Background[]
The term 'Creature' can refer to living animals[1][2][3][4], or invertebrates (fauna[5]) such scorpions in KQ5[6]. These are generally treated as non-sentient except through use of magic[7], that allows one to listen or speak to language of creatures (Understanding the Language of Creatures & White snake).
In KQ it is also often used to designate monsters both living and undead[8][9] and magical species (Magical Creatures and Other Oddities & Charming a Creature of the Night Spell)[10][11][12] Thus often they fall more to the 'un-natural' or 'fantastical' spectrum. Genies for example can be described as creatures or race.[13] Same goes for Winged Ones[14], the Hole-in-the-Wall[15], and the Minotaur[16], the Bump-on-a-Log[17], the Stick-in-the-Mud[18], the Dangling Participle[19], and the Night Mare[20].
Creature may also be used to designate characters/races that player can see but does not know what they are, or look animal-like, or have animal-like personalities/qualities... For example before Graham knows identity of the elves in KQ5: ""The small creatures, whoever they are, don't seem to show any interest in it." The forest where the elves are found is known to be filled with strange creatures, including Rocky, the Jinx.[21] While the bipedal Guard Dogs & Saladin is also described as 'dog-like creatures' and 'magestic-looking creature'.[22] The evil vizier Abdul Alhazred is described as a creature by the genie.[23]
From animal's perpsectives humans are creatures too.[24]
The rule of thumb is that not all creatures are monsters, not all 'magical species' are monsters or necessarily 'creatures', not all 'animals' are monsters, not all 'monsters' are creatures or animals, or magical species.
Behind the scenes[]
In KQ1SCI, Creature is treated as synonym of animal, and monster for sake of the intepreter (animal, creature, monster noun).
In KQ4, Creature is treated as a synonym of animal, and beast (animal, beast, creature noun). While 'monster' is synonym of ghouls/zombies, etc (ghoul, ghouls, monster, monsters, zombie, zombies noun).
In KQ1 dangerous creatures is used to designate a number of monsters, animals, and other fierce creatures that can attack Graham.[25]
References[]
- ↑ Narrator (KQ2): You can see many beautiful creatures at the bottom of the sea."
- ↑ "KQ5: A worn dirt path wanders through a thick wood alive with the sound of many creatures."
- ↑ Narrator (KQ1SCI): "What would a knight have to gain by murdering such a cute, inoffensive creature as a tiny squirrel?"
- ↑ KQ8 Story: "In a time long ago, magic and myth is embodied in every living creature roaming the world.", Narrator (KQ6):"Alexander hears a low growling--so faint as to seem born of his fired imagination rather than of any living creature. "
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): If the tree stump is hiding anything, it's only local fauna. There's no need to disturb some creature's nest.
- ↑ Too bad! Even the sting of such a small creature can prove deadly.
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6):"You can try TALKing to anything, although only speaking creatures will generally talk back."
- ↑ KQ8 Story: "But the spread of evil has created an extra challenge - dark creatures roaming free across the land are ready for a fight. It'll take perfect marksmanship and a sharp sword to keep these from ending your quest!", "An on-screen cursor, carried over from traditional adventure game engines, allows you to 'point and click' to retrieve objects, open doors and use weapons on evil creatures.
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): "Alexander decides to get closer to the undead creature....","Alexander will have to get a little closer to the undead creature if he wants to touch it.", Alexander (KQ6): "Who ARE you poor undead creatures?"
- ↑ KQ7 Blurb/Story: "After a few seconds of watching the dragonette, Rosella tries to grab it; unfortunately, she's too late and the dragonette dives back into the pond. Rosella's eyes dart to her mother and a mischievous smile spreads across her face. Rosella jumps in, determined to follow the magical creature."
- ↑ GOG Collections: "The wonderful, surreal land, filled with fantasy creatures and untold wonders, is just waiting to reveal its secrets to you, if you so wish..."
- ↑ KQ7 Blurb: "The Realm of Eldritch is inhabited by delightful and fantastic creatures, talking stags, friendly trolls, a magnificent crystal dragon, and many others."
- ↑ Alexander (KQ6):"You would wish to be master of such a wicked creature?", Narrator (KQ6): "Alexander can't take the genie by force--the creature would only 'poof' himself free."
- ↑ Hassan (KQ6): "The inhabitants of the Isle of the Sacred Mountain are the most gorgeous creatures ya'll ever see. If ya ever get to see them, that is."
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): "Alexander hopes the little creature finds its way home to the Isle of Wonder."
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): "Alexander hears the sound of a wild beast again--this time so loud that the creature itself seems to be in the same room with him.
- ↑ A bump-on-a-log is a defenseless creature, alas, and must put up with whatever cruelty Fate dishes out!"
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): Alexander isn't getting anywhere by talking to that cranky stick-in-the-mud. The creature simply refuses to toss Alexander any swamp ooze!
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): "One end of the creature resembles a miniature dragon, while the other looks like a possum. What a strange-looking fellow!"
- ↑ A mighty winged horse the color of midnight is feeding from the nightshade bush. The creature must be Night Mare, the one the Druids spoke about.
- ↑ Narrator (KQ5): "The pervasive gloom of the forest settles around Graham like a tight, suffocating blanket. Everywhere he can hear the eerie sounds of strange creatures.", "Narrator (KQ5): "The rock-like creature is not inclined to move farther."
- ↑ Narrator (KQ6): "The guard returns a moment later with a majestic-looking creature.", "The entrance is being guarded by two dog-like creatures.", "Shamir Shamazel, the vizier's genie, is throwing bright balls of light at the hapless guard dogs. The dazzling light appears to be stunning the powerful creatures!", "In front of the castle doors are two odd-looking creatures--rather like dogs in uniform."
- ↑ Shamir (KQ6): "My lamp! Oh, thank Balhalla! I hated working for that loathsome creature! I already feel his nastiness leaving me! How I've longed for a master like you!"
- ↑ Narrator/Animals (KQ3): "\"Well, humans are pretty stupid creatures. They're always trying to defy Mother Nature,\" the second fish declares. \"There's nothing you can do about it, anyway.\""
- ↑ KQ1AGI: "The sorcerer casts a spell, freezing you to the spot. I hope no dangerous creatures drop by!", "The spell to make you invisible has expired and you are once again visible to dangerous creatures, but, the ring has now disappeared.", "While falling through the hole, the magic ring fell off your finger. Dangerous creatures can see you now!"