GURPS Monstrous Compendium II WIP

GURPS Monstrous Compendium II WIP

Remember my Monstrous Compendium? Not long ago, I started another volume, and now you can check out the first WIP version here.

Monster: Svathurim

Monster: Svathurim

A simple Pathfinder monster that was requested. Basically, a frost giant centaur with some additionalbits.

Monster: Slag Giant

Monster: Slag Giant

I've been asked to convert the slag giant from Pathfinder. This is a simple monster - just a crossbreed of a stone giant and fire giant. They have a demeanor closer to that of a stone giant, but an aptitude for smithwork of a fire giant. In the original source, they could also do extra damage to objects, but I consider that a gamist ability not worthy being on the statblock - if you want that, learn the Breaking Blow skill. Also, I'm sure it's possible to make a "giant slag" joke here somewhere.

GURPS Monstrous Compendium

GURPS Monstrous Compendium

I rarely do that, because I feel very dirty after I shill my own stuff. On my Boosty, I decided to make some exlusive stuff for my supporters - a GURPS Monstrous Compendium based on the format you can see in the post below this one. The idea is to rework the standard GURPS statblock to make it more useful for the GM. With this format, the GM will have to flip through the books much less, and even when he has to do it, he will have page references to know exactly where to look. For now, the monsters are D&D conversions, but as always, they are not 100% identical to their original versions, as I always rework certain abilities and remove others. Systems are different, game assumptions are different, and some abilities make no sense in GURPS. However, we have to keep in mind that monster lore between different books and editions is different, and sometimes significantly so. Very often, you may encounter contraditions or retcons. For these monsters, I'm trying to do due diligence and combine all lore into a single monster entry. Of course, since contradictions are impossible to avoid, I have to choose what version I like more and sometimes even expand the information with stuff of my own making. So, don't use this manual as "100% D&D canon material," this is just my version.

At this point, there are only 5 monsters in this document:

- Ankheg

- Beholder

- Bralani

- Ghaele

- Stone Drake

Of course, this is a work-in-progress! You will notice some placeholder information that is subject to change in the future, and I definitely will expand it with new monsters in the future. I'm also contemplating creating a Discord server for discussion, suggestions, and perhaps even contributions to this effort. Thank you all for your support, and I hope you like this stuff!

New Monster Statblock - First Attempt (Ankheg)

New Monster Statblock - First Attempt (Ankheg)

Not that long ago, I posted a rant about monster statblocks, and how much I find the GURPS statblock underwhelming. In short, I found it lacking information that would be useful for me as a GM both in combat and out of combat. It made me realize that I want something closer to a proper Monster Manual entry that a "bare" statblock with all the information that the GM can use to incorporate the monster into the world and quickly use it in the game. I decided to try it on the good ol' ankheg. I can say that I'm satisfied with the result, but I may be missing something. I would love to receive some feedback on this to help me refine it.

Here's the result in a PDF format - link.

EDIT: Added a section with useful rules and the trample attack.

EDIT #2: Added information about the activity cycle, organization, and edibility.

EDIT #3: Added numbers to the hex layout and tied Reach to them.

Monster: Dullahan

Monster: Dullahan

This conversion is something one of the readers requested. I was surprised that the dullahan appeared in D&D only in the 5th edition (if you do not count the headless horseman from Imagine Magazine #23). The dullahan also appears in Bestiary 2 for Pathfinder 1e. Both of the monsters are similar, so I decided to combine them into a single entry. Since there are some summoning abilities in play, I also had to convert some "support" monsters.

I vaguely remember that some media treat dullahans as fey, not as undead. In that case, you can remove the undead traits, such as Injury Tolerance (Unliving) and add Vulnerability (Cold Iron, x2) [-10] or something like that.

Monsters: Aquatic Ooze

Monsters: Aquatic Ooze

Fiend Folio introduced aquatic ooze (even though many, if not all oozes before that could live in aquatic environments). I have nothing against the concept, but the monsters themselves seem a bit boring. Perhaps, that is the reason why they've gotten an off-hand mention in one of the Forgotten Realms books and then never brought up again in more modern editions. Despite this, this monster entry is solidified in my mind. I remember opening up Fiend Folio for the first time and seeing this bloodbloater illustration, thinking "Man, this actually looks horrifying!"

Monsters: Aoa

Monsters: Aoa

The aoa are weird. Unless I am missing something, they were introduced in the 3e Fiend Folio and haven't appeared anywhere else, and I can see why. Even though the concept is pretty cool - reflective mercurial orbs that reflect all magic and dispel magic with a touch, there's not much you can do with it. They can just annoy spellcasters and bump into those who have lots of spells or magic items. You cannot communicate or otherwise interact with them.

Monsters: Fiend Folio Monsters I

Monsters: Fiend Folio Monsters I

I guess I should start another big undertaking and chip away at another D&D monster book. Fiend Folio for D&D 3.5 is one of my favorites, so let's do this one. Abrians are Abyss-dwelling ostrich people. Abyssal ghouls are fiendish undead servants of Kiaransalee or the Ghoul King. I decided to remove most of their resistances. Ahuizotl is an aquatic beast that drowns prey with its tail-hand.

Monsters: Devils VII

Monsters: Devils VII

At last, I'm done with devils! This post details the three pre-3e devils. There are some new and actually interesting devils in D&D 4e, but that's something for another time. It's time to pat myself on the back and switch to a more interesting project.

Monsters: Canomorphs

Monsters: Canomorphs

Canomorphs are fiendish hounds (hell hounds, shadow mastiffs, and vorrs) who learned to assume a humanoid form.

Monsters: Imps II

Monsters: Imps II

While the first Monster Manual only has one imp type, Fiend Folio introduces three more, and I managed to find two more in sources from other editions.

Monsters: Devils VI

Monsters: Devils VI

Dragon Magazine and Dungeon Magazine didn't really have many new devils, surprisingly - only two and a half (I don't think Canian pit hound should even count, as it is an advanced hell hound).

Monsters: Monster Manual V Devils

Monsters: Monster Manual V Devils

I want to finish converting the D&D devils (there's probably going to be four more posts after this one), because I have another, more interesting project in mind.

Monsters: Devils V

Monsters: Devils V

Even more devils from Fiendish Codex II and other sources.

Monsters: Devils IV

Monsters: Devils IV

More devils from Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells.

Monster: Vaati

 Monster: Vaati

The D&D multiverse has a long history, and some ancient events might have affected all worlds regardless of the campaign setting in question. For example, most of you probably know about the Blood War – the endless war between demons and devils that is usually contained to the Lower Planes, but sometimes spills over to other planes, including the Material one. But the Blood War is merely a continuation of a much more ancient conflict. Forces of chaos and law were at war in the Age before Ages, when mortal life was barely a thing. The forces of chaos were led by the Queen of Chaos, an obyrith demon lord, and Miska the Wolf-Spider, her demon lord consort. The forces of law were led by the vaati, also known as the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. These beings of elemental air managed to expand their empire and conquer all the elemental planes and many planets on the Material plane. Eventually, they managed to turn the war into a stalemate, and then uneasy peace, despite that bringing their empire to ruin; the balance was sort of restored, but the demons and devils kept fighting – that’s how the Blood War started.

Monsters: Miscellaneous Diabolic Monsters

Monsters: Miscellaneous Diabolic Monsters

There are some D&D monsters that live in Baator, but are not baatezu. Fiendish Codex II still classifies them as devils (even though, in the case of the rejkar, Monster Manual III explicitly says that they are not devils), so let's get them out of the way.

Monsters: Devils III

Monsters: Devils III

Interestingly enough, D&D has many more demon varieties than devils. Perhaps, it has something to do with Abyss being infinite and Baator not.

Monsters: Fensir

Monsters: Fensir

Fensirs, or Ysgardian trolls, are extraplanar giants from Fiend Folio. Female fensir can undergo a transformation into a ravenous rakka that devours everything in sight.