James Gasik
We don't talk about Pun-Pun
So I feel that the quintessential D&D iconic monster has to be something unique to the game. Mimics are out because they're everywhere now. Beholders and Owlbears have been copied elsewhere, Mind Flayers are fully in the pop culture zeitgeist, and thanks to Baldur's Gate, everyone knows what the Githyanki are.
Even the Hook Horror is just based on a Chinese knock-off Gigan toy!
Creatures based on myths and legends are also out, even if they are very different from their source material, as are critters stolen from elsewhere (Girallons are Martian White Apes, Thri-Kreen are Green Martians, Trolls are taken from Pohl Anderson, etc. etc.).
Even Orcs are inspired by Tolkien!
So I'm thinking the answer is the Flumph. It's the kind of ridiculous thing that only really exists in D&D to my knowledge. It's a weird flying telepathic Lawful Good jellyfish that is propelled by farts. You can find a better creature, but this one is pretty unique, and has the added advantage of having been brought back into semi-relevancy, unlike other forgotten beasties like Thouls or Flail Snails.
Even the Hook Horror is just based on a Chinese knock-off Gigan toy!
Creatures based on myths and legends are also out, even if they are very different from their source material, as are critters stolen from elsewhere (Girallons are Martian White Apes, Thri-Kreen are Green Martians, Trolls are taken from Pohl Anderson, etc. etc.).
Even Orcs are inspired by Tolkien!
So I'm thinking the answer is the Flumph. It's the kind of ridiculous thing that only really exists in D&D to my knowledge. It's a weird flying telepathic Lawful Good jellyfish that is propelled by farts. You can find a better creature, but this one is pretty unique, and has the added advantage of having been brought back into semi-relevancy, unlike other forgotten beasties like Thouls or Flail Snails.
