This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: Perhaps introducing Random Mutations into Standard Monsters, cures boredom?  (Read 1611 times)

bat

  • A bottle in front of me..
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 212
    • Ancient Vaults & Eldritch Secrets
I have found that in addition to adding a quirk or oddity to a monster the real thing that gets players worried is adding mystery and drama to an encounter. I took a big hint from the 2e Monstrous Compendium Annual, Volume One, Beyond Random Encounters. Describing creatures and even treasures in mysterious, dramatic and moody ways keeps the group guessing and often second guessing themselves, which is priceless to me when running a game. Mundane lizardmen? Not if the players hear and/or smell them first. Everyday orcs? Not from a distance as they howl and gibber in a strange ritual. I have had players scared of goblins in a dungeon because they were dragging something heavy and the group thought it was an ogre or troll limping along. Keep them guessing, make things mysterious and weird. Use their other senses.
Ancient Vaults & Eldritch Secrets

Sans la colère. Sans la haine. Et sans la pitié.

Jag är inte en människa. Det här är bara en dröm, och snart vaknar jag.


Running: Barbarians of Lemuria, Black Sword Hack
Playing: AD&D 1st Edition.

BoxCrayonTales

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • B
  • Posts: 3313
I have experimented with random generation tables to change up common monsters, such as the basilisk/cockatrice and manticore. I was inspired after reading about their incredibly diverse depictions in art history.