Monsternomicon

[Hand of Evil]

I wish I could incorporate MORE from Iron Kingdoms but all of my players are nacy-panced "purists" and they cannot stand technology in their DnD game. I can get away with calling Steamjacks golems, but I think I would have a coup on my hand sif I tried to get a train. What is worse is that I have always wanted trains in my game.

Me too. It really is something believable in a fantasy game, all the elements are there. Elementals, metals, dwarves to forge.

 

[Labmonkey-XL]

The monsternomicon is a great book! The Iron Lich & Mechanthrills made a great adventure for my party when they were assigned to protect a steamjack factory.

Cant wait to use the Iron Maiden!

This book is jam packed with a hell of a lot of good ideas, and its very atmospheric! One of my favorite monster manuals so far!

 

[Katerek]

Me too. It really is something believable in a fantasy game, all the elements are there. Elementals, metals, dwarves to forge.

I know! I absolutely love the idea, but unfortunately my players would never go for it. I am thinking of giving it to my bad guys anyway and give them yet another reason to hate the Lich Queen.

 

[Carnifex]

Jaldean, here's my comments on your beasties:

Assassin fly: Seemed fine, nice way of making tiny vermin nasty something to be afeared of.

Boatman: Nice idea, works pretty well, I really like the idea of being able to bargain to save yourself SOmething I've noticed with this monster and lots of others in the book is for some odd reason Constitution-draining attacks pop up lots, and I don't like con drains very much since they tend to make the monster really lethal.

Dune prowler: Works fine, a good solid monster that isn't completely wierd and works well in its described ecological niche.

Eldritch: I like the picture and the idea is distinct enough from other undead, but I wont be using it myself.

Lemax: I Cant remember what the lemax is

Oasis ooze: Cool idea though I'm not too sure about the rate at which it expands again if disturbed...

Rusalka: Cool creature, fills a nice 'evil fey' niche that needed doing.

Sepulcharal lurker: Love the picture, and I like the way it's a neutral nasty as well. Very cool.

Tatzylwurm: Quite a nasty beastie, somehow it's not bland despite the fact that I get the feeling it *should* be. The picture, description and similar little things just make it cool as well.

 

[Carnifex]

So... for those who have read through the Monsternomicon... What are your favorite creatures? Have you used any as of yet? Are you going to be waiting for the character primer in Nov before starting up a campaign (as I am doing)?

Joseph Miller

My fav monsters: Well, the iron lich is definitely making an appearance in my campaign The cephalyx picture will be used, though not the actual creature - it'll be used to depict an evil master bio-thaumaturgist, the ex-mentor of one of the characters in fact. Gotta love the four surgical tool arms!

 

[jaldaen]

Jaldean, here's my comments on your beasties:

Assassin fly: Seemed fine, nice way of making tiny vermin nasty something to be afeared of.

That was what i was going for ;-)

Boatman: Nice idea, works pretty well, I really like the idea of being able to bargain to save yourself SOmething I've noticed with this monster and lots of others in the book is for some odd reason Constitution-draining attacks pop up lots, and I don't like con drains very much since they tend to make the monster really lethal.

I'm glad you like the "boatman's bargain"... as for the Con Drain I understand the belief that it is too deadly, but the IK is a quite deadly campaign setting that is meant to bring the term "fear" back into the vocab of players... ;-)

One thing you can do is simply change the damage to Strength drain... or even make his touch do negative energy damage... that is the tough thing about creating monsters... you have to choose your poison...

Dune prowler: Works fine, a good solid monster that isn't completely wierd and works well in its described ecological niche.

I am really looking foward to using these in my campaign... the Bloodstone Marches are going to be a frightening place to visit...

Eldritch: I like the picture and the idea is distinct enough from other undead, but I wont be using it myself.

Any reason as to why you won't be using it? Too IK specific?

Lemax: I Cant remember what the lemax is

The "lizard monkeys"... like to spit on yout trousers while you are not looking ;-)

Oasis ooze: Cool idea though I'm not too sure about the rate at which it expands again if disturbed...

That was a difficult thing to decide in hindsight I think I would have prefered to have it take a little longer, but the idea of the creature "erupting out of its 'shell" was perhaps too much of a temptation and the fright factor in a DM describing the effect...

Rusalka: Cool creature, fills a nice 'evil fey' niche that needed doing.

Glad you liked it... what do you think of the rusalka blade idea?

Sepulcharal lurker: Love the picture, and I like the way it's a neutral nasty as well. Very cool.

Yeah... the illo is pretty cool and I can wait to use this one on some poor PCs...

Tatzylwurm: Quite a nasty beastie, somehow it's not bland despite the fact that I get the feeling it *should* be. The picture, description and similar little things just make it cool as well.

Thanks a bunch for the comments,
Joseph

 

[Carnifex]

Jaldaen:

The reason I wont be using the Eldritch is simply that it doesn't fit in my campaign. IMC, elves who want to extend their lives simply use standard necromancy; they aren't tempted into committing the horrific acts by which an eldritch is formed. They simply become normal liches or vampires or whatever.

Lemaxes, I remember now I like the chances of different offerings being accepted

The rusalka blade idea is a *very* nasty little trick indeed