> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Russ Taylor
> Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 11:58 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: RE: [Ogf-l] If Thoughts Could Kill - Illithid reference
> violation?
>
>
> You're missing the point. Dancey's claim that a "tentacle-headed
> humanoid" mind flayer infringes on WotC IP is rather questionable, since
> the SRD itself leads one right to "tentacle-headed humanoid" by the
> nature of the creature.
No, I'm sorry, but you're missing the point. The idea that "advances by
class" means "humanoid" is simply a convenience to allow one to reach the
conclusion one wishes to reach, or a prejudice based on answers one knows
from reading the MM.
According to the SRD, Humanoid means "Humanoid: A humanoid usually has two
arms, two legs, and one head, or a humanlike torso, arms, and head.
Humanoids have few or no supernatural or extraordinary abilities, and
usually are Small or Medium-size. Every humanoid creature also has a
sub-type modifier based on its race."
By contrast, an Aberration (which we're told a Mind Flayer is) means "
Aberration: An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien
mindset, or any combination of the three. Unless noted otherwise,
aberrations have darkvision with a range of 60 feet." This neither indicates
nor contraindicates a humanoid form.
And as for advancement: "This book lists only the weakest and most common
version of each creature. The Advancement line shows how tough the creature
can get, in terms of extra Hit Dice. (This is not an absolute limit, but
exceptions are extremely rare.)" These are game mechanics, and have nothing
to do with the shape of a creature.
As has already been mentioned, a Drider (an Aberration) advances by class.
Planetouched also advance by class, and are described as Outsiders
("Outsider: An outsider is a nonelemental creature that comes from another
dimension, reality, or plane. Unless noted otherwise, outsiders have
darkvision with a range of 60 feet." Again, nothing about shape.)
Salamanders advance by class and are Outsiders. Slaadi advance by class and
are Outsiders.
You may believe that "advances by class" means "humanoid", but the SRD does
not provide any support for this belief.
Martin L. Shoemaker
Martin L. Shoemaker Consulting, Software Design and UML Training
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.MartinLShoemaker.com
http://www.UMLBootCamp.com
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