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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 9806349" data-attributes="member: 11760">I think gargoyles are a mess in that they need to be something that people would carve on buildings, for those of us who like spooky statues and Gothic architecture in our games, but the presence of said statue shouldn't automatically mean the presence of said monster.So they probably shouldn't be free-willed monsters that look just like these statues, because why are non-evil churches putting them on their buildings? If they grow naturally, who wouldn't the owners of the building clean them off? I think they should be constructs and exist because someone created them on purpose.Their design should probably reflect another monster in the world, like they're demons, etc., meant to be imposing and scary, but also -- as in real life -- sometimes they can look like all sorts of other stuff instead, if a sculptor is feeling silly.In The Monster Overhaul -- obligatory plug for the best monster book ever -- there's a table with a variety of appearances they can be made in, which instantly makes them less "oh, look, a winged demonic statue -- someone kill the gargoyle real quick." I also like the Discworld idea of them being exceptionally patient guards.So I'd probably combine them with being constructs meant for being guards but also having a variety of appearances.</blockquote>