Is creature type a "game statistic" for the purpose of this round? The example is ambivalent, because "dragon" is a type but also the name of the creature.
Just as you can say "this creature has an acid breath weapon," you can say "this creature is undead/a dragon/and so on." Just because a word happens to be a game term doesn't mean you can't use the word... otherwise you couldn't say "claw" or "attack"! :)
Thank you. :) Based on history I'm anticipating a future round will be "pick someone else's monster and stat it up," and mine is intended to be one type but could easily be mistaken for another... wasn't sure if I had to jump through hoops to clarify!
I don't meant to be frustrating, so I apologize in advance. I'm asking on the basis that the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
Can we use basic game terminology? I understand that we're not provide any stats. However in the example given "strong" and "poison" are both game terms and very common real world terms.
How about something like "low-light vision"? That is something I wouldn't expect in a every day conversation but is something I would consider a 'game term'.
Again, I apologize in advance if this is an inappropriate question. I just don't want to jump through so many hoops trying to explain a power that I don't make any sense.
Perhaps a better question is, "do you want to use your limited amount of words (1) typing out the name "low-light vision," (2) describing that this monster can see well even in dim light, or (3) describing some other cool thing the monster has, instead of a common ability that three of the core PC races and a zillion different monster types has?"
Think of this assignment as describing a monster for a systemless monster book. If you want to describe a monster as strong, say it's strong (like the FAQ says). If you want to say it's poisonous, say it's poisonous (like the FAQ says). You don't need to detail all of its game-related abilities because that's just verbalizing the stat block. You don't need to say that your undead monster takes damage from positive energy and is healed by negative energy; I know that's the case because unless otherwise specified that's true for EVERY undead creature. Likewise, ALL dragons get darkvision and low-light vision; if you say your monster is a dragon, you've already told me (the PF-aware reader) that it has DV and LLV. Tell me more about how your monster thinks, what it likes and hates, what neat stuff it can do, where it lives. Don't give me a stat block in prose form... the assignment is to describe a monster, not give its game stats.
Got it, thank you!
I think what Sean was really trying to tell you is that you can save 3 words by saying your monster has "DV" and "LLV" instead!
As your attorney, I advise you to never take any of my advice.