Come to think of it, maybe the whole Suck-a-Thumb thing does need explaining.
And... actually... and boy is my face red. Apparently, I'd forgotten it was a roving tailor.
The story is from an old children's book of stories from 1845, Der Struwwelpeter. Most of the stories are about horrible, terrible things happening to children who misbehave.
"The Story of Little Suck-a-Thumb" (in which a boy is told by his mother that a tailor will come and cut his thumbs off if he sucks them. It happens.) is one that sticks in my mind rather heartily, partly because there was a rather disturbing animation made of it, and partly because of cruel surreality of a roving Great Tall Tailor in red lurking around waiting for little boys to suck their thumbs so he can mutilate them for their' crimes.' And... partly because of his mother's total lack of sympathy when this boogeyman attacks her son.
I can't think of the Tailor as a natural creature, I really can't. He's got to be some kind of fey, or outsider, or even some kind of Jason-esque roving undead thing out to mete out a twisted impression of justice.
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My vote would be for shapeshifters, as they have (from what I've seen) rarely been used in a roleplaying game for horror when that is the genre they are most suited for. Either new types of shapeshifters or old ones being used in new and interesting ways. And I'm not just talking doppelgangers, mimics can be horrifying too but it would be great to get a couple new shapeshifters that can disguise themselves as objects but have a different combat ruitine than the mimic, as those are fairly well known.
I also think Lovecraft is a no brainer, whenever I see a Lovecraftian horror in an AP or bestiary it makes me very happy.
Just one question, one beastie has the special attack shackle, but isn't mechanically defined or referenced, I can guess, but what was intended?
Hum, blast. At one point each of these had a few unique special abilities, but those shifted into the more versatile construction point abilities. In this case, the animated manacles got grab. So just nix that shackles bit.
I also think Lovecraft is a no brainer, whenever I see a Lovecraftian horror in an AP or bestiary it makes me very happy.
Yeah. You're going to be all about PF #46.
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The most horrific thing I ever threw at a group (in a homebrew post-apoc biohazard setting) was a pregnant nurse in a morgue that got locked in an infection zone. She developed many "hag" features, strength, claws, nat armor... but the creep factor was writhing umbilical cords coming from her belly button (You are all forbidden from pointing out biological inaccuracy in this monster... I wanted to creep people out, not make them leave the table)
The umbilical cords were able to act independent of the host monster, and crept around the morgue, attaching to dead flesh and pumping it full of magical pseudoscience (in this world, a parasite) that animated the corpse.
What you end up with is a network of these fleshy cords leading from the "guard zombies" back to the hostess.
Oh! Oh!
I don't know if anyone's mentioned this already, but after reading the recent blog on Lovecraftian horrors and discovering that they appeared in the in-house Paizo drow campaign, I do have a new request now!
Me-Want to see Mi-Go, please!
I tend to imagine them as a species who have a lot of Alchemists in their society.
Me-Want to see Mi-Go, please!
Okay.
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The most horrific thing I ever threw at a group (in a homebrew post-apoc biohazard setting) was a pregnant nurse in a morgue that got locked in an infection zone. She developed many "hag" features, strength, claws, nat armor... but the creep factor was writhing umbilical cords coming from her belly button (You are all forbidden from pointing out biological inaccuracy in this monster... I wanted to creep people out, not make them leave the table)
The umbilical cords were able to act independent of the host monster, and crept around the morgue, attaching to dead flesh and pumping it full of magical pseudoscience (in this world, a parasite) that animated the corpse.
What you end up with is a network of these fleshy cords leading from the "guard zombies" back to the hostess.
That is just disgustingly, nastily, awfully AWESOME!
Okay folks, we've done this before, but now it's time for the horror-themed bonus round!
What folkloric/mythological/public domain monsters to do YOU want to see in the Bestiary sections of the Carrion Crown Adventure Path?
We're really playing up the gothic horror angle with this one and a thousand eyes are always better than two when it comes to this sort of research, so whatcha got!?
When possible, links would be very helpful!
It will not be complete without the Zombie Lord!
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/notwd.pdf
Here's a link to "Night of the Walking Dead" 4th module (by release date, first you would run in terms of level) in the Ravenloft Grand Conjunction storyline.
It will not be complete without the Zombie Lord!
Check.
Me-Want to see Mi-Go, please!Okay.
You're so accommodating! Thanks! ;)
How about a flayed bull that haunts the pastures literally scaring cattle to death and attacking shepards?
Or this one borrowed from Norse folktales:
A large black cat (spirit) that can sit on your chest and drain your strength (breath). It feels like it is getting too heavy to lift as your stength drains away.
Here is one I'm considering for my players to encounter:
A swamp monster. Sort of like an Aboleth, but it has very long tentecles/ tendrils that it stabs into the victims back. it then slowly drains the victim of vital fluids and replaces it with swamp water. Also it can control the victims movements (moves like a zombie) but uses the victim to bait in other potential victims, grapple them with the first victim and stab them with its tendrlis.
Okay folks, we've done this before, but now it's time for the horror-themed bonus round!
What folkloric/mythological/public domain monsters to do YOU want to see in the Bestiary sections of the Carrion Crown Adventure Path?
We're really playing up the gothic horror angle with this one and a thousand eyes are always better than two when it comes to this sort of research, so whatcha got!?
When possible, links would be very helpful!
Another recommendation I would make is some variation of the Lebendtod from Ravenloft. (first introduced I believe in the Ship of Horrors module)
I've updated the Lebendtod for Pathfinder and will be using them for a Carrion Crown side plot inspired by the novella "Who Goes There" by John W. Campbell Jr. which was the basis for such films as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Thing from Another World"
Going through this, I saw few mentions to horrifying plants. Some are covered in the Bestiary and Bestiary 2, but something akin to when Dragon Magazine ran the monster collection articles with the willow tree that grew human heads that cried for help. I personally find perversion of nature into a malefic force to be horrifying, like the recent stuff about Storasta.
And while not explicitly Gothic horror by any stretch of the imagination, Ustalav's proximity to Numeria makes me want to see at least an oblique reference to some alien technology that is akin to horror. This would be a great nod to the mi-go or even the great race of Yith.
Sometimes the depths of UFO-ology and paranormal stories draw forth some singularly unsettling entities.
I wouldn't mind seeing something along the lines of The Flatwoods Monster
Thing is, I'm not sure if I'd rather see it as an Outsider, a Construct, or an Aberration. I suppose Monstrous Humanoid is also possible/likely, but not as enticing to me, somehow.
My creature suggestions!
IIRC there was an 80's film titled "The Stuff" about a sentient ooze that was discovered underground which tasted delicious and was eaten in all kinds of "Stuff" products but actually consumed the consumer. Imagine the horror of a sweet dessert finale of a fine banquet being the downfall of a plucky hero!
Sentient oozes just reek of malice.
I kinda like evil clowns similar to Pennywise in Stephen kings IT, or killer clowns from outer space.
Evil beverages a la 80's film "Street Trash" that melt the unfortunate imbiber after a period of time!
Insidious proprieters of coveted antiquities similar to Stephen Kings "Needful things" or even "Christine" what better way to sow chaos in a good community than turning it upon itself?
And Spooky traveling fairgrounds, I know it's cliched but they are still creepy!
Mobs of vagrants stood motionless and silently watching as in John Carpenters "Prince of Darkness" the evil brooding and biding it's time waiting to strike!
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My creature suggestions!
IIRC there was an 80's film titled "The Stuff" about a sentient ooze that was discovered underground which tasted delicious and was eaten in all kinds of "Stuff" products but actually consumed the consumer. Imagine the horror of a sweet dessert finale of a fine banquet being the downfall of a plucky hero!
Sentient oozes just reek of malice.
Oh wow! I haven't thought about that movie in years. My buddy and I rented it probably sometime around 88 or 89. That and "Deadly Friend". HAHA I may have to track down a copy of that one to see it again!
I just read the info for Carion Crown #4 and checked out the artwork. Needless to say I am very pleased.
Hah! Awesome. Glad you approve!
Sometimes the depths of UFO-ology and paranormal stories draw forth some singularly unsettling entities.
I wouldn't mind seeing something along the lines of The Flatwoods Monster
Aw! This guy creeped my @#$% out as a kid! I haven't thought about this for a while! Well remembered.
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Going through this, I saw few mentions to horrifying plants. Some are covered in the Bestiary and Bestiary 2, but something akin to when Dragon Magazine ran the monster collection articles with the willow tree that grew human heads that cried for help. I personally find perversion of nature into a malefic force to be horrifying, like the recent stuff about Storasta.
Twisting nature gets me too. For anyone who's read Perdido Street Station, Isaac's description of torque energy was a great example of it. The vague descriptions of cockroach-trees and "herds of what used to be humans" were downright creepy. Then there was the poor photographer who woke up with smooth holes going appearing through his body... *shudder*
I'd quote the whole thing, but the book's loaned out right now :l
Aw! This guy creeped my @#$% out as a kid! I haven't thought about this for a while! Well remembered.Sometimes the depths of UFO-ology and paranormal stories draw forth some singularly unsettling entities.
I wouldn't mind seeing something along the lines of The Flatwoods Monster
Thanks!
My own version of the Flatwoods Monster, renamed "The Outsider," just recently became one of the series villains for my Saturday Night Steampunk Pathfinder game (now on temporary hiatus to run Carrion Crown.) The party just protected a great plantation (which provides most of the crops for their home city) from a wave of huge flying Lights-in-the-Sky and cattle-mutilating Morlock slaves. Yes, it's probably as crazy as it sounds, but I like to think it was awesome as well.
I'd still love to see a Paizo interpretation of the creature as well.
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Thanks!My own version of the Flatwoods Monster, renamed "The Outsider," just recently became one of the series villains for my Saturday Night Steampunk Pathfinder game (now on temporary hiatus to run Carrion Crown.) The party just protected a great plantation (which provides most of the crops for their home city) from a wave of huge flying Lights-in-the-Sky and cattle-mutilating Morlock slaves. Yes, it's probably as crazy as it sounds, but I like to think it was awesome as well.
I'd still love to see a Paizo interpretation of the creature as well.
That is exactly what a Saturday Night Steampunk Pathfinder game sounds like it should be: crazy. And awesome.
Some really good ideas in this thread so far!
Some of my thoughts, which are really just expansions on other excellent ideas that people have already pitched;
Human Centipede or other stitched together people / surgery gone wrong type horrors
*faints from horror* that film wasn't as scary but more gross, though I do agree on various surgury gone wrong type creatures like the varient flesh golems that appear in part 2.