Input on Monsters

[ChrispyQuantum]

I am running a kind of alien invasion game, where aberrations are infiltrating society. The players are about to head into the area where the first of these beings took power, a Veiled Master, who replaced the population of this town with Faceless Stalkers. The Veiled Master has moved on to bigger and better things, but the town is now an alien landscape. What was once fertile farmland is now twisted forests and swamps. I am trying to think of what inhabits this place now. I was considering a Colour out of Space or three, Chokers, and Akata, but what else? Any ideas are appreciated, to show the players why they need to stop this menace to the world, or the world will soon be like this place.

[DM_Blake]

I don't have monster ideas, but a plot idea instead.

Finding an empty town and deducing that all the people ran away or were killed is weak. Finding an empty town with multiple locations of graphic and shocking scenes of aliens doing terrible things to the inhabitants is very powerful.

If you want to "show the players why they need to stop the menace to the world" then let them find alien autopsies (on people), mutilated victims, other victims of gruesome experimentation or hideous entertainment. Maybe even a few survivors, twisted and mutilated, who can recount first hand tales of how these alien invaders tortured innocents.

You can make this as vivid or graphic as you want. It could be bloodier than The Hostel or cute-but-creepy like when Sid tortured toys in Toy Story. how jarring you make this is up to you and your estimate of what your players can handle. I suggest push them just a tiny bit past their comfort zone, enough to make them a little uncomfortable but highly motivated to stop this problem.

[Goddity]

There are a few animals but nothing unusual. At first. Then the animals start acting weird. A druid would notice it right away. Then the squirrels start breathing fire.

Basically, take a bunch of normal animals and grant them semi random templates and abilities.

[ChrispyQuantum]

I love both of these ideas. Thank you. DM_Blake, I think I have the perfect things for that, from a Rifts game I ran a bit ago.