Bestiary 4 Preview #3

Monty Python is not what comes to mind when I read the Grendel's "Gruesome Dismemberment" ability.

Grendel's CR puts him at a level where heal spells are negating hundreds of points of damage. This makes it possible for Grendel to rip off all four of a front-liner's limbs without reducing that character below half hit points.

So you have a raging barbarian with no limbs shouting, "It's only a flesh wound!" and threatening to retaliate with a bite attack, a la a certain knight from a Monty Python movie.

Meanwhile, a squad of four tiny fey with pliers TPKs an entire level-appropriate party by putting them to sleep and pulling out their teeth.

This is all quite silly.

It's more a case for me of "another ridiculous creature?" I'm sure there will be plenty of dread and gore-dripping horrors but the pipefox and the tooth fairy completely destroy any desire I have to buy this book. And I like mythology, of the Orient, Occident, Antipodean - you name it. I guess it's all part of the wondrous kitchen-sink nature of PF and it's asscoiated campaign setting.

Happily I can forget these two latest blogposts and look forward to the karkinoids and einherjars. Which are obviously universally liked. Because they rock, and are my favorite things to have been teased out of the initial reports.

Everyone's taste in gaming is different. I am completely uninterested in Cthulhu as a concept, nor Kaiju, but very interested if there are some crazy and groundbreaking new mechanics. That's why I liked the Grendel post - I would never use "Grendel" nor probably Mythic rules, but limb tearing mechanics? Pretty freaking cool.

I'm very happy Almiraj and Tooth Fairy make it in, my perfect monsterbook doesn't only exist out of powerhouses and famous attacking monsters.

I'm even start to grow toward the pipefox, too bad its Diminutive, I would like to see a small version the pipefox curled around the neck of a very evil landlord (kitsune or other)

I'm very happy Almiraj and Tooth Fairy make it in, my perfect monsterbook doesn't only exist out of powerhouses and famous attacking monsters.

Mine either. I jus have had no use for al-miraj for.... oh I don't know, over 30 years.

I'm even start to grow toward the pipefox, too bad its Diminutive, I would like to see a small version the pipefox curled around the neck of a very evil landlord (kitsune or other)

Sounds more like an Accessory than a beast/monster/creature.

Look, I'm all down with all creatures aren't foes/murder victims and the bejewelled panoply of infinite roleplay/plot/social encounter/plot hooks. A rabbit with a freaking razor sharp carrot stuck on its head and a kids bogeyman as culture jammed by deviantart isn't hitting my tingly zones. As long as einherjar and karkinoids are playable races I'll be happy. ;)

Abandoned Arts wrote:

Monty Python is not what comes to mind when I read the Grendel's "Gruesome Dismemberment" ability.

Grendel's CR puts him at a level where heal spells are negating hundreds of points of damage. This makes it possible for Grendel to rip off all four of a front-liner's limbs without reducing that character below half hit points.

So you have a raging barbarian with no limbs shouting, "It's only a flesh wound!" and threatening to retaliate with a bite attack, a la a certain knight from a Monty Python movie.

Meanwhile, a squad of four tiny fey with pliers TPKs an entire level-appropriate party by putting them to sleep and pulling out their teeth.

This is all quite silly.

I haven't heard anyone quote Monty Python in about four years.

I'm actually quite thankful for that.

Maybe your players would spout it, but I have a feeling with mine, shit would get real, real fast. Better have those scrolls of regeneration handy. Just in case.

I can see how this can be a CR 1/4 - just look at the health pool - 5 points which is, for example, a single magic missile max roll.

Fortitude saves would scare them mightily too.

Those pliers look metal, so with heat metal, the poor fellow is going to drop his pliers very quick or fry himself on them.

When assessing a creature's CR, don't just look at what it can do, look also at what you can do to it - this is a one shot hit kill for most good damage rolls. :)

A swarm of them though, ohhh, that's another story...

The paralysis save isn't even that hard to make. It's only an 11. Unless one person is getting swarmed by them, you're okay. And if that one person is getting swarmed, that's three+ more people are aren't getting paralyzed that can kill them.

Gancanagh wrote:

I'm very happy Almiraj and Tooth Fairy make it in, my perfect monsterbook doesn't only exist out of powerhouses and famous attacking monsters.

Mine either. I jus have had no use for al-miraj for.... oh I don't know, over 30 years.

Gancanagh wrote:

I'm even start to grow toward the pipefox, too bad its Diminutive, I would like to see a small version the pipefox curled around the neck of a very evil landlord (kitsune or other)

Sounds more like an Accessory than a beast/monster/creature.

Look, I'm all down with all creatures aren't foes/murder victims and the bejewelled panoply of infinite roleplay/plot/social encounter/plot hooks. A rabbit with a freaking razor sharp carrot stuck on its head and a kids bogeyman as culture jammed by deviantart isn't hitting my tingly zones. As long as einherjar and karkinoids are playable races I'll be happy. ;)

Then make use for it? Haha the more the marrier, maybe you can replace that neverending overused Goblins and Kobolds with Almiraj one adventure? :-p

I play as Kobolds and Goblins. Run them in adventures? Rarely. Al-miraj - as I said, in all my time playing since grognardia - they have never leapt off the page and inspired me. And as anyone can tell you, I'm waaaaay gonzo. Just bigoted and opinionated I guess. No harm Gancanagh, I'm very glad you are getting some of your favorites out of these Bestiaries. Plus you get bonus points for liking Aurumvoraxes. Mauling shins since the Barrier Peaks...

Aurumvorax is high in my favorite list of bestiary 2 even :-p

They reminded me off Nemean lions for some odd reason :-p Probably because of their golden tough fur.

NOPE.avi

goes out to buy some more floss and Listerine

looks closer

Oh Gob boggit, that nail. D:

Well Anthony Adam, if your lv 1 wizard has a good enough perception check to spot a +19 stealth check, has magic missile handy, and happens to roll max damage then yes it would be an easy fight.

Well Anthony Adam, if your lv 1 wizard has a good enough perception check to spot a +19 stealth check, has magic missile handy, and happens to roll max damage then yes it would be an easy fight.

I'm sure once the first tooth is pulled, the wizard and co. will realize they are under attack and act accordingly. Chances are, the wizard can nail a group with burning hands or color spray. While the fighter stabs it to death.

Besides, what's a little Charisma damage gonna do? :)

Not to downplay the tooth fairy. I can certainly make them scary. But I think they are worth the CR 1/4, if not, at most, 1/3.

Abandoned Arts wrote:

Monty Python is not what comes to mind when I read the Grendel's "Gruesome Dismemberment" ability.

Grendel's CR puts him at a level where heal spells are negating hundreds of points of damage. This makes it possible for Grendel to rip off all four of a front-liner's limbs without reducing that character below half hit points.

So you have a raging barbarian with no limbs shouting, "It's only a flesh wound!" and threatening to retaliate with a bite attack, a la a certain knight from a Monty Python movie.

Meanwhile, a squad of four tiny fey with pliers TPKs an entire level-appropriate party by putting them to sleep and pulling out their teeth.

This is all quite silly.

If grendel rips off your limbs you are going to need regeneration, which means you are out of the fight for 2d10 rounds (I assume grendel is not going to politely put the severed limbs back on your stumps). Even if you try to attack by jumping around on one leg or rushing back in with one arm, you are going to be severely handicapped in that fight. (I can only find 3pp rules for loss of body parts now...if anyone can link to something "official" that would be useful)

MMCJawa wrote:

Now we just need stats for these guys in swarm form

Please no D:

that's exactly why we need swarms of the little buggers, i have a party involving a Tiefling and an Undine, I can't wait to spring this on them

So what does it do with all those teeth?

Take a close look at its mouth. Those aren't its natural teeth. :-)

Really...? We need this garbage in Bestiary 4? Again, this is why my campaign, which is based on the alignments at war, particularly law and chaos, I am not receiving more Inevitables? What am I paying you guys for?

Really...? We need this garbage in Bestiary 4? Again, this is why my campaign, which is based on the alignments at war, particularly law and chaos, I am not receiving more Inevitables? What am I paying you guys for?

Nope, this almost certainly isn't why you're not getting more Inevitables. You're not getting more Inevitables because Paizo decided against making more Inevitables for Bestiary 4, which is a separate decision from deciding to make tooth fairies a monster in Bestiary 4. If tooth fairies had not been included, a different monster, also not an Inevitable, would likely have appeared in its place.

And presumably, like everyone else, since Paizo is produces products to sell, and not being commissioned by specific individuals to produce specific products, you are paying for the finished products you view as being worth your money, like the rest of us. Whether or not Bestiary 4 is one of them is, of course, entirely up to you.

So what does it do with all those teeth?

I suggest you find a copy of Hogfather by Terry Pratchett.

The wicked cross between a sprite and gremlin.

Markolius Craggmorn wrote:

Really...? We need this garbage in Bestiary 4? Again, this is why my campaign, which is based on the alignments at war, particularly law and chaos, I am not receiving more Inevitables? What am I paying you guys for?

Nope, this almost certainly isn't why you're not getting more Inevitables. You're not getting more Inevitables because Paizo decided against making more Inevitables for Bestiary 4, which is a separate decision from deciding to make tooth fairies a monster in Bestiary 4. If tooth fairies had not been included, a different monster, also not an Inevitable, would likely have appeared in its place.

And presumably, like everyone else, since Paizo is produces products to sell, and not being commissioned by specific individuals to produce specific products, you are paying for the finished products you view as being worth your money, like the rest of us. Whether or not Bestiary 4 is one of them is, of course, entirely up to you.

Not that i think that guy deserves anything , but what you said made me wonder , why they decided against more inevitables?

And you know if they decided against anything else? I assume there will be more demons,devils and others standart outsiders?

Luthorne wrote:

Markolius Craggmorn wrote:

Really...? We need this garbage in Bestiary 4? Again, this is why my campaign, which is based on the alignments at war, particularly law and chaos, I am not receiving more Inevitables? What am I paying you guys for?

Nope, this almost certainly isn't why you're not getting more Inevitables. You're not getting more Inevitables because Paizo decided against making more Inevitables for Bestiary 4, which is a separate decision from deciding to make tooth fairies a monster in Bestiary 4. If tooth fairies had not been included, a different monster, also not an Inevitable, would likely have appeared in its place.

And presumably, like everyone else, since Paizo is produces products to sell, and not being commissioned by specific individuals to produce specific products, you are paying for the finished products you view as being worth your money, like the rest of us. Whether or not Bestiary 4 is one of them is, of course, entirely up to you.

Not that i think that guy deserves anything , but what you said made me wonder , why they decided against more inevitables?

And you know if they decided against anything else? I assume there will be more demons,devils and others standart outsiders?

In regards to the lack of Inevitables, I believe they were simply more interested in making other monsters than they were in making more Inevitables.

In regards to what will and won't be in there, I haven't been keeping a list; you'd probably do better to ask Gancanagh, who I believe has been keeping quite a close eye on what the staff have said will and won't be included. I believe, though, that they said that there will be no new aeons nor azatas, and I believe James Jacobs confirmed that Hastur will be one of the Great Old Ones to be covered along with Cthulhu.

Really...? We need this garbage in Bestiary 4? Again, this is why my campaign, which is based on the alignments at war, particularly law and chaos, I am not receiving more Inevitables? What am I paying you guys for?

There are many, far more productive ways to ask us for more inevitables.

I am looking forward to the Nosferatu as I believe that they will fit nicely into my current campaign.

Nox Aeterna wrote:

Luthorne wrote:

Markolius Craggmorn wrote:

Really...? We need this garbage in Bestiary 4? Again, this is why my campaign, which is based on the alignments at war, particularly law and chaos, I am not receiving more Inevitables? What am I paying you guys for?

Nope, this almost certainly isn't why you're not getting more Inevitables. You're not getting more Inevitables because Paizo decided against making more Inevitables for Bestiary 4, which is a separate decision from deciding to make tooth fairies a monster in Bestiary 4. If tooth fairies had not been included, a different monster, also not an Inevitable, would likely have appeared in its place.

And presumably, like everyone else, since Paizo is produces products to sell, and not being commissioned by specific individuals to produce specific products, you are paying for the finished products you view as being worth your money, like the rest of us. Whether or not Bestiary 4 is one of them is, of course, entirely up to you.

Not that i think that guy deserves anything , but what you said made me wonder , why they decided against more inevitables?

And you know if they decided against anything else? I assume there will be more demons,devils and others standart outsiders?

In regards to the lack of Inevitables, I believe they were simply more interested in making other monsters than they were in making more Inevitables.

In regards to what will and won't be in there, I haven't been keeping a list; you'd probably do better to ask Gancanagh, who I believe has been keeping quite a close eye on what the staff have said will and won't be included. I believe, though, that they said that there will be no new aeons nor azatas, and I believe James Jacobs confirmed that Hastur will be one of the Great Old Ones to be covered along with Cthulhu.

From what I recall from descriptions, established outsider types don't appear to be getting many new additions. We are getting Psychopomps finally, plus Empyreal Lords and Demon Lords. Elohim may or may not be a new outsider group (or individual outsider)

There are many, far more productive ways to ask us for more inevitables.

I'd recommend waiting patiently. After all, the creation of more Inevitables is, well, you know.

James Jacobs wrote:

There are many, far more productive ways to ask us for more inevitables.

I'd recommend waiting patiently. After all, the creation of more Inevitables is, well, you know.

+1

Yeah, if one wants more inevitables, championing them is more likely to win folks over than bashing the things one doesn't like. Get others excited about those possibilities, not by telling them they should, but by showing some ideas and angles that catch their imagination. :)

Elohim may or may not be a new outsider group (or individual outsider)

Pulling for "new group", but I'm giddy about alien angels showing up either way. :D

Ooh, I like it.

I doubt any of the Godzilla-sized monsters in this book will be as scary as a gang of these guys flying around, ripping teeth, and snapping fingers. (While cackling, most likely)

Bash, bash, bash things I don't like...oh yeah I want more Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans;) Though to honest I have asking for new ones of these guys for 3 years now, just saying.

..... just saying the Book of the Damned 1-3 was great stuff as well as any of the revised books cheap, crunchy, full of flavor hell that more than what you can ask from a bag of cheesy poofs

Bash, bash, bash things I don't like...oh yeah I want more Aeons, Inevitables, and Proteans;) Though to honest I have asking for new ones of these guys for 3 years now, just saying.

Lol You've been asking for nearly EVERYTHING (except for the stuff I like) so they can't forfill every wish you have of course :p

And they have a good reason for the Aeons, so wishing won't help that.

I just want more fey, constructs, oozes, and elementals, with some giants. magical beasts and plant creatures thrown in for flavoring. Getting new non-elemental outsiders doesn't appeal to me. But I keep my negative opinions on such things to myself and don't rage at them being included over something I would rather see. I know others enjoy that stuff, and that these books aren't made just for me.

Personally, I liked the previous preview for the pipefox, and I like this one for the tooth fairy. I am neutral on the Grendel preview, and neutral on the inclusion of mythic stuff, as I am not entirely sure if I will ever use it. But I know there are others who do, so the inclusion of mythic monsters is a good thing.

I look forward to seeing what all is included in this book, and curious what the new set of dragons will look like. I am going to take a guess that they will be mythic.

Despite the slightly goofy image, I don't see the tooth fairy as any less threatening than your average goblin - who are just as likely to pick up a pair of pliers and try to steal someone's teeth. The difference is your average goblin does not have the tooth fairy's superior ability to coup-de-grace - although ghouls are still a TPK's best friend.

Of course, since all the tooth fairy seems to want is your teeth, it would be a pretty vicious GM (at least in my opinion) who decides to coup-de-grace her players with fey dentistry. I do agree that this guy is more like a CR 1/3 or 1/2 though, just because it has the tools to be truly nasty.

The pipefox was adorable; no less so than the carbuncle. Or the fairy dragon, for people who aren't so fond of mutant chameleons. There are always a few cute creatures that get slipped into the pages of a Bestiary.

Bestiary 4 apparently has 300-odd monsters in it. We've been given previews of three. Not yet enough for me to judge the merit of the entire book on ;)

I LOVE this! It just screams Arthur Machen! (My only gripe is that it should speak Aklo!) Reminds me of Guillermo del Toro's excellent remake of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (which was, unsurprisingly, HEAVILY influenced by Machen.)

This book is truly going to be amazing.

I wonder how the little guy has the strength to pull out teeth. When I have had teeth pulled the dentist has to practically put a foot up on the chair and heave with his entire back to get it out. It's a disconcerting thing to watch.

Instead of going around being mean and pulling unwilling people's teeth these tooth fairies should hire themselves out to dentist the world over. They get paid to doing what they love and get their precious precious teeth. The person getting their tooth removed wouldn't have to wonder if half their jaw was going to go with it. It would be a win/win for everybody.

Reminds me of Guillermo del Toro's excellent remake of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (which was, unsurprisingly, HEAVILY influenced by Machen.)

It actually reminds me of the tooth fairies from Hellboy, which were both cute and scary at the same time.

I LOVE this! It just screams Arthur Machen! (My only gripe is that it should speak Aklo!) Reminds me of Guillermo del Toro's excellent remake of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (which was, unsurprisingly, HEAVILY influenced by Machen.)

This book is truly going to be amazing.

Agreed. Aklo would have been a much better choice. poop

Can't believe I missed that during my dev pass.