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On the Monsters that Were: Curst


Curst



This monster by Ed Greenwood shows up again in a book called Mythic Races as open content with some changes.

It's interesting, because they are very much a race of Mary/Marty Sues.

Mostly immune to magic, having whatever class levels the DM wishes, 85% magic resistance, immune to mental attacks, fire, cold, and life drain, and effectively immune to death.

You see, they are cursed.

Yes, there is a stipulation that they will act despondently and strangely 1 in 20 rounds. But mostly they are immortal killing machines. Sometimes immortal killing machines infested with rot grubs.

That said, the idea of a deathless opponent, one who you can communicate with, one that you cannot destroy has interest. Especially since they can be created from extant creatures in your campaign with a bestow curse and a wish.
 
Hack & Slash

On the Monsters that Were, Spinescale

Spinescales

2 hit die, armor class 7 'frog mutations' created "unknowingly by the Master Alchemist Vollan."

more. . .

"During his experiments to produce a new acid, certain untreated chemical wastes from his laboratory found their way into the drainage system with eventual contamination of nearby streams and ponds. Fortunately, no other forms of life were affected besides the frogs."

The mutations?
The tough leathery 'outer skin', razor-sharp teeth, and venomous fangs.

Two mechanical things of note: The creature is considered to have one hit die if fighting outside of water. Also, the creature is immune to normal edged weapons and clubs "etc.", having only vulnerable spots being eyes and softer underbelly. 

I'm guessing the game of "where do you attack the monster?" was much more popular back in the day. It's also pretty easy to see why this didn't make the cut. Giant frogs have an armor class of 7, and killer frogs have fangs. (From White Dwarf #2)
Hack & Slash

On the Monsters That Were: Slinger

Slinger


Instead of a description followed by combat stats, you get itemized lists of effects, attacks and the like.

This is a tiny six-inch long reptile with a ten-inch tail.

Apparently, its scales means only its very tinny tiny eyes are vulnerable, and it's immune to all piercing and slashing weapons except crossbows due to their inability to penetrate (including "swords").

Oh, it flings barbed spines, walks on walls with a speed of 20", "always have the advantage in hand-to-hand combat", leaps 10 feet, hit with a 90% chance regardless of armor if within 4", and you know, save or die poison.

Apparently they attack any creature within 50' because they are territorial. And when I say attack, I mean "emits a musk-like scent that will cause the other slingers in the colony to attack".

It gives some advice to adventurers!


  • Don't touch!
  • Stay 50' away and pick them off with a crossbow!
  • Throw a captured creature (or a disliked party member) into the nest and bypass them in the confusion!


Sounds like fun at parties.

It's not all deadliness and immunities though. Slingers are totally susceptible to fire, both natural and magical. Apparently you can "try [your] luck" by wading in in full armor with a mace. "A sound blow from a mack(sic) will not crack the slinger's scales, but will do enough internal damage to kill the slinger." Or, you know, 10% to hit the eyes. Or getting their musk and using it against them to cause them to attack each other.

But you know, 200 gold per live slingers who can be milked for their antidoteless poison, and 50 gp per corpse. And if you kill enough (20-25) you can make 1/2 weight plate from their hides.
From Dragon Magazine #28, Page 50

Hack & Slash

On the Monsters That Were: Horast

Sometimes things fall down the cracks.

Lets have a look back through the lens of time.

dil-do-dop-dil-do-dop-dil-do-dop ~waves fingers~




Horast

The whipper beast.

5+1 hit dice of Armor Class 6 terror. Sure, the claws only do 1-4 damage. The tail?

4-32

Not the best part. The best part?

Special Attacks: 20% chance of double stroke with the tail

It's like a lottery where the Dungeon Master wins player corpses!

It is "Somewhat mammalian" and has steel-grey thick stiff fur, that blends very well in your "average stone-made dungeon" but is valueless, because for some reason, it's immune to being skinned. Those crafty DM's.
Dragon Magazine #27 page 41
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