Aboleth misprint? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Aboleth misprint? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Spike_Fightwicky
12-02-05, 10:01 AM I have Quick question regarding some details that may or may not be missing from the Aboleth.

In the description of the Aboleth, it says:

The aboleth is a revolting fishlike amphibian found primarily in subterranean lakes and rivers.

Sounds like a good description. However, the Aboleth does NOT have the Amphibious trait, so it, in fact, is not an amphibian. So is there a misprint somewhere? As worded, he's as amphibious as a goldfish....

Also, in the SRD, under its Special Qualities, it has "Aquatic Subtype" listed. No other Aquatic type creatures have this listed in their SQs. Was "Amphibious" supposed to be there instead?

(Please note that I can't access the Errata from my current location)
Radijs
12-02-05, 10:06 AM Its just some flavour text it doesn't alter the creature's subtypes which is indeed aquatic.
Spike_Fightwicky
12-02-05, 10:09 AM I realize it's supposed to be aquatic, but unders SQs, subtype is never mentioned (as far as I've seen), yet it's part of the Aboleth's Special Qualities. (A shark is Aquatic, but under a shark's SQs, it's not listed, whereas a Toad has amphibious under it's SQs)

To mention it in the description but not be part of the actual creature doesn't really make sense. If I made a monster described "This creature usually ambushes enemies from the air, using its flight ability to its fullest advantage", and then made a creature that had no flight capabilities, it's not just fluff, I'm describing the wrong monster.
The Vorpal Tribble
12-02-05, 10:11 AM It mentions that while on land it pulls itself forward with its tentacles. So this does indeed mean that it can go on land... except... *scowls*

In Lords of Madness it says they breathe their own mucous, and not water or air... but that the mucous must be mixed with water to be properly diluted for breathing. Which means they can't really leave the water.

Then it mentions that there is an amphibious type that has partially adapted to land...

So to put it in a nutshell, no, the standard aboleth is not literally amphibious.
obrysii
12-02-05, 10:30 AM It's sort of like how for Merfolk, it mentions that they can barely move around on land. However, they have an actual land movement speed.
Spike_Fightwicky
12-02-05, 10:34 AM It's sort of like how for Merfolk, it mentions that they can barely move around on land. However, they have an actual land movement speed.

It also states in the Special Qualities section that they're amphibious ;)

Aboleths have land movement as well, and an 'amphibious' description. :confused:
savant_warlord13
12-02-05, 12:23 PM If you have lords of madness, you know that aboleths can survive on land indefinately if their surroundings are sufficiently moist
Spike_Fightwicky
12-02-05, 01:32 PM Looks like I'll have to look into this book then :D

Seems to have the answers to all my questions.
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht
12-02-05, 02:04 PM ISounds like a good description. However, the Aboleth does NOT have the Amphibious trait, so it, in fact, is not an amphibian. So is there a misprint somewhere? As worded, he's as amphibious as a goldfish....

It means that the aboleth is an actual amphibian. Axolotls are amphibians, but they aren't amphibious. I would presume that the Aboleth is the same. (Incidentally, don't cite LoM when you quote me. The MM was written well before LoM, which invented most of the aboleth information in it. Prior to LoM, aboleths were amphibians, albeit extremely bizarre ones.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Spike_Fightwicky 12-02-05, 10:01 AM	I have Quick question regarding some details that may or may not be missing from the Aboleth. In the description of the Aboleth, it says: The aboleth is a revolting fishlike amphibian found primarily in subterranean lakes and rivers. Sounds like a good description. However, the Aboleth does NOT have the Amphibious trait, so it, in fact, is not an amphibian. So is there a misprint somewhere? As worded, he's as amphibious as a goldfish.... Also, in the SRD, under its Special Qualities, it has "Aquatic Subtype" listed. No other Aquatic type creatures have this listed in their SQs. Was "Amphibious" supposed to be there instead? (Please note that I can't access the Errata from my current location)
Radijs 12-02-05, 10:06 AM	Its just some flavour text it doesn't alter the creature's subtypes which is indeed aquatic.
Spike_Fightwicky 12-02-05, 10:09 AM	I realize it's supposed to be aquatic, but unders SQs, subtype is never mentioned (as far as I've seen), yet it's part of the Aboleth's Special Qualities. (A shark is Aquatic, but under a shark's SQs, it's not listed, whereas a Toad has amphibious under it's SQs) To mention it in the description but not be part of the actual creature doesn't really make sense. If I made a monster described "This creature usually ambushes enemies from the air, using its flight ability to its fullest advantage", and then made a creature that had no flight capabilities, it's not just fluff, I'm describing the wrong monster.
The Vorpal Tribble 12-02-05, 10:11 AM	It mentions that while on land it pulls itself forward with its tentacles. So this does indeed mean that it can go on land... except... scowls In Lords of Madness it says they breathe their own mucous, and not water or air... but that the mucous must be mixed with water to be properly diluted for breathing. Which means they can't really leave the water. Then it mentions that there is an amphibious type that has partially adapted to land... So to put it in a nutshell, no, the standard aboleth is not literally amphibious.
obrysii 12-02-05, 10:30 AM	It's sort of like how for Merfolk, it mentions that they can barely move around on land. However, they have an actual land movement speed.
Spike_Fightwicky 12-02-05, 10:34 AM	It's sort of like how for Merfolk, it mentions that they can barely move around on land. However, they have an actual land movement speed. It also states in the Special Qualities section that they're amphibious ;) Aboleths have land movement as well, and an 'amphibious' description. :confused:
savant_warlord13 12-02-05, 12:23 PM	If you have lords of madness, you know that aboleths can survive on land indefinately if their surroundings are sufficiently moist
Spike_Fightwicky 12-02-05, 01:32 PM	Looks like I'll have to look into this book then :D Seems to have the answers to all my questions.
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht 12-02-05, 02:04 PM	ISounds like a good description. However, the Aboleth does NOT have the Amphibious trait, so it, in fact, is not an amphibian. So is there a misprint somewhere? As worded, he's as amphibious as a goldfish.... It means that the aboleth is an actual amphibian. Axolotls are amphibians, but they aren't amphibious. I would presume that the Aboleth is the same. (Incidentally, don't cite LoM when you quote me. The MM was written well before LoM, which invented most of the aboleth information in it. Prior to LoM, aboleths were amphibians, albeit extremely bizarre ones.)