Reference to an Old D&D Module in OotS #683

[FoE]

A lot of people are guessing those beetle-men are thri-kreen. However, I think they're a throwback to an old 1E monster: an aspis drone.

Aspis drones were the 'warriors' of an insectlike race that protected and fed over-sized 'aspis cows' that served as a hive's egg-layers.

I think it's a reference to the series of modules called "Scourge of the Slave Lords," specifically the first module "Slave Pits of the Undercity". The slavers in that module had enlisted the service of a group of these aspis drones in guarding their prisoners.

[Elan's Modron]

Oh wow! Happy old memories!
I think you might be right!

[Optimystik]

But then they don't have a will save :smalltongue:

[timoteob]

A lot of people are guessing those beetle-men are thri-kreen. However, I think they're a throwback to an old 1E monster: an aspis drone.

Aspis drne were the 'warriors' of an insectlike race that protected and fed over-sized 'aspis cows' that served as a hive's egg-layers.

I think it's a reference to the series of modules called "Scourge of the Slave Lords," specifically the first module "Slave Pits of the Undercity". The slavers in that module had enlisted the service of a group of these aspis drones in guarding their prisoners.

Great catch, but I am not sure it is completely accurate. Here is the description from the module:


Description: Drones are 6’ long and appear to be giant
weevils. They have an extremely long proboscis and multifaceted
eyes. Their diet consists of vegetable matter and
meat. Blood is a preferred drink amongst them.

The creatures in the comic look more ant-like than weevil-like to me.

A picture is worth 1000 words:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/timoteob/Aspis.jpg

[FoE]

A picture is worth 1000 words:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i169/timoteob/Aspis.jpg

Rich obviously changed the art because mandibles are easier to draw than a proboscis. Just like how goblins are supposed to be as tall as halflings but in this comic are as tall as humans. :smalltongue:

As I said, I think it's a reference to the aspis drones in "Slave Pits of the Undercity." I didn't mean those beasts were ported here directly from 1E.

[hamishspence]

The dirt farmer rescued by the Order & Miko does make some old D&D references- to a Keep on the Borderlands, among other things

[DukeGod]

if they are thri-kreen they will just psion something
Roy and Creatures PSION DUEL!

[GreatWyrmGold]

[QUOTE=timoteob;7067605]A picture is worth 1000 words:[QUOTE]

Aye, so be a kick. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0247.html) :smalltongue:

[Bibliomancer]

if they are thri-kreen they will just psion something
Roy and Creatures PSION DUEL!

Do you have any idea how long it will take Roy to figure out that they used psionics in this campaign setting? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0546.html)

[Elan's Modron]

Do you have any idea how long it will take Roy to figure out that they used psionics in this campaign setting? (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0546.html)

Nope, Roy will get figure it out super-quick. He's a future psychic, after all.
(And don't forget what his favorite book was as a kid...)

[Blue Ghost]

Heh, it seems fitting that Face of Evil would bring up 1e, what with that avatar and persona he's using and all. (Shame you removed your signature. That would have made it even funnier.)

Quite an interesting theory, and it may have some merit. I think that just Thri-Kreen is more likely though. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Bibliomancer]

Nope, Roy will get figure it out super-quick. He's a future psychic, after all.
(And don't forget what his favorite book was as a kid...)

Shouldn't he have already figured it out, then?

[Elan's Modron]

Shouldn't he have already figured it out, then?

Awwww man!
Well, Roy's future psychic abilities aren't always spot-on, remember...
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0266.html
:elan:

[Bibliomancer]

Well, Roy's future psychic abilities aren't always spot-on, remember...
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0266.html

Doesn't count. No-one expects the Shinjo-ish inquisition. And Mr. Scruffy overloaded his future prediction cells with pure fluffiness.

[DukeGod]

actually,didn't Rich specified they would make a Iron Golem and name him Shojo?
he is seeing a lot in the future you know...

[Nimrod's Son]

Rich obviously changed the art because mandibles are easier to draw than a proboscis.
In a stick figure comic? You sure about that? :smallwink:

[Prowl]

I was thinking more along the lines of Starship Troopers when I saw this latest comic.

[hamishspence]

If V had used Fireball, that would have fitted:

"Bugs! I'm a-burnin' 'em down!"

Another possibility- mezzoloths.

Medium, black, rounded bodies resembling a beetle, yellow eyes, mandibles (sort of), four arms.