Back to the MM really quick to answer the three replies to my post in order:
1. Yes, it's bare, but it was designed that way. And the ecologies was only an example not a definitive pecking point. Yes the descriptions are stark, but for a purpose: For example take the Basilisk.
MM pg 26 - Basilisks are predatory reptiles that hunt with a deadly gaze attack. They are not malicious creatures but their gaze attack makes them feared.
(now we go into the mind of the DM)
Hmmm, not a whole lot to go on - no physical description, but there is a picture at the bottom. I don't like the fact that it has 8 legs, I want mine to have 6. Doesn't say it has 6...but then again it doesn't say it CAN'T have 6 either. What if the number of legs mean a different type, or maybe the legs determine the sex? ...etc...
I can't say this was the intended purpose of the design sparsity, but with everything I've seen in the other books, it sure points in that direction. Also, I like the fact that in the Encounter Groups Section it states that tamed basilisks can be found among various humanoids. No restrictions on who can or can't have them or an environment to preclude a race from having the. No rules on what makes one tame or how to tame them. It's all up to you. This I like! (But then that's just me.)
2 & 3. (since they overlap) I have to pretty much concur that ZERO direction does appear to part from the 'pick it up and play' path. I have a feeling though that any new DM will, just like in the old days kind of fall into the role naturally. I remember I DM'ed my first game without owning a DMG, a MM or a PHB, but just cobbled together some stuff from my brain and ran with it. Heck I only had 6-siders so my dice rolling was even inventive. I can see where fluff text can drive you in a direction, but as my above example shows (see #1) it isn't completely devoid of imagination sparkers either. I can't fault either of you for your opinion, but I can't completely agree with them either, so I'm not sure where this one stands with me. (Is that cool? Or more importantly does it makes sense?)
Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to say YAH!!!! It's 4e so it's better. As many of my posts have pointed out, I have some MAJOR issues with a few things, however, what I like, I like a lot, don't get me started on the stuff I don't...
. There isn't any. There's only a tactics section that tells us that a guulvorg prefers to make bite attacks against single foes and if engaged by two or more enemies, it uses guulvorg fury. Although the lore section does impart the crucial information that Guulvorgs are often encountered in pairs (a male and a female) and are capable of bearing Large riders into battle.
