I'm going to be taking over as main DM in a few months and I had a great starting area for my PC's. Inspired by the episode of Love, Death, + Robots called "Sonnies Edge" I wanted to make an underground fighting ring for my PC's to start off in. All but one of the players started playing DND about 3 or 4 months ago, the other and I have been playing together for years. I figured this would be a good way to show my players some monsters they might not have seen otherwise, and some of the weaknesses of certain monsters should they run into them in the world. I haven't run this by them yet, so hopefully they're all cool with it and I'm not doing all this work for nothing, but we'll see!
The basic premise is the groups magic user -whoever that may be- will learn how to create a magic circle that mentally links them with the groups chosen monster. I'll allow the group to choose their own monster prior to beginning the actual campaign. They'll be starting at level 2, so it has to be a monster they can feasibly defeat without outside aid of some kind. Aside from the main person inhabiting the monster, the other's will have jobs outside of the combat to ensure victory. A person for doing some healing of their monster, someone to work basic traps that the groups beast can push the opponent into, someone to maintain the integrity of the magic circle as it will be constantly slowly degrading as the monster takes more damage etc. etc.
My question is this: What monster's what be good as a sort of "starter-mon" for level 2 PC's? I'd like a list I can present them so that they may pick a beastie from it to be their champion. If they choose something off the "feasible" list I'll just describe them going out and capturing the beast. Should they choose to go with one outside of the list I'll require them to fight said creature. Upon successful capture we'll begin the campaign proper. Also what would be some good opponent monsters?
The player's haven't made their character's yet, as we're still in the middle of my buddies campaign, so I can't provide any info there as of right now. Although my buddy has begun to make his character: A fallen Aasimar Fiend Warlock pact of the chain.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
That is a great plot. Nice chances for teamwork and new types of character development.
First -- based on how you said the there would be attempts to heal the beast, I will assume that your party doesn't want burn through monsters. They'd rather have a 'contender' and not a 'stable' of monster gladiators.
Second -- I love the idea. My mind initally jumpes to the Size categories in 5e. My initial thoughts were that a successful (2nd level starting campaign) would probably first consider a Large-sized creature.
Third -- how many opponents/rival gladiator groups are in your "Monster League"?
Here are my suggestions (listed alphabetically):
- Ankheg (CR 2 -- MM).
- Basilisk (CR 3 -- MM).
- Carrion Crawler (CR 2 -- MM)
- Displacer Beast (CR 3 -- MM) [my personal choice, were a player in your pending campaign].
That is a great plot. Nice chances for teamwork and new types of character development.
First -- based on how you said the there would be attempts to heal the beast, I will assume that your party doesn't want burn through monsters. They'd rather have a 'contender' and not a 'stable' of monster gladiators.
Second -- I love the idea. My mind initally jumpes to the Size categories in 5e. My initial thoughts were that a successful (2nd level starting campaign) would probably first consider a Large-sized creature.
Third -- how many opponents/rival gladiator groups are in your "Monster League"?
Thanks! The instant I saw the LD+R episode it immediately made me think it would be an amazing DnD campaign hook.
1. Correct, preferably they'd try to keep a monster for as long as possible. Of course if they lose a match and want to continue in the league they'll have to go out and find a new monster to make their champion.
2. I appreciate it! And large is probably the perfect size at least to start off with.
3. I imagine for the first "regional tournament" they fight in there'd be about 8 teams including themselves. That way they'd fight in 3 matches over the course of 3 days, and they'd get the chance to see some other teams battle againsteach other to get some ideas as to tactics and the like. And then as they move up the "global Ranks" They'd have a chance to go to other cities and fight more teams until there would be sort of an underground world championship. The whole time they'd be gaining levels, and as they travel to different cities they'd run into more plot hooks for the real main plot I have planned out. Of course if they don't want to follow the main plot they're welcome to just stick to the monster battles.
Also I'm thinking of maybe combining the idea with a sort of pacific rim style of piloting their monster. Having two people pilot one monster, a magic user to maintain the connection and provide support and a martial character for the fighting aspects. But I'll have to think on that one some more
I have seen the first Pacific Rim. If you have a set up like that, I'd imagine that the party would need to go to a special room with controls ... whether or not that's something they somehow can keep among themselves or if that sort of chamber is provided to each team on the Arena Grounds themselves. (Your idea also reminds of Neon Genesis Evangelion and of course Pokemon).
Combined/teamwork piloting of a Monster would require which Skill/Tool Proficiencies?
- Arcana for basic knowledge of many Monsters. I forget which Skill is best for the MM's Monstrosity category.
- (Modified) Animal Handling Skill?
- Intimidate?
IT
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I'm going to be taking over as main DM in a few months and I had a great starting area for my PC's. Inspired by the episode of Love, Death, + Robots called "Sonnies Edge" I wanted to make an underground fighting ring for my PC's to start off in. All but one of the players started playing DND about 3 or 4 months ago, the other and I have been playing together for years. I figured this would be a good way to show my players some monsters they might not have seen otherwise, and some of the weaknesses of certain monsters should they run into them in the world. I haven't run this by them yet, so hopefully they're all cool with it and I'm not doing all this work for nothing, but we'll see!
The basic premise is the groups magic user -whoever that may be- will learn how to create a magic circle that mentally links them with the groups chosen monster. I'll allow the group to choose their own monster prior to beginning the actual campaign. They'll be starting at level 2, so it has to be a monster they can feasibly defeat without outside aid of some kind. Aside from the main person inhabiting the monster, the other's will have jobs outside of the combat to ensure victory. A person for doing some healing of their monster, someone to work basic traps that the groups beast can push the opponent into, someone to maintain the integrity of the magic circle as it will be constantly slowly degrading as the monster takes more damage etc. etc.
My question is this: What monster's what be good as a sort of "starter-mon" for level 2 PC's? I'd like a list I can present them so that they may pick a beastie from it to be their champion. If they choose something off the "feasible" list I'll just describe them going out and capturing the beast. Should they choose to go with one outside of the list I'll require them to fight said creature. Upon successful capture we'll begin the campaign proper. Also what would be some good opponent monsters?
The player's haven't made their character's yet, as we're still in the middle of my buddies campaign, so I can't provide any info there as of right now. Although my buddy has begun to make his character: A fallen Aasimar Fiend Warlock pact of the chain.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
That is a great plot. Nice chances for teamwork and new types of character development.
First -- based on how you said the there would be attempts to heal the beast, I will assume that your party doesn't want burn through monsters. They'd rather have a 'contender' and not a 'stable' of monster gladiators.
Second -- I love the idea. My mind initally jumpes to the Size categories in 5e. My initial thoughts were that a successful (2nd level starting campaign) would probably first consider a Large-sized creature.
Third -- how many opponents/rival gladiator groups are in your "Monster League"?
Here are my suggestions (listed alphabetically):
- Ankheg (CR 2 -- MM).
- Basilisk (CR 3 -- MM).
- Carrion Crawler (CR 2 -- MM)
- Displacer Beast (CR 3 -- MM) [my personal choice, were a player in your pending campaign].
- Gibbering Mouther (CR 2 -- MM).
- Leurcrotta (CR 3 -- VGtM).
- Mimic (CR 2 -- MM). [very close my 2nd monster]
- Nothic (CR 2 -- MM).
- Pegasus (CR 2 -- MM).
- Quicklnig [Slave/Indentured Servant] (CR 1 -- VGtM). [modify/ improve CR and abilities].
- Shadow Demon (CR 4 -- MM).
- Water Weird (CR 3 -- MM).
- Yeti (CR 3 -- MM).
Take care,
- IT
Thanks! The instant I saw the LD+R episode it immediately made me think it would be an amazing DnD campaign hook.
1. Correct, preferably they'd try to keep a monster for as long as possible. Of course if they lose a match and want to continue in the league they'll have to go out and find a new monster to make their champion.
2. I appreciate it! And large is probably the perfect size at least to start off with.
3. I imagine for the first "regional tournament" they fight in there'd be about 8 teams including themselves. That way they'd fight in 3 matches over the course of 3 days, and they'd get the chance to see some other teams battle againsteach other to get some ideas as to tactics and the like. And then as they move up the "global Ranks" They'd have a chance to go to other cities and fight more teams until there would be sort of an underground world championship. The whole time they'd be gaining levels, and as they travel to different cities they'd run into more plot hooks for the real main plot I have planned out. Of course if they don't want to follow the main plot they're welcome to just stick to the monster battles.
Also I'm thinking of maybe combining the idea with a sort of pacific rim style of piloting their monster. Having two people pilot one monster, a magic user to maintain the connection and provide support and a martial character for the fighting aspects. But I'll have to think on that one some more
I have seen the first Pacific Rim. If you have a set up like that, I'd imagine that the party would need to go to a special room with controls ... whether or not that's something they somehow can keep among themselves or if that sort of chamber is provided to each team on the Arena Grounds themselves. (Your idea also reminds of Neon Genesis Evangelion and of course Pokemon).
Combined/teamwork piloting of a Monster would require which Skill/Tool Proficiencies?
- Arcana for basic knowledge of many Monsters. I forget which Skill is best for the MM's Monstrosity category.
- (Modified) Animal Handling Skill?
- Intimidate?
IT