Back to Dinosaurs of Golarion!

[IceKid]

Hi,

Dinosaurs and other primeval creatures have long been a part of fantasy role-playing campaigns. So I long for the creation of the book that details these beasts.
I got an idea for the format on how these dinosaurs should be displayed in the book.

Species Name of the Dinosaur/Megafauna/Other prehistoric critters
Native name of the Dinosaur (how the creatures are known by the denizens of Golarion)
Introduction
Habitat & Ecology
Their presence in Golarion
Definitely 2-3 Subspecies/Variants (Regional Variants) and one Abyssal variant.

Example:

Species Name: Tyrannosaurus
Native Name: Tyrant Lizard, Tyrant Fiend Lizard, King Lizard etc
Introduction:......
Habitat & ecology:.....
Their Presence in Golarion: Mwangi Expanse, Tolguth, Deep Tolguth
Subspecies/Variants
1. Mwangi Variant/subspecies
2. Mediogalti Island Variant/subspecies
3. Tolguth/Deep Tolguth Varint/subspecies
4. Abyssal Variant (Definitely a cool made up name, not just any kinda boring old name like "Fiendish Tyrannosaurus"

This is just a rough format....a better one could be made.

In lots of fantasy campaigns, made up dinosaurs are been made with their own cool descriptions and abilities

Example:
In Warhammer Campaign setting, strange and powerful dinosaurs roam the continent of Lustria such as
1. The venom-spitting predator, Troglodon
2. The living fortress beast, Bastiladon (An ankyosaurid)
3. The mysterious sauropod, Arcanodon
4. The lumbering ceratopsian, Stegadon
5. The powerful therapod,Carnosaur.
6. Giant pterasaurs, Terradon etc

In World of Warcraft,we have
1. Devilsaur (tyrannosaurid)
2. Direhorn (ceratopsian)
3. Pterrodax (a pterosaur)

Even in the 2005 movie "King Kong", there are lots of fictional dinosaurs and related creatures like;
1. Vastatosaurus rex (a descendant of Tyrannosaurus)
2. Venatosaurus (a descendant of deinonychus/velociraptor)
3. Ferructus (a huge ceratopsian)
4. Piranhadon ( a humongous fish-like beast)

etc etc etc....

It would definitely be awesome if the Pathfinder campaign have their own
set of fictional dinosaurs. It would be easy to add new stats, abilities and features to these beasts.
All these also extend to other prehistoric megafauna like Mammoths, sabertooths, giant sloths etc and stranger critters.

So I hope that Paizo would release one awesome dinosaur book with above mentioned format/or near to it (there definitely should be variants)
in the near future.

Mukundan

[Evil Genius Prime]

I second this idea.

[Cylyria]

While I very much like this idea, I figure this would be a long, long ways off, since it is a rather niche book.

[Orthos]

I imagine the best time to release such a thing would be during or after an AP dealing with an area in Golarion where dinosaurs are prevalent.

Someone more versed in Golarion geography would have to explain where that is >_>

[Cylyria]

Mammoth Lord realm or in Mwangi would be where dinosaurs are, though I may have placed species in other places in my home campaign. Raptors in the Verduran Forest are a good idea right? Right?

[Jason S]

@Mukudan: Yes, that's not a bad idea for a book. Not sure if Paizo would do it now though, seeing as Serpent's Skull was their dinosaur AP, but maybe a 3rd party would pick it up.

Off topic a little: I've always found that animals and dinosaurs (and especially vermin like huge centipedes) have been shortchanged in terms of how dangerous they are, their hit points, and especially their strength scores. If something is really huge, physics says they also need a huge strength score as well. Pet peeve.

[Threeshades]

I don't think adding fictional dinosaurs would be necessary, real dinosaurs (if you also count plesiosaurs and pterosaurs in, as the bestiaries do) already have a huge variety covered, delivering plenty opportunity for varied monsters. And you have to be carefuly not to go into the realm of the utterly ridiculous like the warhammer stegadon (which is a triceratops and an ankylosaurus combined +2).

Although something like the jurassic park/primal carnage dilophosaurus, that is not actually a dilophosaurus would be pretty neat. A medium sized venom spitter of some sort.

that said, I'm in favor of a dinosaur supplement.

[IceKid]

Hi Guys,

I have taken into consideration all your opinions. But Threeshades, This is Golarion and Earth (as per Reign of Winters adventure) is also present in another part of the material planes. Would't it be awkward to have tyrannosaurus from two planes/universes.
Even if we consider your opinion, we can take into consider the idea of evolution. For example see "Deep Tolguth" of Orv. Millions of years in vast yet limited space with a false sun underground, the dinosaurs had to share their habitat with froghemoths, gigantic vermins and other who-knows what primeval beastsplus other alien creatures of Orv. It perfectly sets the stage for an deadly evolutionary race similar to Skull Island of King Kong. Hence new species of Dinosaurs but with similar appearance to their more real dinosaurs. So adventurers tend to face more deadly dinosaurs with dangerous adaptations.

This new dinosaurs should be able to equally face against giant bugs, aboleths, zombies and even fiends.

A more reasonable way is to have alternative names for the real dinosaurs to differentiate them from extinct earth counterparts.

Like for Triceratops - "Dread Horned Face", something like that or a tyrannosaurid like Mwangisaurus rex- "Mwangi Lizard King" etc.
Besides more diversity leads to more richness.

[James Jacobs]

Cylyria wrote:

While I very much like this idea, I figure this would be a long, long ways off, since it is a rather niche book.

Perhaps...

But since the company's Creative Director is such a huge fan of dinosaurs, it's got a MUCH better chance of seeing print!

I'm not a big fan of re-naming them though. The dinosaur names are ones that a LOT of kids learn real young, and being able to say "This is a tyrannosaurus" when it attacks your group has a lot more power to it than announcing it as a made-up name. Warcraft's works because it LOOKS like the dinosaur, and you can see it and hear it. In a game like Pathfinder, where all you have is description to go off of anyway. It's easier and more primal to imagine a tyrannosaurus than, say, a "swordtooth titan."

[Rysky]

James Jacobs wrote:

Cylyria wrote:

While I very much like this idea, I figure this would be a long, long ways off, since it is a rather niche book.

Perhaps...

But since the company's Creative Director is such a huge fan of dinosaurs, it's got a MUCH better chance of seeing print!

I'm not a big fan of re-naming them though. The dinosaur names are ones that a LOT of kids learn real young, and being able to say "This is a tyrannosaurus" when it attacks your group has a lot more power to it than announcing it as a made-up name. Warcraft's works because it LOOKS like the dinosaur, and you can see it and hear it. In a game like Pathfinder, where all you have is description to go off of anyway. It's easier and more primal to imagine a tyrannosaurus than, say, a "swordtooth titan."

Your not gonna let that go are ya?

[Threeshades]

James Jacobs wrote:

Cylyria wrote:

While I very much like this idea, I figure this would be a long, long ways off, since it is a rather niche book.

Perhaps...

But since the company's Creative Director is such a huge fan of dinosaurs, it's got a MUCH better chance of seeing print!

I'm not a big fan of re-naming them though. The dinosaur names are ones that a LOT of kids learn real young, and being able to say "This is a tyrannosaurus" when it attacks your group has a lot more power to it than announcing it as a made-up name. Warcraft's works because it LOOKS like the dinosaur, and you can see it and hear it. In a game like Pathfinder, where all you have is description to go off of anyway. It's easier and more primal to imagine a tyrannosaurus than, say, a "swordtooth titan."

Also this

I'm absolutely in a dinosaur mood now. I might actually make a little dino bestiary at some point. Make it a nice looking PDF too.

[IceKid]

Hi,

But here is no harm in adding some fictional dinosaurs along with the real ones......
Ok what is everyone's opinion what the fictional dinosaurs of Skull Island? I think they are awesome despite been made up. The were created to perfectly to roam an unstable primal land that is slowly sinking.

I think Weta workshop did a great job.

[thelesuit]

I think for me, calling the big freakin' lizard that just ate the party's pack mule a tyrannosaurus breaks the narrative flow I am generally going for (which is perhaps more immersive than other folks). I can describe in detail what the critter looks like and the players will know it is a tyrannosaurus. But the locals might call it Big Tooth MF'er or something more colorful.

Dinosaur names in the RW were created by scholars studying fossilize remains. Much of the associated nomenclature is academic in nature rather than more dynamic common names.

I guess it really depends upon your particular groups' shared definition of what is fun.

CJ

[Threeshades]

I agree that you can add fictional dinosaurs, but they should be unique and different enough from existing dinosaurs to warrant their own stat block, but also not just overlap two existing dinosaurs or take an existing dinosaur and add extra spikes, to create some sort of super dinosaur. Those things are fine as dinosaur themed magical beasts but I think they would be disruptive if anyone tried to sell them as actual dinosaurs.

One idea for a cool fictional dinosaur that i have given before is something like the Dilophosaurus as depicted in Jurassic Park and Primal Carnage. A smaller theropod that spits some sort of venom.

[MMCJawa]

Eh...we already use names of culturally specific mythological creatures, so using Tyrannosaur doesn't bother me. I assume the people of Golarion are not actually speaking English, and so we just get the translated versions. Tyrannosaurus describes a specific creature in English. It might very well have a different name in Mwangi or Chelaxian, but since no one speaks Chelaxian on Earth, we use Tyrannosaurus.

[James Jacobs]

Rysky wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

Cylyria wrote:

While I very much like this idea, I figure this would be a long, long ways off, since it is a rather niche book.

Perhaps...

But since the company's Creative Director is such a huge fan of dinosaurs, it's got a MUCH better chance of seeing print!

I'm not a big fan of re-naming them though. The dinosaur names are ones that a LOT of kids learn real young, and being able to say "This is a tyrannosaurus" when it attacks your group has a lot more power to it than announcing it as a made-up name. Warcraft's works because it LOOKS like the dinosaur, and you can see it and hear it. In a game like Pathfinder, where all you have is description to go off of anyway. It's easier and more primal to imagine a tyrannosaurus than, say, a "swordtooth titan."

Your not gonna let that go are ya?

No plans to, no.

[James Jacobs]

Mukundan Pillai wrote:

Hi,

But here is no harm in adding some fictional dinosaurs along with the real ones......
Ok what is everyone's opinion what the fictional dinosaurs of Skull Island? I think they are awesome despite been made up. The were created to perfectly to roam an unstable primal land that is slowly sinking.

I think Weta workshop did a great job.

I agree 100%; the dinosaurs in King Kong were hands down the best part of the movie. And there's absolutely room for "new" dinosaurs in that line, but the context and presentation has to be just right.

[Lordzum]

Please make this happen, I don't ask for much.

[Sarcasmancer]

My favorite is Carnotaurus. It's like something I would have drawn as a kid, but in real life.

"Oh yeah, well this one is a Tyrannosaurus... WITH HORNS!"

[Threeshades]

Sarcasmancer wrote:

My favorite is Carnotaurus. It's like something I would have drawn as a kid, but in real life.

"Oh yeah, well this one is a Tyrannosaurus... WITH HORNS!"

A small tyrannosaurus with horns. But yeah he could get a gore attack in addition to his bite and possibly trample. Would make a nice and unique entry in the dinosaur list.

There are lots of cool dinosaurs yet to be implemented
- Therizinosaurus (a lot of people wishlisted this for B4)
- Amphicoelias (if only on virtue of being the largest thing to ever walk the earth)
- Psittacosaurus (to fill some low CR gaps)
- Microraptor (because flying dinosaur)
- Protoceratops (again a nice low CR idea)
- Dilophosaurus (as a dextrous and fast large size predator)
And then there are plenty of archosaurs, plesiosaurs and pterosaurs

And let's not forget dinosaur themed player races.

[LizardMage]

James, the desire is there. It's like a storm, it cannot be denied. Also, still need a Carnotaurus.

[Cylyria]

Quote:

Warcraft's works because it LOOKS like the dinosaur, and you can see it and hear it

LIES! Devilsaurs are the stealthiest things ever. You'd be merrily roaming about picking up seed pods and all of a sudden you're being eaten :O

But please make the book, and feel free to add in the megafauna as well. I know I'd buy it immediately.

[James Jacobs]

Cylyria wrote:

Devilsaurs are the stealthiest things ever.

This is true.

[Diodric]

James Jacobs wrote:

Cylyria wrote:

Devilsaurs are the stealthiest things ever.

This is true.

I would like to debate this point with the Fel Reaver.

[Wannabe Demon Lord]

I'm not sure we need fictional dinosaurs yet, at this point, because there are dozens of awesome unseen dinos. I would like to see...

1. Carnotaurus
2. Ceratosaurus
3. Suchomimus
4. Dilophosaurus
5. Therizinosaurus
6. Megalosaurus
7. Scelidosaurus
8. Monolophosaurus
9. Edmontonia
10. Oviraptor
11. Kentrosaurus
12. Cryolophosaurus
13. Gorgonops
14. Anatotitan
15. Sinraptor
16. Muttaburrasaurus
17. Deltadromeus
18. Rajasaurus
19. Sauropelta
20. Pachyrhinosaurus
21. Dracorex
22. Troodon
23. Deinocheirus
24. Estemmenosuchus
25. Coelophysis
26. Baryonyx
27. Lambeosaurus
28. Ornitholestes
29. Elaphrosauru
30. Acrocanthosaurus
31. Rugops
32. Tuojiangosaurus
33. Amargasaurus
34. Neovenator
35. Torvosaurus
36. Silvisaurus
37. Agustinia
38. Herrerasaurus
39. Ornithocheirus
40. Scutosaurus
41. Guanlong
42. Rebbachisaurus
43. Albertosaurus
44. Placerias
45. Titanophoneus
46. Ampelosaurus
47. Barapasaurus
48. Tupuxuara
49. Tapejara
50. Dsungiripterus
51. Einiosaurus
52. Gastonia
53. Achelousaurus
54. Panoplosaurus
55. Concavenator
56. Yangchuanosaurus
57. Becklespinax
58. Ouranosaurus
59. Chilantaisaurus
60. Genusaurus
61. Liliensternus
62. Irritator
63. Olorotitan
64. Tsintaosaurus
65. Moschops
66. Hylaeosaurus
67. Titanosaurus
68. Tarascosaurus
69. Diabloceratops
70. Gallimimus
71. Stygimoloch
72. Rhamphorhynchus
73. Eotyrannus
74. Alioramus
75. Gigantoraptor
76. Carcharodontosaurus
77. Afrovenator
78. Aerosteon
79. Orkoraptor
80. Dacentrurus
81. Masiakasaurus
82. Psittacosaurus
83. Alxasaurus
84. Saurosuchus
85. Poposaurus
86. Kaprosuchus
87. Scaphognathus
88. Gryposaurus
89. Saurolophus
90. Noasaurus
91. Australovenator
92. Chasmosaurus
93. Shunosaurus
94. Eocarcharia
95. Desmatosuchus
Huge list, and some obscure species, but I tried to cover all the most distinctive species as well as representatives of most dinosaur families. If you want to make a dino bestiary, this may help.

[Wannabe Demon Lord]

And some Megafauna:
1.Elasmotherium
2.Entelodn
3.Uintatherium
4.Deinotherium
5.Thylacoleo
6.Toxodon
7.Arctodus
8.Synthetoceras
9.Platybelodon
10.Macrauchenia
11.Dinofelis
12.Chalicotherium
13.Sivatherium
14.Diprotodon
15.Amphicyon
16.Mesonyx
17.Borophagus
18.Hayoceras
19.Ilingoceras
20.Coryphodn
21.Ampelomeryx
22.Astrapotherium
23.Desmostylus
24.Pelorovis
25.Aepycamelus
26.Anthracotherium
27.Titanoides
28.Metmynodon
29.Palorchestes
30.Agriotherium
31.Hemicyon
32.Sarkastodon
33.Phorusrachus
34.Pachyaena
35.Dukecynus
36.Trigodon
37.Chilotherium
38.Chasmaporthets
39.Chapalmalania
40.Ekorus
41.Megalictis
42.Hyainailouros
43.Kubanochoerus
44.Moropus
45.Patriofelis
46.Giraffokeryx
47.Climacoceras
48.Prolibytherium
49.Harpagolestes
50.Sinonyx
51.Synoplotherium
52.Achaenodon
53.Aelurodon
54.Ramoceras
55.Paracosoryx
56.Osbornoceros
57.Sinomegoceros
58.Eucladoceros
59.Aceratherium
60.Osteoborus
61.Kelenkan
62.Hemipsalodon
63.Meiolania
64.Paleoparadoxia
65.Arctocyon
66.Barylambda
67.Magericyon
68.Daphoenodon
69.Pristichampsus
70.Nyanzachoerus
71.Teleoceras
72.Juxia
73.Diceratherium
74.Borhyaena
75.Metailurus
76.Eremotherium
77.Peltephilus
78.Procoptodon
79.Thylacosmilus
80.Gomphotherium
81.Eusmilus
82.Barbourofelis
83.Homalodotherium
84.Eucladotherium
85.Stylinodon
86.Cervalces
87.Ancylotherium
88.Pyrotherium
89.Scelidotherium
90.Trogosus
91.Epicyon
92.Paleotherium
93.Pakicetus
94.Quinkana
95.Dromornis

And Sea Monsters
1.Mosasaurus
2.Rhomaleosaurus
3.Temnodontosaurus
4.Nothosaurus
5.Placodus
6.Clidastes
7.Macroplata
8.Cymbospondylus
9.Tanystropheus
10.Henodus
11.Plotosaurus
12.Kronosaurus
13.Pliosaurus
14.Dakosaurus
15.Metriorhynchus
16.Kronosaurus
17.Platecarpus
18.Globidens
19.Ceresiosaurus
20.Dolichyrhincops
21.Dunkleosteus
22.Protosphyraena
23.Xiphactinus
24.Cladoselache
25.Edestus
26.Helicoprion
27.Hybodus
28.Orthacanthus
29.Sarcoprion
30.Scapanorhynchus
31.Xenacanthus
32.Stethacanthus
33.Odobenocetops
34.Rytiodus
35.Ambulocetus
36.Rhodocetus
37.Zyghoriza
38.Orthocone
39.Giant Ammonite
40.LIOPLUERODON!!!

Familiars in a bit.

[DJEternalDarkness]

Nice!

[default]

Soooo....About a year ago, I got the crazy idea in my head to do a PDF of dinosaur-themed bits and bobs.
Needless to say, I VASTLY underestimated the time and effort folk like James put into products like that. Regardless, I wanted to start getting my name out as a game designer, so I wanted to start a blog...and real life hit like a rampaging sauropod.

But stumbling across a thread like this is rather encouraging, and has inspired me to take another crack at the whole blog idea, so I'm going to start posting the stats again.

With any luck, I'll even improve at web and graphic design to the point that a PDF looks feasible again!

www.colddinosaur.blogspot.com

[Snorter]

People have failed to mention the highly-intelligent awakened dinosaur, a prepared spellcaster, with surprising, scroll-scribing abilities;

The Rogetsthesaurus!

[TritonOne]

Also don't forget the Philosoraptor!

[TritonOne]

Don't forget the newly discovered "Chicken From Hell":
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/new-dinosaur-chicken-from-hell

Also known as the Anzu wyliei.

[CrimsonVixen]

Diodric wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

Cylyria wrote:

Devilsaurs are the stealthiest things ever.

This is true.

I would like to debate this point with the Fel Reaver.

If you can hear it, it's already too late...