Slaad replacements

[Voadam]

I've never really thought frogs were the embodiment of Chaos.

I've got a module that has a couple slaadi invading a lawful evil plane to cause havoc.

What would you recommend for replacements to swap into their place? The party is 5 powerful 16th level characters. d20 sourcebook alternative sources are fine, I have many.

 

[Nifft]

Fey? Deadly hunter fey? Fey who look like frogs?

-- N

 

[Alzrius]

I'd suggest using the Ei'Risai from Classics of Fantasy. The entire book presents a series of OGC monsters to replace those from the MM that didn't get into the SRD (though there are no githyanki and githzerai replacements), and uses the ei'risai for the slaad. Five different types are presented, each more powerful than the last, with a set of appearance tables to make each one look unique, as spawns of chaos should.

 

[Desdichado]

?! I'm aware of the history and all that, but since 2000 or so, the slaadi haven't looked much like frogs.

And even if they did; frogs don't embody chaos? Tsathoggua might disagree.

 

[frankthedm]

Chaos Beasts?

Pseudonatural creatures?

Aberrations?

Maybe use slaad Stats and describe them differently.

 

[Ripzerai]

Frogs are symbols of Chaos (and have been since ancient Egyptian times) because of the radical way they transform during their lives, turning from fishlike creatures into beings that are almost humanoid (in the sense that they have four limbs and no tail). Another reason they're associated with Chaos is their connection with water, which is itself a symbol of chaos.

More pragmatically, an amphibious shape is the most sensible one for the constantly changing environment of Limbo, where a watery region might suddenly become dry land or airy void. Frogs, as well-equipped to swim through water or zero gravity as they are to hop on the land or leap across sudden chasms, are perhaps the only shape a being truly adapted to Limbo would take. Maybe a flying bulette would work, too.

I do like the random slaad mutation table from the 3.0 MM, and it's really a shame that they dropped it from the most recent version.

 

[Felix]

Fey.

The Lords and Ladies make great Chaotic adversaries. Like Pratchett says:

Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.​

 

[Voadam]

?! I'm aware of the history and all that, but since 2000 or so, the slaadi haven't looked much like frogs.

And even if they did; frogs don't embody chaos? Tsathoggua might disagree.

Eh, they still look like frogmen to me in my 3.0 MM. It could be lingering views from the 1e FF though.

 

[Klaus]

I suggest my very own Ogdoad: http://fierydragon.com/downloads/ccgold_ogdoad_we.pdf

 

[Bad Paper]

I'm a big fan of the slaadi, so hmm. Advanced chaos beasts? Pseudonatural gibbering mouthers? Anarchic trolls?