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Message: <blockquote data-quote="griffonwing" data-source="post: 6049968" data-attributes="member: 26609">I would have to go with the new Hacklopedia of Beasts.  Not just because I am a fan of the new system (which is a perfect blend of several different mechanics used in other systems, rebuilt to work seamlessly) but also because of the innovation of the book layout.You have iconic monsters.  The pig-faced Orc, Cyclops, Ogres, the dog-faced Kobolds (not dragonkin), the canine Gnoles, Troglodytes and Trolls. You also have the unique and bizarre like the Tarantubat, a fist-sized spider with bat-webbing between the first 3 pairs of legs, Giant Ticks, Flesh-Eating Slime, Giant Goat, and Swamp Death (similar to a Shambling Mound).Then you have the extraneous information regarding these beasts.  GENERAL INFORMATION1) Activity Cycle (diurnal, nocturnal, always active, etc)2) No. Appearing (3-5, 1-20, or even 1, 2-10 (band), 11-20 (war band) depending on how you want the combat)3) % Chance in Lair (infrequent, Frequent, Sporadic, etc)4) Alignment (duh)5) Vision Type (n/a, standard, low light, undead sight, etc)6) Awareness/Senses (standard, 10% Listening/Observation, etc)7) Habitat (Caves, Plains, Open Grasslands, Tombs or Dungeons, etc)8) Diet (Omnivorous, Carnivorous, Sanguivorous, etc)9) Organization (Solitary to Tribal, Individual-Family-Clan, etc)10) Climate/Terrain (Any, Tropical, Termperate Wilderness, etc)YIELD1) Medicinal (nil, elephant brains are said to cure senility, ettin kidneys are thought to cure allergies) Do they?  Who knows. This is a field guide, not a fact book)2) Spell Components (ground ghoul bone can be used to offset the listed spell components for example)3) Hide/Trophy (Gorgon head is a valuable trophy-up to 250 sp)4) Treasure (hag homes are replete with potions (guessing, perhaps, 2d10 random potions?), hapries are fond of jewelry and object d'art (random rolls for these as well)5) Edible (harpy-yes, medusa-toxic (as per snake bite), etc)6) Other (all spider types-webbing has many uses, elephant-tusks are a source of ivory)7) Experient Point ValueAlso, you are given Sign/Tracks for all creatures, the range/locations on Tellene of the majority of the creatures, Size comparison vs a 6ft Human.  You have the Combat/Tactics write up, their Habitat/Society section, and every monster entry starts out with a first-hand account by 1 of six noted professionals: Greytar the sage; El Ravager the fighter; Larzon Bayz, the bounty hunter; Dorran Randril, a master herbologist; Helena Vitira, cleric of the Eternal Lantern; and Dealaan Daarmae, a canny Reanaarian master thief. Each account is written in their own style of speech, be it unlearned, dignified, or pompous (using large words).Last, but not least, are the extra touches you find in the book, along with masterful miscellaneous rules.  One that stands out are the <a href="http://www.kenzerco.com/free_files/dogs_hacklopedia.pdf" target="_blank">Dog Pack Mauling rules</a>. There is a 4-page account by Larzon entitles The Beast in the Rocks, recounting his confrontation with an Owlbeast lair, which would be the basis of a great one-off or side adventure.Even if you never play HackMaster, the details in this book would be very beneficial for any GM. Simply use the HoB fluff and insert your systems combat information (HP, saves, attack/def, etc).</blockquote>

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