According to the Bestiary, a Chimera "may form equal partnerships with a respectful humanoid or similar creature, and even consent to be used as a mount", but I'm wondering if it would be possible for one to subdue a chimera to such a point that it's nature could be changed to be more servile. I realize that this wouldn't happen in one generation, but after several chimera generations, could their entire race be made to change and become more domesticated?
I don't see why not, although there are no mechanics for this and you are totally dependent on the whim of the GM.
I have a campaign setting in which one human LN has over generations influenced a lineage of Manticores to be neutral through diplomacy and bribery.
I don't see why not, although there are no mechanics for this and you are totally dependent on the whim of the GM.
I have a campaign setting in which one human LN has over generations influenced a lineage of Manticores to be neutral through diplomacy and bribery.
Thank you, this was very helpful. Also, sorry I forgot to mention this sooner, but I actually am the GM in this campaign, and was just wondering if this was within the realm of possibility. Now that I know it is, this will be of great help to me. Again, thank you!
A chimera has an int of 4, well-above animal intelligence. I do not believe you could alter the basic nature of the creature any more than you could do so with people. Did people enslave other people? Yes. But it was through force, and those people remained fundamentally unchanged.
What you are talking about is basically forced enslavement.
Chimeras are uncivilized brutes. Intelligent races have every right to enslave them as they wish.
What a fascinating point of view.
Both animals and humans can display a staggering array of learned behavior.
I don't see why you couldn't raise a chimera to go against its 'nature'.
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I'd imagine a creature such as that would only change its behavior if you make it worth its time. I could definitely see a Chimera becoming a fair-weather friend, provided you give him the means and opportunity at living a standard of life far preferrable to its current lot. Just make sure you take care of the more boring, tedious aspects of such a lifestyle -- I don't think a chimera would appreciate having to purchase his own choice bits of livestock. Also, don't expect a Chimera to stick around if a better offer is made to it -- they're chaotic evil in most cases, after all.
You act like I suggested enslaving other humans.
Judgement need not be passed. Let us help the OP.
I'm pretty sure your reasoning was exactly what was used to justify human slavery, so yes, I am drawing a parallel. At an Int of 4, chimeras are in fact as intelligent as a mentally-impaired human being. So what I'm suggesting is that not only is it akin to enslaving human beings, it's akin to enslaving mentally-impaired human beings.
In other words, despicable.
That doesn't mean it couldn't or wouldn't happen in a fantasy world. But like slavery of human beings, there's a morality involved which I'm suggesting the DM in question may not want to ignore.
I respectfully request that you stop implying that I'm a scumbag. I'm surprised that infringements upon a mythical creature's supposed rights caused so much distress for you. I apologize.
Your claim of respect belies your passive-aggressive attempt to portray me as someone who experiences "distress" over the "infringements upon a mythical creature's supposed rights." Amusing, if ineffectual.
Nor did I call you a scumbag. Rather I suggested, and you--seemingly proudly--confirmed, that you were using the same logic in this discussion that supposedly "civilized" colonists did, when enslaving the "uncivilized brutes" of the old world.
I also find your other argument, that enslaving chimeras is morally acceptable due to their lack of humanity, intriguing given the plethora of non-human intelligent species in most D&D/Pathfinder worlds, both published and homebrew. Out of curiosity, do your own campaigns feature human-dominated worlds in which the elves, dwarves, halflings, giants, fey, and other non-human species are regularly enslaved by humankind? Or how about other, less humanoid-looking races? The dragons, centaurs, bugbears, etc.?
I highly suspect that you're merely stating a position in an attempt to inflame me--trolling, as it were--but then I'm in this discussion for its entertainment value myself, so I can hardly blame you. In either case, I'm curious to see how you'll respond. ;)