Grendel

[exile]

I've decided that I'd like to write up Grendel as a D&D 3.5 encounter. I think I'll use an ogre as his base type, maybe add some barbarian levels. The part that I need help with is that I know his mother also plays an important part. I've always envisioned her as something of a hag (either rightly or wrongly). So, my question- Does anyone know of a half-hag template?

Further, I vaguely recall from college discussion that the various monsters Beowulf faced were associated with an element. Grendel = earth, Grendel's mother = water, the dragon = fire. Any thoughts on how I could mechanically give Grendel an earthen edge, while keeping his mother watery (should I ever write her up)?

Chad

 

[AnonymousOne]

I thought there was an earth template you could add to a character....

If not, you might want to go through Races of Stone or some of the races therein and look at the abilities and flavors. (I would recommend the Goliath).

 

[Kristian Serrano]

This has all been done in Dragon #329 (March 2005).

 

[Tumbler]

The book "flight of dragons" pitched grendel as a young dragon and his mother as an older dragon.

For a more hulking brute kind of perspective, an ogre is a good start. I'm pretty sure there is a hag born template or group of feats somewhere, but I don't remember where (not a WotC book, I don't think).

Grendel might have some sort of frightful presence, or the feat that allows you to make an intimidate check against all opponents within 30 ft. People can't fight him because he is so frightening.

 

[Wolf72]

How about 1/2 dragon (san's wings) or draconic template?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Given that he couldn't be hurt with normal weapons, I don't think an ogre or a half-dragon works, personally. I'd stat him up as a scrag and maybe add a few points of damage reduction X/magic to him.

 

[GreatLemur]

Given that he couldn't be hurt with normal weapons, I don't think an ogre or a half-dragon works, personally. I'd stat him up as a scrag and maybe add a few points of damage reduction X/magic to him.

More like damage reduction X/grappling, don't you think?

 

[Umbran]

Does anyone know of a half-hag template?

Paging Aeolius!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

More like damage reduction X/grappling, don't you think?

He was only killed with a (probably) magic sword from inside his lair. Beowulf just beat Grendel soundly with his own (probably magical) arm.

 

[mmadsen]

He was only killed with a (probably) magic sword from inside his lair. Beowulf just beat Grendel soundly with his own (probably magical) arm.

Well, the fact that Beowulf was able to tear off Grendel's arm would imply a certain vulnerability to grappling...