Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons began with the Dungeons and Dragons “White Box Set” published in 1974. It was further described in the Greyhawk supplement published in 1975.
The Gelatinous Cube is a a square shaped ooze type creature that is about 10′ wide and 10′ tall. It is designed so as to fit exactly in a ten foot hallway and be virtually unavoidable as it sweeps through a dungeon. They are just a mindless blob of ooze in the shape of a cube. They are nearly transparent and are easily missed in the dark corridors of dungeons. This often results in them having surprise in combat situations.
Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons keep things clean and tidy underground
The cube mindlessly patrols the corridors and passageways. During it’s travels it tends to pick up things left around on the floors. Gems, jewelry, weapons and other things left behind often end up inside of these creatures over time. They also pick up the dead things that land on the dungeon floors and dispose of them. Some things that the Gelatinous Cube picks up are not digestible for the creature. These are the “treasures” of the creature.
Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons various editions
Virtually all editions of Dungeons and Dragons include the Gelatinous Cube as a possible monster to encounter. This includes Basic and Original Dungeons and Dragons. Pathfinder does as well.
Gelatinous Cubes are always hungry
These mindless blobs wander aimlessly through dungeon corridors in search of food. They consume living tissue but the bones and other objects with the prey go undigested. The cube is often found with bones and other objects embedded within the creature’s body. Eventually these items will be expelled during the passage of time. The better fed the Gelatinous Cube is the more easily it will be spotted as the items within it will be seen if nothing else.
Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons are the size of a typical dungeon hallway
The 10 foot by 10 foot size of the Gelatinous Cube is no accident. These creatures are just the size of a typical dungeon hallway. Although….there are rumors of much bigger and much smaller varieties. But these rumors are unconfirmed. The nature of these creatures allows them to squeeze through smaller hallways in any case.
The busier a dungeon is the more likely it has a Gelatinous Cube present
The Gelatinous Cube lives off of living tissue or carrion. Either is fine. The creature is nearly mindless. All it knows is that it wants to eat. Dead, abandoned, places tend to have less food available for these creatures. And are less likely to have one present.
The Gelatinous Cube in combat
These creatures do not see nor do they hear. Instead…they sense vibrations….and warmth. When encountering a living thing the Gelatinous Cube will either slam that living thing with a paralyzing pseudopod or will attempt to engulf it completely. Creatures touched or engulfed may be paralyzed by a secretion specific to this creature. A person engulfed by the cube will then face the acidic digestive secretions of the creature. These acids affect living tissue but are not strong enough to eat at bones or other hard objects.
Reproduction of Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons
Gelatinous Cubes reportedly reproduce asexually. They sometimes divide into two separate cubes. Or occasionally the bud a small one. On rare occasions two full sized Gelatinous Cubes have been reported to meet and merge into one much larger cube. This has been unconfirmed by any reliable sources.
The History of Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons
Given the nature of the Gelatinous Cube it is almost natural that most sages suspect that the Demon Prince Jubilex had a hand in their creation. As this Demon Prince is the lord of all such blob type creatures it seems likely to have some basis in truth. There are rumors that the Demon Prince has been seen to control these creatures on occasions.
Gelatinous Cubes in Dungeons and Dragons are iconic
Virtually all who have played any edition of Dungeons and Dragons has encountered one of these creatures at some point. They are a favorite of dungeon masters and players alike. They are exactly the kind of mindless monster one would expect to find in the dark corridors beneath the earth. And you do not want to meet one all alone in such places.
If you enjoyed this article then you might enjoy these:
- Undead in Dungeons and Dragons
- Beholders in Dungeons and Dragons
- Mind Flayers in Dungeons and Dragons
- Intellect Devourers in Dungeons and Dragons
- Displacer Beasts in Dungeons and Dragons
You mentioned reproduction of gelatinous cubes. Since everybody apparently tries to seduce dragons, what is your stance on seducing the gelatinous cube? Asking for a friend.
It is an interesting idea. Sounds like something one of my players might have come up with. But no. I consulted with the Monstrous Manual (2nd edition) to read the ecology section. This suggests that the gelatinous cube reproduces from budding. Basically this is asexual reproduction. This is consistent with the other types of slimes and oozes in the game. Also of note. These have no intelligence at all. They are listed in some editions as “Non-Intelligent”. To me this suggests that they are just mindless blobs that eat things. This would make any type of seduction irrelevant to the creature. Of course…the players might try offering it food. Perhaps it would chase after that. Perhaps not.