4E - creating an "angry peasant mob"

[Fathead]

I'm starting a new 4E campaign, and I'd like to start it off with some action.

The PCs are all from a neighboring kingdom (at war), and have been betrayed in their mission (all of which they'll have to uncover later). They discover that one of their own has also been captured by a local militia. They rush to find this scene:

The townsfolk have gathered (farmers, peasants, husbands, wives, children). Several are armed (pitchforks, clubs, rusty swords), others are unarmed, and a few carry weapons and torches. Some call for the "demon" to be burned (she is a tiefling...which in my campaign will be rare). The local militia is trying to decide what to do with her - keep her here, since she is a spy and should probably be interrogated (which may be difficult considering the mob), hang her from treason, or burn her for heresy (since they believe her to be a "demon").

What I'd like are some ideas on the powers for the mob. I'd like to mob to work as one creature. It will be vulnerable to anything with an area effect, since they are essentially minion status. The ability to push, pull, and grab will be a part of it as well.

So, I offer this up to the Enworld community - any thoughts or suggestions for my angry peasant mob?

 

[Dausuul]

What I'd like are some ideas on the powers for the mob. I'd like to mob to work as one creature. It will be vulnerable to anything with an area effect, since they are essentially minion status. The ability to push, pull, and grab will be a part of it as well.

So, I offer this up to the Enworld community - any thoughts or suggestions for my angry peasant mob?

It would be helpful to know why you prefer to make the mob one creature, instead of just using a bunch of minions. Not saying you shouldn't do it that way, but what are you looking for out of a single creature that minions cannot provide?

 

[Phaezen]

If you are looking for one creature, you could reskin the Kobold mob from Dragon 364

Dragon #364 Table of Contents


Phaezen

 

[Roger]

I'd make it a swarm, absolutely.

I might give it the Split ability that the Ochre Jelly has.

While we're still in the Ooze section, the Engulf attack of the Gelatinous Cube might work. Or the similar Swallow attack of the Purple Worm (among others.)

If I were feeling mean about things, I might have an ability like It's Only a Kid! Slow recharge, on a Will attack, turns a hit into a miss, as the PC realizes he's about to smite some little kid with a little torch.

Sounds like it should be fun.


Cheers,
Roger

 

[wedgeski]

Ring-leader NPC(s) with an aura effect?

 

[Fathead]

It would be helpful to know why you prefer to make the mob one creature, instead of just using a bunch of minions. Not saying you shouldn't do it that way, but what are you looking for out of a single creature that minions cannot provide?

I suppose that I could do that. There are 24 in the mob though (and that doesn't count the 4 local militia and one old grizzled veteran). If each of them got an attack, it certainly would drag combat out (and probably kill them, since the group is 2nd level). I wanted this to be fast and tense...so I was thinking a mob/swarm would be great. If you have other ideas though, I'm open.

 

[Fathead]

If you are looking for one creature, you could reskin the Kobold mob from Dragon 364

Dragon #364 Table of Contents

Awesome. I'll take a look. If anyone has any more mob or swarm examples, I'd like to see them. I'll probably thief some ideas off of them.

 

[The Little Raven]

If I were feeling mean about things, I might have an ability like It's Only a Kid! Slow recharge, on a Will attack, turns a hit into a miss, as the PC realizes he's about to smite some little kid with a little torch.

I like the cut of your jib, sir.

Consider this idea stolen.

 

[Fathead]

I'd make it a swarm, absolutely.

I might give it the Split ability that the Ochre Jelly has.

While we're still in the Ooze section, the Engulf attack of the Gelatinous Cube might work. Or the similar Swallow attack of the Purple Worm (among others.)

Now, those are some damn fine ideas...I especially like the split ability.

My local RPG shop had a bunch of Foundry miniatures on sale ($5.00 for a box of peasants that would normally cost over $20)...so I bought 3 of them.

If I were feeling mean about things, I might have an ability like It's Only a Kid! Slow recharge, on a Will attack, turns a hit into a miss, as the PC realizes he's about to smite some little kid with a little torch.

Ha! Funny you mention that...I already purchased the townsfolk children miniatures from Reaper (for the purpose of including them in the mob). My thought was that it might make the area effects a little more difficult if they're trying to avoid the children in the mix (and as I mentioned, I was thinking that it would have a vulnerability to the area effects).

I love the idea of a "It's Only A Kid". That's awesome.

 

[Obryn]

Honestly, why not use a bunch of Human Rabble?

-O