d20 dinos

[der_kluge]

I've used dinosaurs sporadically over the years, but they certainly aren't a consisten point to my campaign world. I know some on here (Barsoom rings to mind) which are based around the concept of dinosaurs. That's a little weird for my taste.

 

[WmRAllen67]

IMC you're more likely to run across leftovers from the pliestocene, but the M'Kolo-M'Bembe (a small Apatosaur) and the Ol-Umaina (an Allosaur) can be found in the jungles of Africa, and the Lagar-Tortuga of the Caribbean is an Archelon tschyras (giant turtle). There are other "sea serpents" out there, as well...

The Cockatrice, on the other hand, is a poisonous Archaeopterix, and dragonets from the rat-sized "petty (or petit) wyvern" to the MM's version owe more to the pterosaurs then to the steroetypical six-limbed beasts...

(I'm interested to see the Animal Planet's take on dragons, however...)

 

[DragonLancer]

I tend to have a "Lost World" region in my games so I can have them come from somewhere. However, I have used "Dinosaurs That Never Where" by Goodman Games, which gives D20 stats for what breeds of Dinosaur may have evolved if they had not become extinct. Theres some nice ideas in there that I have used to keep players on their toes.

 

[X-Marks!]

Tastey

Like Chocolate and Peanutbuttersaurus -- two great tastes that taste great together. But I definitely wouldn't want it every time I look for something to eat!

 

[Tonguez]

Velociraptors (medium sized) - and Deinonychus for large variants - are used imc, they are given feathers and are the apex predator on most 'normal' islands. I think the smaller dino's fit perfectly into any tropica and or tundra/steppe areas of a fantasy world, the trick is to treat them as normal animals within the setting and nor a prehistoric anachronism (and once you give them feathers they aren't that far removed from a Griffon for instance)

T-Rex and her ilk are a problem (re suspension of disbeleif) however especially if they are treated as giant rampaging monsters rather than normal predator which people have adapted to cope with

 

[Tonguez]

PS does anyone else think the Tarasque looks like an Ankylosaur?

 

[ColonelHardisson]

honestly, my problem with dinosaurs is just imagining them in a fantasy setting. Once I can create a plausable yarn about how they still exist alongside abberations & dragons, I'm sure I'll adjust.

Just flip through the Monster Manual and take a look at all the weird critters we take for granted in a fantasy setting, and dinos will begin to look like they fit in.

 

[Trickstergod]

Generally speaking, when it comes to general, sword and sorcery fantasy D&D, I remove most elements that smack of evolution and the like. Which usually means no dinosaurs or dire animals for my games.

With that said, I don't think they're necessarily entirely inappropriate; lost world campaigns and what not as people have mentioned. Or potentially steampunk or other forms of games where magic and tech exist side by side.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

I went with the 'lost world' aspect in that there is an area of my camapign world that is inhabited by dinosuar-like creatures. The PCs haven't actually met any dinos yet but I think they may be gearing up for an encounter with some (they are currently investigating the Isle of Dread - filled with extra Dread for their amusement of course).

 

[hong]

fantasy world with dinosaurs? always struck me as really wierd, two ideas that don't go together. I just had a dream with a 6 or 7 foot high t-rex in it, though

Hm. Do you often have these dreams?


Hong "tell me about your mother" Ooi