Monster Manual Layout/Organization: What do you prefer...

[Stormonu]

I'm all for organization that helps to remove duplicate blocks of text. Putting dragons next to each other saves you repeating information about their salient abilities, so that makes sense. If genies or goblinoids shared traits you could avoid repeating were they scattered throughout the book by instead putting them together in one section, I'm for whatever gives me more monsters.

For an example list of what I ended up for the game I designed, here's the monster list out of the front of the book:

[sblock]

(Some of the entries are repeated because they were a "group header", then the actual monster entry beneath it

Ahuitzotl 20
- Ahuitzotl 20
Alligator 21
-Alligator / Crocodile 21
-Monstrous Alligator / Crocodile 21
-Deinosuchus 22
Amphisbaena 23
-Amphisbaena 23
Angel 24
-Angel of Death 24
-Angel of War 25
-Guardian Angel 26
Anguillian 28
-Anguillian Lurker 28
-Anguillian Hunter 28
-Anguillian Reaver 29
-Anguillian Baron 29
-Anguillian Demagogue 30
-Anguillian Behemoth 31
Ant 33
-Monstrous Ant Worker 33
-Monstrous Ant Soldier 33
-Monstrous Ant Drone 34
-Monstrous Ant Queen 34
Anurian 36
-Anurian Caller 36
-Anurian Swamp Strider 36
-Anurian Tree Strider 37
Ape 39
-Chimpanzee 39
-Gorilla 39
-White Ape 39
-Legendary Gorilla 40
Baku 41
-Baku 41
Banshee 42
-Banshee 42
-Groaning Spirit 42
Barghest 44
-Barghest 44
-Goblin Barghest 44
-Orc Barghest 45
-Troll Barghest 45
Basilisk 46
-Basilisk 46
-Dread Basilisk 46
Bear 47
-Brown / Black Bear 47
-Grizzly / Polar Bear 47
-Cave Bear 47
Beetle 49
-Monstrous Assassin Bug 49
-Monstrous Bombardier Beetle 49
-Monstrous Death Watch Beetle 49
-Monstrous Scarab 50
-Monstrous Slicer Beetle 50
Berbalang 51
-Berbalang 51
Boar 52
-Warthog 52
-Wild Boar 52
Boggart 53
-Boggart 53
-Gremlin 53
Bovine 55
-Auroch/Bison 55
-Steer 55
Brownie 56
-Brownie Laborer 56
-Brownie Guilder 56
Bugbear 58
-Bugbear Ambusher 58
-Bugbear Warrior 58
-Bugbear Stonecracker 59
-Bugbear Fopking 59
Bunyip 61
-Bunyip 61
Cambion 62
-Cambion Hellraiser 62
-Cambion Diabolist 63
-Cambion Harbinger 64
-Cambion HellLord 65
Cat, Great 67
-Cath Shee 67
-Feral Cat 67
-Bobcat / Lynx 67
-Cougar/ Leopard / Puma 67
-Lion / Tiger 68
-Lion / Tiger Mankiller 68
-Lion / Tiger Rogue 68
Catan, Leonine 70
-Leonine Acolyte 70
-Leonine Mystic 70
-Leonine Seer 71
Catan, Tigerian 73
-Tigerian Sepoy 73
-Tigerian Subedar 73
-Tigerian Rajah 74
Catan, Pumaan 76
-Pumaan Stalker 76
-Pumaan Headhunter 76
-Pumaan Night Ghost 77
Catoblepas 78
-Catoblepas 78
-Dread Catoblepas 78
Cave Hunter 79
-Cave Hunter 79
-Cave Stalker 79
-Monstrous Cave Hunter 80
Centaur 81
-Centaur Hunter 81
-Centaur Ranger 81
-Centaur Archer 82
-Centaur shaman 82
Chimera 84
-Chimera 84
Cockatrice 85
-Cockatrice 85
-Pyrotrice 85
Cohuatl 86
-Cohuatl 86
-Cohuatl Messenger 87
Cyclops 88
-Cyclops Herder 88
-Cyclops Forger 88
-Cyclops Marauder 89
Daemon 91
-Agathodaemon 91
-Eudaemon 91
-Cacodaemon 92
Death Knight 93
-Death Knight 93
-Death Knight Blackguard 94
Demon 96
-Demonling 96
-Demon 96
-Demon Lord 97
Dinosaur 99
-Ankylosaurus (Clubtail) 99
-Dimetrodon (Finback) 99
-Deinonychus (Clawfoot) 99
-Diplodocus (Thunderfoot) 99
-Parasaurolophus (Duckface) 100
-Pteradon (Soarwing) 100
-Stegosaurus (Spikeback) 100
-Triceratops (Hornface) 100
-Tyrannosaurus rex 101
-(Sharptooth) 101
Doppelganger 102
-Doppelganger 103
-Doppelganger 103
Domovoi 104
-Domovoi 104
Draemani 105
-Draemani Skald 105
-Draemani Bard 105
-Draemani Fochlucan 106
Dragon, Acid 108
-Acid Dragon, Young 108
-Acid Dragon, Adult 109
-Acid Dragon, Ancient 110
Dragon, Death 111
-Death Dragon, Young 111
-Death Dragon, Adult 112
-Death Dragon, Ancient 113
Dragon, Earth 114
-Earth Dragon, Young 114
-Earth Dragon, Adult 115
-Earth Dragon, Ancient 116
Dragon, Fire 117
-Fire Dragon, Young 117
-Fire Dragon, Adult 118
-Fire Dragon, Ancient 119
Dragon, Ice 120
-Ice Dragon, Young 121
-Ice Dragon, Adult 121
-Ice Dragon, Ancient 122
Dragon, Poison 123
-Poison Dragon, Young 123
-Poison Dragon, Adult 124
-Poison Dragon, Ancient 125
Dragon, Radiant 126
-Radiant Dragon, Young 126
-Radiant Dragon, Adult 127
-Radiant Dragon, Ancient 128
Dragon, Storm 129
-Storm Dragon, Young 129
-Storm Dragon, Adult 130
-Storm Dragon, Ancient 131
Dragon, Water 132
-Water Dragon, Young 132
-Water Dragon, Adult 133
-Water Dragon, Ancient 134
Dragon Turtle 135
-Dragon Turtle 135
Dragonfolk 136
-Dragonfolk Wyrmling 136
-Dragonfolk Bladecaster 137
-Dragonfolk Throneseeker 138
Dragonling 139
-Dragonling 139
Dragonne 140
-Dragonne 140
Draug 141
-Draug 141
-Draug Marauder 141
Dryad 143
-Dryad 143
-Hamadryad 143
Dwarf, Duergar 145
-Duergar Caver 145
-Duergar Slinker 145
-Duergar Deathseeker 146
-Duergar Stoneteller 147
Dwarf, Hill 149
-Hill Dwarf Militiaman 149
-Hill Dwarf Warrior 149
-Hill Dwarf Axer 150
-Hill Dwarf Defender 150
-Hill Dwarf Anvileer 151
Einherjar 152
-Einherjar Hero 152
-Einherjar Thane 152
-Einherjar Earl 153
Elemental 154
-Air Elemental 154
-Earth Elemental 154
-Fire Elemental 154
-Ice Elemental 155
-Iron Elemental 155
-Lightning Elemental 155
-Water Elemental 155
Elephant 157
-Elephant 157
-Mammoth 157
-Oliphant 157
Elf, Dark 159
-Dark Elf Assassin 159
-Dark Elf House Guard 159
-Dark Elf Bodyguard 160
-Dark Elf Champion 161
-Dark Elf Necrophage 162
Elf, High 163
-High Elf Warrior Recruit 163
-High Elf Spellblade 163
-High Elf Bladedancer 164
-High Elf OberFey 165
Erinyes 167
-Eumenide 167
-Erinyes 168
-Furie 169
Ettin 170
-Ettin 170
-Ettin Facebreaker 170
Faun 172
-Faun 172
-Faun Archer 172
Firebird 174
-Golden Finch 174
-Firebird 175
-Phoenix 176
Fomorian 177
-Fomorian Raider 177
-Fomorian Vassal 178
-Fomorian Heir 179
-Fomorian Warlord 180
Formian 181
-Formian Scout 181
-Formian Peasant 181
-Formian Calvary 182
-Formian Solider 182
-Formian Myrmarch 183
-Formian Prince / Princess 184
-Formian Monarch 185
Frog, Monstrous 188
-Monstrous Tree Frog 188
-Monstrous Toad 188
Gargoyle 190
-Gargoyle 190
Garuda 191
-Garuda Harrier 191
-Garuda Lancer 191
-Garuda Sky Crier 192
-Garuda Sky Marshal 193
Genie 194
-Dao 194
-Djinn 195
-Ifrit 196
-Marid 197
Ghoul 199
-Ghoul Spawn (Rank 1) 199
-Ghoul Ravager (Rank 2) 199
-Ghoul Terror (Rank 3) 200
-Ghoul Lord (Rank 4) 200
-Ghoul King (Rank 5) 201
Ghost 202
-Lost Ghost 202
-Vengeful Ghost 202
-Murderous Ghost 203
Giant, Earth 204
-Earth Giant Runecarver 204
-Earth Giant Stonebones 204
Giant, Fire 206
-Fire Giant Whelp 206
-Fire Giant Swordsman 206
-Fire Giant flamberge 207
-Fire Giant fireshaper 208
-Fire Giant Koenig 209
Giant, Frost 210
-Frost Giant Jota 210
-Frost Giant Nordjung 210
-Frost Giant Thane 211
Giant, Hill 213
-Hill Giant Clanmate 213
-Hill Giant Huntsman 213
-Hill Giant Shaman 214
-Hill Giant Chieftain 214
-Towering Hill Giant 215
Giant, Storm 216
-Storm Giant Sturmguard 216
-Storm Giant Auromancer 217
Glaistig 219
-Glaistig 219
-Glaistig Devotee 219
-Glaistig Blooddrinker 220
Gnome 222
-Gnome Prankster 222
-Gnome Inspector 222
-Gnome Talespinner 223
-Gnome King 224
Goblin 226
-Goblin Scavenger 226
-Goblin Marauder 226
-Goblin Warrior 227
-Goblin Warlord 227
-Goblin Shaman 228
-Goblin Childe (Human) 229
Golem 230
-Clay golem 230
-Flesh golem 230
-Iron Golem 231
-Stone golem 231
Gorgon 233
-Gorgon 233
Griffon 234
-Griff 234
-Griffon 234
-Opinicus 235
-Gryphon 235
-Hippogriff 236
Grue 237
-Grue 237
Hag 238
-Annis 238
-Bheur 239
-Grindylow 240
-Night Hag 241
-Waldhexe 242
Hagspawn 245
-Hagspawn Human 245
-Hagspawn Elf 245
-Hagspawn Ogre 246
Harpy 247
-Harpy 247
-Harpy Songstress 247
Hebira 248
-Death Hebira 248
-Fire Hebira 249
-Frost Hebira 249
-Lightning Hebira 250
Hellchilde 251
-Hellchilde Cultist 251
-Hellchilde Invoker 252
-Hellchilde Grand Mal 253
Hellcat 254
-Hellcat 254
Hillenfaey 255
-Hillenfaey Scout 255
-Hillenfaey Pickpocket 255
-Hillenfaey Scalawag 255
-Hillenfaey Sheriff 256
Hippocampus 257
-Hippocampus 257
Hippopotamus 258
-Hippopotamus 258
-Monstrous Hippopotamus 258
-River God 258
Hobgoblin 259
-Hobgoblin Hobnail 259
-Hobgoblin Shiner 259
-Hobgoblin Troublemaker 260
-Hobgoblin Saboteur 260
Homunculus 262
-Lesser Homunculus (Rank 1) 262
-Homunculus (Rank 2) 262
-Greater Homunculus (Rank 3) 262
Horse 264
-Draft Horse 264
-Riding Horse 264
-Pony 264
Hound 265
-Coo Shee 265
-Death Hound 265
-Greater Death Hound 266
-Hell Hound 266
-Shadow Hound 267
-War Hound 267
-Yeth Hound 267
Human 269
-Human Brigand 269
-Human Thief 269
-Human Burglar 270
-Human Master Thief 270
-Human Constable 271
-Human Foot Knight 271
-Human Mounted Knight 272
-Human Warlord 272
-Human Noble Duelist 273
-Human Apprentice 273
-Human Arcanist 274
-Human Mage 274
-Human Wizard 275
-Human Archmage 276
-Human Priest 277
-Human Bishop 278
-Human Archbishop 279
Hyaenid 282
-Hyaenid Packmate 282
-Hyaenid Skulk 282
-Hyaenid Huntmaster 283
-Hyaenid Huntmaster 283
-Hyaenid Headhunter 284
Hydra 285
-5-Headed Hydra 285
-Primordial Hydra 285
Hyena 287
-Hyena 287
Insectivore 288
-Insectivore, Nymph 288
-Insectivore, Stag (Male) 288
-Insectivore, Maiden (Female) 288
Jaculus 290
-Jaculus 290
Kelpie 291
-Kelpie 291
KiLin 292
-KiLin 292
-QiLin 293
Kitsune 295
-Kitsune Twin-Tail 295
-Kitsune Three-Eyed Tail 295
-Kitsune Four-Mooned Tail 296
-Kitsune Five-Starred Tail 296
-Kitsune Six-Veiled Tail 297
-Kitsune Seven-Curled Tail 298
-Kitsune Eightfold Tail 299
-Kitsune Nine-Revealed Tail 300
Kobold 302
-Kobold Miner 302
-Kobold Sapper 302
-Kobold Trapper 302
-Kobold Minelord 303
-Kobold Runecaster 303
Korred 305
-Korred Prancer 305
Kraken 307
-Kraken 307
Lamia 308
-Lamia 308
-Lamia Noble 309
Landshark 310
-Landshark 310
Leocrocotta 311
-Crocotta 311
-Leocrocotta 311
Leotaur 312
-Leotaur Brave 312
-Leotaur Toho 312
-Leotaur Chafta 313
-Leotaur Wikka 314
Leporidan 315
-Leporidan Yatoihei 315
-Leporidan Nitohei 315
-Leporidan Gunshou 316
-Leporidan Shogun 316
-Leporidan Uiza-do 317
Leprechaun 318
-Leprechaun 318
Liche 320
-Liche Arcanis 320
-Liche Archmage 321
Lindorm 323
-Young Lindorm 323
-Adult Lindorm 324
-Ancient Lindorm 325
Lizard, Monstrous 326
-War Lizard 326
-Monstrous War Lizard 326
-Riding Lizard 326
Lizardfolk 328
-Lizardfolk Barbarian 328
-Lizardfolk Hisser 328
-Lizardfolk Stalker 329
-Lizardfolk King 329
-Lizardfolk Elder 330
Loxodontan 332
-Loxodontan Lancer 332
-Loxodontan Tusker 332
-Loxodontan Bull 333
-Loxodontan Healer 333
-Loxodontan Thinker 334
-Loxodontan Scriber 335
Lupin 337
-Lupin Hound 337
-Lupin Warhound 337
-Lupin guardian 338
-Lupin Warden 338
Lupitaur 340
-Lupitaur Howler 340
-Lupitaur Stalker 340
Lycanthrope 342
-Werebear 342
-Werehyena 342
-Wererat 343
-Werecat 343
-Werewolf 344
Mageborn 345
-Mageborn Neophyte 345
-Mageborn Academic 345
-Mageborn Sorcerer 346
-Mageborn Mage 347
-Mageborn Archmage 348
Manticore 350
-Manticore 350
Marut 351
-Marut 351
Medusa 353
-Medusa 353
-Medusa Matron 354
Merfolk 355
-Merfolk Lyrist 355
-Merfolk Harpooner 356
-Merfolk Mariner 356
-Merfolk Soldier 357
-Merfolk Tyrant 358
Minotaur 359
-Minotaur 359
-Manotaur 359
Mummy 361
-Lesser Mummy (Rank 2) 361
-Mummy (Rank 3) 361
-Mummy Priest 362
-Guardian Mummy (Rank 4) 362
-Mummy High Priest 363
Naga 364
-Dark Naga 364
-Guardian Naga 365
-Resplendent Naga 366
Nereid 368
-Nereid 368
Nightmare 369
-Dream mare 369
-Nightmare 369
-Dreadmare 370
Nymph 371
-Nymph 371
Obaysch 372
-Obaysch Ensign 372
-Obaysch Sailor 372
-Obaysch Marine 373
-Obaysch Officer 373
-Obaysch Admiral 374
Ogre 374
-Ogre 375
-Blood Ogre 375
-Ogre Cannibal 376
-Ogre Chieftain 376
-Ogre Magus 377
Ophidian 378
-Ophidian Crawler 378
-Ophidian Walker 379
Orc 380
-Orc 381
-Orc Ruffian 381
-Orc Brigand 381
-Orc Marauder 382
-Orc Warlord 382
Orkan 384
-Orkan Bully 384
-Orkan Sellsword 384
-Orkan Skullcracker 385
-Orkan Repentant 385
-Orkan Battlemage 386
Pech 388
-Pech 388
Pegasus 390
-Pegasus 390
Penanggalan 391
-Penanggalan 391
Peryton 392
-Peryton 392
Pixie 393
-Pixie 393
Powrie 395
-Powrie 395
Puka 396
-Puka 396
Rabbit 397
-Al-Mi’Raj 397
-Jackalope 397
Rakshasa 398
-Rakshasa Havildar 398
-Rakshasa Rajah 399
-Rakshasa Maharajah 400
Rat, Monstrous 401
-Giant Rat 401
-Dread Rat 401
Ratten 402
-Ratten urchin 402
-Ratten Scrounger 402
-Ratten Ambusher 403
-Ratten Plaguebearer 403
Revenant 405
-Revenant 405
Rhinoceros 406
-Rhinoceros 406
-Great Rhinoceros 406
Roc 407
-Roc 407
-2-Headed Roc 407
-3-Headed Roc 408
-5-Headed Roc 409
Rusalka 410
-Rusalka 410
Salamander 411
-Salamander 411
Satyr 412
-Satyr 412
Scorpion 414
-Fire Scorpion 414
-Monstrous Scorpion 414
-Giant Scorpion 415
Sea Lion 416
-Sea Lion 416
-Seal 417
-Otter 417
-Seal 417
-Walrus 417
Shadis 419
-Shadis Soldier 419
-Shadis Marquis 419
-Shadis Lord 420
Shadow 422
-Shade 422
-Shadow, Lesser 422
-Shadow 423
Shanai 424
-Shanai Brat 424
-Shanai Dao 424
-Shanai Jinn 425
-Shanai Ifrit 425
-Shanai Mari 426
-Shanai Elementalist 427
-Shanai Vizier 428
-Shanai Caliph 429
Shark 430
-Shark 430
-Giant Shark 430
-Monstrous Shark 430
Shedu 432
-Lammasu 432
-Shedu 433
Siren 434
-Siren 434
Skeleton 435
-Skeleton (Rank 1) 435
-Skeleton (Rank 2) 435
-Skeleton (Rank 3) 436
-Armed Skeleton (Rank 1) 436
-Armed Skeleton (Rank 2) 436
-Armed Skeleton (Rank 3) 437
-Skeleton Warrior 437
-Skeleton Knight 438
-Skeleton Warlord 438
Scorpios 439
-Scorpios Scuttler 439
-Scorpios Clawstrike 439
-Scorpios Deathstrike 440
Snake 441
-Giant Constrictor Snake 441
-Monstrous Constrictor Snake 441
-Giant Viper 442
Spectre 443
-Spectre Sycophant 443
-Spectre 443
-Dread Spectre 444
Sphinx 445
-Criosphinx 445
-Hieracosphinx 445
-sphinx 446
Spider 447
-Giant Spider 447
-Ghost Spider 447
-Monstrous Spider 448
Spriggan 449
-Spriggan, Fey Form 449
-Spriggan, Giant Form 449
Strix 451
-Strix 451
Succubus 452
-Succubus 452
-Incubus 453
Swarm 455
-Ant Swarm 455
-Velvet Ant Swarm 455
-Giant Ant Swarm 456
-Monstrous Ant Swarm 456
-Vampire Bat Swarm 457
-(Honey)Bee Swarm 457
-Hornet Swarm 458
-Killer Bee Swarm 458
-Giant Wasp Swarm 459
-Bird Swarm 459
-Raven Swarm 460
-Locust Swarm 460
-Piranha Swarm 461
-Rat Swarm 461
-Spider Swarm 462
-Tarantula Swarm 462
-Strix Swarm 463
Sylph 464
-Sylph 464
Tarasque 466
-Tarasque 466
Tatanka 467
-Tatanka Pacifist 467
-Tatanka Medicine Man 467
-Tatanka Hidebound 468
-Tatanka White Warrior 469
Taurii 470
-Taurii Battler 470
-Taurii Battlebrother 470
-Taurii Battle Captain 471
-Taurii Freelancer 471
-Taurii Battle Lord 472
-Taurii Battle Priest 472
Tengu 473
-Tengu 474
Titan 475
-Hellenic Titan 475
-Primordial Titan 476
Titanborn 477
-Titanborn Mauler 477
-Titanborn Master 477
-Titanborn Overlord 478
Treefolk 480
-Treefolk 480
Troglodyte 481
-Troglodyte Caver 481
-Troglodyte Fireseeker 481
-Troglodyte Chieftain 482
Troll 483
-Troll 483
-Troll Maneater 483
Tunnel Worm 485
-Tunnel Worm 485
Unicorn 486
-Unicorn 486
-Unicorn Forestmaster 487
Valkrie 488
-Valkrie Maiden 488
-Valkrie Champion 488
-Valkrie Queen 489
Vampire 490
-Vampire 490
-Vampire Menace 490
-Vampire Blooddrinker 491
-Vampire Lord 492
-Vampire Spawn 493
Vodyanoi 494
-Vodyanoi 494
Wasp 495
-Giant Wasp 495
-Monstrous Wasp 495
Weaver 496
-Weaver Gossip 496
-Weaver Deceiver 497
-Weaver Liar 498
-Weaver of Lies 499
Wendigo 500
-Wendigo 500
Whale 501
-Orca (Killer Whale) 501
-Cachalot Whale 501
-Leviathan 502
Wight 503
-Barrow Wight 503
-Dread Wight 503
Will-O’-Wisp 505
-Will-O’-Wisp 505
Wolf 506
-Wolf 506
-Warg 506
Wolfen 507
-Wolfen Native 507
-Wolfen Packmate 507
-Wolfen Howler 508
-Wolfen Tracker 508
-Wolfen Packmaster 509
Wraith 510
-Wraith 510
-Dread Wraith 510
-Wraith Lord 511
Wyvern 512
-Wyvern 512
Xhapan 513
-Xhapan 513
-Xhapan Slime Lord 514
-Xhapan Terror 515
Yeti 516
-Yeti 516
-Yeti Savager 516
-Yeti Shaman 517
Zombie 518
-Lesser Zombie 518
-Zombie 518
-Dread Zombie 519
[/sblock]

 

[steeldragons]

I must spread some around before giving to Stormonu again (if anyone would like to help a Steel Dragons out? Please and thank you.).

GREAT list! Way more than I would be going with...but I do like the breakdowns you're doing...and how stuff like Demons are just "minor peesly demon, major "oh crap, it's a real demon", and "balling for your mommy, HOLY $#!!" demon lord.

Gotta fly at the mo', but will post the beginners/basic list I have worked out for MY game set/system in progress later.

Happy Sunday all.

 

[JamesonCourage]

What I'm saying is, why does the main body need to be alphabetical at all? I could see something like:

Chapter 1: The Overworld

• Men
• Demi-Humans
• Humanoids
• Animals
• Giants
• Dragons
• etc.

Chapter 2: The Underworld

• Oozes
• Undead
• Beholders and Beholderkin
• etc.

Chapter 3: Other Planes

• Inner Planes
  • Elementals, paraelementals, quasielementals
  • Genies and Genasi
  • etc.
• Outer Planes
  • Planes of Law
    • Angels
    • Devils
    • Archons
    • Modrons
    • etc.
  • Planes of Chaos
    • Eladrins
    • Demons
    • Slaadi
    • etc.
  • Planes of Conflict
    • Neutral fiends
    • Neutral celestials
    • Stuff from the Outlands
    • Assorted Cagers (in my dreams, lol)
    • etc.

Agreed. (Not much more to say, but XP isn't visible, so here it is in a post until they fix XP.)

 

[steeldragons]

So, for the beginners/basic/"Adventurer" set (not to be confused with what 5e is called "Adventurer tier", twas my terminology first! just sayin'.)
The set is for levels 1-5. This proved an unexpected challenge, as with the BECM or B/X basic sets, they were only worried about covering things for PC levels 1-3. Mostly giant nasty animals, a few undead and a couple of mythological things like a basilisk or cockatrice, anything that could turn you into stone, it seemed, actually. In a system where "Stone to Flesh" wasn't a spell until gods know what level making petrification as good as death for a good long time. But all that's neither here nor there...moving on...

We had, some time ago, that Beginner's Monster List thread, which proved some interesting responses...and just, for the record I might be going back to it because my current list for the starting monsters is just too long, I think. And that's even with separating Animals out into their own section...and there's too many of them too I think.

But given the PC levels are for 1-5, you have to figure including things up to at least 10HD, plus mounts, possible animal companions or animal options for shapeshiftng druids, other minor critters for familiars, plus actual possible dangers/encounters like lions and bears and wolves (Oh my!) giant eagles, 'gators and crocodiles, giant constrictors and poisonous snakes of any size...you see how the list gets overblown REALLY fast.

So the extraplanar stuff really falls by the wayside...or a lot of it does...since in this setting, extraplanar baddies from outside the "immediate" planes are pretty damn rare (and for the most part not at all for engagement with PC levels 1-5)

Heres what I've currently got...and I'm still fluctuating with how many dragons or giants to put in..and basically the entire purpose of starting this thread/poll in the first place to see how people prefer things organized...
[sblock]
A
Ankheg
Ant, giant

B
Bantru (an Orean large bison-esque herbivore that has been domesticated in some areas)
Basilisk
Beetle
--giant, Stag
--giant, Bonbadier
--giant, Fire
Brownie

C
Carrion Crawler
Centaur
Centipede, giant
Cockatrice

D
Daelvar (Orean halflings, hairfooted but not tubby hobbits)
Demonling
Demonbat (Orea homebrew, whether or not they actually come form the Abyssal planes is not really known. They're just called Demonbats cuz they're so dangerous and spit fire)
Doppleganger
Dragon
- Black
- Blue
- Brass
- Bronze
- Copper
- Green
- Red
- Silver
- White
Dryad
Dwarf

E
Elemental
- Air
-- Sylph
- Earth
-- Pech
- Fire
-- Salamander
- Water
-- Undine
Elf
Elfcat

F
Fayekin
See: Brownie, Dryad, Nixie, Pixie, Redcap, Sprite
Fiendcat
Fungi
- Shrieker
- Thrall
- Violet

G
Gargoyle
Gelatinous Cube
Ghoul
Giant (problem here is that with they way I'm doing HD, the Fire and Storm giants are outside/beyound 10HD, as would a "cloud/sky" species if I opt to put them in, so they really shouldn't be listed here, but hinted at in the general descriptions of "Giants" or hinted at in the descriptions of one of their cousins...to be included in the next "expert" level set covering PC levels 6-10)
[- Fire?]
- Frost
- Hill
- Stone
[- Storm?]
- Wood (revamped ents/treants)
Gnome
Goblinoids
- Bugbear
- Boggle
- Goblin
- Hobgoblin
Golem
- Clay
- Crystal
- Wood
Griffon
Grorn (Orean beastman/gnoll replacement)

H
Harpy
Hellhound
Human
-Bandit
-Berserker
-Commoner
-Cultist
-Expert
-Thug
Hydra

I-J-K
Imp
Jerali (Orea homebrew felinoids)
Kobold

L
Lapdrake
Lamprean (Orean homebrew aquatic humanoids/sahuagin replacement)
Lizardman
Lycanthrope (with others to be added in the following set)
-Werebear
-Wererat
-Werewolf

M
Manticore
Mastodon
Medusa
-Medusa Queen
Mephit (mephits are being more organized/structred into the paralemental imps I always thought them to be. So they only exist where the elemental planes meet/interact: so earth/water=mud, water/air=vapor, air/fire=smoke, fire/earth=magma)
-Magma
-Mud
-Smoke
-Vapor
Merman
Mimic
Minotaur

N
Naga
Nixie

O
Ogre
Ooze
-Green
-Grey
Orc

P-Q-R
Pegasus
Pixie
Rakshasa
Redcap
Rust Monster

S
Satyr
Scorpion
-giant
Shadow
Shadowsnake
Skeleton
Silverfawn (Orean homebrew magical moose-sized deer, like a deer-based unicorn)
Slug, Giant
Spider
-poisonous: large, huge, giant
-wolf, giant
Sprite
Stirge

T
Trapper (which will cover "Lurker Aboves" and "Trappers"...considering grouping them together with piercers and mimics and turnign "Mimic" into its own category)
Troglodyte
Troll

U-V
Undead
See: Ghoul, Shadow, Skeleton, Wight, Wraith. Zombie
Unicorn
Vermin, Monstrous
See: Beetle, giant; Carrion Crawler; Centipede, giant; Rat (Animal section); Rust Monster, Stirge

W
Wight
Winter Wolf
Wraith
-Wraith Lord
Wyrd
Wyvern

X-Y-Z
Yellow Musk Creeper
Zarx (Orean flightless reptilean bird thing sometimes used as mounts by goblinoids)
Zepharim (Orea homebrew winged humanoids)
Zombie

Then Animals includes a list of norma and/or giant versions of:
Alligator (includes Crocodile)
Animal, Herd
Badger
Bat: giant, bloosucking, swarm
Bear: black, grizzly, cave
Bird of Prey: Eagles, Hawk/Falcons, Owls
Boar
Camel
Cat: domestic, lynx, puma/cougar, lion, tiger, smilodon
Crab
Dolphin
Dog
Eel: giant electric, giant moray
Elephant
Ferret
Fox
Horse: draft, pony, riding, warhorse
Lizard: giant, poisonous, horned
Otter
Rat: giant, swarming
Raven
Shark
Snake: constrictor, poisonous
Stag
Squid, Giant
Squirrel
Toad: normal, giant, poisonous
Turtle: giant Snapper, giant sea
Vulture
Wolf
[/sblock]

As anyone who saw the "Beginners Monster List" thread...this is waaay more than 50 critters. But, I figured, if this set is for levels 1-5 that's only 10 possible creatures of each HD of PC level (and going to 10HD, that's an average of 2!) Not enough to present a decent challenge to PCs of those levels...is my thinking.

 

[Razjah]

EDIT: Yikes! How's one put in a Spolier that shrinks stuff besides just blacking it out?!

Do you mean this?

[sblock]
A
Ankheg
Ant, giant

B
Bantru (an Orean large bison-esque herbivore that has been domesticated in some areas)
Basilisk
Beetle
--giant, Stag
--giant, Bonbadier
--giant, Fire
Brownie

C
Carrion Crawler
Centaur
Centipede, giant
Cockatrice

D
Daelvar (Orean halflings, hairfooted but not tubby hobbits)
Demonling
Demonbat (Orea homebrew, whether or not they actually come form the Abyssal planes is not really known. They're just called Demonbats cuz they're so dangerous and spit fire)
Doppleganger
Dragon
- Black
- Blue
- Brass
- Bronze
- Copper
- Green
- Red
- Silver
- White
Dryad
Dwarf

E
Elemental
- Air
-- Sylph
- Earth
-- Pech
- Fire
-- Salamander
- Water
-- Undine
Elf
Elfcat

F
Fayekin
See: Brownie, Dryad, Nixie, Pixie, Redcap, Sprite
Fiendcat
Fungi
- Shrieker
- Thrall
- Violet

G
Gargoyle
Gelatinous Cube
Ghoul
Giant (problem here is that with they way I'm doing HD, the Fire and Storm giants are outside/beyound 10HD, as would a "cloud/sky" species if I opt to put them in, so they really shouldn't be listed here, but hinted at in the general descriptions of "Giants" or hinted at in the descriptions of one of their cousins...to be included in the next "expert" level set covering PC levels 6-10)
[- Fire?]
- Frost
- Hill
- Stone
[- Storm?]
- Wood (revamped ents/treants)
Gnome
Goblinoids
- Bugbear
- Boggle
- Goblin
- Hobgoblin
Golem
- Clay
- Crystal
- Wood
Griffon
Grorn (Orean beastman/gnoll replacement)

H
Harpy
Hellhound
Human
-Bandit
-Berserker
-Commoner
-Cultist
-Expert
-Thug
Hydra

I-J-K
Imp
Jerali (Orea homebrew felinoids)
Kobold

L
Lapdrake
Lamprean (Orean homebrew aquatic humanoids/sahuagin replacement)
Lizardman
Lycanthrope (with others to be added in the following set)
-Werebear
-Wererat
-Werewolf

M
Manticore
Mastodon
Medusa
-Medusa Queen
Mephit (mephits are being more organized/structred into the paralemental imps I always thought them to be. So they only exist where the elemental planes meet/interact: so earth/water=mud, water/air=vapor, air/fire=smoke, fire/earth=magma)
-Magma
-Mud
-Smoke
-Vapor
Merman
Mimic
Minotaur

N
Naga
Nixie

O
Ogre
Ooze
-Green
-Grey
Orc

P-Q-R
Pegasus
Pixie
Rakshasa
Redcap
Rust Monster

S
Satyr
Scorpion
-giant
Shadow
Shadowsnake
Skeleton
Silverfawn (Orean homebrew magical moose-sized deer, like a deer-based unicorn)
Slug, Giant
Spider
-poisonous: large, huge, giant
-wolf, giant
Sprite
Stirge

T
Trapper (which will cover "Lurker Aboves" and "Trappers"...considering grouping them together with piercers and mimics and turnign "Mimic" into its own category)
Troglodyte
Troll

U-V
Undead
See: Ghoul, Shadow, Skeleton, Wight, Wraith. Zombie
Unicorn
Vermin, Monstrous
See: Beetle, giant; Carrion Crawler; Centipede, giant; Rat (Animal section); Rust Monster, Stirge

W
Wight
Winter Wolf
Wraith
-Wraith Lord
Wyrd
Wyvern

X-Y-Z
Yellow Musk Creeper
Zarx (Orean flightless reptilean bird thing sometimes used as mounts by goblinoids)
Zepharim (Orea homebrew winged humanoids)
Zombie

Then Animals includes a list of norma and/or giant versions of:
Alligator (includes Crocodile)
Animal, Herd
Badger
Bat: giant, bloosucking, swarm
Bear: black, grizzly, cave
Bird of Prey: Eagles, Hawk/Falcons, Owls
Boar
Camel
Cat: domestic, lynx, puma/cougar, lion, tiger, smilodon
Crab
Dolphin
Dog
Eel: giant electric, giant moray
Elephant
Ferret
Fox
Horse: draft, pony, riding, warhorse
Lizard: giant, poisonous, horned
Otter
Rat: giant, swarming
Raven
Shark
Snake: constrictor, poisonous
Stag
Squid, Giant
Squirrel
Toad: normal, giant, poisonous
Turtle: giant Snapper, giant sea
Vulture
Wolf
[/sblock]

It works just like using a "spoiler" but with "sblock" instead.

 

[steeldragons]

Yes, that Razjah, exactly. My thanks. Have a xp.

... which apparently I can't give to you either without "spreading some around." Someone wanna throw Razjah a bone for me? Thanks again.

??? I REALLY don't give all that much XP out all that often. Is it broken or something?

 

[Razjah]

Not sure, I gave XP to Stormonu without problems. Maybe I just make too many points you consider great? I like that answer!

 

[steeldragons]

So, to continue (with as far as I've gotten) into the "expert-equivalent" set which would cover levels 6-10, I introduce more of the tougher monsters, more mid-level critters, expand on sub-races and, perhaps most notably, introduce a slew [but still heavily limited list] of extradimensional beings as this would be where spells (and situations and enemies, such as dark elves) that make planar travel possible comes more readily into play.

[sblock]
A
Ahool (name borrowed from a mythic indonesian man-sized bat for an Orean bat-humanoid race)
Angel
-Guardian (figure a planatar replacement)
-Messenger (figure a deva replacement)
-Seraph (figure a Solar replacement)
-Archon (any Good alignment "winged beings of light" and the divine origins of the now-mortal race of Zepharim)
Arachnaed (Orean drider replacement)

B
Banshee
Behemoth (closer to its original conception, not "dinosaurs" <rolls eyes>)
Blood Weasel (a dark red 3' long super-fast "magical animal" of wicked disposition, I based on an evil Riki-tiki-tavi)

C
Chimera
Couatl
Crocotta (a.k.a. the Leucrotta)

D
Death Knight
Demon
-Barghest
-Class I, Vulture
-Class II, Toad
-Class III, Hound
-Class IV, Serpent
-Class V, Fire
-Demonlord, Aishapra (Orea cambion-lich demi-god turned lesser god, "the Demon Godson", mythological son of the elder god of demons)
-Demonlord, Demogorgon
-Demonlord, Orcus
-Succubus
Devil
-Archdevil, Asmodeus
-Archdevil, Baalzebul
-Archdevil, Mephistopheles
-Class I, Dragil (abashi replacement)
-Class II, Barbed
-Class III, Bone
-Class IV, Horned
-Class V, Ice
-Class VI, Pitlord
-Class VII, Chancellor
Dragon
introducing Gem Dragons
-Amethyst
-Emerald
-Topaz
introducing "Planar" Dragons
-Fairy
-Gold
-Shadow
expanding known (Chromatic and Metallic) dragons
-Adamantite
-Brown
-Purple
-Steel
Dragonkin
-Behir
-Dragon Turtle
-Dragion (since I'm pretty sure "Dragonne" is TMed IP of WotC, so for a while this was alternately the "Lion Dragon", whic got confusing with the Oriental Dragon of the same name, or the "Dragon Lion"...and finally the "Dragion." )
Dwarf
-Derro
-Korokun (Orean ice dwarves)
[-I suppose I need a "Duergar" though have never much cared for them myself. Derro are/have always really been intended as the "Underdark evil dwarf race" in Orea.]

E
Elf
-Kantiiri (Orean "wood" elves, literally "Of the Wild." I always thought the differentiation of "Wood" elf and "Wild" elf in AD&D was stupid, so they're kinda mashed together...with a dash of ElfQuesty elves thrown in.)
-Karolstae (Orean sea elves, literally "Watchers of the Deep")
-ShiCynallae (Orean "mist" elves, literally, "Those of the Blood of the Clouds." Societally Neutral elves third most populous: after Miralostae -the PC "High" elves, and the Kantiiri)
-ShiDaeiri (Orean drow elves, literally "Those of the Blood of the Darkness [or Shadow]"..who are LAWFUL evil!)
-ShiStaliiri (Orean "grey elves", literally "Those of the Blood of the Stars", who began as Lawful Good but have moved over the millenia to a more stringent Lawful Neutral society. Otherwise the uber-magical, psychic, sparkley light LothLorien-style elves)

F
Fayekin
-Leprechaun
-Spriggan
-Quickling
Firesnake
Fossegrim (flavored a bit more as generic male nymphs than their violin-playing evil water spirit leading people to drown origins...a bit but not faye, a bit but not really seducers, and a bit of male Swanmaid, otherworldly warrior/defender type)
Froglins (Orean "frog goblins", cuz "bullywugs" are tm/c of WotC)

G
Genie
-Djinni
-Efreeti
Ghost
Giant
-Fire
-Sky
-Storm
Giantkin
-Cyclops
-Ettin
-Formorian
Golem
-Flesh
-Iron
-Stone

H
Haindaun (Orean homebrew deer-centaurs)
Hippocampus
Hippogriff

I-J-K
Ice Toad
Kelpie

L
Lamia
Lich
Lycanthrope
-Werecat
-Werefox

M
Merrow (a more traditional version not just "aquatic trolls" but moreso chaotically but not necessarily evil disposed merfolk.)
Mindthrasher (Orean mindflayer replacement)
Muckeater (Orean otyugh replacement)

N
Night Hag
Nightmare
Nymph

O
Oni (Love these guys but I'd REALLY like a different name for them since Orea -as far as this set- has no "Japanese equivalent" nation or other far-eastern creatures in the book)
Ooze
-Black
-Yellow

P-Q-R
Phoenix
Quicksand (think an Orean version of a Sandling)
Roc

S
Sea Lion (the half-fish half-lion version, not the actual fish)
Selkie
Shedu
Sidhe (the ruling class of demi-godlike superbeings that rule the Faye dimension/Land of Faerie)
Spectre
Sphinx
Swanmaiden (who I'm not sure if they belong listed as a fayekin or not...leaning toward yes)

T
Tunnelworm (Orea "Purple Worm" replacement)

U
Undead
See: Banshee, Death Knight, Ghost, Lich, Spectre, Vampire

V
Vampire
Vampirevine

W


X-Y-Z

Yeah, I really need to come up with some W-thru-Z folks in this batch, don't I.
[/sblock]

 

[JamesonCourage]

Someone wanna throw Razjah a bone for me? Thanks again.

Covered. And you're welcome

 

[Razjah]

Does anyone else hope for some great index/indices and monster creation rules? I have not been a fan of monster creation rules for 3.x or 4e, and I have never played the earlier games. Templates are a great help, so a whole bunch of them in an appendix would be excellent.