D&D 1E Favorite Obscure Rules from TSR-era D&D

[Staffan]

2. Sons of Kyuss.

Sons of Kyuss are really just a worm version of Ygramul from the Never-Ending Story (the book, not the movie), a swarm of insects that usually form up as a giant spider but can also take other forms if needed.

Hmm. Now I'm getting curious if there are any other antecedents of the "creature formed out of a swarm of lesser creatures" trope.

 

[Jahydin]

Wasn't this a band?

As soon as I read that I thought it was too good to not be a band name.

It is, in fact, a band name.

 

[the Jester]

Hmm. Now I'm getting curious if there are any other antecedents of the "creature formed out of a swarm of lesser creatures" trope.

Never forget the CIFAL!

 

[Staffan]

Never forget the CIFAL!

The who with the what now? Google isn't helping.

 

[billd91]

The who with the what now? Google isn't helping.

One of the dorkiest-named monsters in the Fiend Folio.

 

[Rabulias]

Sons of Kyuss are really just a worm version of Ygramul from the Never-Ending Story (the book, not the movie), a swarm of insects that usually form up as a giant spider but can also take other forms if needed.

Hmm. Now I'm getting curious if there are any other antecedents of the "creature formed out of a swarm of lesser creatures" trope.

Sons of Kyuss are not composed of worms, but are rather worm-infested corpses. They look very much like zombies (at least until you get within 30 feet of them and hit their fear effect).

 

[Zeromaru X]

1. Assassins did not know about one of their primary high-level class abilities.
Assassins could use poison, but tucked in the DMG was a small section explaining that assassins, when they reach 9th level, could study how to make all sorts of different poisons with different effects! Except ... the DM was to never tell the player about this, or even suggest it is a possibility.

What was the point of this rule? And people say I'm wrong when I say TSR encourage that "DM vs players" thing...

 

[James Gasik]

What was the point of this rule? And people say I'm wrong when I say TSR encourage that "DM vs players" thing...

I can only assume Gary had some funny thoughts about players using poison.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Wasn't this a band?

I think Kyuss were the guys who used to get stoned Amin the desert and jam

 

[Jahydin]

I think Kyuss were the guys who used to get stoned Amin the desert and jam

Correct, Palm Desert, CA! And they used to be called "Sons of Kyuss" just like the monster.