Players often know more about monsters than their characters should, and like to make 'monster lore' checks to see what they can justify having heard. The arhetypal example of this may occur when they first encounter trolls, so here's a tavern tale they may have heard, with some useful information and plenty of speculation:
"Ever wonder why trolls all seem to be male? Well, gather 'round, and lemme tell ya a tale 'bout the trolls of old. They were once their own folk, they were. Livin', lovin', and all that jazz like all us mortals do. But then came the hags, real wicked bunch they were. Snuffed out the Trow's ladyfolk, and tricked the fellas into bein' their breedin' stock. Forced 'em to guard and scare folks to death. Them trolls, they changed over time, their healin' powers got all amped up, and thet got extra big. The hags made 'em less bright too, easy to control, but they left in the weakness to fire and acid, 'case a hag had to make an 'instructive example', o' course. Trolls got this endless hunger too, thanks to their regeneration, so they love munchin' on folks for terror and grub. Now, even wizards can't be sure if there's any original Trow left, but who knows, they might be hidin' somewhere in the dark. Just remember, next time you're out there, keep an eye open, 'cause them trolls are still around, doin' the hags' dirty work. Now, who's up for another round? Cheers!"
(I use History checks for Humanoids & Giants, and Arcana for Fey.)
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"There might yet be a heaven, but it isn't going to be 'perfect', and we're going to have to build it ourselves." - Philhellenes, Science Saved My Soul
Actually one of the common problems is that the players know far less (especially if they haven’t read the MM) than the characters, as living members of their world, would know. Of course just how much of that knowledge is actually accurate is a different question.
Actually one of the common problems is that the players know far less (especially if they haven’t read the MM) than the characters, as living members of their world, would know. Of course just how much of that knowledge is actually accurate is a different question.
Actually, when you look at how little present day people with years of schooling, access to the internet, and at least the possible option of actually travelling the world, know of the world - I think it's fair to say most characters shouldn't have any clear idea what's behind that hill o'er thar, four miles from the farm they grew up on.
I'm a fairly educated guy. I can name maybe 10 species of bird, and I know cows and sheep and pigs. But if you discount what I've seen on tv or on the internet, in the zoo, read about in books and so on, all I've ever seen are local farm animals, a fox, a few deer. To be fair, I'm from Denmark, and ... well, we're the most farmed up country anywhere on the planet, so that plays a part. But still: In a world of dirt-grubbing farmers and a few and far between mildly educated nobles, it really isn't to be expected that any great majority of people would look at a winged lion and cry out 'MANTICORE! RUN!'
Although most might still have the mental acumen to cry out 'RUN!' =)
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
The other side of that coin is that you actually do know a great deal about the world you actually live in - the urban suburban commercial/business world of the 21st century.- because your intimately involved in it. They don’t know that world at all but they do their world of forests farms, kings, wizards etc as intimately well as you know the 21st century 1st world so they should know about adventurers, major monsters etc just as you know about major corporations and countries and political figures.
Players often know more about monsters than their characters should, and like to make 'monster lore' checks to see what they can justify having heard. The arhetypal example of this may occur when they first encounter trolls, so here's a tavern tale they may have heard, with some useful information and plenty of speculation:
"Ever wonder why trolls all seem to be male? Well, gather 'round, and lemme tell ya a tale 'bout the trolls of old. They were once their own folk, they were. Livin', lovin', and all that jazz like all us mortals do. But then came the hags, real wicked bunch they were. Snuffed out the Trow's ladyfolk, and tricked the fellas into bein' their breedin' stock. Forced 'em to guard and scare folks to death. Them trolls, they changed over time, their healin' powers got all amped up, and thet got extra big. The hags made 'em less bright too, easy to control, but they left in the weakness to fire and acid, 'case a hag had to make an 'instructive example', o' course. Trolls got this endless hunger too, thanks to their regeneration, so they love munchin' on folks for terror and grub. Now, even wizards can't be sure if there's any original Trow left, but who knows, they might be hidin' somewhere in the dark. Just remember, next time you're out there, keep an eye open, 'cause them trolls are still around, doin' the hags' dirty work. Now, who's up for another round? Cheers!"
(I use History checks for Humanoids & Giants, and Arcana for Fey.)
"There might yet be a heaven, but it isn't going to be 'perfect', and we're going to have to build it ourselves." - Philhellenes, Science Saved My Soul
Backgrounds • Feats • Magic Items • Monsters •
Ancestries• Spells •SubclassesActually one of the common problems is that the players know far less (especially if they haven’t read the MM) than the characters, as living members of their world, would know. Of course just how much of that knowledge is actually accurate is a different question.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Actually, when you look at how little present day people with years of schooling, access to the internet, and at least the possible option of actually travelling the world, know of the world - I think it's fair to say most characters shouldn't have any clear idea what's behind that hill o'er thar, four miles from the farm they grew up on.
I'm a fairly educated guy. I can name maybe 10 species of bird, and I know cows and sheep and pigs. But if you discount what I've seen on tv or on the internet, in the zoo, read about in books and so on, all I've ever seen are local farm animals, a fox, a few deer. To be fair, I'm from Denmark, and ... well, we're the most farmed up country anywhere on the planet, so that plays a part. But still: In a world of dirt-grubbing farmers and a few and far between mildly educated nobles, it really isn't to be expected that any great majority of people would look at a winged lion and cry out 'MANTICORE! RUN!'
Although most might still have the mental acumen to cry out 'RUN!' =)
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
The other side of that coin is that you actually do know a great deal about the world you actually live in - the urban suburban commercial/business world of the 21st century.- because your intimately involved in it. They don’t know that world at all but they do their world of forests farms, kings, wizards etc as intimately well as you know the 21st century 1st world so they should know about adventurers, major monsters etc just as you know about major corporations and countries and political figures.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.