JeffB
Legend
Saw someone on MEWE put up a question about what are people's top 5 monster books (any system) and why.
I'll list my top 4- Those were easy picks, I'm still having a hard time deciding on # 5- once I do I'll circle back and throw out some details.
EDITED- No particular order. Still unsure of #5
1) Dragonlance Fifth Age Bestiary (SAGA)- I am not a big DL fan, but this is the first in-depth exposure to DL that actually interested me. STAN did a fantastic job despite indicating in the foreword he did not even want to write this book. It is written in the first person from the POV of Caramon Majere - whom IIRC was one of the Heroes of the Lance in the original trilogy. It gives a fresh perspective of many typical D&D creatures as the details are specific to Ansalon. The art is quite good as well-done like a sketchbook by Caramon or maybe his helper. This is in essence a small sized softcover coffee table type book that is also a great game resource.
2) 13th Age Bestiary- Where to begin. Everything in 13A is a different take on the games it was influenced by. But the Bestiary is NUTS. Take the D&D creature you know and re-write it from the ground up. expand it, give it in game mechanics that are unique and tie heavily to it's fiction, offer multiple versions of the creature/related creatures, describe it's lair, describe several adventure hooks/storylines revolving around the creature, describe ways to use it in a combat including what other kinds of creatures may use it, or it may use, or may ally with it. Got a problem creature that has always turned into an argument/discussion between players and GM? avoiding the Gaze attack of a Basilisk?- lets talk about that and provide some options. And THEN we get into things like the creatures and how they relate to ICONS, and the 13A setting. Like most 13A books, it has a very personal, and casual writing style/voice which is welcome change of pace from most D&D/PF products of the last 20 years.
3) Creatures of Barsaive (Earthdawn)-This a "lore text" about the creatures- It is the writings of an Ancient Dragon, as translated by a Famous Human Scribe from a newer age. While there are some creatures that will be fam to D&D players, most are uniquely Barsaivian and extremely well done. No filler monsters like so many D&D monster books.
4) Manual of Monsters- Dungeon World- Unlike the previous 3 which I love for their depth. Dungeon World is all about brevity in rules. This book is free and re-done to look like the AD&D monster manual, but utilizes DW's to the point fictional descriptions and a few tags/keywords. to utilize for play. It's a back to basics approach to the very core of what each monster is that I found very inspirational. Sometimes Less is More.
CHIMERA
Setting-Twisted Experiments
Solitary, Large Construct
Bite (d10+1 damage); 16 HP; 1 Armor; Reach
Well-known and categorized, the chimera is a perfected creature. From the codices of the Mage’s Guild to the famous pages of Cullaina’s Creature Compendium, there’s no confusion about what chimera means. Two parts lioness, one part serpent, head of a she-goat, and all the vicious magic one can muster. The actual ritual might vary, as might a detail or two—more creative sorcerers switch the flame breath for acid, perhaps. Used as a guardian, an assassin or merely an instrument of chaos unchained, it matters little. The chimera is the worst sort of abomination: an intentional affront to all natural life.
Instinct: To do as commanded
5) TBD
Though I hope it wouldn't need to be said-Please list away your top 5 and why if you care to.
I'll list my top 4- Those were easy picks, I'm still having a hard time deciding on # 5- once I do I'll circle back and throw out some details.
EDITED- No particular order. Still unsure of #5
1) Dragonlance Fifth Age Bestiary (SAGA)- I am not a big DL fan, but this is the first in-depth exposure to DL that actually interested me. STAN did a fantastic job despite indicating in the foreword he did not even want to write this book. It is written in the first person from the POV of Caramon Majere - whom IIRC was one of the Heroes of the Lance in the original trilogy. It gives a fresh perspective of many typical D&D creatures as the details are specific to Ansalon. The art is quite good as well-done like a sketchbook by Caramon or maybe his helper. This is in essence a small sized softcover coffee table type book that is also a great game resource.
2) 13th Age Bestiary- Where to begin. Everything in 13A is a different take on the games it was influenced by. But the Bestiary is NUTS. Take the D&D creature you know and re-write it from the ground up. expand it, give it in game mechanics that are unique and tie heavily to it's fiction, offer multiple versions of the creature/related creatures, describe it's lair, describe several adventure hooks/storylines revolving around the creature, describe ways to use it in a combat including what other kinds of creatures may use it, or it may use, or may ally with it. Got a problem creature that has always turned into an argument/discussion between players and GM? avoiding the Gaze attack of a Basilisk?- lets talk about that and provide some options. And THEN we get into things like the creatures and how they relate to ICONS, and the 13A setting. Like most 13A books, it has a very personal, and casual writing style/voice which is welcome change of pace from most D&D/PF products of the last 20 years.
3) Creatures of Barsaive (Earthdawn)-This a "lore text" about the creatures- It is the writings of an Ancient Dragon, as translated by a Famous Human Scribe from a newer age. While there are some creatures that will be fam to D&D players, most are uniquely Barsaivian and extremely well done. No filler monsters like so many D&D monster books.
4) Manual of Monsters- Dungeon World- Unlike the previous 3 which I love for their depth. Dungeon World is all about brevity in rules. This book is free and re-done to look like the AD&D monster manual, but utilizes DW's to the point fictional descriptions and a few tags/keywords. to utilize for play. It's a back to basics approach to the very core of what each monster is that I found very inspirational. Sometimes Less is More.
CHIMERA
Setting-Twisted Experiments
Solitary, Large Construct
Bite (d10+1 damage); 16 HP; 1 Armor; Reach
Well-known and categorized, the chimera is a perfected creature. From the codices of the Mage’s Guild to the famous pages of Cullaina’s Creature Compendium, there’s no confusion about what chimera means. Two parts lioness, one part serpent, head of a she-goat, and all the vicious magic one can muster. The actual ritual might vary, as might a detail or two—more creative sorcerers switch the flame breath for acid, perhaps. Used as a guardian, an assassin or merely an instrument of chaos unchained, it matters little. The chimera is the worst sort of abomination: an intentional affront to all natural life.
Instinct: To do as commanded
- Belch forth flame
- Run them over
- Poison them
5) TBD
Though I hope it wouldn't need to be said-Please list away your top 5 and why if you care to.
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