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The Defence Minister
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
218 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Nov 2002 : 19:36:56
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Fellow DMs,
What are your favouite monsters that you've ever thrown at your unfortunate players? I am looking for fresh monsters to use in my game so I thought I may gane some inspiration from here.
Please post stats if the monsters are unusual or self manufactured.
TDM
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- TDM (Candlekeep's most popular, experienced and handsome member) |
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Echon
Senior Scribe
Denmark
422 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2002 : 19:44:11
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I like creating situations where the players know that there is something very dangerous ahead (and probably some yummy magical items as well) where they know that they do not have to look into it at all but do so out of curiousity and greed and get themselves killed and then resurrected in some strange way.
Black Dragons, Dracoliches & Death Knights suit this purpose fine.
Well...in fact I have only done this once but it was fun.
I like using stealthy opponents or NPCs such as Illusionist and Thieves or characters who continue to ellude the party. This holds their attention a lot I have experienced.
-Echon |
"If others had not been foolish, we should be so."
-William Blake |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2002 : 04:50:55
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I can't help it....I love gnolls....
Moderate intelligence, blood thirsty, pack mentality....a wonderful creature.....
They are much more interesting than bugbears or orcs, and much more imposing as well......seven to eight feet tall, muscled, etc...
I try to incorporate them whenever I can...I have even allowed PC gnolls into my campaigns.... |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2002 : 09:19:31
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I hardly use new/custom made monsters. I find that the variety of monsters provide in the Monster Manual (I + II) and Monsters of Faerun is enough to satisfy the need for adversaries. Also the upgrade-ability that 3rd edition offers to add casses and templates to monster allows for more versatility in the mix.
Currently both my PbeM campaigns are at low level (1st - 3rd) and 'standard' monsters as rats (vermin) and skeletons still provide a nice challenge when put in the right context.
As for favorite monsters, I do tend to favor a lot of undead creatures like skeletons, zombies, ghouls etc. |
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The Defence Minister
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
218 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2002 : 16:42:07
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I love the monsters in the monster manual but I have now used them all in various games and am looking for something new. There are a few monsters I haven't yet used in the Monsters of Faerun Compendium but I am really looking for your custom made monsters (or ideas so I can custom make them myself).
TDM |
- TDM (Candlekeep's most popular, experienced and handsome member) |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2002 : 22:19:22
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I often use a sort of shadow-wolf creature-creation of mine called a Darke-lupis. Similar to the Shadow Mastiff in the monstrous manual, it appears in this plane as no more than a pair of green eyes, only manifesting its full stark black wolf form when injured or eating, and then only for moments at a time...
The Darke-lupis is actually an inhabitant of the plane of shadow, and shifts over to the Material Plane to feed on human flesh, which is a rarity on its home plane.
It attacks using a series of dimension doors which allow it to traverse a small area at lightning speed, leaping from door to door to confuse and intimidate its opponents.
Fortunately, darke-lupine are rare, and almost never hunt in packs, unless desparate for food. Unfortunately, since the return of Shade Enclave, this is becoming more and more common....and many an adventurer has fallen victim to a pack of rabid Shadow Wolves.
Darke-lupis
Medium-Size Outsider
Hit Dice:3d8+10
Initiative: +7 (+3 Dex, Improved Initiative)
AC: 16 (+3 Dex, +3 natural)
Attacks: Bite +7 melee, 2 Claws +4
Damage: Bite 1d6 +4, Claw 1d4 +4
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5ft/ 5ft
Special Attacks: Shadow Howl
Special Qualities: Shadow Blend, Shade's Dimension Door, Scent, Parital Invisibility
Climate: Any
Organization: Usually solitary - Pack 6-10
CR: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil
SHADOW BLEND: During any conditions other than full daylight, a Darke-Lupis can disappear into shadows, giving 9/10 concealment.
SHADE'S DIMENSION DOOR: Any shadow or sliver of darkness can provide a Darke-Lupis with a dimension door that will either a) provide a pathway to the Shadow Realm or b)provide a doorway to any other shadow or shade within twenty feet
SHADOW HOWL: This mind-effecting, sonic effect creates sound a blood-curdling howl which seems to come from many directions at once, from any shadow within twenty feet of the Darke-Lupis. Will Save at DC 15 will negate or suffer -10 to all spot checks to discover the true position of a Darke-Lupis.
PARTIAL INVISIBILITY: This effect allows the Darke-lupis to be visible only as a pair of green eyes. This is used to unnerve and distract prey.
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My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Kitira Gildragon
Learned Scribe
USA
191 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2002 : 23:25:41
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TDM, plz post that this is for DMs next time.
Anyhow, I hope this site helps you out:
http://www.student.oulu.fi/~itarumaa/mc.txt
One that caught my eye:
Baby Bop ================================================================================
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Happy, tranquil garden areas
FREQUENCY: All too common
ORGANIZATION: Often accompanied by young humans and/or Barney (q.v.)
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Weekday afternoons, mornings
DIET: Unknown
INTELLIGENCE: Low (5-7)
TREASURE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Good
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NO. OF APPEARING: 1 (Unique)
ARMOR CLASS: 3
MOVE: 6
HIT DICE: 3
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3 (two claws and a gore)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3/1-3/1-6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Song of happiness
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Song of happiness, immortality
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 100%
SIZE: S (3' tall)
MORALE: Unknown
XP VALUE: 10,000,000 (but you have to REALLY kill her -- see above)
Baby Bop appears as a small triceratops-like being with huge eyes, green scales and a little bow attached to its head frill
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AHAHAHAHA!!! *falls out of chair* I promise that there are some better ones (more serious, anyway) on the site, including the war dragon. |
-Space for rent- |
Edited by - Kitira Gildragon on 28 Nov 2002 23:34:04 |
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The Defence Minister
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
218 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2002 : 18:55:04
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Thanks you two, I'll give both of those a try (changing Baby Bop to a much cooler name of course  )
Keep 'em coming...
TDM |
- TDM (Candlekeep's most popular, experienced and handsome member) |
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The Defence Minister
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
218 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2002 : 18:57:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Kitira Gildragon
TDM, plz post that this is for DMs next time.
Please note at the top of the first post in this thread I typed Fellow DMs
TDM
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- TDM (Candlekeep's most popular, experienced and handsome member) |
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Captain Louis
Acolyte
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2002 : 03:19:19
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| I like to mix things up, so that my players never know whethe to expect a dragon or a horde of hobgoblins. One creature I use when I'm feeling particularly wicked is the rust monster. Even high level parties get scared when confronted by a group of rust monsters, and if they aren't scared, they should be. |
Ow, I cut my lip!
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The Defence Minister
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
218 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2002 : 10:43:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Captain Louis
I like to mix things up, so that my players never know whethe to expect a dragon or a horde of hobgoblins. One creature I use when I'm feeling particularly wicked is the rust monster. Even high level parties get scared when confronted by a group of rust monsters, and if they aren't scared, they should be.
Yeah same here. Your players should never know what to expect in the game. Especially in tombs when they go in preparing to battle the undead and come out getting chased by Trolls or similar.
I like the sound of Rust Monsters. I'll use them soon.
Thanks,
TDM |
- TDM (Candlekeep's most popular, experienced and handsome member) |
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Kitira Gildragon
Learned Scribe
USA
191 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2002 : 14:24:18
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| D'oh! If I could actually read, it might help. My appologies TDM. |
-Space for rent- |
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zemd
Master of Realmslore
France
1103 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2002 : 00:27:40
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One of my favorite thing is to take creatures (for example a stupid, low powered Orc) and to add some levels (12 for example)
Then you still have a stupid Orc but when the adventurers will face him... they'll be very surprised.
Don't use this method to often, a powerful Goblin must be a very very very very (hundreds times) rare evenement
Otherwise, i like the Shadow-Vampire i use in my campaign
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Echon
Senior Scribe
Denmark
422 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2002 : 13:34:35
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quote:
Originally posted by zemd
One of my favorite thing is to take creatures (for example a stupid, low powered Orc) and to add some levels (12 for example)
Then you still have a stupid Orc but when the adventurers will face him... they'll be very surprised.
Don't use this method to often, a powerful Goblin must be a very very very very (hundreds times) rare evenement
Otherwise, i like the Shadow-Vampire i use in my campaign
I have started doing this too ever since I got hold the Complete Book of Humanoids. They never truly know what to expect from a gnoll or something similar.
-Echon |
"If others had not been foolish, we should be so."
-William Blake |
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mastergeorge
Acolyte
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2003 : 15:51:54
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I have just recently aquired "Monsters of Faerun" and to those DMs who play FR and want to give their players a bit of a suprise, buy this book.
One thing i have created for my next adventure is something that gives players a clue what to expect, and that is exactly what they find, except that it includes something unexpected too.
Par example:
The players somehow find out about a hydra in nearby room of the dungeon, they discover which room, and bust in sword raised etc, and begin to attack the hydra. But, they don't notice the cloaker lord floating on the ceiling above the door, so when they are exhautsted after facing the hydra, they try to leave, and get landed on by a rather nasty beast.
--mastergeorge |
"And in his death he shall spawn a score of mortal prodgeny, so sayeth the wise Alaundo."
--Predictions of Alaundo concerning the time of troubles. |
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Monsters
