Fey or Outsider (Native)?

[CLAVDIVS]

First off, insert ANSI-Standard New Poster Introduction here. ^_^

My current noodle-scratcher is this: When creating a new monster that's too inherently supernatural for monstrous humanoid or magical beast, but not weird enough for abberation, and isn't extraplanar, how do you decide between making it Fey or Outsider (Native)? To my eye, they both seem to cover a similar niche: usually intelligent beings whose very nature is supernatural, but are native to the material plane. If it's based on a mythical being associated with faerie folklore or an original faerie-like being, it's fey; otherwise it's a native outsider.

I'm asking because I'm trying to create a new monster for our campaign to base a plot around, but I'm having a hard time deciding between the two types; however, I'd also like to get some general opinions on the difference, in case this ever comes up again in the future.

 

[Crothian]

Fey, in my mind ar ecreatures that are or are inspired from the seelie or unseelie court. They usually have a strong nature feel, can be mischivious, and are pretty specific not a misc category like the one you seem to be after.

Abberation can work, they all don't have to be totally wierd, native outsider is another option. For me it really depends on the creatures and what I want from it.

 

[CLAVDIVS]

Abberations are pretty weird by definition; what I have in mind isn't THAT strange.

What I'm working on at the moment is a d20 version of the Lilitu. They were described in GURPS Blood Types, and are the earliest known vampire-like being in myth. According to the author, they were spirits that fed on the blood of either kidnapped children or men they seduced. While somewhat demonic, they weren't mentioned as being from any version of hell. There are also creatures in faerie folklore that feed on blood, and one (the glaistig) even made it into MM3.

So really, it can go either way in my mind. I was initially leaning towards Outsider, but that was mostly because it doesn't really resemble any faerie I know of; but that could just be because the myth predates what we call faerie folklore, and there's other fey blood-drinkers besides the glaistig. Also, alot of native outsiders have some connection to other outsiders but choose to live on the material plane; so maybe I should decide on their origin first and base their type on that (if they originated on the prime material, they're Fey; if they came from another plane and took up residence, they're Outsiders).

 

[Epametheus]

Fey would probably be fine, if they're non-undead spirits. Lots of fey creatures that aren't nice at all (redcaps, for example).

 

[the Jester]

Sounds either fey or undead to me.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Yes, fey.

Fey: Are often some nature spirit, often the embodyment of some concept of nature or human nature. Fey are also popular in the children-stealing department.

Outsiders: are embodiments of a philosophy or other think humans think of.

Now, the seducing part could be from both sides, but I think this thing cries out "fey".

 

[CLAVDIVS]

I've thought about it, and I'm gonna go with Fey. They don't have the combat stats that Outsiders do, but they're not up-front fighters anyway. The legends refer to them taking the form of owls, which provides a nature connection: a silent, near-undetectable nocturnal hunter that preys on the small and vulnerable.

Since they're the earliest recognizeable vampire-like myth, GURPS Blood Types recommends using them sparingly, and saving an actual encounter with one for dramatic revelation about the nature of vampirism. What I'm thinking is that they're not just the earliest vampire, they're the progenitors of every regional version of undead vampire.

Furthermore, they were said to appear as bird-winged women, with talons for feet (and possibly hands). Add the existence of males and make their skin blue, and any Legacy of Kain fans should be making the connection by now...

 

[Sithobi1]

Though if you think about it, Raz was probably an outsider, as he is more like the Hylden...
Edit: I meant he had traits similar to hylden, and is an outsider bc of spectral realm, soul sucking etc.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

There's a 3.0 lilitu in Green Ronin's Testament. They have it being a demon. I'm not really familiar with the original lilitu, but it sounds more fey to me, too.

 

[CLAVDIVS]

There's a 3.0 lilitu in Green Ronin's Testament. They have it being a demon. I'm not really familiar with the original lilitu, but it sounds more fey to me, too.

Dang. There goes more of my money... How "vampiric" is their version, and does it drain Con (like a stock vampire) or HP (like GR's vampire scion)? Fey seems more appropriate to me; things like the rakshasa are clearly fiends that just happen to spend all their time on the prime material. But I can why they'd make the lilitu demons, especially in a Biblical context; that also means they can qualify for the Fiend of ___ prestige classes, which adds a whole other level of wackiness...

Though if you think about it, Raz was probably an outsider, as he is more like the Hylden...

I wasn't talking about Raziel specifically, but the original race of vampires: The ones with great feathered wings and talons on their hands and feet, and who created the undead vampires when faced with extinction.