Hey all, hit me any other monsters that aren't your typical, goblins, goals, bug bears and kobolds.
One of the several side quests in my players starting village (level 2) is that the barkeepers son hasn't made it home from his journeys from the near cities academy. I need to figure out what has captured him since I possibly want him alive depending on how long the party takes to locate him.
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty. Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers; Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas. Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
People, low-level undead (perhaps controlled by a person), wild animals (also can be controlled).
It doesn't even have to be monsters -- cart went off the road into a ravine, they survived the fall but are injured and can't climb out. Make the PCs do some wilderness puzzle-solving.
Great ideas! Im definitely approaching this next campaign with more interesting combat and situations for dealing with them. I want more environmental features in thr battles tjaf players or enemies can take advantage of. Cheers!
It doesn't even have to be monsters -- cart went off the road into a ravine, they survived the fall but are injured and can't climb out. Make the PCs do some wilderness puzzle-solving.
Or it could be both, if you've got the right kind of players -- barkeep's son heard the cries of some baby creature off the road, tried to rescue it, and now they both need rescuing
The classic mama monster for this would be an owlbear or displacer beast -- something that might be a little too much for a level 2 party to handle in combat, but which the scenario gives them a way to deal with on non-hostile terms by rescuing/returning the baby
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Also, you can throw a powerful monster/creature at them that they have to bargain with, instead of fight.
Never assume PCs won't go charging into a combat they aren't able to handle. If the differential is very obviously there (think low-level vs adult dragon), they probably won't.
But they might. Especially if they're new, and don't have a feel for how fights play out and how dangerous monsters are. Dragons are probably the only critter that's guaranteed to make new players reconsider. Anything else is probably not well-enough known.
Also, you can throw a powerful monster/creature at them that they have to bargain with, instead of fight.
Never assume PCs won't go charging into a combat they aren't able to handle. If the differential is very obviously there (think low-level vs adult dragon), they probably won't.
But they might. Especially if they're new, and don't have a feel for how fights play out and how dangerous monsters are. Dragons are probably the only critter that's guaranteed to make new players reconsider. Anything else is probably not well-enough known.
I don't assume any such thing. I usually make it clear in my description that the creature/monster is probably/definitely beyond their combat abilities (if necessary). Also, it's quite easy to have that dragon that suddenly showed up pin one player to the ground, while melting an acid pit in front of another. Both things that can be done, causing no damage to the party members and when the dragon has delivered his message and/or tires at their futile attempt to fight him, he tells them he'll be back once they are worthy. The idea is that the dragon/devil/etc. gives them some sort of moral quandary or dilemma to work their way out of or around. I've used this sort of thing many times with players both new and old and it has almost always worked quite well.
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Hey all, hit me any other monsters that aren't your typical, goblins, goals, bug bears and kobolds.
One of the several side quests in my players starting village (level 2) is that the barkeepers son hasn't made it home from his journeys from the near cities academy. I need to figure out what has captured him since I possibly want him alive depending on how long the party takes to locate him.
Greetings Aaronmwolford,
As you mentioned, you want something other than Goblins, Bugbears, [Tooltip Not Found] and Goals (assuming you mean [Tooltip Not Found]).
I would look into the following as they might fit what you are looking for:
Hope these suggestions help :)
Cheers!
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty.
Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers;
Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas.
Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
People, low-level undead (perhaps controlled by a person), wild animals (also can be controlled).
It doesn't even have to be monsters -- cart went off the road into a ravine, they survived the fall but are injured and can't climb out. Make the PCs do some wilderness puzzle-solving.
Great ideas! Im definitely approaching this next campaign with more interesting combat and situations for dealing with them. I want more environmental features in thr battles tjaf players or enemies can take advantage of. Cheers!
Or it could be both, if you've got the right kind of players -- barkeep's son heard the cries of some baby creature off the road, tried to rescue it, and now they both need rescuing
The classic mama monster for this would be an owlbear or displacer beast -- something that might be a little too much for a level 2 party to handle in combat, but which the scenario gives them a way to deal with on non-hostile terms by rescuing/returning the baby
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Also, you can throw a powerful monster/creature at them that they have to bargain with, instead of fight.
Never assume PCs won't go charging into a combat they aren't able to handle. If the differential is very obviously there (think low-level vs adult dragon), they probably won't.
But they might. Especially if they're new, and don't have a feel for how fights play out and how dangerous monsters are. Dragons are probably the only critter that's guaranteed to make new players reconsider. Anything else is probably not well-enough known.
I don't assume any such thing. I usually make it clear in my description that the creature/monster is probably/definitely beyond their combat abilities (if necessary). Also, it's quite easy to have that dragon that suddenly showed up pin one player to the ground, while melting an acid pit in front of another. Both things that can be done, causing no damage to the party members and when the dragon has delivered his message and/or tires at their futile attempt to fight him, he tells them he'll be back once they are worthy. The idea is that the dragon/devil/etc. gives them some sort of moral quandary or dilemma to work their way out of or around. I've used this sort of thing many times with players both new and old and it has almost always worked quite well.