The "Zephyr" in Zephyr hounds

Hajo · June 21, 2013, 11:22

I've been trying to learn about the word zephyr, and it seems to be a word for a gentle breeze or wind, and the name of a greek god (god of the west wind).

So it's both about wind. In german, Greyhounds are "Windhund", so, mybe, Zephyr hounds are a play of words about wind, and they are related to Greyhounds somehow? or are they something completely different, based on other uses of the word zephyr which escaped my research?

PowerWyrm · June 21, 2013, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hajo

I've been trying to learn about the word zephyr, and it seems to be a word for a gentle breeze or wind, and the name of a greek god (god of the west wind).

So it's both about wind. In german, Greyhounds are "Windhund", so, mybe, Zephyr hounds are a play of words about wind, and they are related to Greyhounds somehow? or are they something completely different, based on other uses of the word zephyr which escaped my research?

I bet the word "zephyr" refers to the fact that Angband hounds can breathe... so they kinda act like the wind god.

Hajo · June 21, 2013, 12:56

Yes, that is a good explanation. Thanks

MattB · June 21, 2013, 13:51

Maybe it's simply that 'Zephyr' begins with a capital 'Z'?

Hajo · June 21, 2013, 14:04

For the Quyulthulgs and Yeeks I have let people convince me of that. I don't know, but the zephyr hounds seemed to be more than just something to fill an alphabetical gap. At least for me they are pretty defining to Angband, even more than orcs. And I believe that they even inspired the Diablo I developers, they had some hounds in there, too.

Before my research I expected "zephyr" to be something more obscure, occult and mystique, and I feel a bit disappointed now. On the other hand the association of "wind, breeze" and "breathing" isn't so far fetched, and to me the explanation is sensible enough to trump the alphabetical gap theroy.

kaypy · June 21, 2013, 16:45

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Quyulthulgs involved not only an unused letter Q but also a large amount of alcohol.

This may, however, have been merely speculation.

Any idea how far back zephyr hounds go? Do they predate having multiple species from a single letter? If so, did the original version match the name better?

Derakon · June 21, 2013, 17:05

Moria had multiple monsters with a single letter, and did not have zephyr hounds, so that should give you some idea of the timing. As best I can recall, zephyr hounds were added in the first version of Angband.

ekolis · June 21, 2013, 18:19

Did they come in multiple flavors as they do now? Or just one, that breathes wind?

P.S. Since when did Google Chrome add grammar checking? I typed "multiply" by mistake instead of "multiple", and I got a white underline below it!

Derakon · June 21, 2013, 18:24

I'm almost positive that all of the flavors of zephyr hound we now have were in the first distributed version of the game.

Timo Pietilä · June 21, 2013, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derakon

I'm almost positive that all of the flavors of zephyr hound we now have were in the first distributed version of the game.

Multihued version with basic four + poison is JLE addition. I think all others have been there forever.

June 21, 2013, 11:22	#1
Hajo Adept Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 142	The "Zephyr" in Zephyr hounds I've been trying to learn about the word zephyr, and it seems to be a word for a gentle breeze or wind, and the name of a greek god (god of the west wind). So it's both about wind. In german, Greyhounds are "Windhund", so, mybe, Zephyr hounds are a play of words about wind, and they are related to Greyhounds somehow? or are they something completely different, based on other uses of the word zephyr which escaped my research? __________________ I have a project problem? I have no project problem. I start a project, I work on it, it fails. No problem

June 21, 2013, 12:56	#3
Hajo Adept Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 142	Yes, that is a good explanation. Thanks __________________ I have a project problem? I have no project problem. I start a project, I work on it, it fails. No problem

June 21, 2013, 14:04	#5
Hajo Adept Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 142	For the Quyulthulgs and Yeeks I have let people convince me of that. I don't know, but the zephyr hounds seemed to be more than just something to fill an alphabetical gap. At least for me they are pretty defining to Angband, even more than orcs. And I believe that they even inspired the Diablo I developers, they had some hounds in there, too. Before my research I expected "zephyr" to be something more obscure, occult and mystique, and I feel a bit disappointed now. On the other hand the association of "wind, breeze" and "breathing" isn't so far fetched, and to me the explanation is sensible enough to trump the alphabetical gap theroy. __________________ I have a project problem? I have no project problem. I start a project, I work on it, it fails. No problem

June 21, 2013, 18:19	#8
ekolis Knight Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH, USA Age: 38 Posts: 918	Did they come in multiple flavors as they do now? Or just one, that breathes wind? P.S. Since when did Google Chrome add grammar checking? I typed "multiply" by mistake instead of "multiple", and I got a white underline below it! __________________ You read the scroll labeled NOBIMUS UPSCOTI... You are surrounded by a stasis field! The tengu tries to teleport, but fails!

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June 21, 2013, 13:51	#4
MattB Veteran Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,213	Maybe it's simply that 'Zephyr' begins with a capital 'Z'?

June 21, 2013, 16:45	#6
kaypy Swordsman Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 294	I seem to recall reading somewhere that Quyulthulgs involved not only an unused letter Q but also a large amount of alcohol. This may, however, have been merely speculation. Any idea how far back zephyr hounds go? Do they predate having multiple species from a single letter? If so, did the original version match the name better?

June 21, 2013, 17:05	#7
Derakon Prophet Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 9,024	Moria had multiple monsters with a single letter, and did not have zephyr hounds, so that should give you some idea of the timing. As best I can recall, zephyr hounds were added in the first version of Angband.

June 21, 2013, 18:24	#9
Derakon Prophet Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 9,024	I'm almost positive that all of the flavors of zephyr hound we now have were in the first distributed version of the game.

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