Normally, today's post would be about Thursday gaming, but the evening was a repeat of the TOMB board game since I wasn't ready to run my next Delta Green session. Rather, I will "mirror image" a topic from Noism's Monster and Manuals blog, regarding favorites from the D&D bestiary!

1) Giant Rat - Assuredly, the least noble way for a 1st level adventurer to die is to be fatally gnawed by furry vermin. No heroic cairn will be raised for your character, rotting slowly in a damp cellar or cobwebbed cavern. The good news is that the next adventuring group will be able to loot your body and sell your father's tarnished sword for a big chunk of goat cheese.

2) Kopru - Exclusive to module X1 The Isle of Dread, these bizarre creatures are more than happy to wreak havoc by enslaving PCs. Monsters with Charm or mind control are always fun to spring on players, who aren't expecting their tweaked Fighter to switch sides. Kopru usually reside in boiling muck, so engaging them is difficult as well.

3) Bugbear - Versatile and reasonably dangerous, Bugbears can be involved in both low and mid-level dungeons. They often have class levels, which means they will be equipping magic items instead of leaving them in crates for players to find.

4) Thri-Kreen - Four armed Mantis warriors that throw shuriken? Yes, I think that is a swell idea!

5) Minotaur - What sword & spell game doesn't include this mythological superstar? I can't say I like how these beast-men have been evolving into a "cute cartoon" race of late. Minotaurs are killing machines that make Ogres cower and Trolls think twice about moving in next door. Like Dragons, this is why you never hear about champions slaying more than one of them. I drew the picture below when I had a Zombie-taur attack!

6) Lolth - Because, if you took the time to finish G-1-2-3 and D-1-2-3, you should meet someone special.

7) Basilisk - The lair of these reptiles is a great place to hide treasure. After the party sees the "statues", they will turn right around.

8) Son of Kyuss - Not just a walking corpse, but a horrific creation with a NAME. Kyuss became the evil deity known as the Wormgod, and an entire adventure series was written about his story in DUNGEON magazine.

9) Dire Wolf - If given a choice, everyone would choose to ride a monster wolf over a boring horse.

10) Shambling Mound - Combining the worst features of Slimes and Golems, these nasties are why you don't venture into spooky forests or jungles.