D&D 5E Mythic Odysseys of Theros

[The Mirrorball Man]

Fair enough. Harpies are probably the way to go then given they have a few monsters at different CR's (1/8, 1, 5). Satyrs might work too but that doesn't seem to get at what you're after. Refluffing kobolds or goblins as kobaloi could work.

Oh, thank you, that's perfect. I had never heard of kobaloi. And I guess something could be done with cercopes as well.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the setting is lacking a couple of low-level threats, the equivalent of goblins and orcs.

Theros heroes slay serpents before they learn to walk, they are far to mighty to bother with orcs.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Theros heroes slay serpents before they learn to walk, they are far to mighty to bother with orcs.

Low-level Theros campaigns must be lethal.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Low-level Theros campaigns must be lethal.

Joking aside, putting low level heroes up against beasts like lions and snakes would be consistent with the Greek myth theme.

Another thematic option would be to allow low level heroes to level up by winning sporting events.

 

[teitan]

Low-level Theros campaigns must be lethal.

Nope, level 1 they get supernatural gifts plus the book suggests using feats as supernatural gifts as well.

 

[teitan]

I don't see anything wrong with having goblins and the like as threats in Theros as well. This isn’t Ancient Greece but a reasonable facsimile. Planar travel could bring them to Theros as a low level campaign hook. What are these creatures? Where did they come from? How do we keep them from returning? Reskinning then as well to represent weird fey creatures also works.

 

[teitan]

There is even a precedent!

Kallikantzaros - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Turn them into winter spirits, hidden folk who come out during the winter season to wreak havoc and mischief.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Nope, level 1 they get supernatural gifts plus the book suggests using feats as supernatural gifts as well.

True, but that won't magically lower the CR of the most dangerous monsters.

I don't see anything wrong with having goblins and the like as threats in Theros as well. This isn’t Ancient Greece but a reasonable facsimile. Planar travel could bring them to Theros as a low level campaign hook. What are these creatures? Where did they come from? How do we keep them from returning? Reskinning then as well to represent weird fey creatures also works.

That's a very good idea, but I wouldn't use it right of the bat. You have to establish the tone of the campaign first. If you put goblins in Theros right away, it becomes just another vanilla setting.

There is even a precedent!

Kallikantzaros - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Turn them into winter spirits, hidden folk who come out during the winter season to wreak havoc and mischief.

That's fascinating, thank you for sharing.

 

[teitan]

Dwarves in Theros: live in mountains. Duh. Chosen people created by Purphoros. This changes the character of the dwarves. We can draw from myth while remaining true to their character. A secret people who assist Purphoros in his forges, crafting mythical weapons for heroes. Yes very Norse but also very cool. I’d reskin duergar to be these dwarves but make them look more like coal. You could also say they are imperfect creations of Petros, the created twin of Purphoros.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

True, but that won't magically lower the CR of the most dangerous monsters.

It significantly increases the power of 1st level characters though - I would treat them as one level higher for balancing encounters.