A pretty good list here and a good complement to this other list.
Fun reads, thanks!
I have to admit, tough, I can’t really agree with the thrust of that second link. Both animal hybrids like owlbears and things pretending to be other things have strong literary traditions, and are worthy inclusions in D&D.
On the other hand, I’ve always felt that beholders are a bit hokey…
Animal hybrid, you mean like a horse with bird wings? Or. a lion body, bird wing and human head?
You might have a point. Damn these Helens and their super-glue approach to philogeny!
Also, Beholders might have started hookies and as a bad pun, but their bad-assness transcended that. On they look much scarier in recent editions…
[quote=“Simon”]Animal hybrid, you mean like a horse with bird wings? Or. a lion body, bird wing and human head?
You might have a point. Damn these Helens and their super-glue approach to philogeny![/quote]
I blame the veterinarians.
Actually, I always liked the ones that didn’t define which parts were from which critter. An author would just mention wolf-badgers or spider-lions in passing, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks. Great way to add some fantasy atmosphere without resorting to paragraphs filled with adjectives.
Well, maybe. I still defy anyone to face a beholder without thinking of a beach ball, though.
Somewhat belatedly: Following the events of the tournament, I might still not be entirely sold on beholders … but gas spores are just ten flavors of awesome!
