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froglegg
Learned Scribe
317 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Jul 2012 : 13:48:50
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A dragon.
John |
Long live Alias and Dragonbait! Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb the Realms need you more then ever!
On my word as a sage nothing within these pages is false, but not all of it may prove to be true. - Elminster of Shadowdale
The Old Grey Box gets better with age! |
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LordXenophon
Learned Scribe
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2012 : 22:20:28
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quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
That reptilian, fire-breathing, gigantic form resonates with people across almost all cultures, and all time periods.
Black, green, blue, and white dragons will be offended by this statement. 
All Dragons can breathe fire. Red Dragons just happen to be able to do it without a potion. |
Disintegration is in the eye of the Beholder. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 01:54:54
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quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
Also, "conflict" in storytelling has been around far longer than dragons.
Quite true.
But when conflict is personified, or rather monsterified, the classic, archetypal, oft-repeated-down-through-history method is to figure it as dragon.
Are we talking about fantasy in general or just FR? If it's just FR, then maybe that's the case. Though that's still highly debatable...
In fantasy in general, no, that's simply NOT the case. How can one personify conflict into a fire-breathing dragon if in the first place, as apparent in many fantasy novels, there's no dragon in the setting? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 05:22:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
But when conflict is personified, or rather monsterified, the classic, archetypal, oft-repeated-down-through-history method is to figure it as dragon.
Are we talking about fantasy in general or just FR? If it's just FR, then maybe that's the case. Though that's still highly debatable...
In fantasy in general, no, that's simply NOT the case. How can one personify conflict into a fire-breathing dragon if in the first place, as apparent in many fantasy novels, there's no dragon in the setting?
I said "when" it is personified/monsterified, classically it's a dragon. That simply IS the case, Dennis. As several other people lamented earlier in this same scroll, dragons seem ubiquitous in fantasy down through the ages.
Now, again, that's when it gets personified.
But there are certainly other types of fantasy that don't use dragons. In those cases, then there is no way to personify conflict as a dragon.
Even then, though, dragons are still the classic, archetypal monster used to personify conflict. Exceptional, dragonless fantasy tales don't change that. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2012 : 11:01:37
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| In ten years I've used a beholder I think once, a dragon maybe three times, personally it's goblin or elf. |
Edited by - Quale on 20 Jul 2012 11:01:57 |
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LordXenophon
Learned Scribe
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2012 : 22:43:04
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That just sounds like you end your campaigns when the characters are barely starting to get powerful enough to survive a baby dragon.
Personally, I would never start a campaign without first determining who the dominant monsters are in the campaign area, where they live, what they are involved in, what would attract their attention, who they know in town, etc. This will ALWAYS involve the local dragons. Sometimes, there's even a dragon or two in town. In fact, quite a few dragons live in Waterdeep and are very active in the campaign, whether the PC's notice them or not. |
Disintegration is in the eye of the Beholder. |
Edited by - LordXenophon on 21 Jul 2012 23:01:22 |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jul 2012 : 00:04:05
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| Heh. I've used one dragon (in disguise) to hire the PC's to kill its own parent. And tricked them into trying to "rescue" that very same parent (in disguise again) from- itself. Dragons are so versitile, they don't ALWAYS have to be used as straightforward enemies. And Dennis, let's not forget there are plenty of fantasy tales where dragons are potent allies, rather than just beasts of burden or monsters to fight. Wizard in Rhyme series, anyone?(The first thing the hero does when transported to the alternate world is get into a spell-battle with a wizard, then summon a dragon by accident when trying to escape said wizard's dungeon.) Eragon? Myth Adventures(Gleep)? Guardians of the Flame series?(There were two, one they rescued from slavery, the other killed one of the group when they were trying to return home.) These are just a few examples. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
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Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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jazirian reborn
Acolyte
Australia
10 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2012 : 12:41:10
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The first two serious tastes at 1st edition were the old SSI modules Pools of Radiance and Curse of the Azure Bonds.
Both had a possessed Dragon body as the final benchmark , and I guess I tend to think of the spell powered, massive beast that dominates all around it.
The lure of fame and treasure is equally iconic as well.
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LordXenophon
Learned Scribe
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2012 : 21:00:25
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| Sometimes, the treasure can be the monster. How many times have you been bitten by a mimic or stung by a lock lurker? And I won't even go into intelligent magic items. |
Disintegration is in the eye of the Beholder. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2012 : 21:42:53
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And vice-versa. Sometimes the monster is the treasure.
Monster-parts used to be a big part of the MM entries. Sometimes you got far more for something's snout (or eye, or liver, etc) then the treasure you found after killing it.
And thats not even including capturing monsters to sell to evil wizards, menageries, Colosseum-style combats, mage-schools and sagely academies, etc. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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LordXenophon
Learned Scribe
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2012 : 19:41:20
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| Dont forget all the flying monsters I sold to the Waterdeep Air Guard. |
Disintegration is in the eye of the Beholder. |
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Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2013 : 09:40:24
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Beholders are VERY iconic for D&D, in my opinion.  |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"
~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
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hashimashadoo
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1150 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2013 : 18:17:09
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| Definitely the mind flayer. No creature in DnD inspires more fear in my players than them. They'd much rather fight a CR 8 dragon than an illithid. |
When life turns it's back on you...sneak attack for extra damage.
Head admin of the FR wiki:
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/ |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 17 Nov 2013 : 23:37:09
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| Beholder because it was a unique DnD creation, but illithid should have been a choice too. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Drustan Dwnhaedan
Learned Scribe
USA
324 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2013 : 01:56:08
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| I voted 'dragon', but I'm starting to wish I'd voted 'beholder' instead... |
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Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2013 : 02:33:21
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quote:
Originally posted by hashimashadoo
Definitely the mind flayer. No creature in DnD inspires more fear in my players than them. They'd much rather fight a CR 8 dragon than an illithid.
I agree partly with this, Beholders frighten me but Mind Flayers....they can do some gruesome things to ones character. |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"
~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
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Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2013 : 02:36:09
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quote:
Originally posted by The Arcanamach
Beholder because it was a unique DnD creation, but illithid should have been a choice too.
I was just saying they can be quite terrifying, their powers can do some real damage. |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"
~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
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Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2013 : 02:37:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Drustan Dwnhaedan
I voted 'dragon', but I'm starting to wish I'd voted 'beholder' instead...
I ALMOST did, I love dragons in every lore. But, Beholder got my vote. |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"
~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2013 : 10:29:48
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I'm with the dragon. In my understanding, it is not the more exclusive creature of D&D, and your answer will depend on what you see as "iconic". Most creatures of D&D come from literature or mythology, and i don't think they are less important or significant in D&D because of that. And even if beholders are a creation of D&D, and considering all that was posted here in this thread, I think in games the dragon is the ultimate creature.
The goal of many adventurers is to be a dragonslayer, even if there are more dangerous creatures around. There are a lot of dragon or draconic variations, good, and evil, and in the last decades even PC have draconic races or traits available. Worlds like DragonLance were totally based in the human/dragon relations, and even atypical worlds like Dark Sun had their iconic dragons.
And dragons go well beyond the game, its worlds and its players, in general imaginary. Even for those who don't know about D&D, a dragon is a well known creature, and when you talk about Dungeons & Dragons, this will be the creature everyone will think about. Even for me, dragons are the most fascinating creatures, and since I don't like to make important encounters banal, I've decided to make my PCs enemies of the Cult of the Dragon and its minions...
See, I think beholders are VERY iconic, but maybe ORCS would be even more because they are the villains that are present in almost every game, for low, middle and even high level campaigns... Even if they were originally from Middle Earth, based on the goblins of mythology. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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Alruane
Senior Scribe
USA
434 Posts |
Posted - 21 Nov 2013 : 09:39:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
I'm with the dragon. In my understanding, it is not the more exclusive creature of D&D, and your answer will depend on what you see as "iconic". Most creatures of D&D come from literature or mythology, and i don't think they are less important or significant in D&D because of that. And even if beholders are a creation of D&D, and considering all that was posted here in this thread, I think in games the dragon is the ultimate creature.
The goal of many adventurers is to be a dragonslayer, even if there are more dangerous creatures around. There are a lot of dragon or draconic variations, good, and evil, and in the last decades even PC have draconic races or traits available. Worlds like DragonLance were totally based in the human/dragon relations, and even atypical worlds like Dark Sun had their iconic dragons.
And dragons go well beyond the game, its worlds and its players, in general imaginary. Even for those who don't know about D&D, a dragon is a well known creature, and when you talk about Dungeons & Dragons, this will be the creature everyone will think about. Even for me, dragons are the most fascinating creatures, and since I don't like to make important encounters banal, I've decided to make my PCs enemies of the Cult of the Dragon and its minions...
See, I think beholders are VERY iconic, but maybe ORCS would be even more because they are the villains that are present in almost every game, for low, middle and even high level campaigns... Even if they were originally from Middle Earth, based on the goblins of mythology.
This entire post makes a valid point. |
" I wonder if you are destined to be forgotten. Will your life fade in the shadow of greater beings?"
~Joneleth Irenicus
"Wisdom? My dear boy, wisdom is knowing that you do not know everything. Wisdom is realizing, a wise man ALWAYS has questions. Not answers."
~Alruane |
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Libelnon
Acolyte
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2014 : 18:46:17
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| I think of Carrion Crawlers. Not sure why. |
Looking for someone to bounce ideas off regarding a first-time campaign in the FR universe, using 3.5 and set in 1372DR.
If you're willing to help out, feel free to PM me. |
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genebateman
Acolyte
23 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2014 : 01:56:17
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for an generic play it has to be a dragon
but for me i do too much of one of kind creatures
i have done a 2 headed fiendish lizard fold priest
a giant crochroach whose breath drains levels.
i hate the mundane. i try to send to least 3 creatures each level that is unique
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genebateman
Acolyte
23 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2014 : 01:59:20
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for the lizard folk guy. the characters had to prevent a civil war.
they had the option to do nothing. if they did nothing then the fiendish lizard folk would win.
the main supply route to them would of been cut opff and they would have to fight a war with out 2 major allies
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2015 : 01:25:03
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quote:
Originally posted by genebateman
a giant crochroach whose breath drains levels.
I sure hope this is a typo, otherwise that would be a terrifying monster indeed! |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 06 Mar 2015 03:44:36 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2015 : 16:44:40
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| Since no one had voted "vampire" yet I removed that choice and replaced it with "mind flayer." Can't believe I forgot about the mind flayers when I created this poll! |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2015 : 18:39:51
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| Devils and demons... |
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Topic |
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Most Iconic D&D Monster
