GITP Monster Competition Chat Thread

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Welcome to the Giant in the Playground Monster Competition chat thread where you can ask questions, comment, or just in general discuss about the submissions to our monthly monster mash.

This month's contest is...

Paragons of Passion



-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Past Competitions


Tick... Tock...
Banquet of Beasts
Out of This World
Spooks and Spirits
Urban Legends
♫ Sing Along ♫
We The People
Beings of Legend II
Now You See Me...
Gone Mental
Creepy Crawlies
Of the Rising Sun
Flights of Fancy
Built of Faith
Home and Hearth
Gratuitous Gore
Dream A Little Dream
Tiny But Tough!
Beings of Legend
Burn, Baby, BURN!
Birds and the Bees
April Fools
A Wizard Did It
Champions of Good
Fimbulwinter
Holly Jolly
Harvest Moon
Fell Beasts
Considered To Be Unnatural

-=-=-=-=-

Monster Index

Spoiler

Show

* Contest Winners

A Shadow of Spiders by Yahzi
Anamnesis by Closet_Skeleton
Arcadian Beetle by Belboz
Ashling by Mr.Bookworm
Assimilator Flies by DarkShard
Astral Pack-Beast by DracoDei
Autumnal Seer by The Demented One
Bad Harvest by Reltzik
Barbed Fleshworm by Reltzik
Bardfly by Cespenar
Blight Cow by LordOfNarf
Bloodscarab by Abjurer
Blood Ooze by Vaynor
Bone Conductor by adanedhel9
Bornura by Lappy9000
Burning Bush by OOTS_Rules.
Busker by Vaynor
Butchery Golem by The_Glyphstone
Cab't by NemoUtopia
Cake Golem by Fangthane
Charspawn by Closet_Skeleton
Child of Flame by Macrovore
Christmas Goodies Golem by Purple gelatinous cube o' Doom
Chroneruts by Kellus
Cloud of Strife by Excellence
Coal Elf by Belboz
Coronal Elemental by Icewalker
Cruor Skeleton by Bisected8
Cyrocerebellus by Khantalas
* Dadafly by The Demented One
Dancing Golem by Bisected8
Dark Seed by Belboz
* Dattar by Poppatomus
Deadly Gaze by Bisected8
* Death by Lyinginbedmon
Deathspore Mushroom by ShneekeyTheLost
Deus Die by Qube
Devouring Domicile by Kyace
Digit Swarm by rtg0922
Dirgesinger by XenoGeno
* Discernable Anatomy Golem by ArmorArmadillo
Disruptor by Lord Tataraus
Divine Spark of Inspiration by Fax_Celestis
Domestic Brownie by Littlechicory
Doomborn Warrior by Carrion_Humanoid
Dopplepunkt by Bisected8
Drome by NakedCelt
Drummer Ghoul by The Demented One
* Dust Bunny by Fax_Celestis
Emberwilde by The Demented One
Empress of Rot by Jaerc
Eqach Wuilees by Grey Knight
Ergotine by Belboz
Essence of Fire by Kel
Exploding Chicken by Bitzeralisis
* Facsimilix by Maerok
Falling Foam by Shuryougospel
Farceur by PhantomBread
* Fergaast by Palcosmo
Fimbulwight by Purple gelatinous cube o' Doom
Finger of Loki by Beldak
Flamefly by Onasuma
Flamehaunt Wraith by Athenodorus
Flent by Kuja.girl
Flesh Beast by Beldak
Flying Spaghetti Monster by NakedCelt
Forsaken Blade by Vaynor
Fungal Banshee by Penguinizer
Galuverant by MechaKingGhidra
Gastrus by Belboz
Geliefd by Knight9910
Ghostfolk by Silence
Giant Bacillus by Belboz
Glass Golem by Duchess_of_Elysian
Glass Spider by Blue_C.
Gluttonous Plague by Khantalas
Golden Flame of Pelor by Glooble Glistencrist
Gorin No Oni by Caracol
Gorshk by Nelphine
Graveforged by Hyrael
Gray Master by Vrel
Grey Goo by Belboz
*Gridoll by Guyr Adamantine
Gut Snake by DracoDei
* Headhunter by Kellus
Headless Dragon by Bisected8
Hearth Protector by Lord Tataraus
Heliotoad by Lord Tataraus
by TheEscapist
Herald of Winter by MandibleBones
Hidden Flame by hylian chozo
Hollow Vicegerent by Jaerc
Icicle Beast by Glooble Glistencrist
Ilthslamael by Closet_Skeleton
Inaran Fae by RandomFellow
Invisible Giant by Vaynor
Issun-bōshi by Paragon Badger
Kawaii Ooze by Goober4473
Kindling by Mattarias
Kittenbush by Shuryougospel
Knight Divine by Peregrine
Lap Dog by Blue_C.
Limb Louse by Bisected8
Living Bard Song by Daedu
Llorrick by Lord Iames Osari
Lord of Rest by DracoDei
*Lowfolk by AKA_Bait
Lure Eel by Icewalker
Magic Eater Termites by Caracol
ManBearPig by Maerok
Mandrake Oak by The Gilded Duke
Man o’War by Belboz
Marauder of the Flesh by Maerok
Melodic Dragon by Arkanis
Mepholk by DracoDei
Mherephess by TheEscapist
Mindmite by Fax_Celestis
* Minimus Drone by The Demented One
Monstrous Cicada by Paragon Badger
Monstrous Silk Worm by rtg0922
Mortal Devil by Bisected8
Mother of Shadow by Fangthane
Mourning Dove by Thistle
Mousefolk by Belboz
* Muliwai by Fax_Celestis
Mynithar Beetle by MattKatt
Nigh by Krimm_Blackleaf
Nightleech by Closet_Skeleton
* Nimbus Golem by Poppatomus
Noble Fir by LordOfNarf
Nobody's Problem by TheLogman
Nog Fairy by Thomar_of_Uointer
Nudibrancha by Levi
Oculans by Magnor Criol
* Old Man of the Field by Bearofbadnews
* Oneiroi by AKA_Bait
Oran-Spawn by The Demented One
Pembunuh by Bhu
Penumbral Stalker by The_Glyphstone
Phaighthmeam by NakedCelt
Porcelain Doll by Sir Shadow
Pure Thought by Bisected8
Pyrotechnic Golem by Simius
Quencher by Hyrael
Quiet by Hairb
Quintessence Golem by rtg0922
Raenia by Phoenix Talion
Raisuden by Bisected8
Raver Swarm by Stormthorn
Raw Sinusoid by RS14
Raze, the Soul of the Sun by Proven_Paradox
* Reality Shifter by Vaynor
Relentless Cuckolder by EndlessEnnui
Repenter of Heironeos by Onasuma
Rider's Angel by Arioch
Rift Demon by Corncracker
Roach by Billwill91
Roc Golem by Bisected8
Rthuote by SmileyX
Sacrificial by Cespenar
Sandblighter by Sir Conkey
Savior of the Forest by Corncracker
* Scaramouche by The Demented One
Scorpell by Ajkkjjk52
Sebal, Power Unbound by SilveryCord
Sentient Tumour by AtomicKitKat
Serviceforged by Finerty
* She Who Walks Beneath the Ice by Bearofbadnews
Sialla Danda by Afroakuma
Silver Lionling by rtg0922
* Skratta-sker by Stycotl
Shrieking Slicer by McDeath
Singers From Outside by Bhu
Singing Stone by KingGolem
*Singing Tree by Sir Shadow
Skin Spiders by Dove
Sleeper In the Deep by Alveanerle
Slumber Cat by Thistle
Smokey Floater by DracoDei
Snowball Warrior by The Demented One
Snowy Archon by The_Cowinator
Soil Keeper by The Demented One
Soluminaire Ooze by ShneekeyTheLost
Sonorous Mouther by rtg0922
Soot Brownie by Thistle
Soul Hound by RandomFellow
Spideer by Fax_Celestis
Spirit of Dullness by Bisected8
Spirit of the North Wind by Duke of URL
Split Second by Titanium Dragon
Spook by RS14
Spriggan by NakedCelt
Sterperson by belboz
Stoic, Shield of Shields by Proven_Paradox
* Storm Serpent by RS14
Stormhaunt by The_Snark
Strangefolk by Fangthane
Sun Devil by Stolenchariot
Sun Sprite by ZeroNumerous
Sun Thief by Haruspex
Sycophantic Specter by Kyace
Talmascalion by Foeofthelance
Thane of the Anvil by Haruspex
The Black Mask by Bhu
The Colors Purple by The Gilded Duke
* The Eight Brothers by TheEscapist
The Hawk by Headwarpage
The Kulreich von Lemminstantrophonees Legacy by CabbageTheif
The Name and the Soul by Khantalas
Thoughtleech by Dennetik
Torell the Nightheart by Kel
Tosurak by Maerok
Träumen by Calver
Turtlehawk by Krimm_Blackleaf
Urban Oasis by rtg0922
Vascula by Kai-Palin
* Vastor by NakedCelt
Veiled Deer by Malachite
Vetala by Lord Tataraus
Vilapi by Hyrael
Violence by Runeir
Voice of Divinity by Blue_C.
* Votive Guardian by Thistle
*Watcher by Paragon Badger
Weirded Way by Adanedhel9
Whisperlings by Daverick
Windsider by Thomar_of_Uointer
Wing Dragon by DracoDei
Wingbane Glider by Cespenar
* Winterchilde by Bearofbadnews
Witch-Begotten Stalker by Closet_Skeleton
Woruldoomwere by Bisected8
Wrath by Krimm_Blackleaf
Wupperhin by The Great Skenardo
Xintri by Sir Shadow
Yersinia by Lucid_Archon
Yule Pig Total_Viking_Power
Zodiacal Hydra by Calver

[Reltzik]

Weeeee! First respondant!

I'm inviting comments and criticism, particularly on the issues of balance and whether the Swarm subtype was a good fit, on the Bad Harvest, posted in the contest thread.

[InaVegt]

So tempted to make the harvest goddess from harvest moon: friends of mineral town.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Weeeee! First respondant!

I'm inviting comments and criticism, particularly on the issues of balance and whether the Swarm subtype was a good fit, on the Bad Harvest, posted in the contest thread.

Msg'd you my critiquing

So tempted to make the harvest goddess from harvest moon: friends of mineral town.

That a book?

[InaVegt]

So tempted to make the harvest goddess from harvest moon: friends of mineral town.

That a book?

No, a Gameboy advance game, on which you're a farmer.

[belboz]

Comments and criticism on the ergotine are humbly requested. CR is a particular concern, but...I feel these guys are missing something, or that there's something off about their abilities, and I'm not quite sure what; I'm also anxious to hear any ideas along that line.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Comments and criticism on the ergotine are humbly requested. CR is a particular concern, but...I feel these guys are missing something, or that there's something off about their abilities, and I'm not quite sure what; I'm also anxious to hear any ideas along that line.

Sent you a message, Belboz

[The Demented One]

Anyone care to look over the Autumnal Seer? I'm still a bit unsure of the balance, but I think I've pegged it at more or less the right CR.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Anyone care to look over the Autumnal Seer? I'm still a bit unsure of the balance, but I think I've pegged it at more or less the right CR.

Can't find anything off numbers wise, and theme wise its spot on. CR coincides with my calculations as well

[Bearofbadnews]

I just submitted "The Old Man of the Field".
This is my first attempt at a homebrew monster, and I am really unsure of how well I did. Please feel free to tear apart the mechanics of it.

It's interesting how popular the Fey type is. Is there something about harvest or autumn that brings to mind the fairy tales of old?

[Khantalas]

I posted my first monster in a competition!

*hides*

Anyway, to be serious, I think it feels a little too powerful, and I couldn't decide on the CR. Also, don't ask me why I decided on outsider as creature type. I just felt like there should be something other than fey, elemental, plant, animal and vermin related to the harvest.

Any criticism, good or bad, and suggestions on the CR will be greatly appreciated. Bashing will be reported. Thank you.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

I just submitted "The Old Man of the Field".
This is my first attempt at a homebrew monster, and I am really unsure of how well I did. Please feel free to tear apart the mechanics of it.

Sent you a message

It's interesting how popular the Fey type is. Is there something about harvest or autumn that brings to mind the fairy tales of old?

Hrmmm, now why would fields and nature bring to mind fey creatures...

[sigurd]

This is a terrifying creation. Makes you think about the safety of children everywhere.

Good Job!


My only question is shouldn't it be an outsider rather than an aberation?



What do you think

Sigurd


Khantalas quite rightly pointed out this is in the wrong thread. Sorry.

[Khantalas]

This is a terrifying creation. Makes you think about the safety of children everywhere.

Good Job!


My only question is shouldn't it be an outsider rather than an aberation?



What do you think

Sigurd

Okay...

I'd think it was supposed to go the to other chat thread, the one about the Halloween competition, but sure, why not...

By the way, checking other entries, my monster is just so poor and badly thought. And ripe with grammar mistakes. And vocabulary, too. I have no chance of winning. (What was I thinking, anyway? I am still a pixie.)

[The Vorpal Tribble]

By the way, checking other entries, my monster is just so poor and badly thought. And ripe with grammar mistakes. And vocabulary, too. I have no chance of winning. (What was I thinking, anyway? I am still a pixie.)

I'll get to your entry in a bit, though don't get all maudlin on us, it just needs a little spit and polish. And being new to the boards don't mean nothin'...

[LordOfNarf]

i just submitted the Blight Cow, I went over it pretty well, but it could still use any comments and criticism from anyone, especially the vets of monster making.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Alright, sent a message to the two of you.


Y'know, overall I'm impressed with all the creatures in this current contest. Its much more limited than the Halloween runs that ran, but I think in general the creatures coming out of Harvest Moon are superior.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Bumping this back up from obscurity ;)

[Khantalas]

Really now, I like the other monsters. Except for Ergots. No, I like them, too.

Still, can anybody give me a good reason why a Gluttonous Plague would be considered an Outsider? Except for divine heritage and all.

[Bearofbadnews]

I've been shamefully afraid to comment on other folks creatures due to my really crummy grasp of mechanics (I've been playing for 12 years now...?). I'm going to recitify that now!

Reltzik's Bad Harvest:
I like the idea a lot. The stats are somewhat of a mystery to me, but seem reasonable. The thing I wondered about most from these guys is where they came from and how they are normally spread-- it seems to me that given their biology, either they can be summoned/created or they must be a remarkable new mutation. I say this because it would seem any farming community that encountered such a beast would soon learn to kill the heck out of it after the first few harvests were disasters. There just seems to be no place that this creature could live normally without being actively eradicated. Obviously evil/vengeful druids are likely suspects, but there are tons of possibilities (which is cool). Nothing wrong with the post as is, of course. I was just looking at the non-stat stuff and this struck me.
belboz's Ergotine:
I love these guys, they are classic fairy tale monsters. Insane faeries that infest grainfields. I will say this though-- for the longest time I thought these were pixie-sized. I think it may be the diminutive-sounding Ergotine? These appeal to me primarily as a possible character race, strangely enough --although that level adjustment is steep!.
The Demented One's Autumnal Seer:
First of all, the special abilities here are wonderful. The Kiss of Autumn and Form of Autumn abilities are especially spectacular in a cinematic way (something I wish D&D was more often). I'd also like to say that the plot hooks are pretty boss.
Khantalas' Gluttonous Plague:
Creepy, creepy, creepy. In direct response to your question, I suggest these possibilities--
1. They hail from a demi-plane of hunger?
2. They are made up of avaricious souls from one of the planar hells?
I have one question about these beasties. What do they look like, or at least what shape are they? Even if you decide no one knows their appearance, they are certainly a particular shape, and that might have an effect on something. If they are truly formless, you might make specific note of that. It would make those clicking noises they make much more mysterious.
LordOfNarf's Blight Cow:
I really really like this kind of monster. It implies an interesting relationship to other creatures in it's world, it is versatile, suggesting many different types of encounters. It also follows in a tradition of folk stories/legends in a way that grants it a particular resonance. How many fairy tales have the kindly old couple receive a magical gift of some sort which benefits them until some stipulation is violated, thus voiding or reversing the benefit? It is original while feeling "right". Also, cool plot hooks.

For all of you guys, my favorite thing is that these monsters are clearly attempting to break the "random encounter monster" mold. They all either have essential non-combat qualities or have life-cycles that intimately involve a community of beings. This is the sort of creature that suggests a whole adventure-- not just a single evening of gameplay (though some of these would be great for that too).

[belboz]

belboz's Ergotine:
I love these guys, they are classic fairy tale monsters. Insane faeries that infest grainfields. I will say this though-- for the longest time I thought these were pixie-sized. I think it may be the diminutive-sounding Ergotine? These appeal to me primarily as a possible character race, strangely enough --although that level adjustment is steep!.

Interesting about the size. Do you think that medium size is a problem, or just that I should emphasize it more? The image I had of these critters was really about human-sized. Or maybe the problem's with the name...I'll keep thinking about that.

It's useful to hear that people would be interested in playing these as a player race; I'd actually been considering changing the LA to "-"; I won't now. But I do think a steep one is required. Between the immunities, plausible ability adjustments, permanent flight, and spell-like abilities (that's several 4th-level spells per day, and several 1st-level spells *at will*, in addition to huge numbers of spells/day at intermediate levels), I really wouldn't want a 1st-level Ergotine in much less than a 14th-level campaign, and I think giving up 5 HD is *still* fair, even at Level 14.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Only 4 more days to go folks. Lets see if we can't get a few more in, eh?

[Bearofbadnews]

I'm sure you are right about the level adjustment, I just meant that it's a lot higher than most monster characters' that I've played before (I should try those more, I guess). I might mention a little more about the Ergotine ecology-- talking about them more in context is probably a good solution to the size perception (so far I'm the only one with the misconception, though).

[Khantalas]

More monsters! We don't have enough!

[The Vorpal Tribble]

One more day to go...

[Khantalas]

We still need more monsters.

Ooh! I wonder if I'll win something?

[Khantalas]

Bump!

Isn't it over yet? *holds his breath*

[The Vorpal Tribble]

It will be at midnight.

[Bearofbadnews]

Nice job, The Demented One, you got my vote. I really like the visuals of the Autumnal Seer, and the concept is pleasantly adventure-inspiring.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Forgot to mention that the poll is up.