More flumphs than you can shake a flindbar at: Let's Read the Tome of Horrors!

[The Glyphstone]

Originally Posted by volthawk

Well, I suppose the party's casters may be able to do something about it. Still, it has 6hp as well. And shadow blend.

So, at minimum, 2 Magic Missiles per Lesser Shadow needed, or 4 non-Force effects. And they'd come in pairs as an equal-CR encounter at level 1.

[Volthawk]

Originally Posted by The_Glyphstone

So, at minimum, 2 Magic Missiles per Lesser Shadow needed, or 4 non-Force effects. And they'd come in pairs as an equal-CR encounter at level 1.

Yeah, pretty much. And shadow blend means you have concealment to deal with as well.

[Rappy]

Yeah, the lesser shadows are somewhat of an enigma. They aren't really that fit for 1st level play, yet..they're designed for 1st level play.

Odd.

[Volthawk]

Originally Posted by Rappy

Yeah, the lesser shadows are somewhat of an enigma. They aren't really that fit for 1st level play, yet..they're designed for 1st level play.

Odd.

Maybe they're intended as little things to add on to higher-level encounters. The incorporeal mooks.

[Rappy]

Originally Posted by volthawk

Maybe they're intended as little things to add on to higher-level encounters. The incorporeal mooks.

Oh yes, the incorporeal mook factor. That is true. It might be more sensible to have them running backup for true shadows, or...hmm...

Perhaps have the shadow's create spawn ability produce lesser shadows, the true shadows only forming out of circumstances beyond their control.

[BobVosh]

If its freshly turned shadows are lesser they should "grow up" into full shadows imo. After they learn the incorp ropes.

[Rappy]

I support this idea.

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Skeleton, Lead
No, not the name of a heavy metal band (or is it?)...lead skeleton is actually a monster in this tome. Specifically, a CR 7 golem that is made as another cash-in for the popular "make Clerics cry" franchise. Like a good portion of other undead-mimics, it has thick Damage Reduction and generally fits the mold of a walking tank. The Achilles heel of this particular golem is that it is, ironically, slowed by sonic attacks and spells. So yes, the metal skeleton can be haulted by the power of rock.



Skulk
Also known as "put levels of Rogue on me, idiot". Seriously, skulks are pretty closely tailored to be Humanoids that are going to have levels in Rogue at one point or another. They get high bonuses to Hide and Move Silently checks, have natural sneak attack (it doesn't stack with Rogue level sneak attacks, but still), can pass without a trace, and have +4 Dexterity bonus. Oh, and hey, their favored class is Rogue. Convenient. The only type of Rogue they don't really fit is the charmer archetype, due to their -4 penalty to Charisma.



Skull Spider
Sometimes a name really does say it all. It's a CR 1/4 Vermin that is...well...a spider that hides in a skull. That's it. It's venomous, it has nothing really special of note beyond its fluff. It's a spider that lives in a skull. That is all.

[Volthawk]

Originally Posted by Rappy

Skull Spider
Sometimes a name really does say it all. It's a CR 1/4 Vermin that is...well...a spider that hides in a skull. That's it. It's venomous, it has nothing really special of note beyond its fluff. It's a spider that lives in a skull. That is all.

They're a bit like arachnoid hermit crabs.

[Rappy]

Originally Posted by volthawk

They're a bit like arachnoid hermit crabs.

The fluff explicitly mentions hermit crabs, actually.

[Volthawk]

Originally Posted by Rappy

The fluff explicitly mentions hermit crabs, actually.

Oh yeah, so it does.

The fluff is kinda cool though. I mean, they subdue someone, then plant the eggs in the person's brain, which then hatch and eat the brain.

[Rappy]

Originally Posted by volthawk

Oh yeah, so it does.

The fluff is kinda cool though. I mean, they subdue someone, then plant the eggs in the person's brain, which then hatch and eat the brain.

Strangely enough, they have no implant ability, even though there is precedent of other monsters having such an ability...including ones in the Tome of Horrors!

[Binks]

Originally Posted by Rappy

So yes, the metal skeleton can be haulted by the power of rock.

Win.

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for doing this, it's very enjoyable. Glad you're sticking with it. I'm not sure I could take reading through a book that sounds as absurd as this one without going insane .

[Thurbane]

I can't wait for the next entry...it will kick off with the most idiotically named monster ever. Even a 7 year old kid would be embarrassed to created a monster called...

[Reynard]

Skulk
Also known as "put levels of Rogue on me, idiot". Seriously, skulks are pretty closely tailored to be Humanoids that are going to have levels in Rogue at one point or another. They get high bonuses to Hide and Move Silently checks, have natural sneak attack (it doesn't stack with Rogue level sneak attacks, but still), can pass without a trace, and have +4 Dexterity bonus. Oh, and hey, their favored class is Rogue. Convenient. The only type of Rogue they don't really fit is the charmer archetype, due to their -4 penalty to Charisma.

Maybe put Swordsage levels in there, focusing on Shadow Hand? Could be mean, but hey. Could also be awesome.

[Rappy]

Originally Posted by Reynard

Maybe put Swordsage levels in there, focusing on Shadow Hand? Could be mean, but hey. Could also be awesome.

It could very well be.

Originally Posted by Binks

Win.

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for doing this, it's very enjoyable. Glad you're sticking with it. I'm not sure I could take reading through a book that sounds as absurd as this one without going insane .

Thank you, it's always nice to know my little project is enjoyed.

Originally Posted by Thurbane

I can't wait for the next entry...it will kick off with the most idiotically named monster ever. Even a 7 year old kid would be embarrassed to created a monster called...

Skulleton
Oh yes, Thurbane wasn't lying. This is a rather embarrassing name for a rather embarrassing monster. These CR 3 little pests are demilich-mimics, whose only real abilities are a filth fever-spreading bite and producing a stench-ridden dust cloud. At least this one's actually an undead...



Slaad Lord of Entropy
The mighty Ygorl is a CR 29 brute who is probably the most nightmarish Chaotic Neutral monster you'll ever meet. With a +5 anarchic scythe in his hands and an absolute motherload of chaotic spell-like abilities at his fingertips, he is a monster in combat. But no, that's not even the extent of it! To make things even worse for you, he rides a brass dragon into battle, can command the undead and summon slaadi, and has a save-or-die touch. Thankfully, this ashen skeletal giant is unlikely to care about fighting you personally; and if you are strong enough that he actually takes an interest in you himself...well...pray that something else kills you first. A monster truly befitting the title of the ruler of Limbo.



Slaad Lord of Insanity
While not quite as strong as Ygorl, Ssendam, the CR 27 Slaad Lord of Insanity, is certainly no pushover. A giant golden amoeba with black, barbed tentacles and a giant brain in the center, Ssendam is an imposing figure. Like his "brother", this Slaad Lord can summon slaadi and produce potential spell-like abilities; unlike Ygorl, however, Ssendam cares little for the slaadi themselves, and prefers to wander the planes and generally be enigmatic. While not able to kill with a touch, being swatted by this slaad lord's pseudopods will knock you back with 3 levels of negative energy drain a hit. He is also amorphous and thus cannot be flanked and isn't subject to critical hits in his natural state. Oh, and he can turn into a knight in less-than-shining armor if he wants to traverse the planes in cognito...but really, why give up being able to kill people by slapping them in the face with your negative level pseudopods?

[Reynard]

Originally Posted by Rappy

Skulleton

...

Whoever wrote that should be painfully tortured with the sounds of a thousand million puns.

[Gadora]

Originally Posted by Rappy

Skulleton
Oh yes, Thurbane wasn't lying. This is a rather embarrassing name for a rather embarrassing monster. These CR 3 little pests are demilich-mimics, whose only real abilities are a filth fever-spreading bite and producing a stench-ridden dust cloud. At least this one's actually an undead...

Originally Posted by Rappy

Slaad Lord of Entropy
The mighty Ygorl is a CR 29 brute who is probably the most nightmarish Chaotic Neutral monster you'll ever meet. With a +5 anarchic scythe in his hands and an absolute motherload of chaotic spell-like abilities at his fingertips, he is a monster in combat. But no, that's not even the extent of it! To make things even worse for you, he rides a brass dragon into battle, can command the undead and summon slaadi, and has a save-or-die touch. Thankfully, this ashen skeletal giant is unlikely to care about fighting you personally; and if you are strong enough that he actually takes an interest in you himself...well...pray that something else kills you first. A monster truly befitting the title of the ruler of Limbo.

He rides a metallic dragon? Does it say anything about how that came to pass?

[Volthawk]

Originally Posted by Gadora

He rides a metallic dragon? Does it say anything about how that came to pass?

Nope, just says that's what he uses when going to the Material Plane.

[hamishspence]

That brass dragon does make an appearance in the Downer comics in Dungeon magazine.


I can't remember much about him offhand.

[Rappy]

No reason given; he just rides a brass dragon to enhance his concentrated Awesome.

[hamishspence]

While the 4E version of Ygorl looks more like a slaad made of smoke (with glowing red eyes) he still rides a brass dragon.

[BobVosh]

What is the dragons name? Or is it not given?

Also do skull spiders dwell in skulletons? Seems like a match made in ... well, I guess hell.

[Thurbane]

Originally Posted by BobVosh

What is the dragons name? Or is it not given?

In ToH it's called Ryssk.

In the 1E Fiend Folio the dragon was called Shkiv.

[hamishspence]

4E also uses Shkiv as the brass dragon's name.

[Rappy]

Originally Posted by Thurbane

In ToH it's called Ryssk.

In the 1E Fiend Folio the dragon was called Shkiv.

It's probably similar to how Yeenoghu isn't mentioned by name, yet other dark deities like Baphomet are; one was licensed for the ToH, the other wasn't for some reason.

Or at least that would be my interpretation.

[Dubious Pie]

Rappy: You have created the best thread ever. I have been laughing out loud for 30 minutes.

[Eldan]

Originally Posted by Rappy

It's probably similar to how Yeenoghu isn't mentioned by name, yet other dark deities like Baphomet are; one was licensed for the ToH, the other wasn't for some reason.

Or at least that would be my interpretation.

I would guess part of that is that Yeenoghu is an original creation, while Baphomet is stolen from real-world mythology, so you can't really stop anyone from using the name.

[Rappy]

Originally Posted by Eldan

I would guess part of that is that Yeenoghu is an original creation, while Baphomet is stolen from real-world mythology, so you can't really stop anyone from using the name.

True, but one can't make the same case for, say, the mentions of slaadi and beholders. Presumably it's just a matter of "we targeted specifics". Ah well.

Dubious Pie: Thanks, I try my best.

[Rappy]

Slime Crawler
The opposite of the carrion moth, the slime crawler represents the earliest stage in the carrion crawler life cycle. A pathetic CR 1 sludge-dripped, the slime crawler is more flavoring than anything, but it's good in its own way. I must question the expansion of information on carrion crawlers of all things, though. And what exactly does this mean for a carrion crawler? If they aren't the larvae, then...what, are carrion crawlers a mobile pupa stage or something?



Slithering Tracker
Yay, another Int 10 ooze that has no ambitions for its intellect beyond eat-eat-slurp-kill. It has Constitution drain and paralysis, as well as transparency and blindsight as well. Wee. Oh, but this one does have an amusing fluff piece:

Originally Posted by Tome of Horrors

Unlike other oozes, the slithering tracker does not feed on organic matter. It survives by devouring living creatures.

[Emphasis mine]
Notice a little problem with these sentences? I'm sure you do.



Slug, Giant
Like some reject from a 50s B-movie, the giant slug is a crawling elephant-sized gastropod with an acidic spit projectile. Ambling along without a care for obstacles (since it can squeeze into spaces fit for creatures down to Medium size) or enemies (since it is immune to critical hits), the giant slug fears only one thing in the world: salt. Yes, because every adventurer carries around bags of salt for the express purpose of dumping them on a giant slug.

[Eldan]

Anorganic life. Duh. Silicon life forms technically would be anorganic.