D&D 5E Renamed: Wandering Monsters 2 weeks later

[Tovec]

I disliked the concept that merfolk would be necessarily primitive just because they can't forge metals. I strongly suspect that an underwater culture would develop its own techniques and technologies, unimagined by surface folk and just as impressive - and magic could easily overcome the problems of undersea forging, whether by providing fuelless heat sources or creating air-filled workspaces in the ocean depths.

With greater reliance on coral and bone, I think I remember seeing something like this ... was it in one of the campaign guides? I think there is definitely room for more of an (deep) undersea civilization dwelling merfolk. I however also think that the article got it not terribly far from the mark either. Having an undersea society wouldn't be impossible. But it would be hard to have one that air breathers could understand. No libraries, but some form of magic likely exists anyway, just in a different form, stuff like that. No fires which means steel is impossible to produce, but they can still use coral and grow it to GREAT effect - which was already eluded to. They likely have little use for a centralized city, farming doesn't work as well as fishing/nomadic lifestyle in the wide oceans and it is hard to set up stalls for a more traditional trade-city even. Also, if they are deep-sea dwellers then there is less reasons for interactions with those above the waves - which means less use in adventuring. And I like the idea of them trading for goods from the surface - how traditional magical weapons and maybe spells would be prized. But dealing with such people is dangerous too - they want to capture you and use you for their own goals; perhaps spell components or maybe even just as a rare prize.

The merrow write-up was 'meh' simply because I don't think there's much need for an in-depth write-up of ogres in general, let alone ogre sub-species. They're big dumb brutes that the DM throws in to give the party a strong physical challenge - they don't need complex backstories or motivation.

Agreed. But for the record, I kind of want them to revisit ogres - or just in some way give me the tools to get a good grasp on them and a few other "big dumb brutes". All I really know is that they are big dumb brutes but nothing else. I'm not looking for shakespeare or a society of any kind but just some more general notes for an ecology would be nice. The same goes for Merrow. Like I said, they're twisted ogres - how does that help us? How are they any different from any other larger (than me) aquatic creature - or really any aquatic creature at all. It still wants to eat me or drown me. How does knowing they were altered by Marid's wishes help in adventure building? Is it some kind of key weakness? One that they share with ogres? If so that seems more like a setting thing. Having merrow be affected by ogre-bane weapons is great but hardly the end all of usefulness.

I've not looked at krakens in past editions, but I really don't view them as the underwater equivalent of crafty, intelligent dragons. Krakens should be a force of nature, not an evil overlord - or ideally, the Kraken should be the undersea equivalent to the Tarrasque, a fearsome beast slumbering in the deepest ocean trenches, bringing apocalyptic destruction should it ever be awakened.

I missed this the first time though (before my first post on this thread) but yes. I think this is key. I do agree that they are the terrible abominations of the deep. I don't mind them also having delusions of warlordism (I said warlordship last time and I feel like there should be a term for this but my spellcheck likes neither) but I think it is key to go back to, "no dealing with them," like how you can't deal with a tarrasque. And less, "they'll betray you," of dealing with a dragon. Although, that said (and as I did last time), I think there is definitely room for supernatural powers. I think that being able to control storms and fish and generally give sailing vessels a bad time - outside of just tearing the boat apart with their bare tentacles, is an interesting take. I'm just curious HOW they plan on doing it and how they make sure NOT to turn it into spellcasting kracken (3e dragons I'm looking at you), and more of warping the sea around them kracken (actually kind of looking at you 5e dragons.. sort of).

 

[MarkB]

I however also think that the article got it not terribly far from the mark either. Having an undersea society wouldn't be impossible. But it would be hard to have one that air breathers could understand.

One thing I liked a lot from the article was the concept that merfolk are as varied in their ways and societies as humans. It's a refreshing change for a fantasy race.

Although, that said (and as I did last time), I think there is definitely room for supernatural powers. I think that being able to control storms and fish and generally give sailing vessels a bad time - outside of just tearing the boat apart with their bare tentacles, is an interesting take. I'm just curious HOW they plan on doing it and how they make sure NOT to turn it into spellcasting kracken (3e dragons I'm looking at you), and more of warping the sea around them kracken (actually kind of looking at you 5e dragons.. sort of).

Making a Kraken a Legendary creature would certainly be a step in the right direction. Having its power manifest in 'empathic' effects upon the surrounding terrain and ocean would be a great way to give the beast powers whilst leaving it a beast.

 

[Mistwell]

Does anyone have a link to the most recent WOTC official poll on a non-monster topic?

 

[Argyle King]

I think the poll concerning draconic creatures could have greatly benefited from more nuanced choices. I think the somewhat broad (and weighted toward a particular direction) choices do a poor job of covering the topic and an even poorer job of allowing those who take the poll to convey their desires.


For example, I don't want draconians and dragonborn to be the same thing. Yes, they look very similar on the outside, but they have differences which are important. Just lumping them into the same category kills two dragons with one stone, but not in a good way; for me, it ends up taking two creatures which I like a lot and turning them into something I don't care for at all.

 

[MarkB]

I think the poll concerning draconic creatures could have greatly benefited from more nuanced choices. I think the somewhat broad (and weighted toward a particular direction) choices do a poor job of covering the topic and an even poorer job of allowing those who take the poll to convey their desires.

Very much agreed. Several of the other polls have suffered from the same thing, but the Dragonborn poll was the first one where I just straight-up hit the "Skip" button on two of the questions because there wasn't an option that even felt close to my opinion.

 

[Gold Roger]

I'm still annoyed and concerned that the Wandering Monsters articles try to overdefine matters that should be up to the setting.

Dragonborn are dragon young without the blessing of Bahamut/Tiamat is useless information for every Eberron and Dark Sun campaign. It's completely useless to most homebrewers.

Really, the origin story is not what makes a good monster or monster presentation. I'd prefer it if the articles gave more thought on the role monster can play in adventures and settings and how this relates to their mechanical design (there was a good article on dragons that went this way).