Merry Christmas, y'all!

It's very unlikely that I'll be posting anything new over the next week to week and a half or so, so enjoy the holiday!

Fantasy Hack: Appendix III

Timischburg is a small part of a sample setting in which a game of FANTASY HACK could be played.  The gist of it is that it is a region meant invoke Gothic horror themes and tone into sword & sorcery fantasy gaming.  In other words, if Bram Stoker's Dracula and H.P. Lovecraft's Arkham country were brought into a The Lord of the Rings pastiche and then played as if it were Brendan Frasier’s The Mummy, Timischburg would be the result.  Timischburg isn't just Transylvania and Dracula, however.  Pretty much any kind of Gothic or even many versions of modern horror are welcome here and meant to fit.  Vampires are an important element.  So are ghosts and hauntings, werewolves, Frankenstein-style monsters, and there's even a city that's obviously meant to be Lovecraft's Innsmouth, complete with Deep Ones at the bottom of a vast inland sea.

The history of the nation is forged in conflict; the world's greatest necromancer is from Timischburg, and he ruled it with an iron fist for generations.  Although now defeated many generations ago, the legacy of this brutal occupation by the undead casts an indelible pall over the entire region.  The Black Path, a cult that seeks to restore this rule, while deemed both treasonous and heretical, of course, yet seems to flourish in the underworld.  Various other threats loom over the benighted land and its long-suffering inhabitants, and it is widely rumored that most of the various named noble clans are headed by vampires who drink from the blood of their peasant vassals to sustain themselves.

Timischburg  1 hex = 5 miles

Haunted Forest - infamous as the redoubt of a group of woses who brook no trespassers.  Very dangerous to pass through; makes an effective barrier to the world beyond to the north.

Eltdown Fens - actually fens, ings and carrs—all a former lake that is gradually disappearing into marsh.  Rumors have it that the Lost Lake still hides somewhere in the fens, and that as it dries, the ruins of a fabulously ancient benighted city will reveal themselves.  Named for the nearby hamlet of Eltdown.

Eltdown - a small, suspicious little hamlet that has been here since before the rise of the modern nation.  Infamous for a number of inscribed pottery shards found nearby that, when partially translated, proved to be terrifying works of darkest occult provenance.

Thursewood - another dense forest, infamous for the ferocious thurses, or beastmen, who inhabit it.  Even more dangerous than the Haunted Forest.

Mittermarkt - in the shadow of a Lone Mountain, Mittermarkt is most famous for its Academy.

Vetala County - the lands that belong to the Vetala clan.  Mittermarkt is located within.

Strix County - rural, agrarian lands that belong to the Strix clan.  They have no major cities, but the land is dotted with many farming villages and hamlets.

Innsburough - on the shore, technically claimed by the Baron of Strix.  This decrepit fishing town is shunned even by the citizens of an already frightening country.

Vyrko County - lands claimed by the Count of House Vyrko.

Ialomita - a prosperous village not terribly far from Baron d’Vyrko's castle.  Was once the site of the Hellvault Prison, which burned to the ground a number of years ago; the ruins are rumored to be haunted.

Nosferatu County - lands of House Nosferatu.

Grozavest - belongs to no county, but is the capital of the entire nation.  Located along the Black River, its most impressive physical features include the fact that it is always night in city and for many miles around it, an astronomically improbable occurrence to say the least, and the large sealed crater in the center of the city where Tarush the charnel pagan god is, according to legend, buried after his fall along with the Primogenitor Vampires.

Bitterwood - a large, forested part of Ubyr County where the nobles and well heeled often hunt.  Rumored to be frequented by werewolves who remain undiluted from the Ancient Days.

Ubyr County - lands of the Ubyr clan.

Rusalka County - lands of the Rusalka clan.

Dracul County - lands of House Dracul.

Orlok County - lands of House Orlok.

Veszok - large coastal city in Orlok County.

Inganok - relatively large city associated with the onyx mining operations in the nearby chain of volcanic hills and mountains.  Has a very high population of Cursed.

Prezov - city that grew around the castle of the Lord of House Dracul, one of the largest in the country and a rival, in many ways, to Grozavest itself.

Dragomiresti - site of a former town which is now abandoned; a terrible massacre during a three-way House War between Dracul, Ubyr and Orlok.  The conflict was resolved in the capital, but the site of the former town sits still abandoned.

Sighing Farms - farmland worked by slaves and serfs who lived in and around Dragomiresti.  For many years, the farms were undermanned due to the House War.  This resulted in widespread shortages and even famines across the country, but the Sighing Farms are gradually being reclaimed and reworked.  Many of them remain overgrown with weeds and wild beasts.

This list of locations that are charted on the map is not, of course, meant to be exhaustive.  Other cities or towns could easily be worked in all over the place, and hamlets and villages are assumed to be ubiquitous, although largely unshown on this map.  Other features such as additional rivers, brooks, streams, creeks, etc., hill lands, cliffs and bluffs, downs, wetlands, woods, are also assumed to exist that are not shown.

This map can also be used in conjunction with the wilderness exploration rules of Appendix I to create a "hexcrawl" type game where players explore the countryside.

Fantasy Hack: Appendix II

Because of the simplicity of the rules and the consistent structure that they have, it is fairly easy to "hack" or modify them to taste.  While the basic rules are meant to replicate a bit more faithfully "the most famous role-playing game in the world" in terms of their implied setting, I’ve used the rules for settings that are more divergent, and used some different rules as such.  These are now added as examples of the kind of modifications that you can make yourself to use these rules for your own personal settings, or to use as is.  They change very little of how the game itself works, but there are significantly expanded rules for more races and classes in particular.

New Races
Several of these races are listed as monsters.  There isn’t really a philosophical difference between a "monster" and an antagonist, however.  If it fits with your GM’s setting and expectations for the campaign, it might be conceivable that certain "monstrous" non-humans are entirely appropriate for use as PC races as well.  Many of these are not appropriate to the tone of every game, however, which is why they are relegated to the Appendices rather than presented as part of the basic rules.

• Goblin: Small, often perceived of by others as ugly and untrustworthy, goblins are to orcs much the same as halflings are to humans.  They usually have a greenish or brownish leathery skin, pointed ears and teeth, and average 3-4 feet tall.  They are rangy and wiry most of the time.  +1 DEX and a +2 to the Subterfuge skill.
• Jann: The jann present themselves as humans with just a touch of ifrit ancestry, which affects their physical appearance, personality and abilities.  The jann have brick-red skin, but pale, wispy yellow-orange hair that dances around their heads like a flame.  They have piercing yellow eyes, and tend to be hot-headed and passionate in their personality.  The jann gain a +1 to any 2 skills, and also have the fire strike ability; they can infuse one attack per day with the power of the ifrit and their weapon will burst into flame doing an additional 2d6 damage for 5 rounds.
• Kemlings: Like the jann, the kemlings are humans with just a touch of exotic ancestry, in this case daemonic.  This has not allowed the kemlings to be seen as desirable or trustworthy neighbors by others, so in the past, they had powerful Imperial polities in the north.  Those days are past, and the old kemling empire, Baal Hamazi, is now a Balkanized land of warring city-states.  In many, the kemlings no longer hold social and political sway as much as they did in the past, as the formerly oppressed human (and other) underclasses have wrested power from them.  Many kemlings have fled the turmoil in their homeland and now live elsewhere as part of a massive kemling diaspora.  Kemlings have soot dark skin, tiny horns poking up through their hair, and yellow "predator" eyes (think of Nightcrawler and Darth Maul combined).  Kemlings gain +1 to DEX, a racial affinity for Stealth, and the ability to see in the dark with a biological equivalent to night vision goggles.
• Nephilim: Another "human, but touched with a small bit of exotic ancestry" are the nephilim (both plural and singular).  They claim that their exotic ancestry is angelic, and they do look the part, with beautiful, well proportioned bodies, pale skin, silver-white hair, chrome eyes and clear voices.  However, some point out that if angels left progeny amongst mortals, then they must, by definition, be fallen angels…  They gain a +1 to MND and a +1 to Knowledge and Communication.
• Wose: The woses were, according to legend, once werewolves, but the power of their lycanthropic "gifts" faded over generations, until they became merely a race of hardy outdoorsmen with a few bestial physical features and abilities.  They fare poorly in civilization for the most part (although ghettos of them serving as muscle for organized crime are not unknown in many cities) but live in small holdings and "packs" in the wilderness.  They are a bit shorter than humans on average, and often walk with a stoop, sometimes putting a hand to the ground as they move.  They are covered in short brownish hair, or even fur, and have yellow wolf-like eyes, as well as pointed ears and teeth.  Their nails are often almost claw-like and they rarely wear shoes or boots.  Woses gain +3 to STR, -1 to MND, +1 to their Survival Skill, and -1 to their Communication skill.
• More races:  If you need more options, creating a race is an a la carte option endeavor that's relatively easy to do. Use two Racial Template Points (RTP) and add them to your character at creation. The same RTP can be taken, if desired, more than once. One RTP is equal to either:
• A +1 Stat bonus. This could also include a +1 to AC as natural armor, even though AC isn't normally a "stat" per se. 
• Two skill points (i.e., +2 to one skill of your choice, or +1 to two skill bonuses of your choice.) 
• A special trait or ability (usually an affinity, as described above in the Expert class. If a character has the same affinity for both race and class, allow them to reroll twice! They clearly really want to be good in that area, and are spending character generation capital to do so at the expense of something else.) 
• Another special ability, which can be designed to suit, if desired.  Here are a few samples: 
• The ability to breath water as well as air. 
• Retractable claws which allow you to climb vertical surfaces.
• The ability to see in the dark as if you have biological night vision goggles. 
• The ability to run twice as fast as a regular humanoid creature (+10 to chase rolls.)
• Subject to GM approval, some races may give up the equivalent of a negative RTP to gain an effective third RTP, but I wouldn't do much of this (the wose is an example who has a negative stat bonus and a negative skill bonus.) Otherwise, however, players are strongly encouraged to play around with this race system to create the customized version of their character that they want. 

New Classes
Classes can be customized to a great degree.  Three of the basic rules classes have a major and a minor class ability; the Outdoorsman has three minor class abilities.  You can easily mix and match different minor abilities to customize your class, and even (if you wish) give it a different label.  As with the Outdoorsman, instead of using one major and one minor, you can also combine three minor abilities to create a customized class.  All such classes default to allowing light armor and light, medium and ranged weapons.  If you include the +1 to Attack and Damage minor class ability, you also gain the ability to use medium armor.  If you pick the full attack and damage bonus of the Fighter, you gain proficiency with all weapons, armor and shields.

The major class abilities that define each class are as follows:

• The attack and damage bonus associated with the Fighter (+1 to Attack and Damage; increases to +2 at 4th level, and +3 at 8th level.)
• The sneak attack associated with the Rogue.
• The affinities associated with the Expert.

The minor class abilities that can be switched are as follows:

• A +3 skill bonus to any skill.
• 1 affinity as per the Expert class, although when used as a minor ability, you only ever get the one.
• An additional +1 to attack and damage with ONE weapon type (the Outdoorsman comes with this in Ranged weapons.)
• An animal companion as per the Outdoorsman.

A few examples of customized classes, not meant to be exhaustive:

• A sorcerer or witch could be made by combining a single affinity (Sorcery) with an animal companion (a familiar!) and +3 to the Knowledge skill to better learn spells.
• A gunslinger or sniper could be created by using the Fighter’s combat bonus plus the Outdoorsman’s bonus to Ranged Weapons.  On the other hand, if you took another weapon type, you could make him a duelist, gladiator or weapons-master.
• A ranger could be created by using the Fighter’s combat bonus with an animal companion.  A scout could be a slight variation on the Outdoorsman where instead of +3 to Survival, he has an affinity for Wilderness Survival.
• The wizard or mage could be created by taking the Expert’s major affinity (but selecting Sorcery every single time) and a familiar.

And there is one other optional class: the Shadow Sword.  This is a rare finding in the setting; representing a character who has learned to manifest a magical weapon out of the Shadow itself; a metaphorical name for the very stuff of magic.  Created by a tyrant-mage in the distant past, knowledge of how to become a Shadow Sword is rare, and closely guarded.  Because the abilities of the Shadow Sword don’t exactly match up with the major and minor abilities listed above, the Shadow Sword is not a customizable class.

The most iconic ability of Shadow Swords is the ability to manifest a weapon of pure Shadow at will.  Despite the name I've used to represent the class, this weapon can actually be any weapon that the character desires (although curved sabers seem to be among the most popular).  This includes missile weapons, even—though not any complicated mechanical weapon, such as a firearm.  Any melee weapon, any thrown weapon, and any missile weapon other than firearms can be manifested as desired by the character, summoned at a moment's notice, and then "banished" again back into the Shadow as desired.  Otherwise swords, tomahawks, bows, and even Captain America-style shields have all been seen in action as the manifestation of the Shadow Sword's "sword."

This weapon is usually a cool, matte black in appearance, and often seems to seep or exude darkness almost like smoke.  Some Shadow Swords, however, cultivate a non-shiny, translucent glass-like look for their mystic weapon.  Nobody but the Shadow Sword himself can use this weapon (i.e., he can't hand it to anyone else, and nobody else can pick it up if it's thrown, for instance—usually if it's thrown, the weapon will immediately disperse after its attack and reappear back into his hand again as soon as it has done its damage.)

Because a Shadow Sword is always armed, even if he appears not to be, those with this ability have naturally gravitated towards "black ops" type professions and assassination, to which this ability is remarkably well suited, but this is a trend not an obligation to those who belong to this class, naturally.

Shadow Blade: Gains combat bonus advantages to attack and damage (as per the Fighter class), but only when using a shadow sword; a weapon of pure shadow substance that can be summoned at a moment's notice. Also, any unarmored character with this ability can add ½ of his character level to AC (rounded down.)  This is in addition to the ½ level added to AC that all character already have.

Shadow Swords also can cloak themselves in Shadow, which makes them difficult to spot.  When doing so, they gain a class bonus of +3 to any Subterfuge + DEX checks.

New Equipment
Sometimes a more "pure" Medievalesque fantasy is desired, but I also really like fantasy based on the frontier times in America or the Golden Age of Piracy.  The biggest difference here, of course, is the presence of flintlock or wheelock type firearms. Firearms are, of course, ranged weapons and meet all of the characterizations of such weapons as described in the basic rules for equipment.  They also have some unique features.  The following are the two abstracted forms of firearms available, if the GM so desires, for use:

• Pistol - cost is 150 gp. Damage is 2d6, range is 100 ft. Must take an entire turn to reload after firing. 
• Rifle - cost is 200 gp. Damage is 2d8, range is 300 ft. Must take an entire turn to reload after firing. 

Fantasy Hack: Appendix I

Successfully running a game of FANTASY HACK (or any other role-playing game) is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor.  Besides; someone has to do it, otherwise there’s no game for anyone!  If you accept the challenge of being the Gamemaster, there are a few things you should know.  This section has a very small bit of advice, based on my own experience, followed by a fair number of tools that can help you.  In no particular order:

You’re a player too.  Although your task, and therefore what makes the experience rewarding and fun for you is perhaps a bit different than for the other players, this is still a game and you should be enjoying yourself too.  GMing is not a chore; it’s not a job, it’s not what the guy who gets the short stick has to do.  If you are not motivated and having a good time, the game will suffer because of it for everyone.  If so, consider giving the reins to someone else.

Be fair and be consistent.  One of the things that the players need most is feeling like they can make decisions for their characters based on reasonable risk assessment.  In other words, they need to feel like they understand the way the world works (and most likely they expect it work like the real world does.)  Although this is one of those “perception is reality” kind of things, especially on a highly rules-light game like m20, the players will rely solely on your judgement about how likely things are to be successful.  If they can’t get a handle on that because your rulings and DCs are inconsistent, or if they are consistent but out of whack with their expectations, either one, it will create the strong impression that the game is arbitrary and therefore unfair, which will dramatically reduce the enjoyment that your players feel.

Be varied and interesting.  There is a wealth of sources in terms of ideas for your adventures.  Don’t ever feel bad about borrowing from any and every source you can imagine; books, TV shows, movies, video games, whatever.  Just don’t borrow the same kinds of elements from the same kinds of sources.  Even Gary Gygax wrote (although this is often forgotten) that the game was not supposed to have been mere dungeon-crawling, and some versions of the game stressed doing other things (not that this was often appropriated by the players.)  Fantasy Hack m20 is flexible enough to be used for all kinds of activities, and it actually is not designed specifically to be a dungeon-crawling game at all.  In addition, if you pay attention to your players, you will before long find it easy to judge when they are engaged and entertained, and when they are more bored or frustrated.  Pay attention to this and give them more of what they like and less of what they don’t.  They may not all be on the same page about what their favorite aspect of the game is (and they may be in different moods to do different things at different times anyway) but some situational awareness is crucial for good GMing.

Be generous and say yes.  Although I personally dislike games that are overly concerned with the acquisition of character wealth and powers, in general, players tend to be happier when they get what they came to the table for, rather than feeling like it’s denied them.  This doesn’t mean give them “stuff” necessarily; but it does mean allowing them to indulge what they want to do as a character.  Fantasy Hack m20 is meant to emulate swashbuckling action stories.  Think of a well-known example like the Star Wars franchise.  Do the characters ever get bogged down looking for equipment that they don’t have access to?  While getting passage to Alderaan is a key plot element of the first movie, it’s easily accomplished.  When Luke needs a lightsaber, he has one.  When the characters have the opportunity to have a speeder bike chase, they’re readily available.  How does Luke even get his X-wing that he flies for most of the movies?  I dunno.  It’s there when he needs it.  This is the kind of story that I intend to emulate.  Hoarding of gear, doing tedious accounting and shopping are not at the heart of this kind of story; they are things that are typically breezed over because they are tedious and boring.  Now; some players actually do enjoy that kind of thing, so I don’t recommend excising it entirely.  But I do recommend a focus more on the action, role-playing and the solving of interesting problems than I do on making things arbitrarily difficult for the characters.  That’s the spirit of swashbuckling adventure stories, after all.

Let the PCs dictate the game.  Don’t overplan, because you will tend to get locked into your plans the more time you spend on them.  This isn’t your novel that the other players get to have a minor role in.  This is their game, and you’re supposed to represent the environment and the setting.  Let them be the stars of the game, not anything that you’ve created.  Let them decide what kinds of characters and what kind of party to create; don’t passive-aggressively punish them for not picking your ideal of a “balanced party” or whatever.  Don’t give them simply one solution to problems and ensure by fiat that anything else fails.  If you are too prone to trying to not let the PCs have their head, as the saying goes, then maybe you should rethink being the GM.  If that’s the only way you can enjoy the game, then you are probably not equipped to be the GM.  Being a successful GM means always remembering that it’s their game.  You’ll have plenty of interesting and fun things to do, and honestly, you’ll probably be a great deal more entertained by seeing what they come up with then you will be trying to ram them into your own ideas of what they should do.

That said, it’s also my experience that few groups have enough initiative, especially at early stages of the game, to know what to do from scratch if you give them total freedom.  Usually they will wander around aimlessly and even with a great deal of frustration “trying to find the game.”  Once they are able to anchor themselves a bit more into the setting and their characters, they are much more capable and willing to take the reins, start making things happen that they initiate, and pursuing character goals that they themselves have set, rather than plot goals that you have created for them.  So ease them into it, but when they’re ready to take control, absolutely let them do so.

Be prepared with things to do if the players seem lost, bored, or just need some kind of motivation.  To quote Raymond Chandler, “when in doubt have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand.”  An ambush by brigands, thieves, highwaymen, cut-throats, or dangerous wild animals is sometimes just the thing to get the game going again when it flags.  Have a list of names appropriate for your setting that you can draw from to give NPCs that you didn’t anticipate the feel of being more than a hastily constructed expedient.  If the PCs ignore threats or certain events, in the back of your mind think about what is happening while they’re not intervening.  Make their decisions (or lack thereof, as the case may be) have consequences that they can see in game.  Maybe they still won’t care, (although you should take that as an indication that you’re probably not presenting them with the kind of game that’s engaging or interesting to them if so.)  More likely, they’ll take the perceived failures personally and be more motivated to keep them from happening again.  Nothing gets players more motivated than a rivalry with an NPC that has gotten the best of them at least once in the past.  in short, make your setting feel like a real world, not just an environment for them to interact with.  This is the big benefit of table-top RPGs over computer ones; you can have flexibility to do all kinds of things that a computer programmer could not anticipate, and you can react to PC actions that they wouldn’t even be able to do in a computer game.  Do not make the mistake of sacrificing this advantage for your own convenience; your game will suffer from being too much like a computer game… but without the nice graphics.

But again, don’t over-prepare. You don’t need gigantic campaign settings the size of a continent.  You don’t need a lot, actually.  A very brief outline of what you think is likely to happen over the next session or two, including a few details about some NPCs, monsters, and locations that the PCs are likely to encounter is usually sufficient.  Take seriously Ray Winninger's First Rule: "Never force yourself to create more than you must." I rarely type up more than a page of outline, and it usually ends up lasting for several evenings worth of play.  But in order to do this well, you simply have to practice.  Don’t be afraid of not running the best game ever when you’re starting.  You’ll probably do better than you think, and even if you don’t, you’ll get valuable practice and experience and be better at it next time, if you pay enough attention to your group to notice what went well and what did not.

The Secret Roll. As GM, you probably need a few details about your characters—a single line will suffice, but have the character and player names, their stat modifiers, AC, and skill modifiers and level noted at least.  There are always times when as GM you will want to make rolls for the character that the player is not aware of, or at least cannot see the result of, because a failure would give them knowledge that their character could not have.  A great example of this is where another NPC is trying to sneak up on the character, or when the characters are traveling and may get lost but not realize it while traveling through the wilderness.

Traveling.  
Some games prefer to use what I call the Raiders of the Lost Ark red-line convention; travel is glossed over.  However, travel in any pseudo-Medieval setting was a big deal, and actually a big part of the fun in any good action/adventure story.  If you put a little effort into it, overland travel can be tons of fun.  There are all kinds of hazards to be overcome when traveling.  It’s handy when the PCs are traveling for you to have a regional map, and it’s also handy to overlay a hex grid over that.  You can use a keyed hex grid to have notes on things that the PCs may find in any given hex, and it also is handy for easily discussing distance.  By convention, hexes are a few miles across, which means that even within a single hex there’s plenty of opportunity for adventure.  The original role-playing game made assumptions about wilderness travel that was, in part, based on the medieval war-gaming background of the designers.  My background is more as a hiker and backpacker and to me that’s a better analogy of the wilderness travel of a small group of adventurers than the march of armies and soldiers.

In the world of long-distance hiking (guys who hike the 2,600+ mile Pacific Crest Trail, for instance) a really “big mileage” day can be up to 35-40 miles.  This is the equivalent of a “forced march”; a very long day of walking (starting before sun-up, most likely, and still going after dark) and represents travel on a well-marked and groomed trail across friendly, easy terrain.  Forty miles a day should therefore be probably seen as an upper limit in most cases (even if riding; Daniel Boone, for instance, did not bring a horse on his travels, because over long distances and over the course of a long day, a horse would actually rarely be able to keep up with him.)  Other factors, including lack of quality road or trail to travel on, the need to bushwhack through rough terrain, obstacles such as rivers, cliffs, etc. that need to be navigated, and more, can drastically reduce the ability of a traveler to make anywhere near that time.  When I backpack through the mountains, for instance, I usually find that 15 miles is a long, hard day.  For most normal people in normal conditions, 20 miles is a reasonable amount to travel in a single day, and distances achieved can vary from there.  If a person is traveling more than that, especially for several consecutive days, then they may start to become fatigued, and may take STR damage.

Getting Lost.  One major challenge for those traveling through the wilderness is being unable to find your destination.  If you’ve been given directions and a rough map telling you that the hamlet of Meadway is directly to your west, then most likely after leaving a hex on your map, your players will tell you that their characters head west.  Make a secret Survival + MND check for the party (have them nominate whose score is to be used.)  The DC can vary depending on various conditions.  It’s much easier to keep your heading when traveling through open hill country where the sky (and sun and stars) are readily visible and landmarks of enough distinction to be useful are easy to be found.  Deep in an old-growth forest, on the other hand, you may be able to see none of these things and keeping a consistent heading is much more difficult.

If the party fails its Survival check, then it may become lost.  Roll a d6 and consult the image above.  This is the direction that they are actually traveling.  Parties could get so turned around that they literally head the opposite direction that they think that they are; conversely, they may “accidentally” go the right way.

This check should be made every time a party leaves a hex.  If they reach something that would alert them to the fact that they’re lost, i.e.; “Hey, isn’t Balalock Hill supposed to be miles to our north?  Why is it visible just through the trees up ahead?” then the players can make another Survival + MND check to reorient themselves.

Food and Water.  One of the biggest challenges to traveling is being sufficiently provisioned for the journey.  Rations are generally not super expensive to buy, but can be challenging to carry.  Water is even more so; you can usually get it for free while at any lake, pond, river or stream, but it is heavy.  A quart of water weighs more than two pounds, and on hot dry days of travel, you can get dehydrated without at least a gallon of water.  Finding water is another MND + Survival check, and the difficulty is usually set by the type of terrain; up to 25 or 30 in really dry deserts, 20-25 in milder deserts, chaparral or steppes, 15 or so in some forests or mountains, but even lower in places that get lots of rain and therefore can have running or standing water ever few miles or so.  If your players can’t find sufficient water, they should be prepared to take STR damage every day that they cannot due to physical suffering from lack of water.  Food is a bit easier; the human body can go a few days without food and not suffer unduly.  While characters without sufficient water need to be prepared to take damage every day, characters without food are only likely to take additional damage every three days—although they will not heal whatever damage that they have already taken until they can get sufficient to eat.  Foraging and hunting for food is another MND + Survival check, and is again based on the environment.  It’s not hard to find edible roots, berries, nuts, etc. in the right environment, and almost every climate has large prey animals—even the desert has Barbary or bighorn sheep, gazelles or pronghorns, etc. although they may well be wary and hard to find except for accomplished hunters.  Setting snares for rabbits or other small animals is another possibility.  Even in the best case scenario, hunting or foraging takes several hours and should reduce your ability to travel by 50% in the day in which you do it.

Don’t get too caught up in modeling this challenge.  It’s meant to add color and interest to wilderness travel, so it’s not just a boring, “you travel for three weeks and then arrive at Penlock Tower” affair.  Use these suggestions as much or as little as is of interest to you and your group.

Encounters. Of course, the real meat and potatoes of wilderness travel is coming across potentially dangerous encounters.  Hex descriptions of some area maps will have some keyed encounters already written in, but the PCs might either avoid the encounter suggested in the hex for various reasons, or may pass through hexes that do not have any encounters.  This, of course, doesn’t mean that traveling is uneventful.  The following random encounter tables can be useful when you feel like, as Raymond Chandler suggested, the game needs “a guy with a gun” to show up and create some tension, interest, or just something for the player characters to do.

Keep in mind that “encounter” does not necessarily mean “combat” and in fact the game will be much more varied and interesting if encounters end up being very different and offer opportunities for all kinds of things from combat to stealth, negotiation, and occasionally just color.

The following charts can be used to generate encounters that you may not have planned.  The charts are keyed based on terrain type.  The best way to use these is to spice up wilderness travel and exploration by making it more tense than simply wandering through the woods (or grassland, or desert, or mountains, etc.)  You can use your dice to generate random encounters, or consult the table and pick an entry that seems appropriate to you, reading the table and determining what is most likely to generate more fun for your players.  Don’t overdo it; players don’t expect to encounter monsters three or four times a day on their commute, but the chance of an encounter is part of what makes wilderness travel exciting (just ask anyone who’s ever backpacked through grizzly country vs a place where grizzlies don’t live!)

Unless you deem otherwise, the chance of an encounter is 1 in 6, i.e., if you are checking randomly for encounters, the players will only have one on a roll of 6.  Once you determine that an encounter does happen, roll a d8 and consult the appropriate table for your terrain type.  For each result, you’ll need to also then roll again on the “derived table” for the category of encounter that you get.

Wilderness Encounter Table

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Grassland Men Flying creature Non-human Animal Animal Unusual Horror Swarm Desert Men Flying creature Non-human Men Animal Horror Undead Animal

Forest Men Horror Non-human Non-human Swarm Unusual Animal Animal Settled Unusual Flying creature Non-human Non-human Men Men Swarm Animal

River Men Non-human Aquatic Aquatic Undead Swarm Flying creature Horror City Men Men Men Men Men Men Undead Non-human

Swamp Men Swarm Non-human Aquatic Aquatic Undead Undead Horror Open Sea Men Flying creature Aquatic Aquatic Aquatic Aquatic Aquatic Unusual

Mtn/Hills Men Flying creature Non-human Non-human Animal Unusual Non-human Horror Jungle Men Flying creature Swarm Swarm Non-human Animal Animal Horror

	Derived Table, Unusual (1d12)		Derived Table, Undead (1d12)
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Daemon, Nosoi Daemon, Servitor (1d4) Daemon, Servitor Daemon, Succubus Daemon, Succubus Hell Hound (1d4) Ifrit Imp Sasquatch Elemental (choose type) Elemental (choose type) Fell Ghast	No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Ghost Ghost Ghoul Golem, Flesh Lich Mummy Mummy Skeleton (1d6) Skeleton (1d12) Vampire Wight (1d4) Wight (1d8)

	Derived Table, Horror (1d12)		Derived Table, Swarm(1d12)
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Byakhee Byakhee (1d4) Dark Young of Shub-Niggurath Fury (1d6) Gug (1d4) Gug Hound of Tindalos (1d4) Invisible Stalker Nightgaunt (1d6) Nightgaunt (1d10) Shoggoth Gnophkeh (2d4)	No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Bats Bats (1d4) Bats (1d6) Bats (1d8) Insects Insects (1d4) Insects (1d6) Insects (1d8) Rats Rats (1d4) Rats (1d6) Rats(1d8)

	Derived Table, Aquatic (1d12)		Derived Table, Flying Creature (1d12)
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Crocodile Crocodile (1d4) Crocodile Deep One (1d4) Deep One (2d4) Elemental, Water Sea Serpent Sea Serpent Shoggoth Snake, Constrictor Snake, Constrictor (1d4) Scylla	No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Dragon Dinosaur, Pterodactyl Pseudodragon (2d6) Eagle Eagle (1d6) Elemental, Air Fury (1d4) Gargoyle (1d2) Griffon Hawk (2d4) Swarm, Bats Nightgaunt (1d4)

Derived Table, Animal (1d12)

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Grassland Baboon (3d6) Boar, Wild (1d4) Rhinoceros Elephant (1d6) Raccoon Horse (3d8) Lion (2d4) Rat, Giant (3d6) Sabertooth (1d4) Snake, Viper Hyena (4d4) Bison (1d4)

Forest Ape (1d6) Bear Cat, Wild Raccoon Tiger (use lion) Rat, Giant (1d6) Sabertooth (1d4) Snake, Constrictor Snake, Viper Swarm, Insect Wolf (1d6) Wolf (3d4)

Mtn/Hills Bear Bear (2d4) Boar, Wild Boar, Wild (1d4) Cat, Wild Horse (2d8) Lion (2d4) Rat, Giant (2d8) Sabertooth (1d4) Snake, Viper Wolf (2d4) Wolf (2d8)

Desert Baboon (2d8) Bear Boar, Wild Boar, Wild (1d4) Camel Camel Horse (2d8) Lion (1d4) Snake, Viper Snake, Viper (1d4) Hyena (2d6) Wolf (1d4)

Settled Bear Boar, Wild Cat, Wild Raccoon Raccoon Horse Horse (1d6) Horse (2d6) Rat, Giant (2d4) Swarm, Bats Swarm, Rats Dog, Wild (1d8)

Jungle Ape Ape (2d4) Boar, Wild Cat, Wild Monkey (2d4) Monkey (4d6) Elephant Elephant (1d6) Lion Lion (1d6) Lion (2d6) Hyena (3d6)

Derived Table, Humanoid (1d10) (No. appearing is up to the GM, but are often in groups and equipped)

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Grassland Cursed Dwarf Elf Goblin Halfling Kemling Orc Ratman Wose Mixed Desert Dwarf Elf Goblin Goblin Kemling Kemling Jann Jann Orc Mixed

Forest Dwarf Elf Halfling Goblin Kemling Orc Ratman Thurse Sasquatch Mixed Settled Dwarf Dwarf Elf Halfling Halfling Kemling Kemling Jann Wose Mixed

River Cursed Dwarf Elf Halfling Jann Goblin Orc Ratman Wose Mixed City Dwarf Elf Goblin Halfling Kemling Jann Orc Wose Mixed Mixed

Swamp Cursed Goblin Goblin Orc Kemling Ratman Ratman Thurse Thurse Mixed Jungle Elf Goblin Goblin Kemling Orc Orc Thurse Thurse Wose Mixed

Mtns/Hills Dwarf Dwarf Elf Goblin Jann Orc Yeti Wose Mixed Mixed

Derived table, Men (1d12) (May appear as classed NPC characters, often appear in groups)

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Grassland Bandit Bandit NPC Adventurer Merchant Barbarian Merchant Noble Sorcerer Mercenary Bandit Priest Nomad Desert Dervish Nomad Adventurer Merchant Nomad Nomad Pilgrim Crusader Sorcerer Soldier Noble Nomad

Forest Highwayman Bandit NPC Adventurer Merchant Hunter Bandit Pilgrim Priest Sorcerer Soldier Bandit NPCs Settled Highwayman Trader NPCs Adventurer Merchant Veteran Bandit Soldier Pilgrim Farmer Artisan Noble

River Pirate Bandit NPC Adventurer Merchant Buccaneer Buccaneer Priest Sorcerer Soldier Merchant Traveler NPCs City Thief Trader NPC Trader Veteran Artisan Expert City Watch Mercenary Priest Scholar Noble

Swamp Bandit Bandit NPCs Merchant Pilgrim Trader Barbarian Hunter Soldier Sorcerer NPC Adventurer Bandit Jungle Brigand Merchant Adventurer Pilgrim Savage Savage Trader Explorer Soldier Buccaneer NPCs Brigand

Mtns/Hills Highwayman Bandit Adventurers Merchant Barbarian Barbarian Priest Sorcerer Hunter Soldier Caveman Homesteader Open Sea Privateer Pirate Merchant Adventurer Pirate Merchant Merchant Merchant Pirate Merchant Privateer Sorcerer

Magic Items.

Magic Weapons: Magic weapons are better at hitting and causing damage than standard ones.  Most range from +1 to +3, some +1 weapons have a greater plus versus specific types of monsters. Magic swords sometimes have a special spell-like power or two. A few swords are intelligent and have a number of spell-like powers (some even talk). A few weapons are cursed and reduce one’s chance to hit. 

Magic Armor: Most are  +1 to AC, with a few +2 or +3 (without the penalty for being heavier). Magic shields exist with similar pluses.  

Scrolls: Most hold one to six spells that can be cast even by characters who don't know them (finding the scroll does not give you access to the spell once it has been cast, however). A few place curses on the reader.  

Potions: Potions  are magic items that mimic the effect of a spell that directly affects the character that drinks it (therefore spells that do not affect the caster or a target directly cannot be placed in a potion).  Some potions are poison, cause disease, cause delusions, etc. 

Rings or amulets, etc.: Create a permanent affect on a player, as described by a particular spell, when they are worn (the effect ends when the amulet or ring is removed.)

Wands or staves, etc.: Usually store a certain number of "pre-cast" spells that can be accessed for their effect to be shown when needed.  Once the total spells are exhausted, the wand or staff, etc. has no magic left and is a mundane item.

All magic items may (at the GM's discretion) cause insanity damage on those using or witnessing them, but the default assumption is that they do not the way casting the spell would.

Fantasy Hack as blog posts

This has moved along more quickly than I expected.  I've actually finished the "main" part of the book now, and have merely the appendices to add.  Check out the new tab I've created; I've gotten rid of my 2016 reading goals, which was only ever meant to be temporary anyway, and which I didn't particularly like.

I didn't recreate the character sheet as a blog post, so the link there is to a pdf of it hosted elsewhere.

Anyway, I'll add the appendices as three separate blog posts, probably today, and then I'll be done.  I'll maintain the tab, and finding the document will be easier than ever.

I did correct a few minor errors and what not in the text as I did it that I found by reading through it.  This means that FANTASY HACK as a document and FANTASY HACK as an online series of blog posts will end up getting just a little bit out of synch.  But these are minor typographical fixes, so I'm not going to worry too much about them.  What will be worse is if I start making major actual changes to the system—but because I've now set this up the way that I have, I'll be discouraged from doing so, and will have strong incentives to keep things the way that they are for a long time to come.

Fantasy Hack Part V: Monsters and Other Foes

Monsters are any creatures that serve as opponents to the PCs (although some situations may cast them as allies on occasion.)  Monsters have very limited information provided in terms of game data. The following rules are also necessary to understand how to read the monster entries and use them effectively.  First, all creatures have a bonus to all skills equal to their number of Hit Dice (HD), which is effectively equivalent to their level in most respects.  Stat bonuses are also included for skill checks; but don’t get carried away and try to use the stat bonuses to affect the attack and damage scores.  The attack and damage scores are already set where they need to be without doing that.  Secondly, if you need a tougher version of a monster, for whatever reason, you can add more hit dice.  Each additional HD adds one to their skill and combat bonuses.  Thirdly, you can create your own monsters as needed as well.  Assign HD (d8 for most things, d12 for dragons or undead).  Attack bonus and skill level is equal to the number of hit dice.  Monsters may have several forms of attack, but unless specifically called out, can only use one per round (the exception being if the attack is listed as something like “2 claws”—in which case they can make two claw attacks as one attack.)  Create an AC that is sensible giving the size and toughness (or quickness) of the creature.  Add stat bonuses to suit.

To read the entries, AC is Armor Class, HD is Hit Dice, AT is attacks, and STR is Strength, DEX is Dexterity, and MND is Mind.  S is the creature's special abilities.  Undead creatures are immune to mind-affecting spells.  All monsters that have the ability to cast spells do so without needing to make a Sanity check, and they never suffer the risk of MND damage.  The effective caster level for spell DCs is equal to the monster’s HD.

Monsters do not have categories.  While it should be obvious from the entries that some monsters are, for example, animals and others are humans or humanoids, there is no mechanical distinction between them.  This occasionally leads to conclusions that are unusual.  For example, if there is no mechanical distinction, can an Outdoorsman’s animal companion be any monster, assuming it’s in the correct HD range?  Can his animal companion be an imp, or a dwarf, or a human bandit?  Ask your GM.  Many will say no; your animal companion must be an animal.  Others may say, “give me an interesting reason for it, and I’ll let you have anything you want that works within the bounds of the rules.”  Personally, I’m a fan of the latter approach, but I can hardly complain about the alternative.

ANGEL: AC: 25 HD: 20d8 (100 hp) AT: 2 weapon + 20 (2d8), STR: +10, DEX: +12, MND: +12, S: Immune to all spells less than 5th level, Cast spells up to 5th level, teleport at will, special powers as granted by patron deity.

Angels are supernatural, beautiful creatures, like painfully beautiful humans with alabaster skin, silver or golden hair, chrome-colored eyes, and feathered wings.  They are powerful creatures, but are usually benevolent, or at least tolerant and indifferent to humanity.  When in combat, they use their magical abilities as well as hard-silver swords.

APE: AC 14, HD 4d8 (20 hp) AT: 2 paw slams +4 (2d6) STR: +7, DEX: +5, MND: -3, S: Acrobatics affinity

Represents large creatures like gorillas, and other potentially more anthropoid apes as well.  Although possessed of large, powerful teeth, they mostly fight with their powerful paws.

BABOON: AC: 12 HD: 2d6 (8 hp) AT: bite +2 (1d6) STR: +1, DEX: +3, MND: -4, S: Acrobatics affinity

Gathering in large, communal groups, baboons are mostly herbivorous, but can be territorial and fiercely protective of their group, swarming and biting intruders or others who irritate the group.

BEAR: AC: 15 HD: 6d8 (30 hp) AT: bite +6 (2d6), claws +6 (2d8), STR: +7, DEX: +0, MND: -4

Large predators that have mostly developed a slow-moving, herbivorous diet, bears are extremely dangerous when surprised, or with their young, or hungry.  They are also fiercely territorial and sometimes see the intrusion of humanity into their territory as a challenge that must be met with force.

BOAR, WILD: AC: 12 HD: 3d8 (15 hp) AT: gore +3 (3d4) STR: +5, DEX +0, MND: -4, S: attacks for 2 rounds after death.

Wild boars and feral boars are common, and are often hunted for their meat, although they are dangerous prey; mean and armed with wicked tusks.

BYAKHEE: AC: 15, HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: Talons +4 (1d8) or Bite +4 (1d4), STR: +1, DEX: +2, MND: +3, S: Flies, can carry medium-sized creatures, telepathic.

Alien flying horrors that are "not altogether crows, nor moles, nor buzzards, nor ants, nor vampire bats, nor decomposed human beings."  They are sometimes summoned by evil sorcerers.

CAMEL: AC: 12 HD: 3d6 (12 hp) AT: bite +3 (1d6) STR: +5, DEX: -2, MND: -4, S: +5 to any Survival skill roll

Known from deserts, savannas and other open territory, these large herbivores are both native grazers and are often domesticated as beasts of burden.

CAT: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: bite +1 (1d4) STR: -3, DEX: +4, MND: -3, S: +5 to Subterfuge
    NOTE: these same stats can be used to represent other small climbing animals such as a monkey or raccoon.

These small animals make great pets, familiars, or animal companions.  They are wild through much of the territory of your typical FANTASY HACK world, and may also run feral through the city streets.

CENTAUR: AC 12 HD 4d8 (20 hp) AT: kick +4 (2d6) weapon +4 (damage as per weapon used) STR: +4 DEX: +2 MND: -1, S: +10 to chase checks

Human upper bodies attached to the lower body of a horse, these creatures known to us from mythology can exist in FANTASY HACK.  They are notorious drunks and lechers, and communities that live near them often consider them pests at best, and outright enemies at worst.

CHIMERA: AC 19, HD: 9d10 (54 hp) AT: 2 bite +10 (2d6+4), gore +10 (1d8+4), 2 claws +8 (1d6+2) STR: +4 DEX: +0 MND: -2, S: flies, fiery breath 6d10 fire damage (DEX+Athl to dodge half of the damage DC 14)

A monstrous creation of the old gods, the chimera has a lion-like body; two heads (one with goat-like horns) and a tail with a snake-like mouth on its end.  It flies and breathes fire.  It is one of the most fearsome leftovers from the Gigantomachy of pre-historic times.

COCKATRICE: AC: 14, HD: 5d10 (30 hp) AT: +7 (1d4 + special attack) STR: +0 DEX: +0 MND: -2, S: flies, petrification bite (target turns to stone on failed DC 19 MND + level check.)

This dangerous beast looks like a cross between a leathery-winged snake and a rooster.  Its most dangerous trait is that its bite will turn its target to stone.

CROCODILE: AC: 16 HD: 6d6 (24 hp) AT: bite +12 (3d6) STR: +6, DEX: +2, MND: -4, S: drags underwater on roll 4 higher than needed to hit, underwater creatures take 1d6 automatic damage every turn as the crocodile rolls.  A STR or DEX + Athletics check DC 15 will allow the character to escape, although he will still then be in the water.

An aquatic ambush predator that is large enough to feed on any PC and its mount.  When it attacks, it lunges suddenly from the water where it waited unseen, drags its prey into the water, and rolls violently to tear pieces of flesh from the still struggling creature as it drowns.

CTHULHU: AC: 35 HD 40d8 (200 hp) AT: 2 slams +40 (4d8+20), STR +25, DEX:+10 MND: +15, S: Immune to all spells less than 5th level, Cast all spells (including rituals) instantly, all characters who come face to face with Cthulhu make a MND + Level check (DC: 30).  If they fail they are impacted for 1d4 hours with an effect identical to The Seeping of Kadath on the Mind spell.  If they fail it by more than 15, they die instantly.

One of the worst of the old gods, defeated and imprisoned in the Gigantomachy in prehistoric times.  Cthulhu still waits, comatose and dreaming, in the depths of the ocean in his fossil city R'lyeh.  In addition to his formidable physical attacks, Cthulhu can bend reality around him (can cast any spell instantly) and causes his foes to go insane with fear at the sight of him.  Many would die outright at merely catching a glimpse of Cthulhu.

CURSED: AC: 12 HD: 1d6+2 (6 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +2, MND: +0 S: May have (50%) a first level spell of the GM’s choosing.

Pale, human-like beings who are exiles from a strange, shadowy mirror dimension.

CYCLOPS: AC: 15, HD: 8d8 (40 hp) AT: 2 claws +8 (1d6+6) or thrown rock (range 100 ft.) +8 (2d6+8) STR: +8 DEX: +2 MND: +0, S: when both claw attacks hit in the same round, the cyclops can rend his opponent, causing an additional 2d6 points of damage.

Powerful, savage, one-eyed giants with clawed hands.  Their favorite tactic is to sit back at a distance and throw boulder-sized rocks at their enemies to soften them, before charging in and rending with their paws.

DARK YOUNG OF SHUB-NIGGURATH: AC: 12, HD: 8d8 (45 hp) AT: 4 tentacles +8 (2d4) or trample +8 (4d8) STR: +10, DEX: -2, MND -3, S: On successful tentacle attack automatic 1d4 damage every round thereafter until either victim or Dark Young is dead. Victim can escape this tentacle grab with a STR or DEX + Athletics check, DC 16.

Shub-Niggurath, the Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young, is a hideous, monstrous old god, either dead or imprisoned since the Gigantomachy.  Its monstrous brood still linger; four-limbed creatures with leech-like mouths and backs covered with hoary tentacles, which are its preferred method of attack.  Like all lingering monsters from before the Gigantomachy that remade the world, it hates all human-kind and related creatures with a passion that drives it to attack on sight.

DAEMON, BAAL-ROG: AC: 19 HD: 10d8 (60 hp) AT: sword or flaming whip +10 (2d6+10 + 2d6 fire damage) STR: +10, DEX: +5, MND: +10, S: flies, flaming (3d6 damage to all who hit it in melee or whom the baal-rog touches), 75% chance that spells cast at the Baal-Rog have no effect, all attacks with non-silver weapons do -20 damage. Can create a pall of darkness that effectively shields him from view, making all attempts to hit him have a 50% chance of missing outright.

Daemons like the baal-rog are spirits that predate creation, like the angels, but which have become utterly corrupt and evil.  The baal-rogs are some of the most featsome; massive, shadowy creatures cloaked in smoke, shadow and flame.  Baal-rogs attack with flaming swords or whips, and any that attack them are likely to be burned themselves.

DAEMON, NOSOI: AC: 18 HD: 6d8 (40 hp) AT: 2 claws +7 (2d6+8) bite +7 (1d12) tongue +3 (see below) STR: +7 DEX: +0 MND: +2, S: acid vomit range 20 ft, 6d6 acid damage unless target makes DC 15 DEX + Athletics check to dodge for half damage, can make a tongue attack where the tongue launches out and sticks to opponents.  On a successful opposed STR check, the nosoi pulls the target to his mouth and gets an automatically successful bite attack.

A daemon associated with plague and disease, the nosoi is a pustule-covered, diseased, elephantine biped with a gigantic, toothy maw on the end of their heads, and sometimes a second one on their belly.  Nosoi have no visible eyes, but can sense their targets as effectively as if they could see.  They attack with powerful claws and bits, and can vomit their stomach acid at their enemies.  They also have a long, bifurcated (sometimes trifurcated) tongue which can launch out of their mouth to grab opponents and draw them closer for a bite, like a massive toad.

DAEMON, SERVITOR: AC: 17 HD: 3d6 (12 hp) AT: claws +3 (1d6) STR: +3, DEX: +0, MND: +0, S: regenerate 1 HP/minute unless attacked with silver weapons.

This represents a wide variety of less-powerful daemons.

DAEMON, SUCCUBUS: AC: 10 HD: 6d6 (24 hp) AT: claws +6 (1d6) or kiss (2d4 STR damage per round) STR: -2, DEX: +2, MND: +5, S: all attacks with non-silver weapons do -5 damage, 70% that spells cast at the succubus have no effect, casts spells as a up to 2nd level. Can cast Greater Invocation of Shaggai at will.

Succubi are beautiful daemons who are less likely to physically attack their targets, but rather prefer to use their ability to fascinate and mentally entrap targets, draining their strength with their vampiric kisses.  Although they do have clawed hands, they usually wear gloves to disguise their true nature.

DAEMON, TYPHON: AC: 20, HD: 8d8 (40 hp) AT: 2 claws +8 (1d6+6) bite +3 (1d8+3) STR: +8 DEX: +2 MND: +0, S: when both claw attacks hit in the same round, Typhon can rend his opponent, causing an additional 2d6 points of damage. Typhon is completely immune to any direct magical attack.

Like a red-skinned, fanged and spiky gorilla with much larger than normal fangs, and three baleful eyes, the rare typhon daemons are a force of destruction and fury.  They attack with abandon and barbaric savagery and fight to the death, feasting on the remains of their victims.

DEEP ONE: AC: 14, HD: 2d8 (10 hp) AT: Spear +2 (1d8), STR: +5, DEX: -2, MND: +0, S: Swims, Attacks that miss by 2 or less start a grapple thanks to sticky slime coating, 1 in six chance to act randomly as if under the effects of a Seeping of Kadath on the Mind spell, -1 to attacks in bright light.

Strange, fish-like humanoids that grow from the perverted off-spring of depraved humans who make deals with them.  They live in vast underwater cities and worship Cthulhu.  Other than those whom they entrap in their cult and use as breeding stock, they hate humans and envy them their easier access to land.

DINOSAUR, ARMORED: AC: 23, HD: 7d8 (35 hp) AT: trample +7 (2d6+7), club tail +7 (1d10+7) STR: +10, DEX: +3, MND: -4.

Like low-slung, elephant sized herbivores covered in bony armor and wielding a powerful tail club, these slow-moving and dim-witted creatures are almost more likely to be dangerous by accident than on purpose.  Ankylosaurus is the iconic real-world example.

DINOSAUR, CARNOSAUR: AC: 17, HD: 10d8 (50 hp) AT: trample +10 (2d6+10), bite +10 (1d10+10) STR: +10, DEX: +0, MND: -4 S: swallows whole on bite attack roll 4 higher than needed to hit, swallowed creatures take 1d6 automatic damage every turn.  Swallowed characters, if they can deal 20 points of damage with a light weapon before dying, can escape.

Any large, meat-eating dinosaur, such as T. rex or Allosaurus can be represented by these stats.

DINOSAUR, HORNED: AC: 19, HD: 8d8 (40 hp) AT: trample +8 (2d6+8), gore +8 (1d10+8) STR: +10, DEX: -2, MND: -4 S: because of its great size, if galloping towards target, it cannot easily stop itself and can do trample and gore in the same attack.

Elephant-sized horned dinosaurs often live in herds and are aggressive and dangerous.  Triceratops is the most iconic real-world example, but any large, herbivorous, dangerous animal can be represented by these stats.

DINOSAUR, PTERODACTYL: AC: 14 HD: 4d6 (16 hp) AT: bite +5 (1d6) STR: +3, DEX: -1, MND: -4, S: flies
NOTE: These same stats can stand in for other large flying creatures such as giant eagles

Large, flying predators can all be represented by these stats.

DINOSAUR, RAPTOR: AC: 15 HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: bite +4 (2d6), 2 claws +4 (2d8), STR: +5, DEX: +3, MND: -4

Smaller, cursorial hunting dinosaurs, that often group into packs for more efficient (and dangerous) hunting strategies.

DRAGON: AC: 20 HD: 18d12 (130 hp) AT: Bite +18 (2d10+4), 2 claws +18 (d10+3) STR: +12 DEX: +6 MND: +6 S: flies, fiery breath 10d10 fire damage although target can reduce this by half with DEX + Athletics check DC 18.

Large, powerful flying reptiles with fiery breath and fearsome claws and teeth, dragons are another leftover remnant from the Gigantomachy.  Most were slain in that prehistoric conflict, but those that remain are devious, powerful and bitter, and hate the new heirs to the earth—humans and their humanoid kin.

DRYAD: AC: 17 HD: 5d8 (25 hp) AT: 2 slams +6 (1d8+3) STR: +6 DEXL -2 MND: +0 S: takes double damage from fire attacks, can wail with the wild rage of the forest; all characters who hear this wail must make a Level + MND check DC 14 or be subject to the effects of The Seeping of Kadath on the Mind for 3 rounds.

Beautiful tree-spirits that fascinate and fear humanity.  To defend their forest homes, dryads clothe themselves in the actual forms of thick, woody trees and fight with savage fury.  Their unearthly call confuses and terrifies their foes, allowing them to attack at will.

DWARF: AC: 14 HD: 1d6+2 (6 hp) AT: weapon +2 (1d6+2) STR: +2, DEX: +0, MND: +0

A standard member of this race; see character creation for more detail.

EAGLE: AC: 12 HD: 2d6 (8 hp) AT: bite +2 (1d4), 2 claws +2 (1d4) STR: -3, DEX: +2, MND: -3, S: flies, +8 bonus on any attempt to spot while flying.
       NOTE: these same stats can be used to represent other relatively larger flying animals such as a large owl or even a pseudodragon

Stats appropriate for any flying creature of about eagle sized, including pseudodragons; animal-like reptiles built like dragons but without their intelligence or fiery breath.  May serve as familiars or animal companions.

ELEMENTAL, AIR: AC: 19 HD: 12d6 (48 hp) AT: slam +12 (2d6) STR: +5, DEX: +3, MND: -1, S: can cause a whirlwind that makes movement impossible and carries away lighter objects, extra damage against foes in the air (1d6)

Spirits of the air that attack like a hurricane.  There is a solid creature underneath their swirling of wind and debris, however.

ELEMENTAL, EARTH: AC: 19 HD: 12d6 (48 hp) AT: slam +12 (2d6) STR: +12, DEX: -3, MND: -2, S: can cause stone to disintegrate into sand at a rapid rate (2 rounds to create a hole large enough to pass through), extra damage against foes standing on the ground (1d6).

Powerful spirits of the earth, that mostly live deep underground, or near volcanic vents.

ELEMENTAL, FIRE: AC: 19 HD: 12d6 (48 hp) AT: slam +12 (2d6) STR: +5, DEX: +10, MND: +0, S: all characters hit by fire elemental must make a DEX+Athl check (DC 15) or be set on fire, which deals an additional 1d6 damage each round.  Flammable materials can be set alight by the elemental at will on contact.

Spirits of fire that also often live near volcanic vents, or other places where heat is (or has been) intense.

ELEMENTAL, WATER: AC: 19 HD: 12d6 (48 hp) AT: slam +12 (2d6) STR: +7, DEX: +3, MND: -2, S: overturn boats, extra damage against swimming foes (1d6).

Spirits of water that live in oceans, rivers, lakes, or even in the air "swimming" in vast clouds and thunderheads.

ELEPHANT: AC: 17, HD: 8d8 (40 hp) AT: trample +8 (2d6+8), tusk +8 (1d10+8) STR: +10, DEX: +0, MND: -3.

Large, usually wild animals that can be dangerous to the unprepared.  Some cultures do domesticate them, however, and use them as beasts of burden.

ELF: AC: 11 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +0, MND: +2

A humanoid race; see character creation for more detail.

ETTEN: AC: 19 HD: 9d8 (45 hp) AT: club +13 (2d8+8) or thrown rock (range 100 ft.) +8 (2d6+8) STR: +8 DEX: +2 MND: -1

Large humanoids, usually between 8-12 feet tall (although truly extraordinary ones at over 15 ft have been spotted) that have a usually hostile relationship with the smaller people.  Leftovers from the days of the Gigantomachy, few still live in the normal world, but those that do are terrifying scourges on their neighbors.  Like cyclopses, they often prefer to attack first by throwing rocks, and then wading in with their massive clubs to pummel their foes to death.

FELL GHAST: AC: 20 HD: 18d12 (130 hp) AT: Bite +18 (2d10+4), 2 claws +18 (d10+3) Fell breath (DEX + Athletics check DC 25 to avoid) 1d4 STR damage STR: +12 DEX: +3 MND: -1 S: flies, undead immunities, cast at will Blasphemous Piping of Azathoth DC 19, when the fell ghast reaches 0 hit points or less, it turns into 1d4 bat swarms as per the monster entry.

Large, dragon-sized and dragon-like undead monsters that are forces of pure necromancy, these animated collections of bones, dried, mummified skin, and stiff, dead flesh are terrifying creatures that only the most powerful of evil sorcerers can hope to deal with as an equal.

FURY: AC: 13 HD: 6d8 (30 hp) Attack: Scourge +6 (1d6+poison) or Lasso +6, STR: +1, DEX: +1, MND: +2, S: Flies, Knockout poison on scourge causes characters to fall immediately unconscious if they fail a STR + level check (DC 13), 30% spells cast at the Fury fail, Furies can see invisible characters or objects at will, can cast up to 2nd level spells.

Flying, screeching, vaguely bat and woman-like creatures with fanged, dog-like heads, black skin and glowing red eyes, and snake-like hair in some descriptions; in others, they are merely bat-winged, wiry old women.  In all accounts, they are infamous for their horrible screeching, and the terrible scourges with which they whip their victims.

GARGOYLE: AC: 14 HD: 4d6 (16 hp) AT: claws or bite +4 (1d6), horns +4 (1d6) STR: +6, DEX: -2, MND: -1, S: fly, ignores the first 2 points of damage from all attacks.

Animated and strange winged, stone statues.

GHOST: AC: 16 HD: 4d6 (16 hp) AT: touch +4 (1d6) STR: -4, DEX: +2, MND: +1 S: undead immunities, only hit by magic or silver weapons, arrows do a max 1 HP damage.  Ghosts also have one of the following special attacks.  More powerful versions can be created by giving them two or more:

• drains 1d3 DEX on touch, creatures reduced to -5 DEX are immobile and helpless for coup de grace attack that kills them automatically
• as an action, may cast the spell Withering of the Haunter 
• forces a Sanity check on all characters that can see the ghost
• under a permanent effect identical to the Blasphemous Piping of Azathoth spell
• can cast spells up to 3rd level

The spirit of the departed, which for reasons which are unknown, lingers on earth to bring misery and fear to those who remain.  Many, even when defeated, will return after many weeks, months or even years, if their remains are not properly attended to—they usually need to be exhumed, doused in salt, and burned.

GHOUL: AC: 13 HD: 2d6 (8 hp) AT: claws or bite +2 (1d6) STR: +2, DEX: +0, MND: -1, S: touch paralyzes for 1d4 rounds, humans wounded by ghouls are cursed if they fail a MND + level check (DC 12) and will slowly turn into ghouls themselves.  This process involves taking 1 point of MND damage every day (which does not heal overnight) until they reach -5, at which point the conversion is complete.  GM may provide antidote/remedy to counter this curse.

Formerly humans, who fell prey to daemonic, cannibal rituals, and were transformed via blackest necromancy into feral, subhuman monsters that endure endless hunger for human(oid) flesh.  Their most fearsome ability is their tendency to spread their curse to those who survive their attacks.

GOBLIN: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +2, MND: -2

Small, leathery humanoid with bat-like ears and sharp teeth.  Usually seen as a pest at best by civilized people, as a scourge to be annihilated at worst.

GOLEM, FLESH: AC: 16 HD: 4d12 (28 hp) AT: slam +8 (2d6+4) STR: +8, DEX: -2 MND: -3 S: Immune to most forms of magical attack.  Regular weapons do only half damage.  Fire (magical or mundane) does 2x damage.

The stitched together remains of human(oids) given an evil unlife by foul magic.  Flesh golems are notoriously tough and difficult to kill, although luckily they are very rare, and the research into the creation of one is usually punishable by death in most civilized lands.

GRIFFON: AC: 17 HD: 8d8 (40 hp) AT: bite +8 (1d12) STR: +7, DEX: +0, MND: -3 S: flies

Large creatures with the bodies of lions, but the head and forelimbs of eagles, as well as wings.  Their razor sharp beaks are dangerous, but the brave and exceptional individual can occasionally tame one as a steed.

GUG: AC: 15, HD: 10d8 (50 hp) AT: 4 claws +10 (2d6) or bite +10 (1d8), STR: +10, DEX: -2, MND: +0.

Massive monsters that live underground, with arms that split at the elbow, giving each four hands, and a massive, fanged maw that splits the head vertically.

HALFLING: AC: 11 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +2, MND: +0

Small, provincial, rustic people little more than half the height of a normal human.  See character creation rules.

HAWK: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (8 hp) AT: bite +1 (1d4), 1 claws +2 (1d4) STR: -3, DEX: +3, MND: -4, S: flies, +8 bonus on any attempt to spot while flying.
       NOTE: these same stats can be used to represent other small flying animals such as a raven or owl

Stats appropriate for any small flying animal, as used for familiars, pets, animal companions, or merely wildlife.

HELL HOUND: AC: 15 HD: 5d6 (20 hp) AT: bite +5 (1d6) STR: +3, DEX: -1, MND: -3, S: breathe fire (1d10 HP damage—DEX + Athletics check DC 14 will halve damage.)

Supernatural, black, daemonic dogs, hellhounds, when they are seen on earth, are tremendously dangerous.  Their ability to breath fire makes them even worse.

HORSE, RIDING: AC: 12 HD: 2d6 (8 hp) AT: bite or kick +2 (1d6) STR: +5, DEX: +2, MND: -3, S: when ridden, grants a +10 to chase checks

Not trained to fight, riding horses can still be dangerous when spooked.  Most often, however, they are simple beasts of burden; useful for riders or farmers.

HORSE, WAR: AC: 12 HD: 3d6 (12 hp) AT: bite +3 (1d6) or kick +3 (2d6), STR: +5, DEX: +2, MND: -3 S: when ridden, grants a +10 to chase checks

Larger and more fearless than riding horses, warhorses are capable of bringing their masters into battle and fighting alongside them.

HOUND OF TINDALOS: AC: 15, HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: Tongue +4 (special), STR: +4, DEX: +2, MND: +3, S: Teleport through time and space to any sharp angle, tongue attack causes curse that does 1d4 damage to all stats.

Hounds of Tindalos are named after the first sorcerer known to have fallen victim to them.  Strange, extradimensional predators, they are not really "hounds" as they are not really very doglike.  They are very lean, four-legged predators, emaciated and skeletal, with alien heads, strange eyes that can vary tremendously, jagged, sharp teeth, and a long tongue-like organ that trips bluish, glowing ichor.

HUMAN, BANDIT/SOLDIER: AC: 12 HD: 1d10 (6 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +2, DEX: +0, MND: +0

The stats for a regular fighting man.

HUMAN, COMMON MAN: AC: 11 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +0 (1d6), STR: +0, DEX: +0, MND: +0

The stats for a regular civilian.

HUMAN, SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: AC: 14 HD: 3d6 (12 hp) AT: weapon +3 (1d6), STR: +2, DEX: +2, MND: +2

The stats for a more powerful fighting man, or captain.

HYDRA: AC: 15 HD: 6d8 (39 hp) AT: 5 bites +4 (1d10+3) STR: +6 DEX: +0 MND: -3 S: the hydra recovers 10 points of damage every round, unless the damage was dealt with fire or acid

A tremendously dangerous, multi-headed serpent-like creature that is almost impossible to kill without burning.

IFRIT: AC: 16 HD: 10d6 (40 hp) AT: slam +10 (2d6) STR: +8, DEX: +3, MND: +4, S: flies, can turn invisible, immune to any but silver weapons, and can cast any fire-related spell.

Genies of fire, that live in the fabled City of Brass.  The Jann claim to have some descent from the ifrit mingled with their otherwise human ancestry.

IMP: AC: 18, HD: 2d8 (10 hp) (AT: Tail sting +2 (1d4), STR: -2, DEX: +3, MND: +2, S: flies, poison causes paralysis (1d4 rounds) and loss of 1 HP per minute, can assume the form of a specific kind of vermin, can ask 3 questions of demon lords per week and receive correct answer

A small daemon who serves often as a messenger or courier to the daemon lords.  Many escape their servitude and cause misery to mortals, and many even serve as familiars to evil sorcerers.

INVISIBLE STALKER: AC: 16 HD: 8d6 (32 hp) AT: 1 bite +8 (1d6) STR: +1, DEX: +2, MND: -2, S: flies, invisible

An assassin spirit summoned by evil warlocks to kill their rivals.

JABBERWOCK: AC: 12 HD: 7d8 (35 hp) AT: 2 claws +8 (1d8+4) bite +8 (2d6+5) STR: +8 DEX: -2 MND: -2 S: flies, can make a tongue attack where the tongue launches out and sticks to opponents.  On a successful opposed STR check, the jabberwock pulls the target to his mouth and gets an automatically successful bite attack.  Also, any character that sees a jabberwock must succeed on a Level + MND check, DC15 or be subject to an effect identical to The Seeping of Kadath on the Mind for 4 rounds.

A bizarre creature, supposedly created from a spectacularly botched spell by some ancient wizard, that is a disturbing hybrid of multiple large monstrous creatures.  Seeing one often makes victims literally lose their mind in terror, as does listening to their gibbering, meeping calls.

JANN: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +2 (1d6) STR: +1, DEX: +1, MND: +0 S: For one strike per combat, the Jann can make a Fire Strike which does an additional 1d6 fire damage to his opponent.

A red-skinned human who claims distant ifrit ancestry many generations ago.

KEMLING: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +1, MND: +0 S: Kemlings can see in the dark as if they had the biological equivalent of night-vision goggles.

A black-skinned human who claims distant daemonic ancestry many generations ago.

KETOS: AC:30 HD: 30d8 (150 hp) AT: 4 slams +30 (3d8+10) STR: +18 DEX: +2 MND: +0 S: fully amphibious, immune to 1st-3rd level spells, kraken can vomit a flood of sea water that flows from his mouth like a flood.  Creatures in it's path must make a STR + Athletics check to avoid being washed away, but still take 2d6 damage from the force of the water. Targets that fail the check are washed away and knocked down.  If they smash into a solid surface (such as a wall) they take an additional 4d6 damage as the water pounds them into the hard surface

A terrible aquatic monster that has occasionally been appeased by sacrifice, but otherwise is known to be responsible for several ancient kingdoms and city-states, including Argos, Joppa and Aethioppia.

LICH: AC: 20 HD: 12d6 (48 hp) AT: touch +HD (1d6) STR: +4, DEX: +0, MND: +5, S: undead immunities, touch causes paralysis (no save), cause fear in creatures under 4th level/HD, can cast spells up to 5th level

One of several end-states for evil, necromantic sorcerers, who prolong their life with their magic.  These skeletal, undead wizards usually create horcruxes, which allow them to return even from death if defeated, unless the horcrux is itself destroyed.

LION: AC: 13 HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: bite +4 (2d6), 2 claws +4 (2d8), STR: +7, DEX: +4, MND: -3

These same stats can be used to represent other large, dangerous predators (like tigers, for instance) but lions are particularly dangerous because of their social hunting strategy.

LIZARDMAN, BRUTE: AC: 17, HD 3d8 (16 hp) AT: Club +5 (1d8+4) or javelin +3 (1d6+4). STR: +4, DEX: +0, MND: -2 S: amphibious

Large, powerfully build, anthropoid lizards who live in swamps semi-aquatically.

LIZARDMAN, SCOUT: AC: 13, HD 2d8 (10 hp) AT: Club +2 (1d8+2) or javelin +3 (1d6+1). STR: +0, DEX: +3, MND: +0 S: are amphibious

A smaller (but more intelligent) morph of the lizardman race.

MANTICORE: AC: 17, HD: 6d10 (36 hp) AT: 2 claws +8 (2d4+5) bite +6 (1d8+2), spiked tail +8 (1d8+2) STR: +5, DEX: +2, MND: -1, S: flies, spikes from tail can be thrown up to 100 ft.

Another leftover horror from before the Gigantomachy, the manticore is a strange hybrid between man-shape and lion-shape, with a large scorpion-like tail.

MEDUSA: AC: 15, HD 3d8 (16 hp) AT: bow +3 (1d6) or dagger +3 1d6+1) STR: +1, DEX: +1, MND: +0 S: Turn to Stone on failed DC 14 MND + level check) if you look Medusa in the eye

Another lingering horror from prehistoric times, Medusa is a strange hybrid between woman and snake, and her malignant gaze will turn any who see it to stone.

MINOTAUR: AC: 15, HD: 8d8 (40 hp) AT: 4 claws +10 (2d6+4) or gore +10 (1d8+4), STR: +10, DEX: -2, MND: -2.

Cursed monsters that are hybrids between men and giant, shaggy bulls, minotaurs have developed a taste for human flesh.

MUMMY: AC: 16 HD: 6d6 (24 hp) AT: touch +6 (1d6) STR: +7, DEX: -2, MND: +2, S: undead immunities, takes only half damage from non-silver weapons, immune to most spells except fire based ones.

Cursed by evil sorcerers, in ancient times, some victims were doomed to become mummies, powerful undead creatures bound to their place of origin.

NEPHILIM: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +1, MND: +1 S: +1 to any Knowledge or Communication checks.

Beautiful humans with a touch of angelic ancestry, giving them pure white hair, chrome colored eyes, and extraordinarily beautiful features.  Nephilim are usually the descendants of fallen angels, however, so their beauty sometimes masks a darkness of soul that not even the kemlings can match.

NIGHTGAUNT: AC: 15, HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: Squeeze +4 (Special), STR: +1, DEX: +1, MND: +1, S: Flies, tail caress while being squeezed renders most creatures helpless to react, can cast Leaden Limbs of the Gnophkeh spell

Human-sized, rubbery and lean, faceless black flying creatures, nightgaunts are greatly feared, but curiously not always hostile.

ORC: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +3 (1d6+2) STR: +4, DEX: +0, MND: -2

Powerfully built humanoid creature with greenish-gray skin.  See character creation rules.

PHOENIX: AC: 19 HD: 12d6 (48 hp) AT: bite +12 (2d6) STR: +5, DEX: +5, MND: +0, S: all characters hit by the phoenix must make a DEX + Athletics check (DC 15) or be set on fire, which deals an additional 1d6 damage each round.  Flammable materials can be set alight at will on contact

Massive bird of flame that will burn most things that it comes into contact with.

PLAGUE HORROR: AC: 15, HD 10d8 (50 hp) AT: Tentacle +10 (2d6+6) maw hand +10 (2d6+6) STR: +10, DEX: -2, MND: -2, S: A hit with tentacle may grapple its foe on a check vs. DC 20 (STR or DEX + Athletics). A grappled opponent automatically takes 1d8+3 damage each round and cannot do anything until he escapes.  A hit with the maw hand will infect the target with a disease unless it succeeds on a STR + level check DC 20.  The disease causes almost instantaneous flesh rotting, which causes 1d4 point of STR damage the round after the attack, and an additional 1d4 STR damage when the combat is over, assuming the character survived, and will continue to do so once a week until the character dies or the disease is somehow cured.

An elephant-sized mutated former plague victim that betrays little of its former humanity.  Spines cover its back, and one arm ends in a toothed maw, the other has become a powerful tentacle.

RAT, GIANT: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: bite +1 (1d3) STR: -3, DEX: +3, MND: -4, S: 25% chance of disease from bite—must succeed on DC 12 STR + level check or take 1d4 DEX damage in 1 day, and 1d4 STR damage in 2 days.

An aggressive, territorial rat the size of a large dog.

RATMAN: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +1 (1d6) STR: +0, DEX: +2, MND: +0, S: 25% chance of disease from successful attack—must succeed on DC 12 STR + level check or take 1d4 DEX damage in 1 day, and 1d4 STR damage in 2 days.

Disease and filth carrying humanoid rat-people.

RAT BRUTE: AC 15, HD 4d8 (20 hp) AT: 2 claws +4 (2d6) bite +7 (1d8+3) STR: +7, DEX: +5, MND: -3, S: 25% chance of disease from bite or claw attack—must succeed on DC 12 STR+level check or take 1d4 DEX damage in 1 day, and 1d4 STR damage in 2 days.

A massive, muscular, ogre-sized breed of ratmen.

RHINOCEROS: AC: 18 HD: 6d8 (30 hp) AT: trample +7 (2d6+6) gore +7 (1d10+6) STR: +8, DEX: +0, MND: -4
NOTE: this can also represent other large, charging herbivores like bison or aurochs

Large, aggressive, horned herbivores.

SABERTOOTH: AC: 14 HD: 5d8 (15 hp) AT: bite +5 (2d10), claws +5 (2d8), STR: +8, DEX: +3, MND: -3

A massively muscled cat.

SCYLLA: AC: 19 HD: 11d8 (55 hp) AT: 4 maws +11 (2d6+5) bite +12 (2d10+5 and paralytic poison) STR: +8 DEX: +1 MND: -3 S: fully amphibious, successful bite attack administers paralytic poison (STR + Athletics check DC 17) that makes opponents completely unable to move for 2d6+3 rounds

An aqautic monster from prehistoric times with many heads, each equipped with a sucking, lamprey-like mouth.  It can crawl onto land with four powerful clawed feet, and its bite delivers a dangerous paralytic poison that leaves its victims helpless.

SEA SERPENT: AC: 17 HD: 15d6 (75 hp)AT: bite +15 (4d6) STR: +12, DEX: +2, MND: -4, S: swallows whole on roll 4 higher than needed to hit, swallowed creatures take 1d6 automatic damage every turn.  Swallowed characters, if they can deal 30 points of damage with a light weapon before dying, can escape.

Gigantic, aquatic snake.

SHOGGOTH: AC: 5, HD: 12d8 (60 hp) AT: slam +12 (1d8), STR: +12, DEX: +2, MND: -1, S: Immune to critical hits and poison, regenerate 3 HP/round, only takes half damage from fire, cold, electricity, and bludgeoning attacks, amphibious

Massive and powerful amoeba-like creatures cursed with a bitterness and anger at the creatures of the current age (or even the age before the Gigantomachy, for that matter; shoggoths are one of the few remnants from the age before even that.)

SKELETON: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon or strike +1 (1d6) STR: -1, DEX: -1, MND: -4, S: undead immunities, only takes half damage from arrows or bullets.

A magically animated skeleton, which can serve necromancers as servitors or even warriors—although they are relatively poor at the latter.

SNAKE, CONSTRICTOR: AC: 14 HD: 2d6 (8 hp) AT: constriction (1d3) STR: +1, DEX: +1, MND: -4, S: On successful attack, automatic 1d3 damage thereafter until dead or the snake changes its target. Can be escaped with an opposed STR check.

Large snake that attacks by coiling its body around a victim and suffocating it.

SNAKE, VIPER: AC: 14 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: bite +1 (1hp + poison) STR: -2, DEX: +2, MND: -4, S: Poison bite (DC 14 1d6 STR damage, in one minute another 1d6 STR damage.)

Smaller serpent that attacks by injecting poison into the body of its victim via its fangs.

SWARM, BATS: AC: 12, HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: 4 bites (1d8), STR: -4, DEX: +4, MND: -4, S: Attacks made against the swarm are made at -2 and have a 50% chance of hitting random adjacent creature, flies

A multitude of small, biting bats.  They are hard to fight, because they are small and travel in a loosely aggregated mass.

SWARM, INSECTS: AC: 13, HD: 3d8 (15 hp) AT: 3 bite (1d3) (double against no armor), STR: -4, DEX: +4, MND: -4, S: Unaffected by weapons, may or may not fly, may or may not have poison causing paralysis

A multitude of small, biting flies or other biting insect.  They are hard to fight, because they are small and travel in a loosely aggregated mass.

SWARM, RATS: AC: 12, HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: 1 bite +HD (1d8), STR: -4, DEX: +4, MND: -4, S: Attacks made against the swarm are made at -2, bite has 5% chance of causing disease (see RAT, GIANT)

A multitude of aggressive and possible rabid rats.  They are hard to fight, because they are small and travel in a loosely aggregated mass.

THURSE: AC: 17, HD 3d8 (16 hp) AT: Club +5 (1d8+2) or javelin +3 (1d6+2). STR: +2, DEX: +0, MND: -2
NOTE: These same stats can apply to any bestial humanoid such as a Sasquatch, Ogre or Gnophkeh.

Large, powerful, hairy vaguely humanoid creature, known for feral savagery and often a hunger for human(oid) fles.

TREEMAN: AC: 19 HD: 10d8 (50 hp) AT: 2 slams +12 (2d6+9) STR: +10 DEX: -2 MND: +0 S: takes double damage from fire attacks, can trample an opponent which prompts a DEX + Athletics check DC 20 or take 3d8 damage

Powerful yet slow humanoid tree given sentience by some elder power.

VAMPIRE: AC: 17 HD: 9d6 (36 hp) AT: bite +9 (1d6) STR: +4, DEX: +6, MND: +5, S: undead immunities, only takes half damage from non-silver weapons, regenerate 3 hp per round, on a successful hit (MND + level to resist, DC 19) does 1d4 STR damage, gaseous form at will, shape change into bat, can hypnotize (MND + level check, DC 19), avoids garlic and mirrors, immobilized and apparently dead if a stake is driven through its heart, drowns underwater in one round, creatures reduced to -5 STR die and will rise 24 hours later as a vampire under the control of their creator.

Another possible end state for the evil and powerful who wish to prolong their life unnaturally (like the lich.)  Vampires retain their human appearance, but the cost is the undeniable thirst for human blood and sacrifice.

WEREWOLF: AC 16 HD: 4d8 (20 hp) AT: claw +3 (2d8) bite +3 (1d10) STR: +3, DEX +3, MND -2, S: Can transform into either a HUMAN, BANDIT/SOLDIER or a WOLF once per combat (or from them if it starts in either of those forms.)  Transforming instantly heals all damage taken so far.  A successful bite or claw attack while in werewolf form will cause the victim to suffer a 25% chance (each attack) of contracting the curse of lycanthropy.  An individual so cursed becomes a werewolf, and can change into a wolf or werewolf of the same HD as his regular character when desired.  However, in combat, a werewolf has a 20% each round of falling prey to an effect identical to the Seeping of Kadath on the Mind spell.  And needless to say, if the local countryfolk hear about it, they’ll come after the party with torches and pitchforks.

Humans cursed to transform into wolf-like monsters  Legend holds that the moon causes the change to happen, but this is not actually true; stressful conditions (like being injured in combat, for instance) is usually the trigger.

WIGHT: AC: 14 HD: 3d6 (12 hp) AT: claw +3 (1d6) STR: +4, DEX: +1, MND: +1, S: undead immunities, takes only half damage from non-magical or non-silver weapons, does 1d3 STR damage per hit (MND + level check to avoid, DC 14), creatures reduced to -5 STR will rise 24 hours later as a wight.

The reanimated corpses of powerful warriors or other champions, wights are powerful and deadly undead creatures.

WOLF: AC: 12 HD: 2d6 (8 hp) AT: bite +2 (1d6) STR: +2, DEX: +1, MND: -3
          NOTE: These same stats can apply to any medium sized cursorial hunting animal such as a dog or hyena.

A typical cursorial hunting animal.

WOSE: AC: 12 HD: 1d6 (4 hp) AT: weapon +3 (1d6+2) STR: +4, DEX: +0, MND: +0 S: +4 on any Survival type roll needed.

Savage, hairy humanoids who are often accused (and not unfairly) of hunting and eating people.

WYVERN: AC: 15 HD: 7d8 (35 hp) AT: bite +6 (1d6+4) or sting +3 (1d6+2 plus poison) STR: +6, DEX: +1, MND: -4, S: flies, successful stinger attacks deliver poison.  Target must succeed on STR+Level check DC 14 or take 1d4 STR damage.  One minute later, a second check must be passed or character takes 1d4 DEX damage.
NOTE: Can also represent other large stinging or biting poisonous creatures, such as giant insects, etc. May make bite instead of sting poisonous as desired, and remove flight for things like giant spiders, etc.

Large, poisonous flying reptiles.