Deranged Derro BodySnatcher Advice

[Bongo BigBounce]

Thread title may be redundant, but what the heck.

First OP BTW.

I am planning to use Derro extensively in the next arc of an UnderUrban game involving an overall Eldritch Horror campaign. They will be doing plenty of bodysnatching for the glory of their overall plan (which I do not wish to reveal in case any of my PCs are on the boards), the byproduct of which will be ectoplasmic undead.

The Horrors Revisited Companion inspired part of this plan, and I will be using the blue Cytellish(sp?) mold as part of both their origin and their plan.

My question to you, my esteemed fellow gamers, is do you have any special insights or surprises I may spring upon my veteran group that would involve the Derro. The group is currenty 4th level, and is comprised of three Holy Rollers (LG Cleric, LG Inquisitor, LG Paladin/Sorcerer), a Stargazer (StarSoul Sorcerer), and a Gith Magus (Gith are a unique race in my game that share similair stats as Githyanki, but a different origin).

They are a savvy bunch, and have gotten used to my tricks in the last 5 years. I am hoping some outside ideas will help me get them out of their comfort zone (it is Eldritch Horror after all), and I hope you wise folks can help me out.

Thank You

[blackbloodtroll]

Derro make great Antipaladins and Oracles. A derro alchemist smoker build is very in line with the race, and can be quite scary for the PCs. Derro can also easily disguise themselves as gnomes. Having a derro posing as a bleachling gnome is very easy to dismiss by players. Having the derro delve into fleshwarping and golem construction can give them great minions. Derro worshiping a good god (though not in a good way) is a great way to slip up the PCs.

[Bongo BigBounce]

I am almost afraid of using a Derro Antipaladin, they are so sick effective. There will be Derro Oracles of the Dark Tapestry (Eldritch Horror!).

However the Gnome disguise idea is great, and I am going to use it! Gnomes in my game already have a nasty rep, and my PCs will be ready to believe Gnomes are capable of such atrocities. The reveal could be used to even lead more Insanity for my PCs!

I am, for the first time, introducing Insanity scores to my game (Eldritch Horror). I think I will start another thread about that.

Thanks again for the Gnome idea!

[blackbloodtroll]

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/fleshwarped-cr- 1
Derro are known for their crazy experiments, and this is a great way to show the effects of such. A small town of fleshwarped human or gnome commoners is great way to show the horrors of Derro. PCs unsure how to deal with the horrors the innocent villagers have become creates a great morale dilemma for the PCs. Perhaps the Derro could revere a Good deity and never question how horrible their actions are. You do not actually have to be good to revere a Good deity. They could see their work as great deeds. They could even perform occasional real good deeds, such as destroy a group of local undead.

[psionichamster]

Grab up a goblin tribe or two. Or kobolds, mites, or whatever puny monster race you have in your campaign. Derro boss-guy gets ahold of a couple dozen gobbos, and head out to paint the town on fire. These mooks are completely expendable, the point is for boss fella to get a look at his opposition.

disguise self and its ilk are great, low-level options. They work even better when combined with mundane disguises. Higher level options including seeming & veil.

Lasso's and tanglefoot bags will impede PC's and NPC's movements. A particularly nasty trick, The Roofline Lasso, works best when the party is separated & sleeping in unfamiliar terrain like an Inn. Lure one of the party to the window, preferably sticking his head out over the sill. Rooftop Derro tosses lasso on him from the roofline, at his 6 o'oclock. A second Derro tosses his own lasso from ground level. Ground level Derro yanks, Rooftop Derro jumps, and you stand a decent chance of pulling the target out of the building. That's a few d6 of falling damage, she's prone, in her pajamas, and potentially unarmed entirely. Subdue the target quickly, bag her head, and skeedaddle. Be quick enough, and the party won't even know anything happened until morning!

Pickpocket 'em. If you're successful you grab some item, potentially crippling them in the next fight. If they spot you, hightail it out of there to a pre-determined ambush location. Use something with decent speed, like a bard/sorc with expeditious retreat or barbarian/monk levels.

Above all, try to think like an insane little blue alien creature. What would Roger from American Guy do? What would Paul do? Misdirection and subtlety let you get away with a LOT, especially if your players are not naturally paranoid. Wear disguises, poison their food/drink, dose them with drugs, and always always always be prepared to bolt at a moment's notice. That'll drive the players crazy, right there.

[blackbloodtroll]

Derro are scary, religious Derro are heart-attack frightening.

[Bongo BigBounce]

These Derro worship Things that should not be named.

Love the Roofline Lasso, especially if the Derros cast darkness on the lassos first. Theres nothing like sensory deprivation to heighten tension.