Post by peterlind on Aug 26, 2015 13:27:38 GMT -6
The major humanoid races that I plan on using for a megadungeon I am working on will be goblinoids and troglodytes. At this point, I am leaving kobolds, orcs, and gnolls out of the picture as major players.
So, I am looking for ideas to fill in (and flesh out) the gaps between goblin, ogre, troll, and giant. My overall concept is that there will be a kind of goblin-giant hierarchy in the megadungeon where they get tougher as you get lower in the dungeon. This is just a starting point (an initial brainstorm). Your comments and contributions towards turning these ideas into GM-useful material to supplement the OD&D rules will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
So here’s what I have so far:
Goblin Hordling (1 HD). Strength in numbers. Two of them can fight in a 5 foot space. If there are enough of them, they can try to push back or overwhelm (i.e. knock down) their opponents.
Goblin Robber (2 HD). Training in the art of theft and kidnap. Have abilities of a 1st level thief.
Hobgoblin Regular (2 HD). Part of the Hobgoblin military.
Hobgoblin Sergeant (3 HD). Tougher and better-equipped hobgoblin. Increase morale of hobgoblin unit. Act as military leaders among goblinkind.
Bugbear Scout (3 HD). Big and ugly goblins that serve as agents of the local great goblin (i.e. boss). The eyes and ears of goblinkind. Natural stealth and ability to surprise opponents.
Bugbear Hunter (4 HD). As bugbear scout plus the abilities of a 2nd level ranger, except their natural enemies are demi-humans.
Dark Elf (3-4 HD). (A goblinish counterpoint to the Bugbears). These are goblinoids about the size of a typical goblin, but with pale, elfin features. They have a kind of dark fey beauty which places them at the opposite extreme from the big and ugly bugbears, making them often mistaken for a short elf or fey. However, on a closer look they will be seen to have exaggerated elfin features, such as larger pointy ears, larger slanted eyes with long eye-lashes, etc. Though the Dark Elves are agents of the local Great Goblin, they serve as philosophical leaders among the goblins while hobgoblins serve as the military leaders. Dark Elves tend to be hidden and well-protected among goblin kind, having great respect among them. They have the ability to cast spells as a 2nd - 3rd level magic-user. Dark Elves are elusive and thus have a higher natural Armor Class, though they do not wear armor. This natural elusiveness also allows them to blend into a group of goblins and still be able to cast their spells normally even while in the press of the horde.
Great Goblin (4-6 HD). These are goblins of great size that commonly serve as the bosses, taskmasters, chief, and even kings of the goblins. Special abilities?
Ogre (5 HD).
Ogre Mage (6 HD).
Troll (7 HD).
Troll Hag (7 HD). Inspired by Grendel. Troll matrons with spellcasting ability as a 4th level magic-user.
Hill Giant.
[Chaotic fill-in for Stone Giant]
Frost Giant.
Fire Giant.
Cloud Giant. I am seeing Cloud Giants as mainly sorcerers that will usually be up in the clouds, though often serving as assistants to frost and fire giants, which are more active in advancing the cause of Chaos.
Chaos Giant. Equal in power to Storm Giants.
So, I am looking for ideas to fill in (and flesh out) the gaps between goblin, ogre, troll, and giant. My overall concept is that there will be a kind of goblin-giant hierarchy in the megadungeon where they get tougher as you get lower in the dungeon. This is just a starting point (an initial brainstorm). Your comments and contributions towards turning these ideas into GM-useful material to supplement the OD&D rules will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
So here’s what I have so far:
Goblin Hordling (1 HD). Strength in numbers. Two of them can fight in a 5 foot space. If there are enough of them, they can try to push back or overwhelm (i.e. knock down) their opponents.
Goblin Robber (2 HD). Training in the art of theft and kidnap. Have abilities of a 1st level thief.
Hobgoblin Regular (2 HD). Part of the Hobgoblin military.
Hobgoblin Sergeant (3 HD). Tougher and better-equipped hobgoblin. Increase morale of hobgoblin unit. Act as military leaders among goblinkind.
Bugbear Scout (3 HD). Big and ugly goblins that serve as agents of the local great goblin (i.e. boss). The eyes and ears of goblinkind. Natural stealth and ability to surprise opponents.
Bugbear Hunter (4 HD). As bugbear scout plus the abilities of a 2nd level ranger, except their natural enemies are demi-humans.
Dark Elf (3-4 HD). (A goblinish counterpoint to the Bugbears). These are goblinoids about the size of a typical goblin, but with pale, elfin features. They have a kind of dark fey beauty which places them at the opposite extreme from the big and ugly bugbears, making them often mistaken for a short elf or fey. However, on a closer look they will be seen to have exaggerated elfin features, such as larger pointy ears, larger slanted eyes with long eye-lashes, etc. Though the Dark Elves are agents of the local Great Goblin, they serve as philosophical leaders among the goblins while hobgoblins serve as the military leaders. Dark Elves tend to be hidden and well-protected among goblin kind, having great respect among them. They have the ability to cast spells as a 2nd - 3rd level magic-user. Dark Elves are elusive and thus have a higher natural Armor Class, though they do not wear armor. This natural elusiveness also allows them to blend into a group of goblins and still be able to cast their spells normally even while in the press of the horde.
Great Goblin (4-6 HD). These are goblins of great size that commonly serve as the bosses, taskmasters, chief, and even kings of the goblins. Special abilities?
Ogre (5 HD).
Ogre Mage (6 HD).
Troll (7 HD).
Troll Hag (7 HD). Inspired by Grendel. Troll matrons with spellcasting ability as a 4th level magic-user.
Hill Giant.
[Chaotic fill-in for Stone Giant]
Frost Giant.
Fire Giant.
Cloud Giant. I am seeing Cloud Giants as mainly sorcerers that will usually be up in the clouds, though often serving as assistants to frost and fire giants, which are more active in advancing the cause of Chaos.
Chaos Giant. Equal in power to Storm Giants.
