Calinero
2013-03-25, 04:14 PM
First of all, if you are in my Pathfinder campaign--Levi, Orrick, Illyen, or Lyra--then stop reading now. All right?
If you aren't...
So, a premise of my Pathfinder campaign setting is that Proteans are living in the mountains to the far north, and bringing storms of chaotic magic with them. The only thing that is keeping civilization safe is a group of creatures collectively known as Guardians, each of whom has a gem in their body that focuses their innate magic to keep the influence of the Proteans at bay. The BBEG in my setting is hunting them down and killing them or removing these gems to pave the way for a Protean invasion.
My players know none of this. However, they do know that there is a mysterious halfling group of Druids known as Keepers, and one of them is tracking something very large and dangerous. Keepers are a secret order--each is bonded to a Guardian, and this one's Guardian has had its gem stolen, or is otherwise under magic control from one of the evil guys. The party knows that they were tracking something through the forest that could move leaving almost no sign, was capable of knocking enormous trees over, digging up and murdering dozens of small animals, and leaving stretches of land inexplicably scorched.
My original plan was for this Guardian to be some sort of dragon--though it bears mentioning that Guardian is not really a species, they can each be a different type of creature. However, I am now worried that a dragon will e a bit too cliche, and would like to consider other options. My main issue is that I wanted it to be something that was thematically tied to forests, but still is capable of producing fire. It also needs to be a significant challenge to a level 8 party. Any ideas?
If you aren't...
So, a premise of my Pathfinder campaign setting is that Proteans are living in the mountains to the far north, and bringing storms of chaotic magic with them. The only thing that is keeping civilization safe is a group of creatures collectively known as Guardians, each of whom has a gem in their body that focuses their innate magic to keep the influence of the Proteans at bay. The BBEG in my setting is hunting them down and killing them or removing these gems to pave the way for a Protean invasion.
My players know none of this. However, they do know that there is a mysterious halfling group of Druids known as Keepers, and one of them is tracking something very large and dangerous. Keepers are a secret order--each is bonded to a Guardian, and this one's Guardian has had its gem stolen, or is otherwise under magic control from one of the evil guys. The party knows that they were tracking something through the forest that could move leaving almost no sign, was capable of knocking enormous trees over, digging up and murdering dozens of small animals, and leaving stretches of land inexplicably scorched.
My original plan was for this Guardian to be some sort of dragon--though it bears mentioning that Guardian is not really a species, they can each be a different type of creature. However, I am now worried that a dragon will e a bit too cliche, and would like to consider other options. My main issue is that I wanted it to be something that was thematically tied to forests, but still is capable of producing fire. It also needs to be a significant challenge to a level 8 party. Any ideas?