D&D 5E Wandering Monsters: Rosemary's Baby

[Plaguescarred]

Wandering Monsters
Rosemary's Baby
By James Wyatt

We revisit the succubus and the cambion in this week's Wandering Monsters. So, what might change? We’re looking to see what you think first.

What do you think?

 

[JamesonCourage]

Again, just so you know, it's very difficult to read stuff when you copy-paste it (unless you pick "paste as plain text"), since I use the Legacy background.

 

[Savage Wombat]

Well, I like the idea, if the succubus-as-demon is an intractable problem. If night hags aren't part of the structure, there's no reason succubi have to be.

And I'm glad they're not trying to make the incubus something else - but it's sad they won't go the "they're the same thing, depending on who they're seducing" route. I suppose that's a little too PG-13 or worse for WotC.

 

[Sunseeker]

Pretty traditional. I don't have any issues with this.

 

[the Jester]

The only thing I don't like is the idea of limiting cambions to the offspring of succubi/incubi and mortals. I strongly prefer the "any male half-fiend" definition (with alu-fiends being their female counterparts).

 

[gyor]

Yeah it looks like from the poll that Succubi will be thier own race, seperate from Devils and Demons, both working for both, kind of like the Yugoloths, but cool. Heck they could even decide to work for evil gods, or Sharess the Choatic Good Goddess of Lust aka the Succubi of Senation.

I wonder if they go this route if they create different types and breeds of Succubi and Incubi, like bringing back the Lilitu.

 

[MarkB]

I like this - it solves some edition issues, and also opens up new conceptual spaces to explore.

Based on the article, I'm starting to imagine things like different tribes or clans of Succubi/Incubi (there needs to be a gender-neutral term for these creatures if they're their own species, but for the time being I'll revert to just using "succubi"), with particular clans serving specific devil, demon or yugoloth masters.

There could be rivalry or open conflict between those clans, but there could also be a larger Succubus society out there, following their own goals independently of their fiendish overlords - or maybe the Succubi have their own agenda, and even those working within the system are manipulating their employers towards particular goals.

This change also allows a little more scope for deception when it comes to Succubis'* involvement with mortals. Even if you reveal that someone is a Succubus or Incubus, you still won't know for sure which fiendish faction they're working for.

* I'm not too certain of my punctuation there. What is the plural possessive of Succubus?

 

[gyor]

I agree with an overaching name for Succubi and Incubi and variants.

I also wonder what Archsuccubi will be called if they're not devils or demons anymore. Maybe Succubi Queens?

 

[Kinak]

Overall, this seems to work pretty well.

The succubi changes aren't perfect, but they do a good job of bridging the gaps between 1st-3rd and 4th edition mythologies.

I'm less thrilled about the cambion change, although it does give them a stronger hook. It could work out, as long as they have an idea of what to do with other half-fiends.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[Trickster Spirit]

I like this - it solves some edition issues, and also opens up new conceptual spaces to explore.

Based on the article, I'm starting to imagine things like different tribes or clans of Succubi/Incubi (there needs to be a gender-neutral term for these creatures if they're their own species, but for the time being I'll revert to just using "succubi"), with particular clans serving specific devil, demon or yugoloth masters.

There could be rivalry or open conflict between those clans, but there could also be a larger Succubus society out there, following their own goals independently of their fiendish overlords - or maybe the Succubi have their own agenda, and even those working within the system are manipulating their employers towards particular goals.

This change also allows a little more scope for deception when it comes to Succubis'* involvement with mortals. Even if you reveal that someone is a Succubus or Incubus, you still won't know for sure which fiendish faction they're working for.

* I'm not too certain of my punctuation there. What is the plural possessive of Succubus?

I agree with everything you've said here, but to be perfectly honest, this reply is really just to let you know that the possessive plural of Succubus is Succubi's.