MitD XV: The Other Dark One

[Ruck]

Anyone else feel like the Beholder appearance in the new comic might make WotC copyrighted creatures more likely than maybe we've previously credited thanks to the Illithid (TM) Incident?

It's not a Beholder, it's an Eye Tyrant!

More seriously, it might make it more likely, if there's a WotC copyrighted character that fits well enough but was discounted for copyright, but I can't think of any.

[Peelee]

Anyone else feel like the Beholder appearance in the new comic might make WotC copyrighted creatures more likely than maybe we've previously credited thanks to the Illithid (TM) Incident?

For what its worth (ie practically nothing), I've never considered copyright to be relevant to what the MitD might be and have on several occasions considered lobbying for this project thread to drop it, but ultimately disregarded that idea every time. Suffice it to say that the very fact that we saw a mind flayer and a beholder in the comic in the first few dozen strips should largely dispel the notion that such creatures cannot be in the comic. But I am a definite minority in that belief.

And I'm not just saying that because of how well Wile E. Coyote fits.

[hamishspence]

It's not a Beholder, it's an Eye Tyrant!

More seriously, it might make it more likely, if there's a WotC copyrighted character that fits well enough but was discounted for copyright, but I can't think of any.

White Slaad are WOTC, and are not in the Hypertext SRD due to copyright. However they've never been "discounted because of copyright".

The idea in this case would be that MitD's father was a black slaad, which is Huge to the white slaad's Large.

[Keltest]

So, standard disclaimer that i am not a mod, but from my understanding the rule in this thread about copyrights and trademarks and what not is not intended to say that it cant be them, simply to acknowledge that it is an obstacle that may or may not have a solution that we cant speculate without violating the forum rules.

[Peelee]

So, standard disclaimer that i am not a mod, but from my understanding the rule in this thread about copyrights and trademarks and what not is not intended to say that it cant be them, simply to acknowledge that it is an obstacle that may or may not have a solution that we cant speculate without violating the forum rules.

For what it worth (ie a lot, to me), I definitely enjoy erring on the side of caution so the mods don't even have to spend any time thinking about stuff like that.

[Keltest]

Right. I like Peelee guys. He seems pretty swell. Dont make him think unhappy thoughts.

[Peelee]

Right. I like Peelee guys. He seems pretty swell.

Right back at ya!

[Grey_Wolf_c]

So, standard disclaimer that i am not a mod, but from my understanding the rule in this thread about copyrights and trademarks and what not is not intended to say that it cant be them, simply to acknowledge that it is an obstacle that may or may not have a solution that we cant speculate without violating the forum rules.

Yep, this. Many have Opinions on the subject, because Internet. Such Opinions have been aired in this forum, and often have been red-texted. It's a can of worms I'm going to keep as closed as I can as a curator by means of section 3c. The bottom line is: we don't know where the line is. Speculating about where the line is is against the rules. Such creatures may or may not be available to be used by Rich, and only Rich and his lawyer know, and neither have chosen to inform this thread about their understanding of the issue.

Grey Wolf

[yeetusmcgeetus]

I was re-reading SoD today and saw something interesting: "sometimes it's hard being looked at by so many people." To me, this implies that it is something that changes form (maybe abilities, maybe not) based on who observes it. This also explains the mixed reactions from the crowd: curiosity, mild discomfort, vomiting, fear... I don't have any specific monsters but just wanted to point this out.

[Yendor]

Being uncomfortable with lots of people looking at you is something that happens to people in the real world, and I'm sure almost none of them are shapeshifters.

[Ruck]

I was re-reading SoD today and saw something interesting: "sometimes it's hard being looked at by so many people." To me, this implies that it is something that changes form (maybe abilities, maybe not) based on who observes it. This also explains the mixed reactions from the crowd: curiosity, mild discomfort, vomiting, fear... I don't have any specific monsters but just wanted to point this out.

Joooooooin uuuuussssss....

[CountDVB]

I know that the Hagunemnon/Protean is the most popular choice though I’m wondering if there would be any variations or tricks to it.

Like Proteans are psionic creatures so they don’t need to have a phrenic counterpart for example or would a Phrenic Protean be one with both sets of psychic abilities, like a stronger form?

[halfeye]

I was re-reading SoD today and saw something interesting: "sometimes it's hard being looked at by so many people." To me, this implies that it is something that changes form (maybe abilities, maybe not) based on who observes it. This also explains the mixed reactions from the crowd: curiosity, mild discomfort, vomiting, fear... I don't have any specific monsters but just wanted to point this out.

I'm getting the impression that there is no D&D beast that is seen as different things by different people at the same time, let alone one that is strong enough to be MitD and has teleportation powers. If there is, then it is the MitD no doubt.

[yeetusmcgeetus]

Being uncomfortable with lots of people looking at you is something that happens to people in the real world, and I'm sure almost none of them are shapeshifters.

Yeah, but the way he phrased it made it seem like physical exertion.

[yeetusmcgeetus]

I'm getting the impression that there is no D&D beast that is seen as different things by different people at the same time, let alone one that is strong enough to be MitD and has teleportation powers. If there is, then it is the MitD no doubt.

Does it have to be from D&D? Didn't one of the top contenders used to be Snorlax?

[yeetusmcgeetus]

OK I just realized something. In #543, MITD is surprised when wanting O'Chul to escape isn't enough to make it happen. As stated in the first post, this could point towards him being able to use Wish. However, Wish has verbal components. From my standpoint, "hoping really hard" and thus causing something to happen seems more like that one psionic power that's basically Wish (Reality something or other). This also explains O'Chul's escape (the ability can't need words other than "Escape" to activate, but psionic powers don't need verbal components). In addition, look how he holds items like the umbrella or bucket of paint. Hands would be wrapped around the handle, right? But no, they just float in the darkness, indicating telekinesis.

[halfeye]

Does it have to be from D&D? Didn't one of the top contenders used to be Snorlax?

Okay, name a being that is seen differently by different people at the same time. I think there was one in the original Trek, but that is the only one I'm remembering.

As an aside, you can probably edit your posts, so you don't need to make two in a row.

[ebarde]

What if he's Pun Pun, the optimized Kobold?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

What if he's Pun Pun, the optimized Kobold?

See section 3b.

GW

[Darth Paul]

Joooooooin uuuuussssss....

You have no idea how effective that is, in combination with the eyes on your avatar.

[mjasghar]

Okay, name a being that is seen differently by different people at the same time. I think there was one in the original Trek, but that is the only one I'm remembering.

As an aside, you can probably edit your posts, so you don't need to make two in a row.

There’s also the Red Dwarf gelf or whatever which can appear as a physically attractive member of your species (including android) even to the extent of appearing as Male for the Cat (because he just loves himself) simultaneously. They can turn it off though to appear as a Cyclopean gribbly thing.

[Squire Doodad]

OK I just realized something. In #543, MITD is surprised when wanting O'Chul to escape isn't enough to make it happen. As stated in the first post, this could point towards him being able to use Wish. However, Wish has verbal components. From my standpoint, "hoping really hard" and thus causing something to happen seems more like that one psionic power that's basically Wish (Reality something or other). This also explains O'Chul's escape (the ability can't need words other than "Escape" to activate, but psionic powers don't need verbal components). In addition, look how he holds items like the umbrella or bucket of paint. Hands would be wrapped around the handle, right? But no, they just float in the darkness, indicating telekinesis.

Note that holding the umbrella is specifically an art choice so as to not rule out certain monsters or to implicitly require a given set of proportions. It can be telekinesis, but it can also have hands that are obscured by the darkness.
Kind of like how the Protean assumes he is taking an action to maintain the eyes/will have eyes as a constant in order to be consistent and not a dead giveaway.

Also, I believe Reality Revision is the Pisonic Wish equivalent, yeah.

[Crusher]

Does it have to be from D&D? Didn't one of the top contenders used to be Snorlax?

Oh, it definitely doesnÂ’t have to be D&D. ItÂ’s just that the sheer number of things D&D has statted over the decades is HUGE, especially when it comes to the kind of things thatÂ’d make good adversaries for D&D characters. So itÂ’s hard to find stuff thatÂ’s be a good candidate and hasnÂ’t been statted.

If someone found something in GulliverÂ’s Travels or something that was hugely strong, really weird looking, not a ton bigger than humans, and had any explanation for the escape, weÂ’d seriously consider it even if it lacked stats. The Hunting Horror is a Call of Cthulhu monster, btw.

Edit - Also, regarding the “hoping really hard causing a Wish”, it’s entirely possible that one time decades ago when by himself, MitD said “I Wish I had a sandwich” AND IT WORKED. So now, at night when he’s hungry (and alone) he wishes for sandwiches and once/year or every six months or whatever it happens. He doesn’t know why or how it works, and even if someone saw it happen they’d probably assume he was playing a trick or even forgot he had a sandwich in the first place.

[Peelee]

Also, regarding the “hoping really hard causing a Wish”, it’s entirely possible that one time decades ago when by himself, MitD said “I Wish I had a sandwich” AND IT WORKED. So now, at night when he’s hungry (and alone) he wishes for sandwiches and once/year or every six months or whatever it happens. He doesn’t know why or how it works, and even if someone saw it happen they’d probably assume he was playing a trick or even forgot he had a sandwich in the first place.

I'm sorry, that's too farfetched for me to get on board with. I just can't imagine that happening.

It would be stew.

[Psyren]

That thing with the peanut butter that got him banned from Tsukiko's room could have involved a sandwich

[Algeh]

Okay, name a being that is seen differently by different people at the same time. I think there was one in the original Trek, but that is the only one I'm remembering.

As an aside, you can probably edit your posts, so you don't need to make two in a row.

There’s also the Red Dwarf gelf or whatever which can appear as a physically attractive member of your species (including android) even to the extent of appearing as Male for the Cat (because he just loves himself) simultaneously. They can turn it off though to appear as a Cyclopean gribbly thing.

If we're just listing things from other series that have the property of being seen by different people as different things when they all see them at the same time, there's also the Vorlons from Babylon 5.

I don't think iterating through species from licensed TV space properties is going to get us any place useful, though.

[hamishspence]

Okay, name a being that is seen differently by different people at the same time. I think there was one in the original Trek, but that is the only one I'm remembering.

Even D&D has one of those - the Dream Larva:

https://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/mons...htm#dreamLarva

Worst Nightmare (Su)
Each time a living creature first views a specific dream larva from a distance of 30 feet or less (or from a scrying effect), the subject sees the image of the most fearsome creature imaginable. This is not an illusion or phantasm; the dream larva truly becomes, for just that instant, the subject’s worst nightmare. Even if simultaneously viewed by dozens of different creatures, the dream larva appears differently to each one of them.

[Lord Bingo]

I have been away for a while, biding MitDs return to the forefront of the strip. I have however come up with a candidate for the monster that I believe we have not yet discussed. Perhaps this is for a good reason but please bear with me.

What if Rich has already told us on page 84 in The Start of Darkness, when the ringmaster announces the monster: "Prepare to feast your eyes on 'IT'!" Is MitD a Glamour/Deadlight? (Stephen Kings 'IT').

If so:

1. The circus: Although a shapeshifter the closest thing to a natural form - at least on our earth - is a large f...ing spider eventhough some see a splendid light. It ('IT') would certainly explain the various reactions in the circus.
2. The tower: He would be nigh on impervious to any attack and immensely strong - easily able to tear a human limb from limb or punch people through walls.
3. The escape: He is able to teleport himself and others as well as mimicing any other spell-like ability as he is close to (if not outright) omnipotent - even if he does not himself know it.

Additionally:

• You would not expect to find him in the jungle, as it is native only to an unknown void and on earth primarily resides underground in sewers.
• Not even your run-o-the-mill wizard is likely to know what MitD really is.
• If you found him as a child in the jungle, you would most likely see a "giant" spider and would not expect it to speak.
• As he ages he would be expected to grow from a baby giant spider to a f...ing huge giant spider.
• He would be expected to eat people - preferable children - and not to prefer stew, steak or tacos.
• He would be insatiably hungry.
• Xykon would expect him to be able to devour people.
• Redcloak - the nerd that he is - might actually know - or think he knows - what the creature really is. After all he reads a lot...
• A spiders legs would be more suited for punching/kicking than for pulling ropes (Assuming he stuck to his "native" form).
• 'IT' is ancient but our Glamour/Deadlight might be smaller, and be slowly growing into his omnipotence. Thus he might not yet fully realise what he can really do/know his own strength and powers.

I must admit, that I am no authority on Stephen Kings 'IT' or the lore behind the Glamours/Deadlights (though I had the sense to google 'IT' before I wrote this post - thank the gods for online fan-culture).

PS. I realize there might be a 4a problem with this Lovecraftianesque eldritch horror/pop culture icon.

[Peelee]

Ooh, I like it. I don't think they'd gov to be it but I like that it's a pretty good fit

[TooSoon]

It's a Protean.