When you get bored of goblins and kobolds...

[NewJeffCT]

Curiously, I've been developing a setting based on the premise that lizardmen and yuan-ti are the main antagonists of the entire setting, so I'm on the same page with a lot of folks here. The entire theme of that setting was vs. the reptiles. I gave them a culture a bit more like lizardmen from Warhammer, but that mostly means high level mages, and dinosaur-riding villains, which allows for them to last as useful antagonists at practically any level I would seriously consider playing. The yuan-ti were more sneaky. And the yuan-ti and lizardmen were the big rivals for power on the continent, while the demihuman communities lingered in the shadows. Maybe subconsciously, I was mimicking the view of mammals of the Mesozoic, living in the shadow of the dinosaurs or something.

I also have, as rivals but possible allies to the deminhuman communities, a Planet of the Apes style civilization lurking in the corners of the setting somewhere too.

Here's a couple of posts from my blog, in case you're interested... although this is probably much more dramatic of a shake-up of basic D&D tropes and conventions than you're looking for.

http://darkheritage.blogspot.com/2013/10/odd-d-part-vi-lizardmen-kingdoms.html

http://darkheritage.blogspot.com/2013/10/oddd-part-vii-yuan-ti-kingdoms.html

cool idea - I ran a side adventure years back with a similar idea - Lizard Folk based on Warhammer Lizardmen. XP awarded.

In mine, the lizardmen ruled with the equivalent of the Slann Mage-Priest as almost near demigods on the world, and humans and halflings were kept as slaves, or else lived out in the dangers of the wild, while yuan-ti were harsh and somewhat rebellious "captains" who served as leaders of the lizard armies. (I have a Slann Mage-Priest mini, so wanted to actually use it in a D&D game...)

 

[I'm A Banana]

Maybe subconsciously, I was mimicking the view of mammals of the Mesozoic, living in the shadow of the dinosaurs or something.

All right, next setting I do, I might have to yoink the idea of mammals living in the shadow of dinosaurs.

Maybe humanoids in the shadow of dragons, but YES.

 

[Kobold Stew]

…Land of the Lost lets you have humanoids in the shadow of dragons/dinosaurs, with cities of Lizardfolk.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

But ... but ... kobolds and goblins never get old!*

I'll second the suggestions of gnolls and lizardfolk. Evil gnomes, sprites, and leprechauns would be a pretty good way to go, too, for a nice fey-themed adventure (not enough good fey-themed adventures out there if you ask me).


*usually because they get killed by adventurers.

 

[Halivar]

Alternatives for level 1 campaigns:
1) Spiders. Giant, intelligent spiders.
2) Clowns (works best if one or more players suffers from coulrophobia).
3) If any players suffer from coulrophobia AND arachnophobia, then use giant, intelligent clown spiders.
4) Porcelain dolls with butcher knives.
5) Lizardfolk if you want to be boring.

 

[GMMichael]

Show that other thread what Gnomes are really good for.

Totally. I'm tired of gnomish crafters and illusionists though. Why can't you have a gnome knight?

3) If any players suffer from coulrophobia AND arachnophobia, then use giant, intelligent clown spiders.

I'm using this. I don't know how, but I'm using it.

Really humans. +1 to that. There's a reason that the vast majority of Hollywood movies use humans as antagonists. And Game of Thrones.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Rethink gnolls as coyote-like. And as coyotes, they'll go anywhere. Totally adaptable to almost any environment.

Great suggestion.

Reskinning an existing monster is almost always the answer, IMO.

 

[Gilladian]

I'm sure lizardfolk and bullywugs will both appear if/when the campaign moves south, into the bayous and swamps. But for now, I'll hold off on them.

Mites in the salt mines, and gnolls in the hills sounds like the sort of combo I want to use.

The module I've started with is from Monte Cook's Dungeon-a-day project - sadly, from after he left it, but still, if anyone knows it, it's the Temple of the Black Goat - an evil temple was overthrown 50 years ago, the village rescued from its hold; now, the small and fading community is being revitalized by the influx of archaeologists who are exploring the ruins. Of course, there's a lot more than that going on - the "archaeologists" are were-rats, the dungeon is anything BUT uninhabited, and there are lots of critters in the hills.

I've added a layer of potential religious conflict, with a new religious cult moving in on the old river-god worship, and a political conflict with the nearby Kingdom attempting to reinstate their rulership over the region. I think the addition of the gnolls led by an evil druid should top things off perfectly.

Oh, and my best friend is paranoid in her hatred/fear of spiders, so I have told her I will not use them in this campaign. Snakes, beetles, etc... though, are all fair game.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

There's a reason that the vast majority of Hollywood movies use humans as antagonists.

'Cause it keeps the FX budget down?

And I'll go you one better. Clown spider ninjas.

 

[Savage Wombat]

I always liked "Temple of the Weasel God" because anything with Weasel in it is funny. It also lends itself to sequels - "Return to the Temple of the Weasel God", "Slaves of the Weasel God", "Children of the Weasel God", etc.