Ooze (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, an ooze is a type of creature. This category includes such monster
s as slimes, jellies, deadly puddings, and similar mindless, amorphous blobs. They can be used by Dungeon Master
s as enemies or allies of the player characters.
Many oozes dwell underground, and most secrete an acid from their skin that dissolves flesh and other materials rapidly.
Oozes are essentially blind, but more than make up for that with an ability called "blindsight", which allows them to discern nearby objects and creatures without needing to see them visually.
(1974). The slithering tracker first appeared in The Strategic Review
#5 (December 1975).
contains the black pudding, Juiblex
, gelatinous cube
, gray ooze, green slime, ochre jelly, and slithering tracker. The stunjelly
first appeared in the original Fiend Folio
(1981). The crystal ooze, the deadly puddings (the brown pudding, the dun pudding, and the white pudding) and the olive slime and slime creature first appeared in the adventure module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982), and reprinted in the original Monster Manual II (1983) with the mustard jelly.
(1977, 1981, 1983), and the black pudding appeared in the D&D Basic Set (1977) and D&D Expert Set
(1981, 1983). The creatures all appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
(1991).
The 1994 release of The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game contained a number of oozes, although at that time they were not defined as such by a creature type or keyword. The book contained the black pudding, gelatinous cube
, gray ooze, green slime, and ochre jelly.
setting in the adventure module Greyhawk Ruins
(1990). All of these creatures were reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993) under the "ooze/slime/jelly" heading, except for the deadly puddings which appeared under their own heading.
, ooze is a creature type
. The black pudding, the gelatinous cube, the gray ooze, and the ochre jelly appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000) under the "ooze" entry, and the version 3.5 Monster Manual (2003). The green slime appeared in the third edition Dungeon Master's Guide
(2000) as a dungeon hazard, and again in the 3.5 revised Dungeon Master's Guide (2003). The Monster Manual II (2002) contains the bone ooze, flesh jelly, reason stealer, and teratomorph. The Monster Manual III (2004) includes the arcane ooze, living spells (also in the Eberron Campaign Setting
), snowflake ooze, and summoning ooze. The white pudding appears in Frostburn
(2004). The bloodfire ooze appeared in Monster Manual IV (2006), and the graveyard sludge appeared in Monster Manual V (2007).
The Necromancer Games
supplement, The Tome of Horrors (2002), contains the crystal ooze, diger, mercury ooze, mustard jelly, slithering tracker, and stunjelly.
contains the ochre jelly and gelatinous cube
. The black pudding, grey ooze, and green slime appeared in Monster Manual 2 (2009).
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, an ooze is a type of creature. This category includes such monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
s as slimes, jellies, deadly puddings, and similar mindless, amorphous blobs. They can be used by Dungeon Master
Dungeon Master
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Dungeon Master is the game organizer and participant in charge of creating the details and challenges of a given adventure, while maintaining a realistic continuity of events...
s as enemies or allies of the player characters.
Many oozes dwell underground, and most secrete an acid from their skin that dissolves flesh and other materials rapidly.
Oozes are essentially blind, but more than make up for that with an ability called "blindsight", which allows them to discern nearby objects and creatures without needing to see them visually.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The black pudding, the gelatinous cube, the gray ooze, the green slime, and the ochre jelly first appeared in the original Dungeons & Dragons setDungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1974). The slithering tracker first appeared in The Strategic Review
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#5 (December 1975).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons contains a number of ooze-like creatures. The Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
contains the black pudding, Juiblex
Juiblex
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Juiblex, also called The Faceless Lord, is the demon lord of Slimes and Oozes. Juiblex's lair is on the 222nd layer of the Abyss, which he shares with Zuggtmoy, the Demoness Lady of Fungi. In Gary Gygax's Gord novels, Juiblex is alternately called Szhublox...
, gelatinous cube
Gelatinous cube
A gelatinous cube is a fictional monster from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is described as a ten-foot cube of transparent gelatinous ooze, which is able to absorb organic matter.-Creative origins:...
, gray ooze, green slime, ochre jelly, and slithering tracker. The stunjelly
Stunjelly
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Stunjelly is an ooze. They are relatives of the Gelatinous cube that were created by a forgotten mage to act as sentries. Stunjellies resemble thick, grey, slightly transparent stone walls...
first appeared in the original Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio
Fiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(1981). The crystal ooze, the deadly puddings (the brown pudding, the dun pudding, and the white pudding) and the olive slime and slime creature first appeared in the adventure module The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982), and reprinted in the original Monster Manual II (1983) with the mustard jelly.
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
The gelatinous cube, the gray ooze, the green slime, and the ochre jelly appeared in the D&D Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1977, 1981, 1983), and the black pudding appeared in the D&D Basic Set (1977) and D&D Expert Set
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
(1981, 1983). The creatures all appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
The Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia was published by TSR, Inc. in 1991, as a continuation of the basic edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which ran concurrently with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Its product designation was TSR 1071...
(1991).
The 1994 release of The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game contained a number of oozes, although at that time they were not defined as such by a creature type or keyword. The book contained the black pudding, gelatinous cube
Gelatinous cube
A gelatinous cube is a fictional monster from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is described as a ten-foot cube of transparent gelatinous ooze, which is able to absorb organic matter.-Creative origins:...
, gray ooze, green slime, and ochre jelly.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The crystal ooze, the deadly puddings (the black pudding, the brown pudding, the dun pudding, and the white pudding), the gelatinous cube, the gray ooze, the green slime, the ochre jelly appeared in second edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989). The slithering tracker appeared in Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989). The mustard jelly, the olive slime and slime creature, and the stunjelly appeared for the GreyhawkGreyhawk
Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
setting in the adventure module Greyhawk Ruins
Greyhawk Ruins
Greyhawk Ruins is an adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was published in 1990 by TSR, Inc...
(1990). All of these creatures were reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993) under the "ooze/slime/jelly" heading, except for the deadly puddings which appeared under their own heading.
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)
In both the 3rd and 3.5 editions of Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, ooze is a creature type
Creature type (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, creature types are rough categories of creatures which determine the way game mechanics affect the creature. In the 3rd edition and related games, there are between thirteen and seventeen creature types. Creature type is determined by the...
. The black pudding, the gelatinous cube, the gray ooze, and the ochre jelly appeared in the third edition Monster Manual (2000) under the "ooze" entry, and the version 3.5 Monster Manual (2003). The green slime appeared in the third edition Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(2000) as a dungeon hazard, and again in the 3.5 revised Dungeon Master's Guide (2003). The Monster Manual II (2002) contains the bone ooze, flesh jelly, reason stealer, and teratomorph. The Monster Manual III (2004) includes the arcane ooze, living spells (also in the Eberron Campaign Setting
Eberron Campaign Setting
Eberron Campaign Setting is a hardcover accessory for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:The Eberron Campaign Setting book introduced Eberron, and is the core campaign setting, providing the campaign specific rules and details on the continent of Khorvaire...
), snowflake ooze, and summoning ooze. The white pudding appears in Frostburn
Frostburn
Frostburn is a supplemental book to the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:Frostburn provides rules for adventuring in a cold environment as well as an environment known as frostfell, which is a sort of arctic environment with extreme cold.The book contains...
(2004). The bloodfire ooze appeared in Monster Manual IV (2006), and the graveyard sludge appeared in Monster Manual V (2007).
The Necromancer Games
Necromancer Games
Necromancer Games was an American publisher of role-playing games. With offices in Seattle, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, the company specialized in material for the d20 System, with most of its products being released under the Open Game License of Wizards of the Coast.The company's...
supplement, The Tome of Horrors (2002), contains the crystal ooze, diger, mercury ooze, mustard jelly, slithering tracker, and stunjelly.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
In 4th edition, "ooze" is a keyword, rather than a creature type. The 4th edition Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
contains the ochre jelly and gelatinous cube
Gelatinous cube
A gelatinous cube is a fictional monster from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is described as a ten-foot cube of transparent gelatinous ooze, which is able to absorb organic matter.-Creative origins:...
. The black pudding, grey ooze, and green slime appeared in Monster Manual 2 (2009).
Ooze descriptions
- Aballin: The aballin was introduced in the Fiend FolioFiend FolioFiend Folio is the title shared by three products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
Monstrous Compendium supplement book. In the game, they resemble large puddles of stagnant, jelly-like water. (They are actually oozes though, not elemental creatures of water, because their substance, though it resembles water, is actually an acid.) They were supposedly created in ancient times when a druid fell victim to an archwizard's curse and turned into the first aballin. All other aballins are thought to be descended from her. Like most oozes, aballins live underground. Unlike some oozes, however, most of which merely drag themselves around and engulf whatever they find, aballins have a more sophisticated way of feeding. They lie dormant until prey comes along, and the said prey notices coins and other treasures, the remnants of the aballin's previous victims, floating at the bottom of the creature. Thinking it to be merely water, they reach in to retrieve the treasures, and then the aballin lashes out with liquid pseudopodPseudopodPseudopods or pseudopodia are temporary projections of eukaryotic cells. Cells that possess this faculty are generally referred to as amoeboids. Pseudopodia extend and contract by the reversible assembly of actin subunits into microfilaments...
s, grapples with the victim, and pulls them in and drowns them. Aballins cannot speak, and they are regarded as NeutralAlignment (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, alignment is a categorization of the ethical and moral perspective of people, creatures and societies....
in alignment.
- Gray ooze: In the game, a gray ooze resembles a thick, viscous puddle of gray sludge, roughly 6 to 8 inches thick and up to 14 feet across, and often closely resembles wet stone or an amorphous rock formation. Like most oozes, they are underground dwelling, mindless scavengers who drag themselves around caves and sewers and absorb and digest whatever they find. Unlike some other oozes, it cannot move on ceilings or walls, and hence is left to slide its way along floors. The gray ooze attacks by striking like a snake until prey is either dead or unconscious, and it then moves on top of them to digest them from within. It is immune to cold and fire. The gray ooze's acidic secretions corrode metal at an alarming rate, and in addition to giving the creature a method of destroying opponent's weapons and armor, blacksmiths also sometimes use jarred gray oozes to meld ore into the right shape. Gray oozes reproduce by breaking small driplets off of themselves after a meal, which later grow into gray oozes themselves.
- Ochre jelly: In Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, the ochre jelly resembles a giant amoebaAmoebaAmoeba is a genus of Protozoa.History=The amoeba was first discovered by August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof in 1757. Early naturalists referred to Amoeba as the Proteus animalcule after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape...
, consisting of a thick, porous, golden sludge stiffly built up into the amoeba shape. It lurks in dungeons, slowly sludging its way along floors, walls and ceilings alike, under doors and through cracks, looking for victims. When it finds them, it extends, latches onto them, and then proceeds to engulf and constrict them. The ochre jelly reproduces asexuallyAsexual reproductionAsexual reproduction is a mode of reproduction by which offspring arise from a single parent, and inherit the genes of that parent only, it is reproduction which does not involve meiosis, ploidy reduction, or fertilization. A more stringent definition is agamogenesis which is reproduction without...
, and can sometimes be found with several of its divided offspring.
Additional reading
- Greenwood, Ed. "The Ecology of the Ochre Jelly". DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#104 (TSR, 1985). - Greenwood, Ed. "The Ecology of the Slithering Tracker". DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#86 (TSRTSR, Inc.Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
, 1984). - Richards, Johnathan M. "The Ecology of the Black Pudding". Dragon #219 (TSR, 1995).
- Richards, Johnathan M. "Ecology of the Gray Ooze: Ooze There?" Dragon Annual #4 (TSR, 1999).
- Aballin Monstrous Database listing, retrieved December 17, 2008.
External links
- Monstrous Database entries: Aballin Gelatinous Cube Gray Ooze