Talking Monsters

[Nebulous]

I was glancing through the MM the other day and noticed that otyughs are somehow graced with the ability to speak Common. Now, i've never ever thought of them as having that ability, and it made me wonder, what other monsters exist that potentially have the ability to hold a conversation with the party before devouring them? And for that matter, has anyone actually LET an otyugh talk? What the hell did it say?

 

[Tewligan]

Given an otyugh's nature and surroundings, I can't imagine it would know or talk about much that would interest a party.

"Hail, noble beast! Can you tell us..."
"Hey, you have any poop?"
"Err, sorry? No. We were wondering what lies beyond that door."
"I dunno. Are you gonna break it down? Hey, maybe there's poop behind it!"
"Um, yes, we are going to break it down. We hope to find the entrance to the lower levels."
"Lower? Like to the sewers? Ooh, maybe there'll be poop there!"
"Thanks for your help. Let's go, guys."
"Good luck finding that poop!"

 

[lukelightning]

I've seen several situations in which an otyugh lives in harmony with nearby monsters; they give it their wastes, it guards an entrance or something like that.

It would be funny if these monsters started using their speech.

Players: "A displacer beast! Kill it!"
DB: "ouch, stop it! what did I ever do to you guys!"

 

[blargney the second]

Pardon me, do you have any grey poop?
-blarg

 

[frankthedm]

Help, orc threw me down here!

Otyugh
Size/Type: Large Aberration
Hit Dice: 6d8+9 (36 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (-1 size, +8 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+8
Attack: Tentacle +4 melee (1d6)
Full Attack: 2 tentacles +4 melee (1d6) and bite -2 melee (1d4)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with tentacle)
Special Attacks: Constrict 1d6, disease, improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., scent
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +6
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 5, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Hide -1*, Listen +6, Spot +6
Feats: Alertness, Toughness, Weapon Focus (tentacle)
Environment: Underground
Organization: Solitary, pair, or cluster (3-4)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 7-8 HD (Large); 9-18 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
A typical otyugh has a body 8 feet in diameter and weighs about 500 pounds.
Otyughs speak Common.
Combat
An otyugh attacks living creatures if it feels threatened or if it is hungry; otherwise it is content to remain hidden. Otyughs slash and squeeze opponents with their tentacles, which they also use to drag prey into their mouths.
Constrict (Ex)
An otyugh deals automatic tentacle damage with a successful grapple check.
Disease (Ex)
Filth fever—bite, Fortitude DC 14, incubation period 1d3 days; damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, an otyugh must hit with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.
Skills
*An otyugh has a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks when in its lair, due to its natural coloration.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Oops, double post! Sorry.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Sometimes I like the idea of monsters being able to talk that shouldn't. It can make for interesting encounters. PCs expect a talking dragon, but not an apoplectic flumph.

 

[lukelightning]

But gods forbid the rules allow a talking cat familiar! (I think all familiars should be able to speak).

 

[painandgreed]

I've heard of a campaign where there as an Otyugh in the sewers that acted like the Trash heap from Fraggle Rock and characters would go visit it to get information and advice.

 

[Zappo]

Sometimes I like the idea of monsters being able to talk that shouldn't. It can make for interesting encounters. PCs expect a talking dragon, but not an apoplectic flumph.

...what is an apoplectic flumph?