D&D General what is it that make certain monsters of certain categories?

[jgsugden]

Each creature type has a core concept. They pick the creature type by looking at which core concept is closest to the description of the monster they have created/revised.

There are some monsters that can go either way. Fomorians are giants that have had their ineage subjected to a few curse. They could have been fey, or giants. However, the designers felt like they were still more closely tied to the concept of a giant than to a fey creature, so the selected giant. The new Liondrake/Dragonne is a mix of lion and dragon. It could have been a dragon or a monstrosity. They elected to go with monstrosity because it had more in common with creatures like manticores than it did with a true dragon.

In other words - it isn't a science - it is a subjective art.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Each creature type has a core concept. They pick the creature type by looking at which core concept is closest to the description of the monster they have created/revised.

There are some monsters that can go either way. Fomorians are giants that have had their ineage subjected to a few curse. They could have been fey, or giants. However, the designers felt like they were still more closely tied to the concept of a giant than to a fey creature, so the selected giant. The new Liondrake/Dragonne is a mix of lion and dragon. It could have been a dragon or a monstrosity. They elected to go with monstrosity because it had more in common with creatures like manticores than it did with a true dragon.

In other words - it isn't a science - it is a subjective art.

okay, so what is the aberration space that I have to work with what are its ideas.

 

[Scribe]

Well, before yesterday, I would have said an Aberration is an unnatural entity, from beyond space/time, which has a Blue/Orange morality system.

Today I would say, 'oo creepy tentacles/eye stocks, I hope we can be friends!'

 

[Mind of tempest]

Well, before yesterday, I would have said an Aberration is an unnatural entity, from beyond space/time, which has a Blue/Orange morality system.

Today I would say, 'oo creepy tentacles/eye stocks, I hope we can be friends!'

I am wanting a bit of both.

 

[Scribe]

I am wanting a bit of both.

Fair enough. I'd rather there be clear differences in outlook, thought, and function. A Mindflayer being reduced to the most funny of hats, is...well not sufficient for me.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Fair enough. I'd rather there be clear differences in outlook, thought, and function. A Mindflayer being reduced to the most funny of hats, is...well not sufficient for me.

given that I am trying to make some aberrations any ideas on out look?

 

[Scribe]

given that I am trying to make some aberrations any ideas on out look?

I mean, in my view they should think nothing like us. They should be utterly alien, have no respect for any form of life that is not them, and have no grasp on the predominate morality of your setting.

They eat living brains lol.

Thats just me though.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I mean, in my view they should think nothing like us. They should be utterly alien, have no respect for any form of life that is not them, and have no grasp on the predominate morality of your setting.

They eat living brains lol.

Thats just me though.

that is an excellent mindflayer any idea on flumphs as they are also aberrations somehow.

 

[Scribe]

that is an excellent mindflayer any idea on flumphs as they are also aberrations somehow.

I dont really know flumphs, but a quick scan of the wiki would seem to indicate they are jellyfish, that are psionic, and chill out around mindflayers.

Do they come from the Far Realm originally? Are they not predatory, but instead passive in their consumption of 'psychic food'?

It seems so. I'd say they are unnatural entities, which are essentially Neutral, but do not actively harm other beings, as they passively can coexist.

That doesnt mean they would have the same morality though, which to me would be a central component on 'aberration'. They need to have that otherness, or whats the point?

 

[Mind of tempest]

I dont really know flumphs, but a quick scan of the wiki would seem to indicate they are jellyfish, that are psionic, and chill out around mindflayers.

Do they come from the Far Realm originally? Are they not predatory, but instead passive in their consumption of 'psychic food'?

It seems so. I'd say they are unnatural entities, which are essentially Neutral, but do not actively harm other beings, as they passively can coexist.

That doesnt mean they would have the same morality though, which to me would be a central component on 'aberration'. They need to have that otherness, or whats the point?

got some videos on them and
they are apparently mostly cleric classes and are lawful good