So, the B*h*ld*r is no longer OGC...

[Anubis]

I'm positive. I'm not sure WHICH mythology they're from, but it's there. I've seen it before. Wish I could remember . . . I'll look. I know they had a different name though, if I recall correctly.

 

[Plane Sailing]

The Displacer Beast, also removed, comes from a Van Vogt short story (as discussed on this thread, search for posts made by Aitch Eye).

I disagree - the Couerl from the "Voyage of the Space Beagle" is entirely unlike the displacer beast in terms of powers. The sci-fi beasty had the ability to control energy outside of its body, and didn't have any displacement abilities at all.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Although (I don't know whether anyone has already mentioned this or not) the Xill is a direct steal from The Voyage of the Space Beagle... although the original has 4 legs as well as 4 arms, Ixtl could change his molecular structure to jump through walls and ambush humans which he would paralyse and use as hosts for his young. Sound familiar? To be truer to the book they ought to have extensive energy control abilities, since Ixtl was very difficult to hurt with energy weapons.

Cheers

 

[Schmoe]

So what's going to happen to "Slayer's Guide To Yuan-Ti", or similar products that have already been published?

 

[whatisitgoodfor]

They have to either change their content to reflect the changes to the SRD, or they can contact WotC and ask for permission to use the information in their works.

Several books that were slated for near future releases have already been cleared for production by WotC (or so I've heard).

 

[LoneWolf23]

You know, I don't see what's to keep anyone from taking the basic Beholder, Mind Flayer or Umber Hulk stats from the Monster Manual, then attach a whole new decription/background to the creature and call it something new. Heck, it would go a long way towards being original.

Can't use the Beholder? Ok, then how about the Krystalix, a floating spheroid creature seemingly made of crystal, with multi-colored gems for eyes, serted all over it's round body?

Can't use the Mind Flayers? Then try the Psi-Wraiths, a race of mysterious beings of psionic energy who can only interact with the physical world via their "DarkSuits", Vorlon-like costumes which hide their forms from mortal eyes.

Can't think of anything appropriate for Umber Hulks atm, though.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

This is opinion, but it seems pretty clear to me that Illithid come from Lovecraft mythos. Right down to the way the name sounds...

Of course, the great thing about Lovecraft mythos is that it's public domain. A publisher could easily put out a Cthuloid creature that strongly resembles the mind flayer, and WotC would have a tough time doing anything about it (short of admitting that calling that particular creature IP in the first place is a little bit shaky.)

Slap some psion levels on it, and bam, you're in business.

 

[danzig138]

This is opinion, but it seems pretty clear to me that Illithid come from Lovecraft mythos. Right down to the way the name sounds...

Depends on what you mean by "comes from"...I doubt Illithids come from the mythos, but I'd sure bet that they were inspired by it.

 

[Lord Ravinous]

I can't remember exactly what the Umber Hulk looks like, but they should leave this one in the OGL, cause Marvel Comics could possibly stick their noses in one this one (if they wanted to be picky, like some other publishers *hint*) because of a Villan that made appearances in The Incredible Hulk and Thor titles in the early 70's and 80's, a lame character, but there all the same.

I agree w/ what some others have said, they're assuming rights to properties that are questionable. I can only vouch for the Umber Hulk, cause I was (and still am) a pittyful comic kid. As to the other monsters I cant really say.

I think that Beholders and Mindflayers are theirs to do w/ as they wish, cause those are their Staple Baddies

(BTW, WotC should slap OSI up for their wanna-be Beholders (Gazer's my butt!!!)

 

[Gez]

The Soul Shriver, from Mindscape: Beasts of the Id