From Silly to Vile

[Robbert Raets]

....but come on, I can even guess what religion that "worm" is

??

But anyway, I like silly. And the Beast of Caerbannog won the March Movie Challenge on the Monster Discussion Board, so Nyah!

I can't wait for the Munchkin Monster Manual

 

[Bendris Noulg]

I mean things like the 'obscene dragons' (including the filth [i.e. poop] dragon), a demon type that looks like an obviously-aroused naked man with a goat's head (woe to any they capture!), the crows of the Abyss that attack with their droppings, sentient intestinal parasites, etc.

Well, let's see...

I've thus far seen...

The Dung Golem. Not a bad piece of work, and hardly offensive compared to an elephant-dung replica of the Virgin Mary (which some politicians like to plug as art; And before someone brings it up, no, I'm not religious).

The demon visage you give is a standard of post-Christian mythology; No sense being ashamed of Human History.

The Ingogo of Nyambi, an Orc sub-race, throw their feces at their opponents, spreading worm infestation.

An intestinal parasite is in the Fiend Folio (in addition to a few other nasties of similar design), although I see these no different than a cerebral parasite, flea of madness, or other such vermin.

Over-all, I don't see much of a big deal over any of these, and I'm certainly far more inclined to use any of them than I am quite a few of the "staple" creatures from the Monster Manual (e.g., in 20 years, I've yet to use a Medusa, Owlbear or Gelatinous Cube in any adventure). About 5 years ago, I introduced a region of my world that had been "corrupted" by an Entropic Wave-effect, really scrambled the evolutionary standard of the place. I did it in order to introduce a wide variety of critters that I had never used previously, for various reasons (this included Dinosaurs, Troll-mutates, Froghemoths, Mongrelmen, Serpent Vines, and a host of other strangelings (and even some sillies) that never seemed to have a proper place anywhere else but continued to pile up with each monster-book released and netbook downloaded).

But then, it's D&D, so YMMV. However, the more silly something is, the more it seems like it's a back-drop critter for The Dark Crystal and the less likely to make an appearance at my table.

 

[tabrumj]

Like for example, a megalosquirrel that has improved grab; on a hold it can stuff you in its cheeks, where you're pinned and start suffocating, and if there's enough stuff in there with you you might even take some grinding damage.

Funny- but definitely useful, dangerous, and full of plot potential ("the giant squirrel stole our horse!")

Oooh. Stolen for my next Gamma World game.

 

[Kilmore]

Don't blow off silly monsters so easily. Remember "Ghostbusters"?

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Remember "Ghostbusters"?

Well, every time I think I've forgotten it, someone brings it up...