I am particularly interested in actionable lore. Stuff that I can take as a player or DM and use at the game table.
Honestly, I've found myself incredibly impressed by A5E's Monstrous Menagerie and how it handles it.
Sections like "Signs" and "Behavior" are things I find useful at the game table.
Now, we could have bugbears with the entire lore description being "Bugbears are rangy, hairy creatures related to goblins." and just the stats... but I doubt many would be inspired by that.
I can change bugbears at my own table to be spiritual defenders of the forest, or whatever I like... but I want something to change it from, not a void.
Honestly, I've found myself incredibly impressed by A5E's Monstrous Menagerie and how it handles it.
Sections like "Signs" and "Behavior" are things I find useful at the game table.
Now, we could have bugbears with the entire lore description being "Bugbears are rangy, hairy creatures related to goblins." and just the stats... but I doubt many would be inspired by that.
I can change bugbears at my own table to be spiritual defenders of the forest, or whatever I like... but I want something to change it from, not a void.