D&D 5E Fun with the Monster Manual - Monster-a-Day in your Setting

[Mercurius]

So I had a fun idea. I find the new Monster Manual so inspiring that I was thinking of writing short entries for every monster, from A to Z, as to how they fit in my campaign setting. Nothing too detailed, just inclinations, rumors - maybe written from the perspective of a scholar who compiles "sightings" by adventurers. Not sure, but you get the idea. I thought it would be a good way to flesh out my world, get the creative juices flowing. Anyhow, I thought it would be a fun thing to do with the collective creativity of EN World - so join me, and let's have fun!

I'll start a new monster every day. If I don't start a new monster, someone else can feel free to do it. But let's try to keep our responses about the current monster, and the person starting the new monster (after at least a day) should put the name in capital bold. I'll start.

AARAKOCRA
Separated from their primordial homeland, the Place of Winds, eons ago, the aarakocra exist only in small numbers in the high mountains of the Star Peninsula. They once dreamed of returning to their home, yet those dreams faded over ages, and now they seek mainly to simply survive. Yet still they feel called to search for the fabled Seven Shards, although as to why they know not - some speculate it is to open a gate to the Place of Winds; it is the central ritual of their dying culture, yet drives them on.

 

[The_Gneech]

It's an ambitious project! Best of luck.

-TG

 

[Mercurius]

Come on folks, don't be shy! Let's see those creative minds shine...give us a glimpse of the aarakocra in your world.

 

[Viking Bastard]

Hah, I'm currently doing this very same thing to the PHB--worldbuilding via reskinning. I don't have the MM yet, but I had already entertained the thought of taking it through the same process.

 

[Mercurius]

Hah, I'm currently doing this very same thing to the PHB--worldbuilding via reskinning. I don't have the MM yet, but I had already entertained the thought of taking it through the same process.

My campaign won't start until January, so I plan on doing the same thing with the PHB - which will amount to a PDF hand-out for the players to customize the races and classes, maybe with one or two additional backgrounds, to my setting. But it will be very regional, so I won't have to, say, cover all possible variants of the fighter.

 

[DM Howard]

I might do this as well. I'm just starting to get serious about creating my own setting and this would be a perfect way to help it along.

 

[Mercurius]

I might do this as well. I'm just starting to get serious about creating my own setting and this would be a perfect way to help it along.

No better place to start than right here, in this very thread!

 

[trentonjoe]

Two AARAKOCRA groups:


Black Feather's Air Pirates- Black Feather is a renown air pirate, leading his band of 20 or so AARAKOCRA and other avain creatures on raids of land and sea trade vessels. Black Feather often uses small air elementals in his attacks to distract and confuse while his crew fly off with key cargo. He often uses summoned lightning bolts to destroy the masts of ships or the axles of wagons so he can not be pursued.

Black Feathers's raids are small and he usually abscombs with small yet valuable items.

Most of the the cargo he steels is headed to or from <insert city name here> it is believed he has an agent on the inside.

The Way of the Wing- A monastic tradition that traditionally trains AARAKOCRA monks but infreqently works with other good aligned humanoids. The sensei of the monastary is an intelligent javelin, Airborn. Airborn can assume AARAKOCRA form 1/day for 1 hour. Airborn has a particular dislike for religions who try to control weather and use it a destructive force.

Many of the monks of this sect are able to cast Gust of Wind and other wind/storm magics.

 

[Mercurius]

OK, clearly I'm not going to be doing a monster a day, but I will keep plugging at it and hope to get to the Aboleth soon.

Last call on the Aarakocra....(and thanks for contributing, trentonjoe)....

 

[jrowland]

ABOLETH

ABOLETH

Excerpt from the Saturday Evening Gazette:

Fishermen aboard the trawler The Krakens Kiss report they have caught a new breed of giant squid. They claim it still lives in their hold and anyone is free to come examine it for themselves. A contingent of learned scholars spent 4 days cloistered on the ship only to emerge a few days later claiming not only is the squid alive and real, but grants magical powers! To demonstrate, the scholars spent nearly 30 minutes underwater with their newly gained ability to breathe water. Anyone interested in gaining this power, report to the The Krakens Kiss today. Bring a Friend!