Definition of a Basic Term

[Telodzrum]

So, I'm brand new to the d20 gaming world. My GF finally got me to to give in and join a new game that she organized.

Short story, I'm hooked.

That said, I am having a serious problem piecing together some of the rules (most are written well, some are inconsistent, and others seem downright obtuse and arcane).

Here is my question:

What is a creature?
- What constitutes a creature, in-game
- Is a PC a creature
- Are all humanoids creatures
- Are constructs creatures
- Are outsiders creatures
- Are gods creatures

[Name Violation]

game mechanics solution:
if it has a charisma (cha) score, its a creature

[Gorbacz]

Name Violation wrote:

game mechanics solution:

if it has a charisma (cha) score, its a creature

Poor constructs. :/

Actually, as per the Common Terms section in Core Rulebook:

Creature: A creature is an active participant in the story or world. This includes PCs, NPCs, and monsters.

[Name Violation]

Gorbacz wrote:

Name Violation wrote:

game mechanics solution:

if it has a charisma (cha) score, its a creature

Poor constructs. :/

Actually, as per the Common Terms section in Core Rulebook:

Creature: A creature is an active participant in the story or world. This includes PCs, NPCs, and monsters.

constructs have a cha score. its int a lot dont have. and con

[Name Violation]

Charisma measures a character's personality, personal magnetism, ability to lead, and appearance. It is the most important ability for paladins, sorcerers, and bards. It is also important for clerics, since it affects their ability to channel energy. For undead creatures, Charisma is a measure of their unnatural “lifeforce.” Every creature has a Charisma score. A character with a Charisma score of 0 is not able to exert himself in any way and is unconscious.

and

Wisdom describes a character's willpower, common sense, awareness, and intuition. Wisdom is the most important ability for clerics and druids, and it is also important for monks and rangers. If you want your character to have acute senses, put a high score in Wisdom. Every creature has a Wisdom score. A character with a Wisdom score of 0 is incapable of rational thought and is unconscious.

[Starglim]

Telodzrum wrote:

Here is my question:

What is a creature?
- What constitutes a creature, in-game
- Is a PC a creature
- Are all humanoids creatures
- Are constructs creatures
- Are outsiders creatures
- Are gods creatures

All of those are creatures, as are undead and mindless insect-type beings (vermin, in Pathfinder terminology).

A non-animated corpse is not a creature, but an object.

Some plants (which in Pathfinder includes fungi) and oozes (amorphous lifeforms) can make direct attacks and are creatures, while others have more static area abilities, making them hazards (which, as far as I can tell, is a type of object) and some just sit there and are simply objects.

Intelligent magic items are creatures. The more ordinary sort of magic items are objects (although they get saving throws). edit: Most traps are objects (even if they make attacks).

Essentially a creature can perceive (Wisdom) and react to (Charisma) events around it of its own volition. If objects respond to outside influences at all, they just operate automatically. The difference becomes problematic for things that are mindless or incapable of physical actions, as some of the examples might suggest.

[Epic Meepo]

Telodzrum wrote:

- What constitutes a creature, in-game

As Gorbacz mentioned above, the game defines a creature as an active participant in the story world, including PCs, NPCs, and monsters.

Quote:

- Is a PC a creature

Yes (by definition).

Quote:

- Are all humanoids creatures

Yes (unless they are dead).

Quote:

- Are constructs creatures

Yes (and so are intelligent magic items).

Quote:

- Are outsiders creatures

Yes (but see below).

Quote:

- Are gods creatures

Interestingly, in settings where the gods don't actively intervene in the world, no.

[Lincoln Hills]

Although, generally speaking, your characters aren't going to encounter a god, so their status doesn't matter much.