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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 17:03:52
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Hi All,
My adventurers will shortly be venturing into an area of the Underdark inhabited by a large tribe of mongrelfolk. The mongrelfolk are under the subjugation (both magical and psychological) of a powerful sorcerer. In the centre of their territory is a long tunnel that leads to the lair of ... something. Fear of this beastie keeps the mongrelfolk in line. The sorcerer seems to have some kind of power over it, or at least he makes it appear so ...
I'm seeking a suitable monster, and I'd like something a little unusual. Something big, solitary and dangerous, with a habit of hunting puny humanoids.
Any suggestions?
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Eltheron
Senior Scribe
740 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 17:12:10
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| How about a Deepspawn? One that has "absorbed" not only many of the mongrelmen, but also the original sorcerer. |
"The very best possible post-fourteenth-century Realms lets down those who love the specific, detailed social, political and magical situation, with its thousands of characters, developed over forty years, and want to learn more about it; and those who'd be open to a new one with equal depth, which there just isn't time to re-produce; and those repelled, some past the point of no return, by the bad-taste-and-plausibility gap of things done to the world when its guardianship was less careful."
--Faraer |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 17:20:03
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Nice idea Eltheron, but the sorcerer already has quite a complicated backstory which I wouldn't want to mess with. The notion I have is that if his mongrelman peons get out of line, he threatens to call the monster from its lair (and the mongrelfolk are TERRIFIED of it). I imagine it charging furiously down its tunnel to wreak havoc.
I don't think Deepspawn do much charging :-) It seems they prefer to wait for their dinner to come to them! |
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Eltheron
Senior Scribe
740 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 17:26:50
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This web page has a lot of ideas for underdark denizens:
http://drowcampaign.roleplaynexus.com/underdarkdenizens.html
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"The very best possible post-fourteenth-century Realms lets down those who love the specific, detailed social, political and magical situation, with its thousands of characters, developed over forty years, and want to learn more about it; and those who'd be open to a new one with equal depth, which there just isn't time to re-produce; and those repelled, some past the point of no return, by the bad-taste-and-plausibility gap of things done to the world when its guardianship was less careful."
--Faraer |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 17:32:18
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| Radiant quasielementals |
z455t |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 18:33:47
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| There was an issue of Dragon that detailed a critter called the elghonn, something that was described as scaring drow matron mothers. It was in Dragon Annual 1. |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 18:52:48
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I have a fondness for purple worms, though how the sorcerer's kept it from just eating through the wall and wandering off in a random direction is something that would need to be answered.
For the Nightmare Fuel variety, you could always go with an urophion (sp? I'm afb, it's what happens when an illithid tadpole grows up... without a form donor. Seriously scary stuff). |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 19:25:04
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| This pre or post spellplague? If its post, consider making the creature a spellscarred or plaguechanged monster. It adds a whole new level of mutant creepy to the situation. Especially plaguechanged, because that can be literally anything. The campaign guide mentions a dwarf, regular dwarf, who became a plaguechanged; he transformed into a mile long psionic ooze devoid of personality. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
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http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 19:54:58
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| If I'm a Drow? My mother. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 20:05:44
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If you are playing 1e, I'd go with a Dragon...no joke. I know it becomes somewhat redundant...but this is a D&D game!  The Magic-User could have charmed it or it may be subdued to the fella's will.
If playing 2e, I really don't have a good suggestion as I didn't much care for that version of the game...
If playing 3e, I'd go with a Fiendish Dire Cave-Bear! Easy enough to take a Dire-Bear and tack on a template and viola! Such a beast could give the party a major run for its money, isn't all that bright in the brains department (so its Will Save might be where the Sorceror could keep it chained) and nothing says "OH HELLS! Did that bear just breath fire at me!"
EDIT:
Forgot 4e...but for that I would need to know more about the party. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
Edited by - Dalor Darden on 31 Mar 2011 20:06:18 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7966 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 20:09:10
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| Harpers. If ye spot one anywhere in the Underdark then just surrender or flee, for there is surely a Chosen of Mystra somewhere nearby. ("You haven't even got a name tag! Why don't you just lie down?") |
[/Ayrik] |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 22:08:33
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| Fiendish Basilisk or Truly Horrid Umberhulk. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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AleksanderTheGreat
Seeker
90 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2011 : 22:29:22
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| The... dark itself. |
Fighting for order! - Join me in the battle! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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althen artren
Senior Scribe
USA
780 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 02:04:10
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| Deep Dragons, big ones with rotting flesh and milky eyes. |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 03:16:46
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Thanks all for some great suggestions, although I want to avoid creatures with tunnelling abilities, as it rather diverts from the idea of them crawling/charging/slithering/gslloping out of that long, dark tunnel. It's pre-spellplague, vaguely 3rd edition, thus far a fiendish cave bear or basilisk would fit the bill fairly well; I think a deep dragon might be a little too powerful and too obvious. I've also been considering a really big grell (perhaps 12 HD thereabouts) with some interesting alternations, perhaps some psionic abilities and a lightning lance.
Aleksander suggests the dark itself - actually that might be such a bad idea, I'm toying with the idea that the beast might actually have died some years previously, unbeknown to the mongrelfolk. Should the PCs choose to explore its lair, maybe they'll just find its bones, or even better, its ghost! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7966 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 03:21:28
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| Ghosts, spectres, and apparitions floating through the darkness would be pretty awful. I'm not sure if they'd be invisible or actually radiate their own palpable light or darkness. Shadows and wraiths would be invisible, though ironically, they might require a light source to exist. I never really thought about it ... lol, can a ghost be used as a light source? |
[/Ayrik] |
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ChieftainTwilight
Learned Scribe
171 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 03:58:59
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I imagine something that is highly Beastial, and which is fast and strong. a terrible monster. perhaps a Cave Giant (Maur), or maybe even some type of Dinosaur. the last idea I have is a Gulgathydra (it's like a cross between a Hydra and an Ottyugh).
on the other hand, you could also use more intelligent creature that the Sorcerer has some kind of pact with. good examples are a psionic creature, a Fiend of some sort, or a Dragon. |
and a heart can only break so many times
and I've been to hell and back so many times
and I've seen folks walk away so many times
but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself
and a heart can only break so many times
a heart can only break so many times
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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ChieftainTwilight
Learned Scribe
171 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 04:26:08
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| yeh... but I don't think there is any way that a Sorcerer of anything less than epic-level could command one of those. ._. there isn't anything he could offer it that it couldn't get on it's own, and it is unlikely he could overpower one. |
and a heart can only break so many times
and I've been to hell and back so many times
and I've seen folks walk away so many times
but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself
and a heart can only break so many times
a heart can only break so many times
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 04:56:51
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| eathquakes |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 05:03:30
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| Who says it has to be commanded? Maybe it was sent by someone else to aid him, or he made a deal with it. (I can think of plenty of things he could acquire or do for it that it can't.) Perhaps it is trapped somehow, possibly due to the configuration of the caverns themselves. (Cause anything that big wouldn't be able to use normal-sized doors and tunnels, but cave-ins and other alterations to the tunnels might have imprisoned it.) |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
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Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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ChieftainTwilight
Learned Scribe
171 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 05:07:07
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the way I see it, what better place to use it's connection to the Shadow Plane than the Faerunian Underdark (which has the easiest access to the Shadow Plane in that setting)? seriously, it is not likely that it has gotten stuck.
but I'm curious what things the Sorcerer could provide that etices it to play along rather than just slaughter the mage and his Mongrelfolk? |
and a heart can only break so many times
and I've been to hell and back so many times
and I've seen folks walk away so many times
but just like anyone else I gotta stand up by myself
and a heart can only break so many times
a heart can only break so many times
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 05:23:43
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Certainly a nightwalker would be too powerful for my adventurers at the moment. The sorcerer is not particularly high level, she's able to charm enough mongrelfolk to keep them in line with ease, but wouldn't have the ability to command a nightwalker, and based on her rather particular backstory, she wouldn't have anything to offer it in return for obedience.
I'm more drawn towards the bestial, low intelligence side of the monster spectrum. The gulgahydra is a particularly good idea; thanks all for sharing your ideas. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 05:55:07
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| What about a shadow mastiff, then? Not TOO high powered, and it would still make a fairly frightening beast to go against. Give it a couple of extra hit-dice, and you've got a good opponent that can still be controlled. Or a shadow-cat would work, too. Perhaps a vampire lairs there? It might work well with the sorcerer in exchange for the occasional mongrel man snack. If she can charm them, she could occasionally send one into the vampire's lair, and in return, it might offer service or protection. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Elfinblade
Senior Scribe
Norway
377 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 15:46:36
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quote:
Originally posted by MalariaMoon
Certainly a nightwalker would be too powerful for my adventurers at the moment. The sorcerer is not particularly high level, she's able to charm enough mongrelfolk to keep them in line with ease, but wouldn't have the ability to command a nightwalker, and based on her rather particular backstory, she wouldn't have anything to offer it in return for obedience.
I'm more drawn towards the bestial, low intelligence side of the monster spectrum. The gulgahydra is a particularly good idea; thanks all for sharing your ideas.
Nightwalkers must be terrifying wherever you meet them. If you worry about it being too powerful for you party, tune the CR down a notch.
If you want to go for the more monstrous encounter try combining stuff, or change the monster's abilities/appearance to throw the party off.
When my party ventured into the Underdark, albeit for a very short time, i was in need of something similar of what you want. I found the Grey Render suitable. Massive, bestial, roaring, ripping and certainly charging monster. I simply changed some of it's abilities, to have it match a Underdark environment. Made it's skin dark, gave it superior smell and hearing, even gave it a phase shift ability (which my party was high level enough to handle, but it could prove rather difficult if your party is a bit low level). |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7966 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 16:50:15
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| Would the tarrasque fit into a deepspawn? |
[/Ayrik] |
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Elfinblade
Senior Scribe
Norway
377 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 17:08:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Would the tarrasque fit into a deepspawn?
Quoted for effect.  |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7966 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 17:38:33
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| Go big or go home, right? There might be a few bigger monsters, but I think cloning the Tarrasque would suffice. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 18:23:56
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| I wouldn't worry about the tarrasque if I was in the Underdark... The majority of the tunnels and caverns are too small for it. |
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2011 : 18:25:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I wouldn't worry about the tarrasque if I was in the Underdark... The majority of the tunnels and caverns are too small for it.
Nothing says "tunneling" like a vorpal bite! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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You Live In The Underdark ... What Scares You?
