Three Plot Hooks Per Monster

[mmadsen]

formian- the locals get scared when the formian workers burrow up thru the riverbed, diverting all of the water thru underground tunnels for their own use. how can this be stopped? and what do they need all that water for? any d.m.'s want the whole story? email me

I think you can tell us, alsih2o.

 

[mmadsen]

Griffons -- A sudden influx of Griffons has decimated the region's livestock. Where did they come from, and what drove them toward human lands?

 

[Zog]

Displacer Beast:

Party is hunted by a displacer beast. Upon defeating it, they find that the monster was wearing a collar, that radiates strong enchantment magic. Someone's pet?

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

Dire Shark - Something has caused the snowy peak of the local mountain to melt, flooding the town in the valley below. The meltwater carries with it a monstrous creature that menaces the town.
Now the PCs must orchestrate the rescue of as many townsfolk as possible while preventing the dire shark from eating everyone alive.
This scenario works just as well for any other prehistoric/gigantic aquatic creature you want to "thaw out".

 

[River]

Fleeing an army of <insert here> The players are assisted by a group of fierce lizardmen who invite them back to their "village"

The village is actually a happy prosperous town or lizard folk, beset by the <insert here>. The players are told that their aid is desperately needed in this crisis and they are brought to meet the town "mayor." An illithid. Who asks for their help.

 

[mmadsen]

Sphinx -- A Sphinx is exacting a lethal toll on all travellers along the king's road. But what's the Sphinx's real motive?

 

[mmadsen]

Re: Otyugh

Plague has struck an entire village. The town elders have no idea what has spawned the disease. There are no vermin such as rats to spread the illness.

That alone could make for a great plot hook! What could possibly kill all those rats? Awakened cats? Or did something lead them away? A wererat leader? A vampire?

 

[LostSoul]

And a bump.

 

[Oubliette]

Lizardmen

An army of lizardmen is massing in the swamp near the major city. At it's head is an order of druids bent on making the citizens pay for their abuses of nature.

Frost Worm

The PCs require a guide over the frozen wastes. Unfortunately, the natives require that the PCs stalk and kill the greatest predator of the wastes to prove their worth.

Golem (any)

The mad wizard will not relinquish the vital item until the PCs defeat his team in a friendly game of rugby. Unfortunately, his scrum consists of several golems....and he cheats.

Various oozes

The City of Gold was supposed to be the most advanced city on the planet, with useful magics allowing all to live in luxury, but now all contact with great city has ceased. Could it be that the city's state of the art sewage treatment and garbage disposal system has malfunctioned?

 

[Lurks-no-More]

Sphinx:

1. The androsphinx who has been protecting the nearby town has gone missing, and the locals are worried. Is there some terrible hidden evil that has killed or captured him, or has he just skipped the town?

2. A gynosphinx shows up, doing her damnedest to find the said androsphix. If the characters are investigating the missing sphinx, she insists that she be allowed to join them. If not, she will hire them to do just that.

3. Criosphinx twins, fairly loaded with gold and jewelry, appear soon after, looking for the gynosphinx looking for the androsphinx. They are boastful, boorish and become very fidgety whenever the gynosphinx is mentioned...

(Basically, this is typical sphinx courtship...)