Source:Dungeons & Dragons, Volume II, Monsters & Treasure by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Published in 1974.
Gnole Roughly man-sized, green-skinned and white-haired, a cherubic face split by a fanged maw, leathery flesh marred by stone-colored warts. Territorial and avaricious, lusting for gems and prey, lairing in dank caverns.
Speaking of ShadowDark (which I did a bit last post), I’ve started working on a new Spes Magna Games project, the first one in quite awhile, that combines my fondness for folklore and my occasional mania for making monsters.
The Denham Tracts are a collection of mid-nineteenth century English pamphlets collected into a single publication by Michael A. Denham. The pamphlets deal with history, poems, proverbs, sayings, slogans, and stories. This collection is most perhaps most famous for its list of creatures popular in folklore, a list that some allege is from where J. R. R. Tolkien took the word “hobbit”.
It is this list of creatures that is the subject of my new Spes Magna Games project. I’m not making a monster for every creature on the list. There is some repetition as it lists the same creature under different names. That said, ignoring repetition, The Denham Tracts provides plenty of inspiration.
For example:
Black Dogs Black dogs are not truly canines, although they often resemble man’s best friends. A black dog is a supernatural creature, one that possesses uncanny powers and often appears as a harbinger of some terrible, impending fate. All black dogs have a dangerous howl as well as these two traits:
Impervious. While incorporeal, only damaged by silver or magical sources.
Incorporeal. In place of attacks, become corporeal or incorporeal. While incorporeal, ADV on WIS checks to track living creatures.
Gallytrot A large dog with shaggy fur white like fresh snow, its outline indistinct, hazy, as if the creature fades from canine to fog. Its eyes are featureless, dull blue orbs.
The gallytrot preys on cowards. Its howl sounds like a cacophony of screeching cats and angry hornets.
AC 14, HP 26, ATK 1 bite +3 (1d6), MV double near, S +2, D +2, C +2, I -1, W +1, Ch -1, AL N, LV 4
Howl. Living creatures within near must make a DC 12 CHA check on turn or become scared for 1d4 rounds. While scared, suffer a -2 penalty on attack rolls and checks. If a scared creature is attacked, on its next turn it must only move away from its attacker.
Today, another new (sort of) monster for Shadowdark but this time the art is by the wonderful JE Shields JE Shields. The art is used by permission.
Shifter, Tusked
Bizarre sort of great cat with dark fur over taut muscles. A whip-like tail. From its back barbed tentacles grow. Armored skull, beak-like nose, large maw full of fangs flanked by long, curved tusks. Heavy talons on its paws.
AC 12, HP 39, ATK 2 barbed tentacles +4 (1d6) and 1 gore +4 (2d4), MV near, S +4, D +2, C +2, I -2, W +2, Ch -2, AL C, LV 6
Charge. Move up to double near in straight line and make 1 gore attack. If it hits: x2 gore damage.
Shifted. Appears to be about a yard from where it is. Attacks relying on sight against it have disadvantage. It makes saving throws against directs attacks with advantage.
Tentacles squirm, appear, and disappear. Tendrils wriggle in place of its lower jaw. Glowing white eyes shine malevolently. Rich robes and cape shift as if the body beneath has no set form or number of limbs.
AC 16, HP 57, ATK 1d4 tendrils +5 (1d6 plus disease), MV near, S +1, D +4, C +3, I +2, W +3, Ch +2, AL C, LV 10
Command Undead. Skeletons and zombies obey its commands.
Disease. DC 16 CON or infected. DC 16 CON each day or lose 2d4 HP (can’t heal naturally). Ends on success.
Disintegrate into Swarm. Collapses into a writhing mass of biting tendrils. Moves and attacks as a rat swarm (Shadowdark 245). Regenerates 1d8 HP on its turn unless wounds are cauterized with holy water.
Greater Undead. Immune to morale checks. Only damaged by silver or magical sources.
Reaper, Skeletal
Mottled bones almost devoid of tissue. Pinpoints of light for eyes. Ragged clothing and cloak. A blood-stained scythe ready to strike!
AC 14, HP 15, ATK 1 scythe +3 (1d10), MV near, S +3, D +0, C +2, I +0, W +2, Ch +2, AL C, LV 3
Greater Undead. Immune to morale checks. Only damaged by silver or magical sources.
Lasting Wounds. Damage from its scythe can be healed only by nonmagical means.
I think Shadowdark is my new favorite game. I’m running it for a group of middle school students during our lunch/recess hour. So far, everyone says they’re having fun.
I’m also enjoying Fernando Salvaterra’s wonderful artwork. This time, I offer up two of his kobolds as monstrous NPCs. As always, I’ve used these pic with permission, and you should consider supporting Fernando via his Patreon.
Dalto the Daring
Gleaming armor and flashing blade! Dalto the Daring darts and jabs, barking strange quips in his native tongue.
AC 16 (chainmail), HP 17, ATK 1 Sharpsteel +6 (1d6+3), MV near, S +0, D +3, C +1, I +0, W -1, Ch +1, AL C, LV 3
Acrobatic Flourish. Move up to near and make a DC 12 Dexterity check.
Success = Advantage on next melee attack this round
Critical success = As success and +2 AC for one round
Critical failure = Melee attacks against Dalto have advantage for one round
Dalto’s Sharpsteel. This +1 shortsword has the finesse quality. Dalto has weapon mastery with this blade.
Dodge. 1/day, an attack that would hit misses instead.
Moldo of the Evil Doll’s Head
Sinister and sibilant! Moldo commands dark magic and wields a hell-crafted staff to which he often speaks. When he listens, does he hear the doll’s head’s evil words?
AC 13 (leather), HP 18, ATK 1 +1 staff +4 (1d4) or 1 spell +3, MV near, S -1, D +2, C +0, I +1, W +1, Ch +3, AL C, LV 4
Dodge. 1/day, an attack that would hit misses instead.
Scorpion Sting (CHA Spell). DC 11. Near range, one target. 1d6 damage and target has disadvantage on next attack roll or check.
Sinister Distractions (CHA Spell). DC 13. Near range, one target. For 1d10 minutes, the target hears eerie noises and glimpses disturbing shapes that impose disadvantage on checks related to concentration and perception. A target with keen senses (e.g., a goblin) can be surprised normally while the spell is in effect. A successful Wisdom check by the target reduces the duration to 1d10 rounds.
Spider Swarm (CHA Spell). DC 12. A spider swarm appears within near. Stays 1d4 rounds. Follows sorcerer’s commands.
Staff of the Evil Doll’s Head. This +1 staff that enables a spellcaster to cast illusion (DC 13 Intelligence check). Moldo cannot use this ability; he doesn’t even know about it. On a critical failure with illusion, the staff summons a barbed devil that attempts to slay the staff’s user and then disappear with the staff.
