Gary Gygax brings back obscure monsters in new Dungeon magazine :)

[BOZ]

i was going to post this on the EGG Q&A thread, when i found out about his health condition... i wasn't intending on starting a new thread just to get his attention, but hey i can always repost this when he comes back (if i wait until then to post it i'll forget!)

Maure Castle an adventure for 4 12th level characters that takes place in the Dutchy of Urnst in Greyhawk. Written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz. This module takes up the entire issue, and contains 4 full-page dungeon maps, plus a small inset map showing where in the Dutchy the castle is located. There are also 3 pages of new items, and 10 pages of new monsters for the adventure. The monsters are

Demon, Colchiln
Demon, Kerzit the Guardian
Demon, Nabassu
Hetfish - a tiny magical beast
Maurid - magical beast template
Shoosuva - large undead
Slow Shadow - medium outsider
Tyrg - large magical beast

gary, i have to say that it's pretty damn cool that you guys are revisiting this old module. i've never played it myself, but i have looked at it and i will definitely be buying the magazine if i can find it. as a fan of obscure monsters it's nice to see them coming back too.

and nice touch on adding Roger Moore's shoosuva!

before i'd heard that this module was getting an update, i went and converted Kerzit as well as the Colchiln, Hetfish, and Tyrg! the Slow Shadow had also been converted for 3.0, which was the basis for the version featured in the Tome of Horrors. and completely separately, the Shoosuva was one of the last monsters i had converted for 3.0 before the revised edition came out.

and of course, gary and anyone else, if you ever need inspiration on obscure monsters from older editions, don't forget that The Creature Catalog is the best repository of little-known conversions anywhere.

 

[Wycen]

I can't wait to see this, but I just remembered that adventure had a modified golem. I can't remember if it was a stone or iron golem, but it had a whip that petrified people, and maybe another change. Hmm, if it was only a change of a weapon, I guess you just note that in the text. I'll have to dig up my copy of the original to check out the golem, plus everything else.

 

[BOZ]

i don't remember seeing anything like that, but i could be mistaken...

 

[Mouseferatu]

i don't remember seeing anything like that, but i could be mistaken...

No, there was definitely a modified stone golem in the original module. I remember reading that entry several times, wondering how the heck a group of PCs could ever beat it.

The whip was made of specially preserved cockatrice feathers, IIRC.

 

[jgbrowning]

Had a nice illustration, IIRC.....

joe b.

 

[Wycen]

The whip was made of specially preserved cockatrice feathers, IIRC.

Had a nice illustration, IIRC....

You both recall correctly.

 

[txwad]

I can't wait to see this, but I just remembered that adventure had a modified golem. I can't remember if it was a stone or iron golem, but it had a whip that petrified people, and maybe another change. Hmm, if it was only a change of a weapon, I guess you just note that in the text. I'll have to dig up my copy of the original to check out the golem, plus everything else.

I believe it was an iron golem with a poisonous or acidic sword and a whip of cockatrice feathers

 

[grodog]

I believe it was an iron golem with a poisonous or acidic sword and a whip of cockatrice feathers

You nailed it txwad. The iron golem also breathed fire!

 

[Joshua Randall]

For my money, the fight with the modified iron golem is the best set-piece battle in all of D&D. The only thing it lacks is a more heroic/fantastic environment -- like balanced on an active volcano suspended above the Negative Energy plane.

Hmm.... rushes off to scribble down some notes

 

[trollwad]

My FLGS doesnt have the issue yet but I have Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure. It is a lot of fun -- the iron golem and several assorted other baddies. I heartily recommend it.