What monsters look like

[Henry]

Good old fashioned description. Nothing like it.

Three easy steps:

1. Read some H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard Short Stories.

2. Look at the picture of the beastie in the monster book you are using.

3. Be as vivid as you can. Use not just sight - use sound and smell. Describe mannerisms, like limps, slobberings, robotic precisions, and other alien behaviors.

Last thing: Be consistent. If "Umber Hulk" is "deep purple bug-man" to the players, NEVER call it by its real name. ONE SLIP, and the identity is blown. Even if one or two players guess right, don't call it that anyway - keep calling it the odd-ball name, so it keeps 'em guessing.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

1. Read some H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard Short Stories.

I finally got Call of Cthulhu and other Weird Stories a couple weaks ago...I'm halfway through it, just finished The Colour Out of Space...just...wow...this is my first Lovecrat book, and since reading this, I've been adapting my descriptions of monsters. Its especially good for my d20 Modern game, but the D&D players are loving it too.

 

[s/LaSH]

Assuming that monsters are supposed to be scary, then the Lovecraft route is king. Details aren't always good - impressions in the heat of battle are better, or so I think. Anyway, something like half the critters in the MM are Lovecraftian in nature, so it's all good.

I'll make exceptions for really pathetic things, like a hundred goblins coming over the hill - that's just 'a hundred goblins come over the hill'. I probably shouldn't, and I'll try to break myself of this nasty little habit.

 

[frankthedm]

Good old fashioned description. Nothing like it.

Last thing: Be consistent. If "Umber Hulk" is "deep purple bug-man" to the players, NEVER call it by its real name. ONE SLIP, and the identity is blown. Even if one or two players guess right, don't call it that anyway - keep calling it the odd-ball name, so it keeps 'em guessing.

I was thinking bout giving Umber hulks blink dog powers so those not wholey ape and not wholey insect mosters can shamble between dimensions.

www.gizmology.net/lovecraft/works

 

[Wormwood]

I finally got Call of Cthulhu and other Weird Stories a couple weaks ago...

Welcome to the cult.

Here is your beginner's robe and complimentary bag of essential saltes.

Do not touch the trapezohedron.

Prapare to spend your brief, meaningless life striving to rid this insignifigant orb of it's chattering simian infestation for the glory of our mad, uncaring masters.

Anyway, help yourself to punch and sandwiches.

 

[Larry Fitz]

Punch and sandwiches? Hmmm maybe that odd flute music isn't so bad after all.....

 

[Monster Manuel]

Iä, Welcome to the club.

 

[sircaren]

Try using google image search, it's a great resource.
Google Image Search

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Welcome to the cult.

Here is your beginner's robe and complimentary bag of essential saltes.

Do not touch the trapezohedron.

Prapare to spend your brief, meaningless life striving to rid this insignifigant orb of it's chattering simian infestation for the glory of our mad, uncaring masters.

Anyway, help yourself to punch and sandwiches.

Oooooooh, free stuff!

Do...not....touch...? *fights urge to touch*

 

[Gregor]

i use pictures (not from the mm) and what my players would probably call windy descriptions

If Ceramic DM is any indication, then I can only imagine the pictures you use for your games!

Cheers,