SPECIAL NOTICE
Malicious code was found on the site, which has been removed, but would have been able to access files and the database, revealing email addresses, posts, and encoded passwords (which would need to be decoded). However, there is no direct evidence that any such activity occurred. REGARDLESS, BE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS. And as is good practice, remember to never use the same password on more than one site. While performing housekeeping, we also decided to upgrade the forums.
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.

Perhaps a Small Bestiary, Fewer but Wide Ranging Threats, and a Crazy Wildcard?

Started by Jam The MF, December 03, 2022, 10:19:03 PM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

Jam The MF

December 03, 2022, 10:19:03 PM
Maybe 20 or 30 Types of Threats; plus some type of Crazy Wildcard "Thing", that can Twist the original threat that was rolled?  Roll to see which random encounter appears, but with a crazy Wild Card "Twist".  The Wild Card could be anything, capable of producing wildly unexpected effects.

Any ideas?
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

Ghostmaker

#1
December 05, 2022, 10:01:44 AM
I don't have a problem with larger bestiaries, with the understanding that not every critter will pop up. Having options is a good thing.

Jam The MF

#2
December 05, 2022, 02:14:15 PM
They do say, that variety is the spice of life.

What I am suggesting, is some type of wide ranging variation in each type of monster.  Perhaps every encounter is unique, even with mundane monster types?
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

Brad

#3
December 05, 2022, 04:17:52 PM
Sounds like MERP to me, at least how we played it. Lots of orcs who vary in ability, appearance, attitude, etc., truly strange creatures that the characters aren't even sure actually exist, and a couple unique baddies that strike fear into the hearts of everyone. How many wraiths do you really need in the world? Just have nine of them. In my own campaign there is a single spectre who runs a pseudo-neutral "monster town" that has an uneasy trade relationship with some less than savory human settlements. The fact I don't have hordes of the things makes him much more interesting and resulted in some very important encounters.

Less is more, honestly.
It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.

Jam The MF

#4
December 05, 2022, 09:14:57 PM Last Edit: December 05, 2022, 09:19:17 PM by Jam The MF
Quote from: Brad on December 05, 2022, 04:17:52 PM
Sounds like MERP to me, at least how we played it. Lots of orcs who vary in ability, appearance, attitude, etc., truly strange creatures that the characters aren't even sure actually exist, and a couple unique baddies that strike fear into the hearts of everyone. How many wraiths do you really need in the world? Just have nine of them. In my own campaign there is a single spectre who runs a pseudo-neutral "monster town" that has an uneasy trade relationship with some less than savory human settlements. The fact I don't have hordes of the things makes him much more interesting and resulted in some very important encounters.

Less is more, honestly.

The PCs think they've run into one of these creatures before.  No problem.

Then they are running for their lives, because the thing was tainted by "X" and inflicted a totally different damage type; that the PCs were not prepared for.

(Just a simple example.)

Or perhaps they encounter a dragon that is white in appearance, but it's actually an albino of a different type of dragon?
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

Svenhelgrim

#5
December 08, 2022, 03:16:03 PM
I just reskin.  Take a monster's stats and give it a different name and appearance. 

Example: I took the stats for a d&d gorgon and used them to represent a Gnoph-Keh (a Lovcraftian monster that resembles a six-legged polar bear with a horn on it's head).  The petrifying breath was a cone of cold that encased a victim in ice.
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions