Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Skritz_the_Lizardmen 08-12-07, 12:32 PM	In a typical D&D setting, monster are terrifying creature like Orc, Ogre, Dragon, Beholder, Ghoul, Vampire and all this stuff... Medieval era where full of fright. People where scared. I read a book about original vampire myth, those that date back before Bram Stocker and i realised what creeped the most these people was the unkown, the night and the darkness. They monster where "born" from their imagination. They feared thing they created themselves. In the end, the feared the monster from their imagination. The same goes for kid and monster under the bed or in the closet. Let me explain it whit the lyric of "Enter Sandman" "Its just the beast under your bed, in your closet in your head!" See, we fear thing our mind creature. The monster from the myth and legend. Now, transpose this in a magical universe. What if those "thing" from the mind where given flesh? Lets select a known fear: the fear of death. Peasant from a small village fear death. King fear death. Elves fear death in the end, but in a different way. They might fear death from non-natural cause like disease and assasination. Even non-humanoid might fear it. Now, collect this fear and give it life! Instant monster. I was inspired by some already-made monster like the Night Terror, Boogey Man and other. There was in fact a psionic monster, i don't remember what was its name, who was born from psionic people fear of creature who lurk in the dark. Anyway, such monster would add some spice to a campaign, if used right. Lets say the player just battled a bad guy. They rest for the night. One of the player has a fear of darkness. This attract or create a monster born from this emotion. The player might think its Ghost or an Etheral creature. They won't suspect its the incarnation of one of the PC fear. Other idea include creature born from other fear or negative emotion! So, what do you think about this idea? Should i create a few of these critter? I was thinking creating a whole new type and new ability to freak out player.
Skritz_the_Lizardmen 08-12-07, 12:39 PM	Possible idea for creature Fear of... Darkness Death Becoming Lost Beign murdered Becoming sick Of drowning Beign entombed Beign alone Other emotion Anger Sadness Madness
Wauthan 08-12-07, 02:33 PM	To be honest I feel like your concept could work better as an alternate "monster genesis" then as a basis for new monsters. The Fey creatures seems to fit this almost by default. All monsters are based on the things we humans find frightening, or we wouldn't consider them monsters in the first place. ;) Having the PC constantly worry not only about "real" monsters but also about the fact that his own mind is literally out to kill him sounds a bit harsh. Also wouldn't this be balanced out by creatures spawned by positive emotions? Could lead to some very confusing moments to say the least. But all things considered I think your idea might be the basis for a very frightening plane in the Abyss.
041391klr 08-12-07, 06:00 PM	Isnt their some monster in one of the harry potter books that turns into your greatest fear? Hung out in a wardrobe or chest or something...
Skritz_the_Lizardmen 08-12-07, 06:51 PM	Isnt their some monster in one of the harry potter books that turns into your greatest fear? Hung out in a wardrobe or chest or something... Actually, lots of creature from different stuff can take the shape of your fear. Also, the creature im taling about are rare case. Not every fear make a creature. But, there is a slim...i dunno...0.5% chance that it happen. Maybe a little more in presence of a great source of evil, or after a contact whit it. It just happen from time to time... There was a psionic monster like that in a WOTC preview, im pretty sure of it!