Good supporting/aiding monsters to accompany Spriggans

[NewJeffCT]

I was going to have some upcoming encounters with a gang/tribe/clan of spriggans.

They seem to be somewhat limited in numbers within DDI, so I wanted to know what would be some good creatures/monsters/allies that would work with spriggans, a small vicious fey humanoid bunch, who (in older editions) could take on giant-like characteristics despite being small in stature.

Spriggan Dunter (level 17 minion)
Spriggan Thorn (level 6 soldier)
Spriggan Powrie (level 7 skirmisher)
Spriggan Witherer (level 8 artillery)
Spriggan Giantsoul (level 8 brute)
Spriggan Witherer Stormeye (level 10 artillery)
Spriggan Giantsoul Crusher (level 10 brute)

So, a possibility is maybe a level 11-13 elite controller type to be the leader, maybe a lurker? Any other ideas? Maybe a brute with a different feel as a "pet"?

Thanks

 

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=10784]NewJeffCT[/MENTION]
You're probably thinking of a lamia as their leader right?

Instead you might apply the "Wood Bride" template (stealthy lurker with dominating kiss) from Dugeon #185 to a spriggan, eladrin, or nymph and make the spriggans (marginal) members of the Court of the Bramble Queen.

Or if you want a brute and are willing to up the gore factor go for a Blood Elemental (9 elite brute). I've run one before and they're nasty fun, though I took pains to keep the fight from becoming a grind. On the up side it's super easy to run as an addition to a more complicated encounter.

One thing I've done with spriggans/redcaps is an autumnal scene with undead buried in the leaves below - past victims of the redcaps. The zombies (or what have you) rise when blood falls upon them.

And last but not least, I have homebrew grigs if you are insane enough to want fiddle-playing cricket sprites in your D&D.

 

[NewJeffCT]

[MENTION=10784]NewJeffCT[/MENTION]
You're probably thinking of a lamia as their leader right?

Instead you might apply the "Wood Bride" template (stealthy lurker with dominating kiss) from Dugeon #185 to a spriggan, eladrin, or nymph and make the spriggans (marginal) members of the Court of the Bramble Queen.

Or if you want a brute and are willing to up the gore factor go for a Blood Elemental (9 elite brute). I've run one before and they're nasty fun, though I took pains to keep the fight from becoming a grind. On the up side it's super easy to run as an addition to a more complicated encounter.

One thing I've done with spriggans/redcaps is an autumnal scene with undead buried in the leaves below - past victims of the redcaps. The zombies (or what have you) rise when blood falls upon them.

And last but not least, I have homebrew grigs if you are insane enough to want fiddle-playing cricket sprites in your D&D.

good ideas, thanks. Not thinking of a lamia at this time, as they just finished up Skinsaw Murders with the lamia finale... and, i was switching over to a higher level 4E version of Kingmaker now (subbing spriggans for mites)

 

[Siberys]

Spriggans show up in the third adventure of Kingmaker, if you weren't aware. Might be a nice bit of a preview.

 

[Unwise]

I would consider having a Formorian/cyclops emmissary there. The PCs might find a rude suprise when the big guy starts throwing spriggans at the casters in the back ranks. If he could use a minor to pick up a spriggan and another minor to throw it, it could be fun.

What about a couple of otherwise fearsome giants who the Spriggans have taken captive and have been mercilessly beating on. It would make for an interesting encounter. Initially they do nothing, but when threatened by their tiny captives they attack the PCs. A social skill challenge later, the PCs give them hope of freedom and they change sides.

I can picture Spriggans capturing some pretty fearsome creatures and making them fight for their amusement. What about a fighting pit with dire-boars and a gorrillion(sp?) in there. During the fight it might purposely or accidently get opened. Then again I am a proponent of adding more chaos to fights, it means that if the fight is becoming grindy, the chaotic element finishes off the enemies. If it is too easy, then the chaos does not go the PCs way.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Spriggans show up in the third adventure of Kingmaker, if you weren't aware. Might be a nice bit of a preview.

Thanks - I'm changing most of the monsters around, as my group is already level 8 (i.e., the taetzlwyrm is now a hydra) - I just didn't want to continue DMing RotRL and gave the group several options...

 

[NewJeffCT]

I would consider having a Formorian/cyclops emmissary there. The PCs might find a rude suprise when the big guy starts throwing spriggans at the casters in the back ranks. If he could use a minor to pick up a spriggan and another minor to throw it, it could be fun.

What about a couple of otherwise fearsome giants who the Spriggans have taken captive and have been mercilessly beating on. It would make for an interesting encounter. Initially they do nothing, but when threatened by their tiny captives they attack the PCs. A social skill challenge later, the PCs give them hope of freedom and they change sides.

I can picture Spriggans capturing some pretty fearsome creatures and making them fight for their amusement. What about a fighting pit with dire-boars and a gorrillion(sp?) in there. During the fight it might purposely or accidently get opened. Then again I am a proponent of adding more chaos to fights, it means that if the fight is becoming grindy, the chaotic element finishes off the enemies. If it is too easy, then the chaos does not go the PCs way.

good ideas - maybe a Fomorian Dark Initiate (level 13 solo controller) or the level 14 Elite Fomorian Slave Driver?

And, interesting idea on the enslaved giants - that has potential.