Spelljammer [Spelljammer] Illithid to Remain "100% bad guys" -- Neogi maybe not?


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If their enslave ability were innate, and in use from birth, that seems to impact a Neogi's outlook: A Neogi would tend to view other beings as extensions of themself, not as independent beings.

(Having the Neogi consider others as property seems a coarse way of describing the Neogi, but it is consistent with them having a particular "identity disorder".)

Regardless of whether this is good or evil, it is an alien outlook, one which is intrinsically in conflict with an outlook which espouses self determination and individual action.

The Neogi might present their enslavement ability as efficient and necessary. A short-cut to cooperation which would otherwise be more difficult. To the Neogi, allowing the weak-willed to act independently is allowing foolish potentially destructive behavior.

On a 'wrongness' scale, the ability (and the ensuing outlook) seem very wrong. Not quite at the level as eating the brains of sentient creatures, but still very wrong.

And, the wrongness seems inherent. Absent very specific and contorted circumstances, I don't see a way to use the ability that does not cause harm.

TomB
 

If their enslave ability were innate, and in use from birth, that seems to impact a Neogi's outlook: A Neogi would tend to view other beings as extensions of themself, not as independent beings.

(Having the Neogi consider others as property seems a coarse way of describing the Neogi, but it is consistent with them having a particular "identity disorder".)

Regardless of whether this is good or evil, it is an alien outlook, one which is intrinsically in conflict with an outlook which espouses self determination and individual action.

The Neogi might present their enslavement ability as efficient and necessary. A short-cut to cooperation which would otherwise be more difficult. To the Neogi, allowing the weak-willed to act independently is allowing foolish potentially destructive behavior.

On a 'wrongness' scale, the ability (and the ensuing outlook) seem very wrong. Not quite at the level as eating the brains of sentient creatures, but still very wrong.

And, the wrongness seems inherent. Absent very specific and contorted circumstances, I don't see a way to use the ability that does not cause harm.

TomB
I like that -- "evil" because it is alien, not necessarily because it is malicious.
 


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