Roleplaying GamesThe all-purpose forum for general advice or system-independent (or multi-system) discussion. Come discuss adventure plots, gamemastering dilemmas, or player advice here. For ruleset-specific discussions, see the subforums.
Playgrounders, I beseech your great expertise in all things D&D to help me find out answers to the question posed in topic title. Some clarifications first, though:
a D&D unoriginal monster would be one that has real-world mythological precedent and isn't sufficiently removed from it by modifications and D&Disms added to it by various D&D authors
or one that has similar widespread fictional precedent
So, 1) would disqualify vampires, werewolves, faeries, zombies, angels, demons, devils etc.
and 2) would disqualify orcs, dragons, Tolkien-style elves and dwarves etc.
Well, some would fit both, as the line between 1 and 2 isn't always clear, but it is of no matter to this question.
Also, I'm mostly interested in richly described and innately diverse D&D original monsters - ones that could serve as a basic for a whole campaign, instead of a single encounter or - at most - 1 adventure. For example aurumvorax AFAIK is quite original to D&D, but for how long could you make a gold-eating, six-legged weasel interesting? Not very long, not by itself.
However, things like Drow, Illithids and Beholders certainly qualify. What else?
Well Beholders and Illithids are certainly the poster childs.
Which isn't such a suprise, as the early editions cranked out a huge amount of original monsters. But somehow these two became cool while all others are still laughed at 30 years later.
Another candidate would be Githyanki. I don't think there is anything like them anywhere else.
And actually, their backstory is as stupid as the worst out there: A race of space pirates that live in a void without time and build their cities on the petrified bodies of dead gods. And their queen is a necromancer who kills everyone who could become stong enough to threaten her rule. And they have Red Dragons as pets.
But somehow, they are still cool!?
__________________ Ancient Lands - PF/d20 Sword & Sorcery campaign setting
I would say Kobolds are far enough removed from their mythological origins to be considered "original." The myths have them as invisible humanoid tree or water sprites who play tricks on humans. D&D (3.5 at least) has them as small, scaly, murderous, rat-like dragons with a fondness for traps.
Another candidate would be Githyanki. I don't think there is anything like them anywhere else.
And actually, their backstory is as stupid as the worst out there: A race of space pirates that live in a void without time and build their cities on the petrified bodies of dead gods. And their queen is a necromancer who kills everyone who could become stong enough to threaten her rule. And they have Red Dragons as pets.
But somehow, they are still cool!?
I thought your description of the Githyanki was cool right up until the part where you said they keep red dragons as pets (Because really, it should be the other way round.)
and as for a unique D&D invented creature, the humble mimic, and the huge variety of similar beings that disguise themselves as objects deserve a mention.
In modern Germany, Kobold can be almost everything, as long as it's a small person of supernatural origin. Leperchauns, Brownies, Tomtes, and Gremlins could all be called Kobolds as well.
__________________ Ancient Lands - PF/d20 Sword & Sorcery campaign setting
If you're looking for originality in D&D you're not going to have a whole lot of luck except with aberations.
Almost every creature of any other type has its origins in some mythological body or other. Drow for instance, hail from norse mythology.
Even aberations are generally a nod toward the works of H.P. Lovercraft and his circle of author-friends, though none of the actual creatures of the type seem to be direct ports from that mythos.
__________________
I am not seaweed. That's a B.
Praise I've received
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThiagoMartell
Kelb, recently it looks like you're the Avatar of Reason in these forums, man.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LTwerewolf
[...] bringing Kelb in on your side in a rules fight is like bringing Mike Tyson in on your side to fight a toddler. You can, but it's such massive overkill.
Wasn't there a thread like this a while back? Ah, no matter.
I have a fondness for the remorhaz. A polar insect thing that generates intense heat. It's not an incredibly intricate concept, but I think it's cool.
Similarly, the ankheg. Acid-spitting whack-a-mole. Always cool.
Can't really diversify these two all that much, though. Not like, say, the githyanki and githzerai. Those two races feel like they should have a whole series of novels dedicated simply to their history.
__________________
Awesome fremetar by wxdruid.
Charitably...I think...sometimes, perhaps, one must change or die. ~Sandman
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zale
Also, this is the internet. We're all borderline insane for simply being here.
I agree on the entire Gith/Githyanki/Githzerai/Illithid myth complex. That entire story is seriously cool, especially if you take Planescape sources and Planescape: Torment into it. The Unbroken Circle makes for an awesome read.
“Not a promise, not an oath, or a malediction or a curse,” I said, sounding calm, probably inaudible in the midst of the screaming. “Inevitable. Wasn’t that how she put it? I told them. Warned them.”
-Taylor Hebert. Yes, I'm a proud Skittle.
Interesting. Githyanki were actually invented by Charles Stross, when he was 15. Which excuses that he took the name for them from a George Martin novel.
__________________ Ancient Lands - PF/d20 Sword & Sorcery campaign setting
Interesting. Githyanki were actually invented by Charles Stross, when he was 13. Which excuses that he took the name for them from a George Martin novel.
And that's why the original Fiend Folio is fun. All creatures people who played the game sent in. I think Slaad came from there too.
“Not a promise, not an oath, or a malediction or a curse,” I said, sounding calm, probably inaudible in the midst of the screaming. “Inevitable. Wasn’t that how she put it? I told them. Warned them.”
-Taylor Hebert. Yes, I'm a proud Skittle.
Scottish mythology, actually. The word 'trow' or 'drow' refers to a type of troll, goblin or malevolent elf in the folklore of the Shetland Isles, which are part of the north-east of Scotland. They do also take a degree of influence from the ideas of 'svartalfar' in Norse mythology.
Scottish mythology, actually. The word 'trow' or 'drow' refers to a type of troll, goblin or malevolent elf in the folklore of the Shetland Isles, which are part of the north-east of Scotland. They do also take a degree of influence from the ideas of 'svartalfar' in Norse mythology.
Which may very well just be dwarves.
__________________ Ancient Lands - PF/d20 Sword & Sorcery campaign setting
Seconded. This is one of THE best monsters. I'd also like to mention Gelatinous Cubes.
There are some that are hilarious, but not really GOOD. Duckbunny, Armadillephant, Giant Space Hamster, really any from here.
I love these double-animals. I've introduced a few of my own making in my games. There was a really memorable one with a group of aquatic ogres herding Squeep (Colossal squid/sheep) with their trained Whogs (Sperm whale dogs).
“Not a promise, not an oath, or a malediction or a curse,” I said, sounding calm, probably inaudible in the midst of the screaming. “Inevitable. Wasn’t that how she put it? I told them. Warned them.”
-Taylor Hebert. Yes, I'm a proud Skittle.
I've always been fond of Displacer Beasts and Blink Dogs. No clue if those have any mythological background, but I don't think I've encountered them in any other setting.
The Tarrasque is also pretty iconic of D&D, I think.
As for intelligent races that are notable in D&D, I'd like to add Yuan-Ti and Elan to the list.
__________________
I spent an hour on the edge of dreams,
I walked between the worlds,
and when I woke I never knew
to which side I had fallen
Even aberations are generally a nod toward the works of H.P. Lovercraft and his circle of author-friends, though none of the actual creatures of the type seem to be direct ports from that mythos.
I think Gibbering Mouthers are Shoggoths. A bit small for shoggoths, but still shoggoths.
As for original monster; I like Stirges. Well, I like killing stirges, because I hate mosquito's.
__________________
Demiliches. Why'd it have to be demiliches?
I've always been fond of Displacer Beasts and Blink Dogs. No clue if those have any mythological background, but I don't think I've encountered them in any other setting.
The Tarrasque is also pretty iconic of D&D, I think.
As for intelligent races that are notable in D&D, I'd like to add Yuan-Ti and Elan to the list.
I agree with the above, although I'm not sure the Tarrasque is completely iconic, since everyone I know says "You mean that thing that's essentially Godzilla?" whenever I bring it up.
I've always been fond of Displacer Beasts and Blink Dogs. No clue if those have any mythological background, but I don't think I've encountered them in any other setting.
The Tarrasque is also pretty iconic of D&D, I think.
As for intelligent races that are notable in D&D, I'd like to add Yuan-Ti and Elan to the list.
Displacer beast are one of my favourite D&D original monsters, thri-kriin are also quite cool.
AFAIK the Tarrasque is a french myth or something like that.
Edit: Yep according to wikipedia, the Tarrasque is based on the French myth of the Tarasque
__________________
Avatar by Ceika
Past Avatars/Iron Chef Trophy:
“Not a promise, not an oath, or a malediction or a curse,” I said, sounding calm, probably inaudible in the midst of the screaming. “Inevitable. Wasn’t that how she put it? I told them. Warned them.”
-Taylor Hebert. Yes, I'm a proud Skittle.
Tarrasque is the name of a French dragon. But it isn't that close to the D&D version, really.
Their physical descriptions are very close, as well as certain other mythological elements (coming from the gods, being practically unkillable, causing ruin and devastation).
Also, a favorite of mine is the Ethereal Filcher.
__________________
Idiots give me indigestion.
Don't give me indigestion.
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonrider
Wadledo, you dislike EVERYONE. Therefore, you don't count.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draken
Maybe this is the only true fix for spellcasting, making people scared of using it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dragonprime
There's a concept called mercy. Are you familiar with it?
If you're looking for originality in D&D you're not going to have a whole lot of luck except with aberations.
Almost every creature of any other type has its origins in some mythological body or other. Drow for instance, hail from norse mythology.
Even aberations are generally a nod toward the works of H.P. Lovercraft and his circle of author-friends, though none of the actual creatures of the type seem to be direct ports from that mythos.
Well, yeah, but as I wrote in the OP, I'm not looking for stuff that has no precedent in anything that came before. For example, as far as I can tell from quick googling after later poster's post, while Drow's source is in Shetland folklore and Norse mythology, D&D has took those two influences, mashed them into a ball and ran with it so far that it would be hard to pinpoint them if not for the name (and in fact there are many more entries in Monster Manuals that resemble those mythological influences much more closely). Unlike, say, Kenku, which aren't very far from Tengu (unless there's some spiffy sourcebook with an in-depth look at Kenku that I haven't heard about).
Also, I remembered another one that qualifies quite well - the Sahuagin. Another one could be Kuo-Toa, but they seem to have moved towards being indistinguishable from Deep Ones during the history of the game.
In fact, pursuing this line of thought I've remembered about the list of WotC's "Product Identity" monsters and that's
Quote:
beholder
gauth
carrion crawler
displacer beast
githyanki
githzerai
kuo-toa
mind flayer
slaad
umber hulk
yuan-ti
and umber hulks and carrion crawlers haven't been mentioned here (and are quite fun).
Well, the word pre-dates the game, and means something very different. But the gazebo as a beast that wakes up and eats PCs is absolutely original to D&D.
No, it doesn't. It is never said it wakes up and eats anything.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nedz
Fishmen
Snakemen
And here we have the proof that Kuo-toa and Yuan-ti are not original monsters. They are just Deep Ones and Naga with a different name. Some individual touches, but that doesn't change it.
__________________ Ancient Lands - PF/d20 Sword & Sorcery campaign setting
RSS Feeds: 
Best D&D original monsters out there?
