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General Tabletop Discussion
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In Search of "the" Ideal Monster Presentation
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<blockquote data-quote="dave2008" data-source="post: 9166339" data-attributes="member: 83242"><p>I appreciate the separate thread [USER=20323]@Quickleaf[/USER], I think this is an interesting topic. I will also summon [USER=15700]@Sacrosanct[/USER] as well. If memory serves me correctly (and it rarely does these days) they did some similar research into this topic in preparation for their Twilight Fables book. I believe there was even a thread about it. With that out of the way...</p><p></p><p>I'm of two minds about this topic. I see the benefits of in-depth lore and information and keeping it as generic as possible. For a monster book tied to a specific setting, lots of lore and hooks tied to the setting make sense. However, for book intended to cover many, any, all settings it should be generic. I am not sure there is a simple / happy medium. However, I think there is some things I would want in either option.</p><p></p><p>Here are my first draft thoughts:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The entire monster entry should be understood to describe the monster, not just the statblock</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The statblock should be focused on combat options/information needed to run the monster.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Non-combat, but still relevant or possibly "encounter" relevant items should be in the monster entry, but not the statblock. This includes descriptive traits like: <em>Immortal/Unusual Nature, Angelic Weapons, Divine Being, </em>etc.; and actions like: <em>change shape, time gate,</em> and spells that take longer than an action to cast.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Customization tables/information. could be useful</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">a brief physical description that should match the art (got to have art)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">a size chart is good too</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">brief description of tactics and motivations (will it flee or surrender or fight to the death)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">possibly a brief description of tracks/signs</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">possibly harvesting information</li> </ul><p>After that, it really depends on the role of the book. Is it generic or specific. I think those require different types of monster entries.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dave2008, post: 9166339, member: 83242"] I appreciate the separate thread [USER=20323]@Quickleaf[/USER], I think this is an interesting topic. I will also summon [USER=15700]@Sacrosanct[/USER] as well. If memory serves me correctly (and it rarely does these days) they did some similar research into this topic in preparation for their Twilight Fables book. I believe there was even a thread about it. With that out of the way... I'm of two minds about this topic. I see the benefits of in-depth lore and information and keeping it as generic as possible. For a monster book tied to a specific setting, lots of lore and hooks tied to the setting make sense. However, for book intended to cover many, any, all settings it should be generic. I am not sure there is a simple / happy medium. However, I think there is some things I would want in either option. Here are my first draft thoughts: [LIST] [*]The entire monster entry should be understood to describe the monster, not just the statblock [*]The statblock should be focused on combat options/information needed to run the monster. [*]Non-combat, but still relevant or possibly "encounter" relevant items should be in the monster entry, but not the statblock. This includes descriptive traits like: [I]Immortal/Unusual Nature, Angelic Weapons, Divine Being, [/I]etc.; and actions like: [I]change shape, time gate,[/I] and spells that take longer than an action to cast. [*]Customization tables/information. could be useful [*]a brief physical description that should match the art (got to have art) [*]a size chart is good too [*]brief description of tactics and motivations (will it flee or surrender or fight to the death) [*]possibly a brief description of tracks/signs [*]possibly harvesting information [/LIST] After that, it really depends on the role of the book. Is it generic or specific. I think those require different types of monster entries. [/QUOTE]
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