In a monster-filled world, what's okay to eat?
Drawing inspiration from the book Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat, let's explore the often-unexamined categories of creatures that adventurers in Dungeons & Dragons might consider off-limits, acceptable targets, or even potential food sources.
Beyond companions, there are entire categories of creatures that most adventurers would likely deem off-limits for consumption due to their inherent nature or societal standing. Creatures of high intelligence, those associated with divine or powerful forces, or those considered "civilized" fall into this category. Eating a Celestial or a Fey creature would likely be seen as blasphemous or deeply taboo. Giants, with their complex societies and often significant power, would similarly be considered more than mere beasts to be hunted for food. And, of course, the various humanoid species – humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and more – are typically recognized as sentient beings, making their consumption an act of cannibalism, a line most adventurers, even the most morally ambiguous, would hesitate to cross.
It should be noted that classifying creatures as enemies or lesser can be justification for enslavement and abuse. For example, elementals are bound into Khyber dragonshards, and creator of Eberron Keith Baker was asked how that's justified:
Interestingly, Delicious in Dungeon offers a twist even on these categories. Earth golems are depicted as being used as roaming farmland, their mineral bodies cultivated for resources, and ghosts who attack can inadvertently chill objects, even creating a form of sorbet, showcasing an unexpected utility even in traditionally "hated" creatures.
The intelligence bar for sentience is generally considered 3, but whether or not PCs can perceive a creature as sentient is as factor, as is the creature's level of hostility to the party (they may be far more inclined to eat it if it attacked first). But it begs the question: where does the party draw the line on what they're willing to eat?
Delicious in Dungeon dives headfirst into this ambiguous space, with Laios and his companions readily consuming (and frequently arguing about) a staggering variety of creatures traditionally considered monsters. Aberrations, with their bizarre anatomies, might yield edible tentacles. Dragons, often depicted as apex predators and highly intelligent beings, become the centerpiece of elaborate meals. Elementals, at least in the case of the Undine, can be consumed for their magical essence. Monstrosities like Cockatrices and Basilisks are (perhaps not surprisingly) "taste like chicken." Even Oozes, seemingly amorphous and unappetizing, are dried and eaten, and various Plant monsters are found to be palatable.
The answers to these questions, and the choices adventurers make can make the difference between cannibals preying on the weak and heroes living off the land (or dungeon).
Drawing inspiration from the book Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat, let's explore the often-unexamined categories of creatures that adventurers in Dungeons & Dragons might consider off-limits, acceptable targets, or even potential food sources.
Some We Love: Companions, Allies, & the Untouchables
Within the vast bestiary of D&D, there are creatures that rarely, if ever, find themselves on an adventurer's plate. This category, "some we love," encompasses more than just creatures held as pets. For a Beastmaster Ranger, their primal companion is undoubtedly considered family, an ally whose well-being is paramount. Similarly, summoned creatures, be they a wizard's familiar or a cleric's celestial ally, are extensions of the spellcaster's power and are treated with a degree of respect, if not affection.Beyond companions, there are entire categories of creatures that most adventurers would likely deem off-limits for consumption due to their inherent nature or societal standing. Creatures of high intelligence, those associated with divine or powerful forces, or those considered "civilized" fall into this category. Eating a Celestial or a Fey creature would likely be seen as blasphemous or deeply taboo. Giants, with their complex societies and often significant power, would similarly be considered more than mere beasts to be hunted for food. And, of course, the various humanoid species – humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and more – are typically recognized as sentient beings, making their consumption an act of cannibalism, a line most adventurers, even the most morally ambiguous, would hesitate to cross.
Some We Hate: Foes and the Unnatural
Then there are the creatures that fall into the "some we hate" category, those openly hostile entities that often feel less connected to the natural cycle of life. Constructs, often mindless automatons or magically animated objects, present little ethical dilemma when destroyed, though their consumption would likely be impractical. Fiends, beings from the Lower Planes embodying evil and corruption, are almost universally reviled, and the thought of consuming them would likely be repulsive. Undead creatures, beings animated by negative energy or dark magic, similarly fall into this category of things to be vanquished without a second thought for their edibility.It should be noted that classifying creatures as enemies or lesser can be justification for enslavement and abuse. For example, elementals are bound into Khyber dragonshards, and creator of Eberron Keith Baker was asked how that's justified:
Interestingly, Delicious in Dungeon offers a twist even on these categories. Earth golems are depicted as being used as roaming farmland, their mineral bodies cultivated for resources, and ghosts who attack can inadvertently chill objects, even creating a form of sorbet, showcasing an unexpected utility even in traditionally "hated" creatures.
Some We Eat: Beasts, Monsters, and the Questionable
The D&D rulebooks themselves offer little specific guidance on what constitutes "edible." However, the 2024 Player's Handbook formalizes the use of Chef's Tools to create rations from "raw materials." This leaves the definition of "raw materials" open to interpretation, and a pragmatic (or perhaps desperate) adventuring party might certainly consider the corpses of monsters as a viable source.The intelligence bar for sentience is generally considered 3, but whether or not PCs can perceive a creature as sentient is as factor, as is the creature's level of hostility to the party (they may be far more inclined to eat it if it attacked first). But it begs the question: where does the party draw the line on what they're willing to eat?
Delicious in Dungeon dives headfirst into this ambiguous space, with Laios and his companions readily consuming (and frequently arguing about) a staggering variety of creatures traditionally considered monsters. Aberrations, with their bizarre anatomies, might yield edible tentacles. Dragons, often depicted as apex predators and highly intelligent beings, become the centerpiece of elaborate meals. Elementals, at least in the case of the Undine, can be consumed for their magical essence. Monstrosities like Cockatrices and Basilisks are (perhaps not surprisingly) "taste like chicken." Even Oozes, seemingly amorphous and unappetizing, are dried and eaten, and various Plant monsters are found to be palatable.
Choose Carefully
The shifting lines between these three categories can dramatically alter the tone of a D&D campaign. Player characters who readily consume sentient humanoids or giants will likely face vastly different reactions from the local populace compared to those who stick to more traditional game animals. Conversely, giants in mythology are often considered cannibals, but in many fantasy games are just larger humanoids. The ethics become even murkier when considering intelligent but non-humanoid creatures like dragons. Is it morally justifiable to eat a dragon if it can speak and reason? How creatures act and how they're treated will likely inform prejudices and assumptions in your campaign.The answers to these questions, and the choices adventurers make can make the difference between cannibals preying on the weak and heroes living off the land (or dungeon).
