tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post3438886165135313196..comments2024-03-26T22:17:42.458-04:00Comments on Semper Initiativus Unum: Of Monsters & ManualsWayne Rossihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11347401495298367324noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-6683358495659037722013-02-06T15:11:30.493-05:002013-02-06T15:11:30.493-05:00very nice! i would include a few "unique"...very nice! i would include a few "unique" guys toorafael beltramehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13028259465633616284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-88593440619331675792013-02-02T15:22:00.730-05:002013-02-02T15:22:00.730-05:00I feel that the Dungeon Trap Monsters are a specia...I feel that the Dungeon Trap Monsters are a special category, and would also put the gelatinous cube in that category. To elaborate, I would define the (metagame) DT monster category as the monsters that are designed with the aim of being living traps, in the artificial evironment of a dungeon. It makes sense that they appeared later historically, since they are meant to keep even experienced players on their toes (while you are trying to unlock the chest, it animates and attacks you..), especially in the dungeon as puzzle gaming style.<br /><br />My concept of rock trolls is a mix of the Tunnel and Trolls', Shannara, and mostly Terry Pratchet's stone made trolls. The standard D&D trolls are always a tough fight, but they are too fierce and stupid to fill a different role.paridephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18239451097075527445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-10884250372083200752013-02-02T14:26:14.267-05:002013-02-02T14:26:14.267-05:00The Adventures Dark and Deep Bestiary is organized...The Adventures Dark and Deep Bestiary is organized by broad categories of where the creatures are found: wilderness/dungeon, ocean/water, prehistoric, and extra-planar. Makes it easier to populate an adventure, since you can more easily zoom in on the creatures that might be found where the adventure is.Greyhawk Grognardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13929743865700766901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-73291801694406151682013-02-02T13:37:55.728-05:002013-02-02T13:37:55.728-05:00The list of categories is derived from the Monster...The list of categories is derived from the Monsters & Treasure booklet in the OD&D set. It's interesting as a historical point to note that the dungeon trap monsters were all from either the Strategic Review or the Monster Manual, and none of them appeared in OD&D or any of the supplements. I think they would fit in more of an extension of the "Cleanup Crew" - which is where in the order of monsters listed in Greyhawk, the Carrion Crawler, Gelatinous Cube and Giant Slug are found.<br /><br />I love monsters being used atypically and I think it's a crucial function particularly of the fairy tale monsters, which I think your catfolk and possibly rock trolls might fit under (depending on what you mean by them - are you referring to the trolls from Marvel Comics?).Wayne R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04118962136054206381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-71782254228786225912013-02-02T13:16:37.429-05:002013-02-02T13:16:37.429-05:00I'm not sure ecological niche is a good organi...I'm not sure ecological niche is a good organizing principle because many people don't bother with that level of detail and also it might not even make sense in a "mythical underworld" type of dungeon.Necropraxishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12716340801054739658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-6775520275055265762013-02-02T13:02:53.287-05:002013-02-02T13:02:53.287-05:00I would probably organize something like this by e...I would probably organize something like this by ecological niche or where they fit on the dungeon food chain.Brett Slocumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240226222507995367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-84841435194772592512013-02-02T12:50:33.449-05:002013-02-02T12:50:33.449-05:00The list of categories entirely ignores the Dungeo...The list of categories entirely ignores the Dungeon Trap Monster: mimic, rot grub, trapper, roper, lurker above, piercer, etc.<br />Another category missing, maybe shared between the monsters of myth and the fairy tales is the Situationally dependent friend or foe races, that is monsters that can behave in different roles according to the campaign situations, without a direct connection to alignment. I normally use hobgoblins, lizardguys, wood elves, catfolk, rock trolls (not traditional D&D trolls), wererats, in that role.paridephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18239451097075527445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-78980904712658355772013-02-02T11:12:36.643-05:002013-02-02T11:12:36.643-05:00Rafael ... your Teratic Tome is taking up the slac...Rafael ... your Teratic Tome is taking up the slack as far as the type of creatures are needed besides the rehashed ones that every retro clone has. I am glad I purchased the Teratic Tome - it was what I was looking for!Sylvaeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05021442784343472590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5377543525075660166.post-30689761568631628682013-02-02T09:33:14.928-05:002013-02-02T09:33:14.928-05:00Thanks for the mention! But just to clarify, Terat...Thanks for the mention! But just to clarify, Teratic Tome's got a bit of everything: variants of orcs and gnolls, a bunch of new undead, some bizarre fairy tale miscellany, gelatinous pyramids and azure slimes, the works.<br /><br />Excellent breakdown of monster types -- a terrific read! Thanks again.Rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12778082481965236807noreply@blogger.com