin

• Beetu (W) – bee-TOO

• Beglerbeg (M) – BEG-lur-beg

• Behemoth (M) – bee-HEM-uth, or bee-HEE-muth

• Behir (M) – be-HEER

• Belial (M) – bee-LY-ul

• Belissica (W) – be-LISS-i-ka

• Beluga (M) – be-LOO-ga

• Berbalang (M) – BUR-ba-læng

• Bey (M) – bay

• Bill-guisarme (P) – bil-gwee-ZARM

• Bilwhr (M) – BIL-wur

• Bireme (D) – by-REEM

• Blashikmund (W) – BLæSH-ik-mund,or blæsh-IK-mund

• Blibdoolpoolp (G) – blib-DOOL-poop,or BLIB-dool-poop

• Boalisk (M) – BO-a-lisk

• Boccob (W) – BAK-ab

• Bodak (M) – BO-dæk

• Boggart (M) – BAG-art

• Boobrie (M) – BOOB-ree

• Booka (M) – BOO-ka

• Brachiosaurus (M) – bratch-ee-o-SAR-us

• Brontosaurus (M) – bran-to-SAR-us

• Bubonis (M) – boo-BAN-is

• Bulette (M) – boo-LET, or byoo-LET;also boo-LAY, or byoo-LAY

• Burneal (W) – BURN-ee-ul

C

• Cabalist (P) – KæB-u-list

• Cacodemon (P) – KæK-o-dee-mun

• Camarasaurus (M) – ka-mar-a-SAR-us

• Cambion (M) – KæM-bee-0n

• Camptosaurus (M) – kæmp-to-SAR-us

• Canaith (P) – ka-NAYTH

• Caryatid column (M)KæR-ya-tid kal-um

• Catoblepas (M) – ka-TAB-le-pus, kæt-o-BLEPus, or kæt-o-BLEEPus

• Cea (R) – see

• Ceratopsian (M) – ser-a-TAP-see-an

• Ceratosaurus (M) – ser-æh-to-SAR-us

• Cerebus (D) – SER-e-bus

• Cetiosaurus (M) – set-ee-o-SAR-us

• Chaggrin (M) – sha-GRIN

• Chaos (P) – KAY-as

• Charon (M) – KæR-un, or KAY-run

• Charonadaemon (M) – ka-RAN-a-day-mun

• Chasme (M) – KæZ-mee, or CHæZ-mee

• Chauves souris (P) – sho-ves S0R-is

• Chimera (M) – KIM-u-ru, or kim-AYR-u;also CHIM-u-ru, chim-AYR-u

• Choleria (M) – ko-LAYR-ee-a

• Cifal (M) – si-FAL

• Clangeddin (G) – KLæNG-e-din

• Cli College (P) – klee

• Compsognathus (M)kamp-sag-NA-thus

• Cooshee (M) – koo-SHEE

• Corellon Larethian (G)k0r-el-un la-RETH-ee-an

• Corseque (P) – k0r-SEEK

• Corusk (W) – K0R-usk

• Corvice (D) – K0R-vis

• Corythosaurus (M) – K0R-ith-o-SAR-us

• Couatl (M) – koo-æT-ul, or koo-AT-ul

• Couteaux de breche (P)koo-to de BRESH

• Criosphinx (M) – KRY-o-sfinks

• Cryonax (M) – KRY-o-naks

• Crysmal (M) – KRIS-mal

• Cuir bouli (D) – keer boo-LAY

• Cyclopskin (M) – SY-klops-kin

• Cygnet (M) – SIG-net

D

• Dacentrurus (M) – day-SEN-troo-rus

• Daemon (M) – DAY-mun

• Dahlver-Nar (D) – dal-vur-NAR

• Dakon (M) – DAY-kan

• Dao (M) – dow

• Decaton (M) – DEK-a-tan

• Deep Sashelas (G) – deep SæSH-ul-us

• Deinonychus (M) – day-in-o-NY-kuss

• Demodand (M) – DEE-mo-dænd

• Demogorgon (M) – DEE-mo-g0r-gun

• Denzelian (M) – den-ZEL-ee-an

• Derghodaemon (M) – DUR-go-day-mun

• Derro (M) – DER-o

• Deva (M) – DEE-va

• Diakk (M) – DY-ak

• Dilophosaurus (M) – dil-o-fo-SAR-us

• Dimetrodon (M) – di-ME-tro-dan

• Dimre (W) – DIM-ray

• Dinichtys (M) – di-NIK-tis

• Diplodicus (M) – di-PLO-di-kus

• Diptherius (M) – dip-THEER-ee-us

• Dispater (M) – dis-PAY-ter

• Djinni (M) – JIN-nee, or JEE-nee

• Dracolisk (M) – DRAY-co-lisk, or DRæK-o-lisk

• Drakkar (D) – DRæK-kar

• Drow (M) – drow, or dro

• Dryad (M) – DRY-æd

• Duergar (M) – DEW-ur-gar

• Dumathoin (G) – doo-ma-THO-in

• Duodrone (M) – DOO-o-dron

E

• Eadro (G) – EE-dro

• Eblis (M) – EB-lis

• Elasmosaurus (M) – ee-læs-mo-SAR-us

• Elysium (P) – e-LIS-ee-um

• Emir (M) – e-MEER

• Emu (M) – E-moo

• Erac (R) – E-ræk

• Erinyes (M) – AYR-i-neez

• Errtu (M) – AYR-too

• Erythnul (W) – e-RITH-nul

• Euparkeria (M) – yoo-par-KAYR-ee-a

F

• Farastu (M) – FæR-as-too, or far-AS-too

• Fharlanghn (W) – far-LANG-n

• Firbolg (M) – FEER-bolg

• Flanaess (W) – fla-NES

• Fochlucan College (P) – FOKH-loo-kan

• Formian (M) – F0R-mee-un

• Formorian (M) – f0r-M0R-ee-un

• Fraz-urbíluu (M) – fræz-URB-loo

G

• Galeb Duhr (M) – gay-leb D0R

• Gambado (M) – gæm-BA-do

• Geas (P) – geez, or GEE-æs

• Gehenna (P) – ge-HEN-na

• Githyanki (M) – gith-YæN-kee

• Githzerai (M) – GITH-zer-y

• Glabrezu (M) – GLæB-re-zoo, or glæb-REE-zoo

• Glaive-guisarme – (P) glayv-gwee-ZARM

• Godentag (P) – GO-den-tag

• Golem (M) – GO-lem

• Gorbel (M) – G0R-bel

• Gorgimera (M) – gor-gi-MAYR-a

• Grippli (M) – GRIP-lee

• Grolantor (G) – gro-LæN-t0r

• Grue (M) – groo

• Grugach (M) – GROO-gatch

• Gruumsh (G) – grumsh, or groomsh

• Guisarme (P) – gwee-ZARM

• Gynosphinx (M) – GY-no-sfinks

H

• Hanali Celanil (G) – hæn-na-lee SEL-a-nil

• Harginn (M) – har-GIN

• Heward (D) – HYOO-ard

• Heironeous (W) – hayr-O-nee-us

• Herzog (W) – HAYRT-zog

• Hezrou (M) – HEZ-ro

• Hieracosphinx (M) – heer-AK-o-sfinks

• Hippocampus (M) – hip-o-KæMP-us

• Hippogriff (M) – HIP-o-griff

• Homonculous (M) – hu-MUNK-yoo-lus

• Hruggek (G) – HRUG-ek

• Huecuva (M) – hyoo-KOO-va

• Hutijin (M) – HUT-i-jin

• Hyaenodon (M) – hy-æN-o-dan

• Hybsil (M) – HIB-sil

I

• Ichor (D) – IK-0r

• Icthyosaurus (M) – ik-thee-o-SAR-us

• Iguanadon (M) – i-GWAN-a-dan

• Ildriss (M) – IL-dris

• Illithid (M) – il-LITH-id

• Imix (M) – Y-miks

• Imorph (M) – Y-m0rf

• Incabulos (W) – in-KæB-yoo-lus

• Incubus (M) – INK-yoo-bus

• Ioun stone (D) – Y-oon ston

• Iuz (W) – yooz, or EE-uz

• Ixitxachitl (M) – ik-ZIT-za-chit-u

J

• Jaculi (M) – ja-KOO-lee, or JæK-oo-lee

• Jangada (D) – jæng-GAD-a

• Johydee (D) – jo-HY-dee, or johee-DEE

• Juiblex (M)JOO-bleks, or ZHOO-bleks

K

• Kamadan (M) – KæM-a-dan

• Kelanen (W) – KEL-a-nen

• Kelubar (M) – KEL-yoo-bar

• Kenku (M) – keng-KOO, or KENK-oo

• Kentrosaurus (M) – ken-tro-SAR-us

• Keoghtom (D) – KEE-o-tum

• Kevokulli (M) – ke-vo-KUL-ee

• Killmoulis (M) – kil-MOO-lis

• Ki-rin (M) – kee-RIN, or ky-RIN

• Kopoacinth (M) – ko-PO-a-sinth

• Korseke (P) – k0r-SEEK

• Kostchtchie (M) – KAS-tch-tch-ee

• Kraken (M) – KRAY-ken, or KRA-ken

• Kuo-toa (M) – koo-o-TO-a

• Kurtulmak (G) – KUR-tul-mak

• Kwalish (D) – kway-LISH

• Kyuss (M) – kee-OOS

L

• Labelas Enoreth (G) – læb-el-as EN-0r-eth

• Lacedon (M) – LAS-e-dan

• Lambeosaurus (M) – lam-bee-o-SAR-us

• Lamia (M) – LAY-mee-a, or LA-mee-a(rarely, la-MY-ah)

• Lammasu (M) – LA-ma-soo

• Laogzed (G) – lay-AG-zed

• Lemure (M) – lem-YOOR, or lem-Y0R

• Leomund (P) – LEE-o-mund

• Lernaean hydra (M) – ler-NAY-un HY-dra

• Lich (M) – litch, or lik

• Locathah (M) – LO-ka-tha, or lo-ka-THA

• Lochaber axe (P) – lok-A-bur æks

• Lolth (M) – lalth, or lolth

• Loxodont (M) – LAK-so-dant

M

• Mac-Fuirmidh College (P) – mæk-FUR-mid

• Machicolation (D) – mæt-chick-ul-AY-shun

• Maglubiyet (G) – ma-GLUB-i-yet

• Malebranche (M) – MæL-u-bran-cha,or MæL-eh-bran-cha

• Mamenchisaurus (M) – ma-men-chi-SAR-us

• Mandragora (M) – mæn-dra-G0R-a

• Mantari (M) – mæn-TAR-ee

• Marid (M) – ma-RID

• Massopondylus (M)- mæss-o-PAN-du-luss

• Megalosaurus (M) – meg-a-lo-SAR-us

• Mephistopheles (M) – me-fis-TAF-e-leez

• Mezzodaemon (M) – MEZ-o-day-mun

• Mihstu (M) – MIS-too

• Mobat (M) – MO-bæt

• Modron (M) – MO-dran

• Monoclonius (M) – man-o-KLO-nee-us

• Moradin (G) – M0R-a-din

• Mordenkainen (R) – M0R-den-kay-nen

• Morkoth (M) – M0R-kath

• Mosasaurus (M) – mo-za-SAR-us

• Murlynd (W) – MUR-lind

• Myconid (M) – MY-ko-nid

• Myrmarch (M) – MEER-march

• Myrmidon (P) – MUR-mi-dun

N

• Nabassu (M) – NAB-a-soo, or na-BA-soo

• Naga (M) – NA-ga

• Nalfeshnee (M) – nal-FESH-nee

• Nao (D) – now

• Ndulu (M) – n-DOO-loo

• Nothosaurus (M) – noth-o-SAR-us

• Nupperibo (M) – nup-pur-E-bo

• Nycadaemon (M) – NY-ka-day-mun

• Nystul (P) – NY-stul, or NIS-tul

O

• Obad-hai (W) – o-bad-HY

• Obliviax (M) – o-BLIV-ee-æks

• Oerid (W) – O-rid

• Oerik (W) – O-rik

• Oerth (W) – OYth (rarely, URth or AYRth)

• Ogremoch (M) – O-gre-mokh

• Ogrillon (M) – o-GRIL-un, or AG-ril-un

• Oinodaemon (M) – OY-no-day-mun

• Ollamh College (P) – AL-lam

• Onager (D) – AN-u-jer

• Ophidian (M) – o-FID-ee-an

• Opinicus (M) – o-PIN-i-kus

• Ornitholestes (M) – or-nith-al-ES-tes

• Otiluke (P) – O-ti-look

• Otyugh (M) – AT-yug

P

• Paladin (P) Pæ L-a-din

• Paleoscincus (M) – pay-lee-o-SING-kus

• Papyrus (D) – pa-PY-rus

• Parasaurolophus (M)pæ-x-a-sar-AL-o-fus

• Pazuzu (M) – pa-ZOO-zoo

• Pech (M) – petch

• Penanggalan (M) – pe-NæNG-ga-lun

• Pentaceratops (M) – pen-ta-SER-a-tops

• Pernicon (M) – PER-ni-kun

• Phaulkon (W) – FAL-kun

• Phlogiston (D) – flo-JIS-tun

• Phoenix (M) – FEE-niks

• Pholtus (W) – FOL-tus

• Phororhacos (M) – f0r-0r-HAY-kos

• Phycomid (M) – FY-ko-mid

• Piscodaemon (M) – PIS-ko-day-mun

• Plateosaurus (M) – plæt-ee-o-SAR-us

• Pleistocene (D) – plee-IS-to-seen

• Plesiosaurus (M) – ples-ee-o-SAR-us

• Podokesaurus (M) – po-dak-e-SAR-us

• Primus (M) – PREE-mus, or PRI-mus

• Prosaurolophus (M) – pro-sar-o-LO-fus

• Psionics (P) – sy-AN-iks

• Pteranodon (M) – ter-æN-o-dan

• Pycomid (M) – PY-ko-mid

Q

• Quaal (D) – kwal, or kwayl

• Quadrireme (D) – KWA-dri-reem

• Quag (W) – kwæg

• Quaggoth (M) – KWæG-uth

• Quasit (M) – KWA-zit

• Quipper (M) – KWIP-per

• Qullan (M) – KWUL-un

R

• Racaraide (P) – ræk-ur-AYD

• Rakshasa (M) – rak-SHA-sa

• Ranseur (P) – ræn-SOOR

• Rehnaremme (M) – ray-nar-MAY

• Remorhaz (M) – REE-m0r-az, or REHM-0r-æz

• Rhizome (M) – RY-zom

• Roncie (P) – RAN-see

• Rothe (M) – ro-THAY

S

• Sahuagin (M) – sa-HWA-gin

• Saurolophus (M) – sar-o-LO-fus

• Scimitar (P) – SIM-i-tar

• Sekolah (G) – SEK-o-la

• Semuanya (G) – se-moo-æN-ya

• Shaman (D) – SHAY-man, or SHA-man

• Shator (M) – SHAY-t0r

• Shedu (M) – SHEH-doo, SHAY-doo, SHEE-doo,or any with reversed accent

• Shillelagh (P) – shi-LAY-la

• Simulacrum (P) – sim-yoo-LæK-rum,or si-MUL-a-krum

• Sirine (M) – sy-REEN

• Skoraeus (G) – sk0r-AY-us

• Slaad (M) – slæd, or slad

• Smilodon (M) – SMYL-o-dan

• Snyad (M) – SNY-æd

• Solar (M) – SO-lar

• Solifugid (M) – sa-li-FYOO-jid

• Spetum (P) – SPEE-turn

• Ssendam (M) – SEN-dum, or SSSísen-dam

• Stegosaurus (M) – steg-o-SAR-us

• Storoper (M) – STO-ro-pur

• Struthiomimus (M) – struth-ee-o-MY-mus

• Styracosaurus (M) – sti-ræk-o-SAR-us

• Succubus (M) – SUK-yoo-bus

• Su-monster (M) – SOO-man-stur

• Sussurus (M) – SUS-u-r-us

• Svirfneblin (M) – svirf-NEB-lin

T

• Tabaxi (M) – ta-BæK-see

• Tadhemoth (M) – tæd-HEE-muth

• Taer (M) – tayr

• Tanystropheus (M) – tan-is-TRO-fee-us

• Tarrasque (M) – ta-RæSK

• Tasloi (M) – TæZ-loy

• Tenebrous worm (M) – te-NEB-rus wurm

• Tennodontosaurus (M) – ten-a-dan-to-SAR-us

• Tenser (W) – TEN-sur

• Teratosaurus (M) – ter-æt-o-SAR-us

• Terithran (M) – te-RITH-run

• Tharizdun (W) – thar-IZ-dun

• Thoqqua (M) – THAK-wa

• Thri-kreen (M) – thry-KREEN

• Tiamat (M) – TEE-a-mat

• Tirapheg (M) – TEER-a-feg

• Titanothere (M) – ty-TæN-o-theer

• Titivilus (M) – ti-TIV-i-lus

• Trachodon (M) – TRæK-o-dan

• Trebuchet (D) – tre-boo-SHAY

• Trireme (D) – TRY-reem

• Triton (M) – TRY-tun

• Typhous (M) – TY-fus

U

• Umiak (D) – OO-mee-æk

• Umpleby (M) – UM-pul-bee

• Ustilagor (M) – oo-STIL-la-g0r

V

• Vacuous Grimoire (D) – VæK-yoo-us grim-WAR

• Valkyrie (G) – VæL-kree, or VæL-kuree

• Vaprak (G) – VæP-ræk

• Vargouille (M) – var-GWEEL

• Varrdig (M) – VAR-dig

• Vecna (D) – VEK-na

• Verbeeg (M) – vur-BEEG

• Verme (M) – verm

• Vilstrak (M) – VIL-strak

• Vizier (M) – viz-EER

• Vodyanoi (M) – VOD-ya-noy, or VAD-ya-noy

• Voulge (P) – voolj

• Vrock (M) – vrak

W

• Wemic (M) – WEM-ik, or WEE-mik

• Wendonai (M) – WEND-o-ny

• Wyvern (M) – WIH-vurn, or WY-vern

X

• Xag-ya (M) – zæg-YA

• Xaren (M) – ZæR-un

• Xeg-yi (M) – zeg-YEE

• Xill (M) – zil

• Xorn (M) – z0rn

• Xvart (M) – zvart

Y

• Yagnodaemon (M) – YæG-no-day-mun

• Yeenoghu (M) – yee-NAG-hoo

• Yochlol (M) – YAKH-lal

• Yuan-ti (M) – yoo-an-TEE

Z

• Zaebos (M) – ZAY-bos

• Zuggtmoy (M) – ZUG-tmoy

• Zygom (M) – ZY-gam