Monstrous Compendium (1)

8/18/2019 Monstrous Compendium (1)

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Compendium

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PREHISTORIC A ND PLEISTOCENE ENCOUNTERS

Scrub

2

Tyrannosaurus Rex

3 TyrannasaurusRex

4 Dilophosaurus

5 Ankylosaurus

b Gorgosaururor deinochus

7

Struthiomimus

8 stegosaurus

9 Pentaceratops or triceratops

.O

Trachodon

.1 lguanadon or lambeosaurus

Camarasaurusor

plateosaurus

Pternnodon or pterosaur

Podokesaurus

Styracosaurus

Monochius

7 Ornitholestes

8

CeratOSdUNs

DMSpecial

Water

2

Snake, giant con.

3 Snake, giant con.

4

Pleisiosaurus

5 Pleisiosaurus

6 Elasmosaunu

7 Tanystropheus

8 Nothosaurus

9

Piranha, giant

Fish, school

1

Fish, school

Fish, school

Pteradactyl

Pternnodon

or pterosaur

Crocde.giant

6 Eel,

weed

Gar,

giant

Crayfish, giant

9

D M S p d a l

DMSpecial

or SENb

Preh lS tOr iC

Forest

2

Snake, gmnt con

3 Snake. giant con.

4 Lizard, giant

5 Brontosaurus

6 Megalosaurus

7

Mosaurus

8 Ankiasaurus

9 Trachodon

10 Plateosaurus

11

Stegosaurus or d a c e n t ~ ~ s

12 Iguanodon

or

lambeosaurus

13 Euparkena

14

Compsognathus

16

Paleocinthus

17 Teratosaurus

18 Mampondylus

19 DMSpemal

20

DMSvecial

15 CWatOSaUNs

1 . 1

ic

De

terorocean

2 . .-..elon

ischyras

3 Archelon ischyras

4 EeLmarine

5 Tennodontosaurur

6 Dinicthys

7 Elasmosaurus

8 Shark, common

9

Pleisiosaurus

10 Pleisiosaurus

11 Fish, school

1 2 Fish, school

13

Whale, common

14 Shark, common

15

Shark, giaht

16 Whale,

giant

17 Squid, giant

18

Ray, manta

19

DMSpedal

20 DMSpecial

Fwstocene

Forest

2 Horse,wild

3

Horse, wild

4

Lion, spotted

5 Weasel, giant

6 Boar, giant

7 Axebeak

8 Hvenodon

I

~~

~ ~~

9

Tier ,

S.T.

Animal, herd

1 Animal. herd

Animal, herd

Mammoth or mastodon

Titanothere

Baluchitherium

Rhino,wooley

Camel

8 Caveman

9 DM Special

DM Special

otes:

2 Snake, giant con.

3

Snake,

large con.

4 Wolf, dire

. S Lion,spotted

6 Weasel, giant

7 Ape, carnivorous

8 Tiger, S.T.

9

Baboon

10 Animal, herd

11 Animal, herd

12

Animal, herd

13 Megatherim

14

Mammal, small

15 Mammoth or mastodon

16

Boar, giant

17 Baluchitherium

18 Caveman

19 DMSpecid

20

DMSpecial

Monsters in

italic

type are typically airborne when encountered.

plelstocew

Mash:

Herd animals

are

go%

likely to

be

giant flihl

....

irds of

1-3

Hit Dice.

These

are non-aggressive unless provoked or

low or

1

Waters

2 Lamprey,land

3 Strangleweed

4

Elasmosaurus

5 Lamprey

6

Shark,

common

7 Archelon ischyras

8 Plelslosaurur

9 Crab,giant

10 Fish. school

11

Flsh, school

12

Fish, school

13

Pteradactyl

14 Pteranadonor

pterosaur

15 Barracuda

16

Snake,sea

17 Octopus

18 Ray, sting

19

DMSpecial

20 DMSvecial

Rough or Hill

2

Tiger,

S.T.

3 Ape, carnivorous

4 Ape, carnivorous

5 Wolf, dire

6 Wolf. dire

7 Bear, cave

8 Hyenodan

9

Lion, spotted

10 Animal, herd

11 Animal. herd

12 Animal, herd

13

Animal, herd

14 Vulture,

ommon

15 Rhino, wooley

16

Mammal, small

17 Cavemen

18 Cavemen

19

DMSpecial

20

DMSpecial

Prehistoric Prehistoric

niwor ROU@

Marsh

2 Tyrannosaurus Rex 2 Tanystropheus

3 Tyrannosaurus Rex 3 Tanystropheus

4 Alloraurus

4 Snake, giant. con.

5 Gorgosaurus

5

Dimetrodon

6 Compsognathus 6 Euparkeria

7 Dimetrodon

7 Nothosaurus

8 Euparkeria

8 Crocodile, giant

9

Ankiasaurur

9 Trachodon or kentrosaum

10

lguanadon

10

Iguanodon 01 lambeosaurus

11

Pentaceratops OI

11

Camarasaurus

or

ceti-urus

12 Pteradactyl brachiosaurus

13

Pteranodon

or pterosaur 13 Diplodocus

or

14 Triceratops mamenchisaurus

15 Stegosaurus

14 Pteradactyl

16 Lizard, minotaur 15

Pteranodon

or pterosaur

17 Ankylosaurus 16 Massopondylus

18

Paleocinthus

17

Lizard, giant

19

DMSpecial

20 DMSpecial

styracosaurus 12 Brontosaurus or

--LiStoric

11 Animal; herd

12 Animal, herd

13 Animal, herd

14 Vulture, common or giant

15 Caveman

16

Caveman

17 Caveman

18

Condor

19

DM Special

20

DM Special

Wdterbome: Fish schools are huge schools of harmless fish. They a

preyed

on

by aquatic carnivores.

Some

harmless schools of fish might

be mistaken for piranha (orvice versa).

3

Snake, giant

con

4

Phororhaws

5 Phororhacos

6 Axebeak

7 Axebeak

8 Crocodile, giant

9

Crocodile, giant

10 Animal, herd

11

Animal, herd

12 Animal, herd

13

Animal, herd

14 Megatherium

15 Mastodon

16 Mammal, small

17 Lizard, giant

18 Cavemen

19 DMSpecial

20

DMSpecial

Pleistocene

Mountain

2

Ape, carnivorous

3 Ape, carnivorous

4 .Wolf, dire

5

Wol$,

dire

6

Lion, spotted

7 Lion, spotted

8 Bear, cave

9

Bear, cave

10 Animal. herd


4/68

I

OVEMENT:

T DICE

r

*

m

Combat: Femaleascallions usually atta

O w n .

Because of the singula

lions

are

unable to hunt

many ocean predators

d

as

ons are deadly enem

sight, abandoning whatever else they

may

be

turn

as

deadly a5 the giant shark.


5/68

Mountain oeakq

Rare

Nil

Neutral good

APPEARING: 1-4

4

VAL1

only known as wind steed.,

....

asperii is highly prized as a

in color and have small manes

are usually silver, white, or light grey.

Although asperii are gentle beings, they are also quite

le of defending themselves if forced into combat. Each

, asperii can kick with their front hooves and bite with their

rp teeth. As a rule, they direct their bites at the wings and faces

o damage from any form of cold-

ck. Similarly, they are unharmed by winds of any type

ng the whirlwind attacks of an air elemental or a djinni

so forth). This ability also enables them

to

slip free of the

aerial servant with unusual ease (thev have a 40%

,

ce to do

so.)

to

heat) and suker double the normal amount of damage from

that employs flames.

but can also see into both the Ethereal and Astral

f the approach

of

creatures that might otherwise be unde-

of

asperii makes them immune to all

f gaze attacks, such as those of the basilisk or catoblepas.

). They retain such quick response times until

600

pounds but its maneuverability class is re-

150pounds carried.

t is, one who has accepted an individual as it

flies50 smoothly that its rider may even cast spells from its

particular

pply. If an asperii elects to strike with itshoovesor bite in

this prevents the rider from engaging in spellcasting.

Asperii sometimes live in herds of as many as

nimals but are most often encountered in groups of two or

they live in the uppermost regions of virtually in-

form of telepathy, which has a range of 60 yards. With this

power, they can also speak with other intelligent beings.

Asperii are the mortal enemies of hippogriffs and griffons,

tending to attack these creatures on sight. They have also been

known to do battle with rocs, although they normally ignore

such creatures if possible. Pegasi and asperii get along quite well,

and the two species are often found in each other's company.

If taken when young, an asperii can be trained to accept a single

master. If this is done, it becomes utterly loyal to this individua

and will not bear another upon its back unless so instructed by its

master. An asperii will refuse to accept a master who is not of neu-

tral, lawful neutral,

or

neutral good alignment. Young asperii

commonly known as "doffs," can be sold to those who wish

to

train them for between 4,000 and 6,000gold pieces.

The wingless asperii are capable of flight due to their natural

powersof leuitation. In addition, they are able to ride winds of ei-

ther magical or mundane nature. When they do so, they add 1 o

their movement rate for each mile per hour over

20

of wind, Aspe

rii alsohave an inherent ability to cast a feather fall spell up to four

times per day on themselves or on any being they are able to touch.

Ecology: Although asperii are omnivorous and eat a great vari

ety of plants and animals, they do have a few favorite foods. As-

perii prize mint leaves, mistletoe, fish, and hawk flesh. In fact

they so delight in eating fish that they have been known tu raid

fishing boats and coastal villages in search of them. Perhaps be-

cause asperii can go for

long

periods

of

time without eating, they

seem to have unlimited appetites when given the chance to feed

on their favorite foods.

Noble Asperii

The noble asperii are a very rare off-shoot of this species. Many

people describe the hide

of

a noble as looking like an iridescent

polished abalone shell.

Their telepathy

is

more powerful than that of their more com

mon counterparts, having a 90-foot range and being forcefu

enough to permit the noble to implant a

sumestion

on creatures

. .

_ _

of 3 or fewer Hit Dice.


6/68

Beholder-kin

I::

DIET:

Omnivore Carnlvore

SIZE:

MORALE: Elite (14) Charhpion (15-16)

to Fanatic (17-18)

W VALUE:

4.88) 6,000

( 6 + 6

HD)

9 000

(9+9

HD)

I

Another relative

of

the beholder, the spectator is a guardian of

places and treasures. Once i t

is

given a task, it guards for up to

lOlyearsandletsnooneuse,

borrow, orexamlneanitemor trea-

sure.

The spectator has a large central eye and four smaller eyestalks

protruding from the top of its hovering, spherical body.

Combat:

The spectator is difficult to surprise, as it has a sur-

prise modifier

of +2.

Since the spectator is basically

a

passive

creature, it attempts to communicate and implant its suggestion

as its first act, unless it is immediately attacked. In close combat,

the spectator can bite for

ld4

+1 points of damage.

The creature's body is covered in tough hide and thus is AC

4.

Any blow is 70%likely to hit the body, which contains all of the

beast's hit points.

Hits on the eye stalks (AC

7)

occur

20%

of the time, while hits

on the central eye (also AC

7)

happen only 10%of the time. Any

hit on an eye or eye stalk destr oy

it;

a spectator blinded in every

eye cannot defend its treasure

and

teleports to the outer plane of

Ntrvana. This is the only condition under which it leaves its post.

Its eyes regenerate in one day and then it returns. If the treasure 1s

gone, the creature

again

lea= for Nirvana, never to return.

The spectator has a general magic resistance of

5%.

But when

the central eye is undamaged, it can reflect one spell cast at it per

round back against the caster. This does not apply to touch spells.

The reflection occurs only

if

the spectator rolls a successful saving

throw vs. spell.

Reflection is possible only i4 the caster is standing -thin a

60'

arc of the front of the central eye.

For example, if a mage casts a lightning bolt spell at a spectator,

the

DM

olls the spectator's saving throw to

see if

the spell is re-

flected. If the roll fails, then the spectator's magic resistance is

rolled.

Only if this roll fails as well does the lighbning bolt cause

The spellcaster is allowed a normal saving throm

flected spell and only he risks any damage. Thus, in the e

ample, if the lightning bolt were reflected, only the mage

hit by it. If the mage's saving throw is successful, he rec

damage (though a failed saving throw means he suffer

damage rolled).

The spectator has an initiative modifier of + l .

All

t

tack eyes" can be brought to bear on the same target. T

eyes have the following powers:

11: Create food and wa ter. Creating up to the amoun

and water for a large meal (up to six people) takes one fu

#2:

Causeserious wound s. Inflicts 2d8

+3

points

of

da

a single being at a range

of 60

yards. A saving throw YS. s

lowed for half damage. This attack has a casting time o

13: Paralyzation ray. Range

of

90 eet, one target on

tion 5d4 rounds. This attack has a casting time of l:The s

never attacks a paralyzed character; the character may

allowed to

go

his own way if he leaves in peace.

4: Telepathy. Range 120 feet, only one target. Com

tion is possible in this way. The beast can also plant

a

sug

the target fails a saving throw vs. spell. The suggestion

to

leave in peace, and it has a casting time of

1.

Commu

takes twice as long.

HabitatiSociety: If properly met, the spectator can

friendly. It will tell a party exactly what it is guarding ear

conversation so that there is no argument. If its char

threatened, it can be very amiable and talkative via its t

Spectators move by a very rapid levitation in any d

They will drift aimlessly when asleep

(20%

likely when

tered),'never touching the ground.

Under rare circumstances, a powerful mage might ha

moned two spectators to guard a particularly valuable

In this case, there is no chance of surprising the creeture

sleep in shifts.

On the plane

of

Nirvana, spectators live in larg

to

1,ObO

ndividuals, using their eyes. to create vast


7/68

:

The treasure being guarded is

90%

likely to be a magi-

of

at least 15,000 gp. If the spectator gains

is

not part

of its

it freely allows this to be taken. Incidental treasure

as follows: 40% for 3-300 coins of mixed types,

forld6gemsofXI-gpbasevalue.

20% forld4potions. 15%

+lpieceofarmor,15%fora +lweapon,andS% foramis-

1,ooOXP

or

less.

V with the material component of three or more

beholder. (The chance of success is 10% per

commanded only to guard some trea-

r duty, and if commanded to undertake

r task, it returns t o Nirvana immediately. If i ts guarded

isever destroyed or stolen, the spectator is released from

ce and retums to Nirvana. The summoner may take the item

erference from the spectator, but this releases the crea-

ack to i"vana.

is believed to be a distant relative of the beholder, al-

s has never been proven. While it is quite similar to that

o feed on the energy

of

magical objects makes

.

th is normally five feet in diameter

generally brown

in

color, mottled with purple and grey. A

of

hard flesh provides the creature's body with an AC

in

the center of the gauths forward hemisphere is its

isAC

7.

e central eye is surrounded by a ring of smaller eyes that are

). These eyes provide the creature with normal

90

feet in darkened

he underside is the beast's fearsome mouth with

its

accom-

cluster

of

four feeding tendrils, while the top is adorned

of six eye stalks. Both the eve stalks and the feeding

id ds re AC

2.

I

When

a

gauth moves into combat, it begins

to

glow,

if it were the target of a faerie fire spell, to attract the at-

on of its fog. Any creature distracted by this runs the risk of

caught in the beam of the gauths central eye. A creature

meets the gaze of this great eye must roll a successful saving

a -

penalty, or be affected as

if

the victim

nd spell.

s to bite with its great maw, its sharp fangs n-

of

damage. The four tendrils around the mouth

as

if they had a Strength of 18, but they

enables them

1

it point every two turns.

in combat can also employ its six eye stalks. Although

le when not in use, they are usually all

ex-

ded prior to the start

of

any conflict. T he m eyes have the fol-

This power has a 30-foot range but

is

as

the 4th-level priest's spell, inflicting 2d8

+1

of damaee.

serious

wounds:

-?his

power has the same effects as the 6th-level

Cone

of

cold: This terrible Dower is similar to the 5th-leve

wizards spell. It causes 3d4 points

of

damage and has an area

of

effect five feet wide at the base, 50 feet long, and 20 feet wide a

the mouth. It can be used only three times per day.

This eye can unleash a straight bolt of light

ning from the eye outward to an 80-foot range. It inflicts 4d4

points of damage, although a successful saving throw vs. spel

cuts that in half. This power can be used up

to

four times pw day

and is otherwise similar to the 3rd-level wizards spell.

This eye can affect a single target up to

40 f

away from the gauth. If the target fails its saving throw vs. pa

ysis, then it is unable to move. Only a dispel magic spell can

f

the victim from the effects of this eye.

Perhaps the most feared of the gauth

powers. this ability permits the gauth to drain charges from mag

cal items. It has a 40-foot range and can be targeted on one indi

vidual per round. In addition to preventing an object from

functioning for the duration of that round, this power drains one

charge from any charged object. Permanent objects,

such

asmag

ical swords, are rendered powerless for one round by this ability

Artifacts are not affected by the dweomer drain.

In addition, this eye has no effect on spells that have been mem

orized (but not yet cast) and does not break the concentration of

a

wizard engaged in invoking

a

spell. It

does

neutralize any

spel

cast by its target that round, however.

A dispel magic spell cast on any of the gauths eye stalks pre

vent its use for ld4 rounds. The central eye, any fully retracted

eye stalks, the body's ability to glow, and the gauths natural levi

tation are not subject to harm by such a spell.

If a gauth is slain, its magical energy is dissipated. Usually, thi

is a harmless event, but there is a 2% chance that it is cata-

strophic, inflicting 4d4 points of damage to all creatures within

ten feet. N o saving throw is possible against this damage.

Gauth are immune to their own powers and to those of othe

Lightning bolt:

Paralyzation:

h e o m e r drain:

gauth.

Society/Habitat: Gauth prefer to dwell in dark caves and ca

verns, coming out only to feed on livestock. They are cunning

enough to avoid taking from the same herd and try to avoid insti

gating any organized attempts to kill them.

Although gauth are not known to fight over territories or prey

they do go to great lengths to avoid each other. Even when they

encounter another of their kind in the wilderness, t h v

A -..

a

nore them utterly.

Ecology:

A gauth can survive by eating livestock and such, bu

it greatly prefers to devour magcal objects. In some unknown

manner, the creature is able to absorb magical energy and feed on

it. Each turn that an object spends in the gauth's stomach causes i

to lose one charge A permanent object isrendered inoperative af

ter one day (but artifacts are not affected).Magical objects tha

cannot be wholly digested by

a

gauth are spat out after they hav

been drained

of

all their power.

Gauth are thought to live a century or

so

and then die of some

thing akin to old age, Within

a

week of their death, however, two

young gauth emerge from the corpse after devouring much

of

it

Although smaller than their parent (each has

2 + 2

or 3+ 3

HD

andabitethatcausesonly2d4pointsofdamge) hey haveall th

powers

of

a full-grown adult.

Various portions of a gauths body (the eyes, primarily) ar

uch sought after by mages who wish to understand the bioiob

: of these mysterious creatures.


8/68

Belnbra (Tnngler)

CLIMATEITERRAIN: Tenmerate forests

FREQUENCY: Rare

ALIGNMENT: Neutral

NO. A P P E A m G :

ARMOR CLASS:

1

-2 (head)

MORALE:

XP VALUE

Champion (15-16)

975

The belabra, also called "tander," is a most unubual creature.

highly sought after because i t can sometimes be domcsticated.

The typical belabra has a larze. hemispherical shell that mea-

sures some two feet

in

diameter and is generally black or dark

grey m color. Extending from the underside of the shell are the

creature's rubbery tentacles, its deadly grey b e a t and its pale

white belly. The monster's four eyes extend abo e

its

shell on

short eye stalks.

Combat: When in close combat, a belabra bound about so that

it can shield its soft underside with its hard shell. &en given an

opening, the belabra attacks either by bounding at its targets and

ramming them with its shell or by entangling the d in its barbed

tentacles and tearing at them with its beak.

confronted by a strong crosswind, this distance lis cut by ten

Whether or not the roll is successful, the victim Quffers d4 +2

points of damage from the barbs that cover the tentacles. The

grip of the tentacles causes no damage unless the Bnsnared crea-

ture attempts to break free.

tim has been ensnared.

Injured tentacles release a spray of the creature's gr

blood, which causes all humans, elves, and halflings w

feet to roll saving throws vs. poison, with -3 penaltie

who fail their rollsare partially blinded and overcome b

ing fits. They also suffer a -4 penalty to their attack

their Armor Classes are worsened by 2 for 3d8 rounds.

HabitaVSociety The belabra is a solitary creature that

primarily in wooded regions throughout the worlds t

regions.

When at rest or waiting for prey, the creature draws its

side its shell and remains perfectly still. In this position,

mistaken for a large rock by the unwary. The belabra can

prey by both sight and scent.

Biologically, the belabra are most unusual creatur

have only one sex, although they are not truly asexual

aeature cannot reproduce. The offspring begin as buds o

ner wall of their parent's stomach. Here they gestate for

months before being ejected by the parent.

Ecology:

If

taken at a young age, a belabra can be t

obey simple commands and act as a guard o r hunter. If so

it identifieswith its master and remains with him even in

of battle. Morale rolls are required only if the situation

ally dangerous.

Training a captured belabra takes 4d4 weeks and re

skilled instructor, a number of live animals (to serve as

kills), and the frequent presence of the person who w

creature's master. Adverse conditions can areatlv ex

training period.

Once their trainina is comuleted. the belabra can be e

in the same m anne r s an at'tack dog. A young belabra

been raised for two years can be taught to capture and ho

tim without trying

to

kill it.

A

captured belabra young is worth some

1,500

gold


9/68

balann

VPrV

rare

Any land or the Astral plane

- - -

---,

- - -

._

chaotic

evil

APPEARING

CLASS:

vIOVEMEN

*ITDICE:

OF ATTACKS:

AITACKS

IC RESISTANCt:

p

VALUE:

The berbalang is a dark and evil creature that spends most of its

a comatose state while its spirit wanders the Astral plane.

o our world, it does so only to feed on the

of humans who dwell near its hiding place.

A typical berbalang is a gaunt biped with black, leathery skin.

ich provide the berbalang with infra-

120 yards, are watery and white in

color.

Two

d, bat-like wings sprout from the creature's back and enable

o fly with great speed and agility.

:ombat:

When a berbalang or its projection (see below) is en-

.ountered and forced into combat, it makes the most of its ability

fly. When it strikes, it rips at opponents with its keen claws and

to bite them with its needle-like teeth.

If

a berbalang's projection is hit, it immediately takes flight and

empts to flee from the battle. The projection is immune to

sleep, and hold spells.

The berbalang is

a

most unusual creature. The

majority of its life isspent in

a

death-like trance that permits

t will throughout the Astral plane.

lf and engages in its complex courtship and mating rituals.

If the body is discovered or disturbed in any way, the berbalang

of this and returns to defend itself. Because of the great

g's spirit may have to cross to reach

ds). If the body isdestroyed before the berbalang can defend

ral spirit is also slain. For this reason, the berbalang

seclude and protect the resting place of its physical

Once per month, on the three days of the full moon, the berba-

this time, the

its trance slightly and manifests an exact duplicate

known as a projection. Once the projection isformed, it

t forthinsearchof theberbalanz'sonlvfood-afreshlv slain

The projection, which is controlled directly by the berbalang.

up to three miles from its body. If the projection must

I

If the projection is hit or suffers any injury during its quest fo

food, it takes flight at once and flees. As quickly as possible, th

berbalang guides its projection back to its resting place. If the p ro

jection is destroyed, there is a 75% chance that the shock to th

berbalang's system will prove to be fatal for it as well. If the pro

jection is only injured, but not slain, the berbalang cannot man

fest another for a number of days equal to the number of h

points it lost.

When the projection returns to its master, it is dissipated. Ad

venturers who have followed the projection to finish it off ma

well be shocked to find themselves confronted by a healthy be

balang.

If the berbalang isnot discovered and destroyed, it will eventu

ally seek to avenge itself upon those who interfered with its feed

ing. Although there may be a lull while the body of the berbalan

recovers from the shock of the attack on its projection and is ab1

to send forth another, retribution is a certainty.

If the projection was forced back to the body

or

destroyed be

fore it could find prey to feed upon, the berbalang will send fort

another, as soon as it is able, to satisfy its hunger (regardless o

the phase of the moon) before seeking its revenge.

Ecolopy: When the projection kills a human, it picks up th

corpseandbeginstoreturnwithit toitslair.Asitdoesso, thebe

balang itself awakens from

its

trance and the projection begins

t

feed on the body. By the time the projection has reached the be

balang's hiding place, the body has been all but stripped of fles

and the berbalang's hunger has been satisfied.

In order to avoid drawing attention to itself, the berbalang usu

ally moves its lair every three or four months. At this time,

moves only during the night and avoids any confrontation if

can. Thus actual contact with the berbalang itself, as opposed t

its projection, is minimal.

There

is

no record of anyone discovering how the berbalang

able to derive sustenance when only its projection feeds on th

slain humans

it

hunts. Likewise, the exact process by which th

berbalang is able to mate and reproduce when its only contac

with others of its species takes place in a spiritual form on the

As

tral plane remains a mystery.


10/68

Temperateor tropi

al

jungles

CL1-EmE-IN: and fow.te

4

.

-

. _ _ _

ALIGNMENT:

Neutral

DAMAGUATTACK

SPECIAL ATTACKS:

%e bhaergala isa large predator that roams temperate and tropical

jungles or woodlands in search of prey.

I t is

greatly feared by trav-

elers k a u s e of its londne.is for human, elven, and satyr prey.

A bhaergala looks something like a cross betw en a wolf and a

lion. although

i t is

clearly not related to either creature.

'

The

f u r

of

a

bhaergala gives oft

a

faint but unmistakable odor,

which has been described

as

smelling like fresh bread or biscuits.

The bhaergala can mimic the speech and songs

of

men and

elves with great skill. When hunting.

it

often uses this power to

lure them into an ambush. Most bhaergalas can speak the com-

mon tongue

of

men.

COAbat: A bhaergala usually attacks unsuspecting victims by

pouncing on them from a great height. The superior agility ot the

bhaergala enables i t to drop from as high as 60 feel without sus-

aming' damage. After that,

it

suffers d6 points

of

damage (up to

a maximum of 2Od6~or every ten feet i t falls.

When

i t

pounces on

a

victim, the bhaergala can strike

o n l y

with its claws during the

first

round. If these hit, however. they

intlict their maximum damage.

In normal combat, the creature lashes out with its two front

claws and tears at its foes with

its

powerful jaws. The bhaergala is

fearsome

in

combat and often rips great pieces of flesh from an

enemy, which are then dropped for later consumption. The

bhaergala has bern known to keep ripping apart a body that has

long since ceased fighting back.

The p,reat constitution

of

a bhaergala enables it to regenerate2

points of damage per day and gives it a + 3 bonus to all saving

throws vs. poison. Further. the creature has a

99*0

chance to sur-

vive a severe system shock.

The bhaergala has

a

limited ability to protect itself from magi-

cal attacks aswell.

U p to

four timesper day, thecreature can

t u rn

a

spell that has been directed against

it.

In these instances. the

power acts

just as

would

a

ring

of spell

tun t i i ig .

I t

is important to

note, however, that this is not an innate ability; it requires the

bhaergala to locus its attention and prevents

it

from taking any

other action that round.

van woodlands. It normally moves in on its prey from dow

so that its distinctive scent does not give it away before

strike.

When a bhaergala is encountered in the wilds, there is a

that it will not attack. The bhaergala are known for thei

love

of

song and music and can often be lulled to sleep b

ented singer or musician. The chance that a bhaergala can

dated in this manner depends upon its own belief that it

and free from any threat of attack. The base chance to

bhaergala to sleep is 25%. This is increased by 5% f the s

alone, by

5

per point of the singer's Charisma over

16,

15% if the singer is a professional or talented performer

bhaergala feels threatened, has been recently injured, at

or is hungry and on the hunt, then any attempt'at calmi

doomed to fail.

If lulled to sleep, the bhaergala naps for only ldlO rou

they never sleep for longer periods of time. When it awa

will likely give chase to the singer if it finds that he has

g

Ecolo~y:Bhaergala seek

out

others of

thej

When they do finda partner, they mate only

banks, sandbars, and

so

forth).

Six

mont

bhaergala gives birth to a litter of 2d4 cubs.

The parents remain together for just over a year to rai

progeny. As soon as the cubs make their first kill, they are

out from their parent's den and must go their own way.

the usual damage. When the last of the cubs is gone, the

also part company, never to meet again.

An adult bhaergala usually sleeps in the boughs of tall t

turning to its lair only rarely. This well-hidden den is of

caves, ruin, or similar place of desolation and serves as a

area for whatever items the bhaergala has collected ov

years. As a rule, there is little if any true treasure in the l

bhaergala. It often collects musical instruments and

makers, which are usually broken, from the bodies

of

its v


11/68

ingfish, Giant)

MATE/TERRAIN: Any swamp

Rar.3

-..

-

-

-

-

School

(up to 3 types per individual)

Nil

PPEARrmG:

nP P I

hCC.

ATTACK:

3-12

VALUE: 1,40075 HD)

3.W

(7HD)

tive of the more common lungfish that is

of the

hough often mistaken for a lizard, the bichir is actually

rks and similar fishes.

n their native envi-

They have strong jaws set with sharp white teeth and

pupil-less eyes. Their heads are broad and flat. Although

small scales, the hide of bichirs feels smooth to the

runs

down their backs to end in a broad,

ped tail.

:

when hunting on land,

a

bichir moves forward

a

snake does, until it reaches a point where it can

its prey.

As

it moves, it pauses frequently to sniff around

es, the bichir lunges forward to snap with its pow-

harp teeth. Despite the size of its maw, the bichir

by a creature that it can not overcome or if it is

ing its victim, the bichir can cast an entangle

This spell can be used as many as six times per day and has a

60

yards; it is otherwise identical to the priest's spell of

use of

the entangle spell to

from danger or to aid it in defeatinga creature more powerful

a natural resistance to magical spells

their effects, it greatly fears such attacks. When confronted

s that clearly have magical abilities, the bichir will ei-

e or, if that is impossible, attempt to ambush them.

Bichir are able to dwell with equal ease in wa-

d. They have lungs for breathing and swim bladders

ch like those of fish. When they move about in the water, they

ad strokes of their wide tail fins. On land, thev use

bodies behind them.) When on land, they must keep their sk

moist and so never stray far from water.

Bichir live in small schools, although only those on a hun

normally encountered. When hunting underwater, the bichir

its keen eyesight to track its prey. The favori te food of a bich

the flesh of lizard men, which they find to be a great delic

Bichir also enjoy a wide variety of frogs, fish, and insects. T

have been known to hunt large animals

as

well and can dev

creatures

as

large as a nine-foot-tallhumanoid,

Because of the unusual structure of their eyes, they can

clearly as far as

80

yards when submerged.

Of course,

unusu

murky

or

muddy water can greatly reduce the effective rang

their sight. On land, their eyes are far less effective, seeing

only 20 yards.

Conversely, their sense of smell is more acute on land tha

the water. When hunting out of the water, the bichir can sm

prey as far as

90

yards away.

In

the water, however, they can o

smell creatures within 20 yards.

When

in

the water,

a

bichir can also sense even the most min

of vibrations. In fact, bichir have been known to move towa

faint vibration whose source was as far as half a mile away.

Ecology: The bichir breeds whenever its swamps are floo

(by spring run-off, for example). Males and females have b

known to cross great distances to find each other for mating

The young, from

1

o

3

in number, are born three to six mon

after the mating. These newt-like creatures typically have an

mor

Class

of

8,

a movement rate of

3

on land (or

12

in the wa

and

2

or

3

Hit Dice. As a rule, their bite inflicts only Id 4

1

po

of damage. They can employ their ability to entangle only th

times per day, but they have their parents'

full

magic resistan

Although the bichir cannot talk and have no language of t

own, they have been known to emit an open-mouthed pan

noise that is quite unusual and can be heard for great distance

is believed that they

use

this sound to signal each other

or

att

ront fins to move about much


12/68

Temperate fresh

Rare

I

NO.APPEARING: 1

ARMORCLASS:

5

The bunyip isa large aquatic animal that ha

teristics of both seals and sharks. Unlike the

there is an 80 chance that it attacks the creature

moved and swallowed by the bunyip. The

OM

sh

which limb is lost in accordance with the exact

s

random manner.

(50

chance) entera feedingfri . nd begin attacking any

it comes across. In such cases, the bunyip receives a bonus

o

to its attack rolls. However, because the bunyip is unable to p

erly defend itself while in a feeding frenzy, its enemies also re

a bonus of +2 on their attack rolls.

HabitaVSodety: The bunyip is a solitary creature that sp

much of its time swimming about and harassing other creat

Bunyips prefer to dwell in open water, such as lakes

or

rivers

can sometimes be found in swamps and marshes.

The diet of a bunyip is made up primarily of fish and

aquatic creatures. From time to time, they have been know

lunge at creatures on the edge of the water or a t low-flying

and such, but this is done only when the local food supply is

Ecology: Once per year, a bunyip seeks out a mate and the

travel to the sea. Once they reach salt water, the female u

goes slight physiological changes and the actual mating oc

Three months later, she gives birth to a single pup that rem

with her

for

the first two years of its life. Shortly after the p

born, the father leaves, returning to his former home to awa

next mating season.

When the pup is old enough, the mother turns it out and

the father, returns to her former home. At this point, the pu

only 3 Hit Dice and its bite causes only ld 4 points of damag

all other ways, however, it is similar to its parents.

For the next three years, the pup will be too young to m

With the comingof its sixth year, however, it will join the bu

mating rituals.

Although bunyip meat is safe for human consumption, it

usually oily and rather strong tasting. Thus they are not hu

by most cultures.

The hide of a bunyip can be made into a rugged leather,

has no special qualities to set it above other, easier to hunt

mals. This being the case, the bunviu is also free from molest


13/68

h v

and I

, -- -

APPEARING:

1-4

CLASS:

P

.

look much like worm

e large, glistening black eyes and a sucking tube for a

d are a pair of tiny forelegs of considerable dexterity. With its

legs, a burbur can climb, grip. and manipulate objects. A bur-

will

be very bloated and mmewhat sluggish.

yellow in color and have soft, moist skin.

smelling like cinnamon.

consume many vari-

f slimes, mosses, and molds that might otherwise cause

hann

to other creatures.

Burburs are very gentle and harmless creatures as far

unanoid races are concerned. They feed only on slimes,

r mosses and are wholly unable to inflict damage on any

s to feed, a burbur simply crawls

out

onto the

begins to siphon up its meal. Each round that it feeds,

inflicts 2d4 points of damage to the slime, mold, or

consuming. Once the burbur has scoreda hit against the

A burbur ceases feeding after it has

thrice its

own

initial value.

example, a bmbur with 4 hit points will be sated after it

has

12 points of damage to its victim.

ur is utterly immune to the attacks of such creatures as

, obliviax moss, and brown, yellow, or russet

addition, it finds these creatures o be delicacies beyond

and violet fungi, although it finds these creatures utterly

I

HabitawSociety: Burburs wander constantly m search of

Although they are normally found alone, they have been kn

to gather in groups of as many as four ndividuals o feed on

gle slime, mold, or moss.

Once every year, usually in the spring, a burbur will beg

swell m size. At this point it develops a bdge at the end of it

which forms into a second head. As the second head forms, a

of forelegs begins to grow out from the body. Shortly there

the burbur splits in half to form

two

separate creatures.

The burbur ISmuch sought after by adventurers

k%?creatuies a useful ally when they do battle against s

and similar horrors. As a rule, burburs are extremely docil

do not attack their keepers or stray unless they are underfe

order to keep a burbur content

so

that it

does

not seek to e

its owner, it must be allowed to feed at least once per day.

In the marketplace, a captive burbur can be sold for as mu

1,000 gold pieces.

Although a small and defenseless creature like the bu

might normally be expected to fall victim to a wide varie

other predators, this is not the case. Most animals have lon

learned that eating a burbur can be a painful and, often, fata

take. If the burbur has recently fed, most creatures &at con

it are affected as if they had come into contact with the cre

the burbur recently fed upon. Thus those animals foolish or

gry

enough to devour a burbur have been weeded out by na

selection a long time ago.

Burburs often build small lairs that they visit from time to

to rest and recover from injuries.

As

a rule, these are locat

out-of-the-way places and, as often as not, are protected by

creature the burbur is immune to. For example, it is not un

mon for a burbur to seek refuge in the midst of a yellow m

creeper's coils.

A burbur isaffected n&mally by oozes. jellies. poi--{ ;

Gq22 . I

*?. .

.

.

vapors, and other creatures, as well as by spell attacks.

i

.

i

i

.>%'.'~,

,

. , <

-

. y

2

.*c,.:

,

5

,..:.

.:?$J&~.-

,


14/68

Crawling

I

ATTACKS:

is

frequently employed as a

mages

and priests who have learned the secret

itscreation.

No slngle description of a crawling claw is possible as they are

-t d o r m m

appearance. Since claws are the animated remains

hands or paws of living creatures, they are apt to be found in a

ot shapes and sizes.

When a claw detects a potential victim,

it

leaps to the

it

may not appear

to

be capable

of

ruch a feat,

great strength enables

it

to do

so.

The maximum distance a

is 15

eet.

Onceaclawlandsonitsvictim.

itattacksinoneoftwoways. If

is wearing metal armor. the claw delivers a powerful

ow that inflicts ld4 points

of

damage. Against those who are

armored (or only wearing leather) the claw can employ its

of

attack causes

points of damage.

In

some cases.

a

claw may be instructed to attempt to strangle

cyaof avictim.Inanysuchcase. theDMshould

of

the situation and determine how much.

i f

Claws are immune

to

any form of death magic or

raise

dead

a

resurrection

spell renders them immobile for a

of turns

equal to the level of the caster. Claws have the

to cham ,

sleep,

and

hold

spells that undead do,

to

turning.

control undead spells,

or

spells

make claws brittle so

to

damage them are increased by 1point per die.

Edged

weapons

inflict o n l y

half damage on a claw; all magical

eapons c a w damage

as

if

they were not enchanted

in a n y

way

hit

bonuses

still

apply).

. .

Crawling claws are nothing more t

paws

of

once-living creatures. As such, they

ve no culture or society to speak of. Despite this. crawling

Thistakestheformof a basictelepathiclink betweenallthe

of

a single "batch:' Whenever one claw finds a victim. all

others in the area who were made at the same time move

help it.

concert with each other to move large

use five pounds per claw as

a

reasonabl

can be moved.

In addition, claws that have been instructed to do so can

Ecology: Crawling claws can be created by any mage

or

who has knowledge of the techniiues required to do

so. To

with, the creatpr must assemble the severed limbs that are t

mated. The maximum number of claws that can be created

one time is equal

to

the level

of

the person enchanting them

hands

(or

paws) can be either fresh, skeletal, or

at

any stage

composition in between.

Claws can be controlled in one of two ways: directly or vi

grammmng. The manner of

a

claw's control must be spe

when it is created and cannot be changed thereafter.

All

claws in a particular batch must be controlled in the

manner.

Programmed claws are given

a

single, brief instructio

they attempt to carry out to the best of their ability. The

mum length

of

the programming, in words, is

15

plus the le

the creator. This programming sets the conditions under

the claw attack. A sample command might be: Kill ahyone

me who opens this chest.

Directly controlled claws are manipulated by the thoug

their creator. The mental effort of controlling claws is quite

and cannot be maintained for more than three consecutive r

without

a

one-round rest. Further, the range of such con

limited to ten feet plus five feet per level of the creator. A

controlling claws cannot undertake spellcadting or any oth

tivity. Injury to a controller does not break his control unle

consciousness results.

If

direct control is broken forsome r


15/68

Any subterranean

Verv rare

Chaotic neutral

. APPEARING:

1-4

CLASS: 3 (1)

DICE:

RESISTANCE:

Nil

L

(8'

long)

Elite (13-14)

VALUE:

1,400

are fiendish horrors that dwell in dark places far be-

the surface of the earth. They generally seek to kill those

u n l e s s

they can

think

up some other, more

way to punish interlopers.

common black cloak. The monster's

s of black eye spots

running

down it that look

and the two ivory-colored claws on its upper

be

mistaken for bone clasps.

urls itself and moves to attack, however, its true

all too obvious. At this point, its white underside

onstei's face is fully visible. This face, with the

of its

two

piercing, red eyes and the needle-like fangs that

is

a truly horrible sight. At this point, the monster

uncurls the whip-like tail at its trailing edge and begins to

it back and forth in anticipation.

When a cloaker strikes at its victim, it moves with

speed. Without warning, the cloaker flies at its target

ure that falls victim to this attack is all but help

s and can be bitten easily (no roll required) for ld4 points of

e plus the victim's unadjusted Armor Class. Thus, an ad-

5)

suffers ld4+5 points of damage

Shields offer no protection from such attacks.

ouring its chosen victim, the cloaker uses its two

tail attacks to inflict ld6 points of damage on those

e in to help rescue the captive. The tail is AC 1 and

can

off if

a total of 16points of damage are inflicted upon it.

ttacks made on the cloaker inflict half their damage to

as ireball,causefull damage to both the monster and

oaker can also emit a special subsonic moan of increas-

ities. Although this power is blocked by stone or other

be very effective in an open chamber.

of th is moan is to cause a -2 penalty to the victims' attack

damage rolls against the cloaker. Further, any creature th

forced to listen to the moan for six consecutive rounds is tem

rarily forced into a trance that renders it unable to attack o

fend itself as long as the moaning continues.

The second intensity of moaning acts as a

fear

spell. All

tures within

30

feet of the cloaker must roll a succ ~~ sfua

throw vs. spell

or

flee in terror for two rounds.

The third intensity of moaning causes nausea and weak

and affects all those in a cone 30 feet lonq and

20

feet wide

open end. Anyone caught in this area must roll a successful

ing throw vs. poison or be overcome by nausea and weaknes

ld4+1 rounds. During t h i s time, those who fail their sa

throws are unable to act in any manner.

The fourth and final intensity of moaning acts as a hold pe

spell. This power can be used on only one person at a time, h

range of 30 eet, and lasts for five rounds.

Each of the various effects of the cloaker's moan can be de

ed by the

use

of a

neutralize

poison

spell on a victim.

Cloaken also have the power to manipulate shadows. Kn

as shadow shifting, this power can be used in a number of w

but in only one particular manner at any given time. The clo

can employ its shadow shifting ability to obscure its oppon

vision, thus bettering its Armor Class to

1.

Or the creature

produce precise images from the shadows that can be use

trick its adversaries. One common means of employing thes

ages is to create a duplicate of the doaker to draw away en

attacks. If this method of shadow shifting is employed, it ca

treated as a mirror image spell that creates ld4+2 images.

A light spell cast directly at a specific cloaker blinds it and

vents it from using its shadow shifting powers.

HabitaVSociety: The thought processes of doakers are ut

alien to most other life forms. As such, they can only be com

nicated with by mages who have devoted long hours to tra

their minds in the arcane discipline necessary to understand


16/68

Darkenbeast

LIMATE/TERRAIN: Anv I

I

The darkenbeast, also known as the death

mal that has been magically transformed

Combat: The darkenbeast attackswith either its fa

gs

or

a

com-

bination of angs and claws. The bite inflicts3d4 p

,"

nts of dam-

Darkenbeasts suffer a -1 penalty to their attack I

age while each claw causes

ld4

points.

posed to bright light.

. .

These creatures operate under the telepathic direction of the

mage who created them and thus do not check for morale. They

are immune to mind- or monsteriontrolline svells. The" cannot

I

be summoned by another wizard. However, if a d rkenbeast is

ordered to attack its normal master (for xamrrle.

a

8 e

s

owner)

the beast resists the order

if

it rolls a succesdh sav&-throw v

soell. In this case. the creature remains as a dark beast but it

again acts as its normal self and obeys its true mast r

t .

(Le., at night orindoors).The transformation lasts

exposed to daylight; at that time any living or dead

revert to their natural form.

Darkenbeasts automatically obey the telepathic commands

of

their cwator. thus thev

do

not need to be trained or controlled

bv

Regardless

of

the nature

of

the original animals use

darkenbeasts are carnivorous. Because the spell uses

loc

mals, the mage gains several advantages over using other, p

nent beasts. He can replace his creations

as

needed; because

daylight reversion, darkenbeasts leave little trace

of

their

ence; adventurers who slay the monsters face the wrath

livestock's proper owners when they discover their animals

Ecology: Darkenbeasts are useful when a mage needs al

distractions to use against a foe. Mages dwelling in subterr

regions away from daylight may keep

a

permanent p

darkenbeastsas guard animals.

Create Darkenbeast

4th-Level Wizard Spell

(Alteration)

Range:

10

yards/level

Components: V,

S,

M

Duration: Special

Casting time: 4

Area of Effect: Special

Saving throw: None

This spell enables a mage to transform one or more mam

into darkenbeasts. The animals to be transformed must a

within a 20-foot-diameter circle. The spell automaticall

fects ordinary, nonmagical mammals of animal or s

intelligence. Animals with an Intelligence

of 5

or more g

saving throw to resist the spell. Only animals

of

2 Hit Di

less are affected by this spell. Humans, humanoids, and d

humans are immune. The mage can transform one anima

each level of his experience.

The spell can be cast only in darkness Le., night, insid

underground) and its effects last until daylight strikes

darkenbeast, At that time, the creature automatically re

to its true form. Slain darkenbeasts

also

revert at this t

The spellsun ay or a magical sun sword breaks the spell, b


17/68

Crimson

RAIN: Bogs, swamps

Neutral

evil

1

I I I I I S U ~ucdoi 1s

a

maievoienr, vaporous creature mat rems

ly fluids of its victims.

of the crimson death isa humanoid-shaped cloud of

It is difficult to distinguish if seen against fog and

to infravision. During this time, the creature has

bonus of

+ 4 .

When the creature is fed, it develops a

visible by normal or infravision. The

humanoid features. The fingers elongate into ten-

s when it is feeding.

's language

is

a barely audible series

of

whis-

It can communicate with other vaporous beings such as air

es with humanoids only

i

it

is

their

.

i t :

ine monster attacks only to

tew

or aetend melt. It

nds its victim with vaporous tentacles. Whenever it hits,

....

t a c h

drain bodily fluids and cause 3 d l O points of damage.

0) nd can be struck

+2

or better. After feeding, the crea-

4) for six turns. At this time the creature

moves more slowly(FI6 ) ,and can be struck by magical

+1

or better.

imson death dies, it immediately dissipates into the

a grotesque

carry loads by levitating anything

its vaporous mass. Despite its vaporous nature,

esses strength equal to a normal human. It

t equal to an adult human. If it at-

s to pick up a struggling victim, it must make a successful

k roll for each round it carries the person. Failure means the

o the ground (suffering damage appropriate to the

f the fall).

The crimson death dwells in the boes and

The crimson death is a secretive creature. It prefers to feed

solitary beings, since these are easy to sneak up on and have

allies to lend them support. If several people are present, thecri

son death tries to pick off the guard while the others sleep; it th

feeds on the others at its leisure. In order to conceal its presen

the crimson death disposes of corpses in its lair or a deep bog

It maintains a lair in a thicket, undercut bank, or a hollo

space under a windfall. There the monster stores the valuable

collects from its victims. These can

be

used as bribes for huma

oid allies or bait for intended victims. The lair may also conta

the remairis of past victims.

The crimson death prefers to feed on humanoids. It norma

requires one victim per week. If more people are available, t

monster may feed continuously until destroyed or driven off.

Legends tell of a connection between crimson deaths and ya

pires. One tale suggests that, when an undead vampire is d

stroyed, its spirit is transformed into

a

crimson death. Anoth

tale suggests that, when a vampire is created, the monster's l

soul is reborn elsewhere as a crimson death. This legendalso su

gests that a vampire may be restored to normal life if it is rejoin

by its crimson death counterpart. A third legend says that e

tremely evil air elementals are condemned and cast

Prime Material plane in the forms of crimson death:

Ecology: The crimson death is a dangerous predator that roa

the swamps like

a

lii-ing ghost. A crimson death can be collec

and imprisoned in an airtight container. This does not harm it.

crimson death in such a container may be mistaken for, or m

labeled as, a bottled djinn or magical vapor. If someone relea

the crimson death, the starving creature immediately attacks

unwitting rescuer.

Crimson deaths are aware of the advantages of alliances. Th

may agree to cooperate with evil humanoids who can provi

them with a steady supply

of

victims. They make excellent all

for those dwelline in

or

near their lairs.

.

,

, .

.

,,

.~ ..

,

s where chill and damp prevail. The creature is nearl)


18/68

Dinosaurs

("lizard-hipped dinosaurs") and ornithischians

osaurs"). All carnivorous dinosaurs fall into t

homed dinosaurs fall into the

an be found intermingled on some alternat

ing creatures encountered by adventurers.

Wh

re drab or blend in with their surroundings

are some of the smaller reptile spe

their own. Once hatched, the baby dinosaur immediately

to findsomething toeat, aninstinct that drivesit for itsen

An individual might range over thousands of miles, mov

sonally to find food, or it might settle down and spend it

life in an area of only a few hundred square yards. Some

dinosaurs are territorial, attacking outsiders on sight.

Ecology: Placing dinosaurs into a campaign requires n

planning-and

no

less-than that required fo r includ

other type of monster. Scientists do not clearly understa

dinosaurs disappeared on some worlds, but i those eve

not occurred, these giant reptiles would still be roaminz a

search of food.

Dinosaur Family Tree: Faced with only an alphabetica

it can be difficult to determine the interrelationshipsbetw

various species described here. The following paragraph

the creatures listed here into family groupings.

The dinosaurs proper include the ornithischians and

chians, distinguishedfrom each other by the underlying s

their hip bones. Other relatives in

the

followingpages inc

pterosaurs, or flying reptiles.

A few fishes and turtles have

also

found their way in

pages, on account of their ferocity, size, and primitive sta

velopment.

han tho&

of

their larger cousins, but the teeth are every bit as

Most herbivorous dinosaurs defend themselves with built-

Fishes: Dinichrhys

ReDtiles: These

inLAuur ay . IVYDIW I

IIIcIuIIIa

llylLIca a

ng or sheer sue, but even these can

. .

toises), ichthyosaurs, placodonts, plesiosaurs, and lac

(lizards), as well as the archosauromorphs and the lat

dinosaurs"-the saurischians and ornithischians, and the

tives the thecodontians and pterosaurs.

Synapsids: These forerunners

of

the mammal-like

include the pelycosaurs and therapsids.

Pelycosaug: Dimetrodon

Chelonia (turtles and tortoises): Archelon

Ichthvosaurs: lhmodontosaurus

us dinosaurs are likewise insatiable eaters, but they tend either

ignore anything that appears both inedible and nonthreaten-

Placodonts: Nothosaurus

Plesiosaurs: Elasmosaurus, vlesiosaur

nd these sorts are dangerous, notably the ste

The larger marine dinosaurs might overturn

he "fo od aboard, or they might snatch

u s u s

of passing

ships. Land carnivores

hat looks or smells edible, ceasing pursuit

on1

re out, but dinosaurs could

be

found virtual1

Most dinosaurs are solitary in their habi

Lacertilians (li :Mosasaurus

Archosauromt Tanystropheus

Thecodontian.; I lese include the ear

Omithosuchians: Euparkeria

Pterosaurs: Pteranodon, pterosaurus

Saurischians: These include the coelurosaurs (ance

the birds), carnosaurs, prosauropods, and sauropod

ch

as

the omithosuchians.

Coelurosaurs: Compsognathus, deinonychus, p

saurus, struthiomimus

Camosaua: Allosaurus (antrodemus), cer ak

dilophosaurus, megalosaurus, teratosaurus, t

saurus

Prosauropods: Anchisaurus, massospondylu

teosaurus

Sauropods Brachiosaurus, brontosaurus (ap

NS), camarasaurus, cetiosaums, diplodocus, m

chisaurus

Ornithischians: These include the ceratopians, ornith

stegosaurs, and ankylosaurs.

Ceratopians: Monoclonius, pentaceratops, s

saurus, triceratops

Omithopods: Camptosaurus, iguanodo


19/68


20/68


21/68


22/68


23/68


24/68

I

I

AIIosaurus to Archelon

I

Paleodnthus

er. This plant eater m

Archelon (Ischyras),

than

being formed of solid plates. With its powerful fr

NS, this flesh lizard is

k n o w n

to eat carrion.

hlchisam

the anchimums will not start a fight.

tail, delivering

blows of

considerable force.


25/68

)saunas

to C .mptosnurus

1-6 1-6

2-a

2-16

of damage.

ods. This great creature is the largm

of 75

feet given above is an

a

some relatives of the

as 130

feet long. The brachiosaurus ca

100 feet long and 150 tons.) To s

s spends literally all of its

in its way (causing 4d10 poin

of the brontosaur

is

65 feet

n two feet of that-a man w

six

feet tall, but have a he

tips the scale at a me

:c.

...

. .

.

..

The front legs of the brontosaurus are shorter than those in

rear. like all sauropods except the brachiosaurus. This configu

tion enables sauropods to get up on their back feet to reach

topmost leaves

of

a tree. The brontosaurus could also

use

t

ability to fight against its principal enemy, the allosaurus. T

thunder lizard could

t i l t

itself up on its long back legs, then co

crashing down onto its enemy to inflict MI0 points of damag

The brontosaurus's tail can be whipped, causing ld6 points

damage to any foe close enough.

Camarasaurur

Yet another sauropod, this swampdwelling herbivore

is

small

its

type. Itsfearfulnaturecausesit tolivein herdswithits fellow

but the creature stillpanics more easily than does a brontosauru

Stepping or trdmpling damage

is

3d10 points.

Despite being a sauropod, the camarasaurus tends to eat fe

and leaves

of

lower branches,

M it

does not compete for fo

with

its

larger cousins. Herds of camarasauri tend to migrate

s

sonally,

so

can bc found almost anywhere. depending on the ti

of the year.

To help digest its food, the camarasaums swallows roc

which help grind vegetable matter in

its

large stomach, lik

birds gizzard. Presumably, valuable genu might be found in a

marasaums's belly, but searching for one would

be

like look

for a needle in a haystack.

Camplosaurus

This slow, exceptionally dumb iguanodont is easy prey

for

a

hungry predator, typically too stupid to ~ u l lntil one

of

its nu

ber is killed. Anyone caught in

a

stampede of thew creatures m

roll

a successful saving throw vs. death ray or be crushed

.A

herd consists of small, medium, and large individua


26/68

Ceratosaurus to Deinonvchus e i

TREASURE:

ALIGNMENT:

The ceratosaurus, or “horn lizard,” is a carnosaur related to the

allosaurus and tyrannosaurus rex, but smaller in siz

.

Both heavy

andfast, theceratosauruscanmoveonallfoursor its two hind

This carnivore is unusual in that it has a horn on ts nose, hut it

does not

use

the horn for attacking-in fact, only ales have this

horn. (Those who have trouble telling dinosaurs part have no

trouble with the ceratosaurus.) The back of this cre ture also dis-

tinguishes it from other carnosaurs, for a thin line

f

bony plates

runs

from the top of the ceratosaurus’shead do to the end of

his tail,

making

the dinosaur’s back look like a gia t saw blade.

s

hunts in

packs, and is thus able to bring

down

creatures mu

i

larger than

legs.

itself.

Also unlike the larger carnosaurs, the ceratosa

Compsognhthus

Compsognathus is a very small carnivorous dinosaur, a

size of a chicken.(In act, compsognathus

IS

elated to th

known birds-if it had wings and feathers, it might be a

These &eatures often hunt in groups. Their small siz

them to hide, even

m

packs, and surprise prey-others

penalties to their surprise roll. Attacks at night might

sleeping prey, as the compsognathus tends to be noctur

When hunting alone, the compsognathus usually ea

and insects.

Deinonychu

This fast carnivore uses speed, its long, grasping fore

large teeth, and its hind legs with ripping talons in terrib

nation. It hunts by running at prey, leaping, and delive

ting rakes with its rear legs as

it

claws and bites. The jum

talon attack is gains a

+

2 bonus to the attack roll and del

points of damage. When attacking a larger creature, the

chus often jumps up on top of it, holding on with its fro

while continuing it$ horrible raking attacks.

The deinonychus has a relatively large brain for a din

these pack attacks are often successful.

Despite being 12 eet long, this dinosaur is only abou

tall. Its tail extends straight out behind it, held aloft by

cate structure of bony supports, thus allowing its

150

p


27/68

Da"

I

not a dinosaur, it thrives in the same marine habitats a

saurs, for example-its young are born live at sea, and

dontosaurus must come to the surface to breathe.

its

p

fer

of

its kind, see

Its speed and ferocity allow it to compete fearlessly for cho

This dinosaur is another sauropod, like the brachiosaurus, th


28/68

Elasmosaurus

to

Iguanodon ~'

TREASURE: Nil Nil

Nil Nil

ALIGNMENT:

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

NO.AFTEARING:

1-2

2-8 1-2

3-18

ARMOR CLASS:

7

5

5

4

1 0

with its head below water but its neck held above.

When the elasmosaurus spots its prey, it snaps it1 head down

Like the ichthyosaur, the elasmosaurus has no g~

1s.

and must

breathe air by swimming to the surface or stretchin its head

up

above the water. The elasmosaurus must crawl entir ly out of the

suddenly upon i t.

and of cot se the crea-

The elasmosaurus is carnivorous and highly aggr ssive.

I

A s m a l l

dinosaur, probably ancestor to the large4 carnosaurs,

such as tyrannosaurus rex and allosaurus, the carnivorous

euparkeria is about the size

of

a small dog.

victims

is

wounded.

it

isable to stand up on its hind legs and

run

a shorl distance.

While the euparkeria normally walks on all fours, if threatenei

G O ~ O ~ ~ U N S

This horrid creature lis probably another ancestor of tyra

NS rex. The gorgos4urus

is

a fleet, carnivorous dinosaur

aggressive instincts.

Iguanodon

The iguanodon is a more primitive dinosaur that walk

fours, but it can stretch up to reach vegetation that looks

larly appealing. The1 creature looks much like a small sau

about

15

feet tall an

30

feet long, weighing in at only fi

Typically traveli

4

herds, the iguanodon runs from

voles, but

if

corneretl it can employ its thumb spikes and

tail to defend itself.


29/68

t Megalosaurus

Wessospond

\Til

\Til

2-16

1

I 1-A 11 A

RES

I

legs.

saurus is one of the most commo

the lambeosaurus has powerful teeth

of this dinosaur grow

Megalosr

Solitary

Nil

Nil

Another common dinosaur, this seemingly peaceful herbivo

well equipped with long, sharp teeth fo r defensive biting

attacked-a common occurrence, for the beast is a favorit

such carnosaurs as tyrannosaurus, deinonychus,

allosaurus-the massospondylus delivers swift bites and t

runs away.

While this dinosaur's front claws

look

like formidable we

ons, with five long fingers and a sharp spike on the thumb,

massospondylus uses these hands only to gather vegetable m

rial for food. Like the camarasaurus, the massospondylus sw

lows stones to help grind the food that it eats.

The massospondylus is stupid, and any approach by stra

creatures might be interpreted as an attack.

Megalosaurus

The megalosaurus is another carnosaur, like the allosaurus

tyrannosaurus, but is smaller-30 feet long, ten feet tall,

weighing only one ton. While it is as able as its larger cousin

functioning bipedally, the megalosaurus often travels on

f o t m

sauro

lodocus, but much longer and

re uses its 35-foot-long nec

len d-t o browse the foliage at the

ck of any naturally occ

19

neck ve

are held together by bony struts,

bend

its neck except at the he

brontosaurus

.

This swamp

half

of

itsun-

of nearly any

The megalosaurus eats sauropods, like the mamenchisau

above, principally using its large jaws and teeth to bring do

any unsuspecting victim. The claws of the megalosaurus, w

sharp, are capable of causing only incidental damage to such

of the mamen-

immense crea-


30/68


31/68

.

..

. ..

Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

PPEARING: 5-20 1-3 3-12 3-18

1 I5

19

17 13

or o reach the leafy crowns of ferns, pal

plant-aters are fairly heavy (about ei

panicky.

ruthlessly pursues any creature it perce

their fine Armor Class.

if driven

by hunger.

Pteranodon

Although this flying reptile typically dives

for

marine prey,

tacks anv creature that amears to be vulnerable. The oterano

has no teeth, but spears victims with its beak if they are too l

to swallow at a ZUID

The beak of atypical pteranodon is about four feet long.

creature weighs only

40

to

50

pounds, but it can carry off

four times its own weight.

Pterosaums

This ghastly looking creature has a ten-foot-long snakelike

and long jaws-truly a nightmare to behold. Even thoug

lower jaw has no teeth, it can inflict great wounds when sw

ing upon prey. The size of this dinosaur's shadow approaches

of the roc, which has a slightly larger wingspan of

60

feet..

The pterosaurus swoops down on prey from high in the

thus causing a

-3

penalty to opponents' surprise roll.

If

the p

saurus surprises an opponent, it has swooped down at do

speedtoattack(witha +4bonustoitsattackroll), andanyd

age thus inflicted is doubled. Although a pterosaurus weighs

about

75

pounds, it can carry prey of three or four times

weight.

The pterosaurus is the dinosaur soulmate of the vulture; th

ant flyer will eat carrion if nothing else suitable presents itse


32/68

of the ornithischians, the stegosaurus,or ”plated lizard,”

a large, very stupid herbivorous dinosaur with agpessive de-

nses.

t thrives nearly anywhere and is often found in plains

or

Its great plates allow the creature to defend90% of the

withfourormorebonyspikesofone

two

feet in length, has its own brain. The Stegosaurus

ear continually toward an enemy, while tucking its head

If anything near it

seems

hreatening, it reacts in this man-

creature

looks

ike

a stegosaurus with long, sharp spikes in-

es along its back and tail. It is an aggressive defender,

mainly in areas of heavy vegetation. When &tacked, its

allows it a 75% probability of being AC 3. Attack-

likely to have to suffer an attack resulting in Id8

hen striking at this dinosaur’s neck, back, or tail

nually t u rn itself so that its lashing tail can

o be a cross between a stegosaurus and a

om neck to hip sockets. Behind this, sharp, backward-pointing

to the tail tip, which it keeps turned towaid enemies,

s attackine its rear third have a 25% chance of sufferine

StNth iOlUhUS

The struthiomimus s wmivorous. It has to be very hungry

tack men, but smaller humanoids and demihumans look de

any time. It prefers ateas of tall grass as its habitat.

Styracosaurus

An aggressive plant-eater, styracosaurus charges at an

threatening. The ban? plate gives the head area an AC

of

there is a 50% chanck that anything attempting to bite it

portions is stabbed by one or more of the sharp frills of th

plate, each hill inflictihg ld6 points

d

amage,

1-3

frills po

striking. If styracosaurus charges, it tramples smaller crea

inflicting 2d8 points

c

damage.

Tanystmpheus

Resembling a snake with thin, projecting legs, the rear set w

for swimming, about half the length of tanystropheus is ne

head. The relatively shal l head and jaws are long, the latte

with many sharp teeth. This carnivore lurks along river

through the waters. Tanystro

others suffer a

-6

penalty to

with surprise, tanystropheus

the victim is under 500 pou

into the water to further attac

devour i


33/68

fierce carnivore found mainly

t

on

dry land

The teratosaurus is another c

o

be edible. This

a w s rex.

The triceratops also uses ik horns

so it is not unusual

to

on their heads.

for dominance


34/68

Dracolich

kUhlAIEJTERRAIN See below

FREQUENCY:

ORGANEATION:

Solit

TREASURE:

B.

H.

S.

T

ALIGNMENT: Evil (any)

NO.APPEARmG 1

ARMOR CLASS: See below

xs

per tormer dragon type

As

per former dragon type

HACO:

gory and also possesses a natural c

Combat:

Dracoliches are immune to

ponents than it did in its original

form;

pponents must rol

saving throws vs. spell with a -1 penalty (in addition t

other relevant modifiers) to resist the dracolichs fear aura

gaze of the dracolich's glowing eyes can also paralyze crea

within 40 yards if they fail their saving throws (creatures

level lor

6

Hit Dice] or higher gain a

+ 3

bonus to their,s

throws).

If

a creature successfully saves against the gaze of

colich, it is permanently immune to the gaze of that part

dracolich.

The attack routine

of

a dracolich is similar to that

of

its or

form; for example, a dracolich that was originally a green d

will bring down a weak opponent with a series of physic

tacks, but it will stalk more formidable opponehts, attacki

an opportune moment with its breath weapon and spells.

All physical attacks, such as clawing and biting, inflic

same damage as the dracolichs original form, plus 2d8 poi

chilling damage.

A

victim struck by a dracolich who fails a s

throw vs. paralyzation is paralyzed for Zd6 rounds. Immun

cold damage, temporary or permanent, negates the chilling

age but not the paralyzation. Dracoliches cannot drain life l

All dracoliches can attempt undead control (as per a

PO

undead control) once every three days on any variety of u

with 60 yards. The undeads saving throws against this powe

fer a -3 penalty; if the undead control is successful, it las

one turn only. While undead control is in use, the dracolich

not use other spells. If the dracolich interrupts its undead co

beforeit has been used for a full turn, the dracolich must stil

three days before the power can be used again.

returns to its host,

If

there is no corpse in range for it to PO

the spirit is trapped in the host until such a time-if ever-

corpse becomes available.

A

dracolich

is

difficult to destr

can be destroyed outright by power word, kill or a similar sp

its spirit is currently contained i

when a suitable corpse is not within range effectively d

dracolich. Likewise, an active dracolich is unable to a

If a dracolich or proto-dracolich is slain, its spirit immed


35/68

Dracolich

HabitaVSociety: The creation of a dracolich is a complex proc-

ess involving the transformation of an evil dragon by arcane

magical forces, the most notorious practitioners

of

which are

members of the Cult

of

the Dragon. The process is usually a coop-

erative effort between the evil dragon and the wizards, but espe-

cially powerful wizards have

been

known to coerce an evil

dragon to undergo the transformation against its will.

Any evil dragon is a possible candidate for transformation, al-

though old dragons or older with spell-casting abilities are prefer-

red. Once a candidate is secured, the wizards first prepare the

dragon’s host, an inanimate object that will hold the dragon’s life

force.Thehostmustbeasoliditemofnotlessthan2,OWgpvalue

resistant to decay (wood, for instance, is unsuitable). A gemstone

is commonly used for a host, particularly ruby, pearl, carbuncle,

and jet, and is often set in the hilt of a sword or other weapon.

The host is prepared by casting

enchant

an item upon it and

speaking the name of the evil diagon; the item may resist the spell

by successfully saving vs. J peuas an 11th-level wizard.

If

the spell

is resisted, another item must be used for the host. If the spell is

not resisted, the item can then function as a host. If desired,

glas-

steel

can be cast upon the host to protect it,

Next, a special potion is prepared for the evil dragon to con-

sume. The exact composition

of

the potion varies accordmg to

the age and type of the dragon, but it must contain precisely seven

ingredients, among them a pohon of evildragon control, a potion

of invulnerability,

and the blood of a vampire. When the evil

dragon consumes the potion, the results are determined as fol-

lows (roll percentile dice):

Roll Result

01-10 N o effect.

11-40

Potion does not work. The dragon suffers 2d12

points of damage and is helpless with conwl-

sions for

1-2

ounds.

Potion dws not work. The dragon dies.

A

full

wish

or similar spell is needed to restore the

dragon to life; a wish to transform the dragon

into a dracolich results in another roll on this

table.

41-50

51-00 Potion works.

If the potion works, the dragon’s spirit transfers to the host, re-

gardless of the distance b& w m the dragon’s body and the host.

A dim light within the host indicates the presence of the spirit.

While contained in thehost, the spirit cannot take any actions; It

cannot be contactednor attacked by magic. The spirit can remain

in the host indefinitely.

Once the spirit is contained in the host, the host must be

brought

within

90

eet of a reptilian corpse; under no circum-

stances can the spirit

possess

a living body. The spirit‘s original

body is ideal, but the corpse

of

any reptilian creature that died or

was killed within the previous

30

days is suitable.

The wizard who onginally prepared the host must touch the

host, cast a magic

ar

spell while speaking the name of the dragon,

then touch the corpse. The corpse must fail a saving throw vs.

spell for the spirit t o successfully possess it; if it saves, it will never

accept the spirit. The following modifiers apply to the roll:

- 10

i

the corpseis the spirit‘s o w n former body (which can be

dead for any length of time).

- 4 if

the corpse is of the same alignment as the dragon.

- 4 if

the corpse

is

that of a true dragon (any type).

-

if the comse is that

of

a firedrake, ice lizard, w e m , or fire

lizard.

If the corpse accepts the spirit, it becomes animated by the sp

If the animated corpse is the spirit’s former body, it immedia

becomes a dracolich; however, it will not regain the use

o

voice and breath weapon for another seven days (note that it

not be able to cast spells with verbal components during

time). At the end

of

seven days, the dracolich regains the

Documents

Monstrous Compendium (1)