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So I'm working on a half-elf magus NPC for my weekly game and have decided to make him an entothrope further down the line. The problem is that I'm trying to find a good insect base that is thematically appropriate for his fey teachings.
I want a bug that fits the theme of fey and the first world but lets him still be creepy when he transforms. Anyone have any good ideas?
Mantis is my top vote.
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Dragonfly could also do well.
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No mantis, and you want creepy, hmm, parasitic wasp, like a tarantula hawk. The T hawk has the bonus of being gorgeous, in an alien sort of way.
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Dragonfly could also do well.
I've been really tempted with this one too, but I'm trying to figure out just what the hell this would even look like? Ignoring his armor and how that all fits onto whatever this horror looks like, how does it stand, where does its wings go? Like, does a dragonfly entothrope hunch over with its head at like center of mass and it's wings above it or does it maintain upright posture but the wings are at its side?
This is the one I've bandied about the most but for the life of me can't decide about until I figure out what it looks like. Ohh and that giant tail!
Any idea on how that thing is supposed to well, stand?
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The type of bug kinda depends on the type of fey he interacted the most with, I guess. Although the dragonfly is a good one because it is so recognizable, if his history is with darker fey, you could also pick something that is naturally nocturnal or not so elegant. Think about a Moth, or maybe a Cockroach. Or if you want something more unique, you could also go for a Cicada or a Stick Insect.
As for the Dragonfly look, there is the elegant version, and the freaky version. The freaky version is a slender humanoid that has a big hunch on his back with the wings attached, from which a "tail" extends. The elegant version would just be a humanoid with a carapace, wings placed like on a fairy/pixie and a tail. I myself would find the hunched version far more interesting, but it might not be something that fits the backstory that you thought up.
Maybe your entothrope might look a little like the addiction devil from Wayfinder #13, although it's based on a damselfly instead of a dragonfly (and minus the horns, hooves, and fungal buds)?
Dragonfly could also do well.I've been really tempted with this one too, but I'm trying to figure out just what the hell this would even look like? Ignoring his armor and how that all fits onto whatever this horror looks like, how does it stand, where does its wings go? Like, does a dragonfly entothrope hunch over with its head at like center of mass and it's wings above it or does it maintain upright posture but the wings are at its side?
This is the one I've bandied about the most but for the life of me can't decide about until I figure out what it looks like. Ohh and that giant tail!
Any idea on how that thing is supposed to well, stand?
Probably leaning forward, like a theropod. Hope this image is helpful.
I would think a were-dragonfly would look basically the same as the picture of the were-wasp.
Only with a long "tail" instead of the stinger.
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The type of bug kinda depends on the type of fey he interacted the most with, I guess. Although the dragonfly is a good one because it is so recognizable, if his history is with darker fey, you could also pick something that is naturally nocturnal or not so elegant. Think about a Moth, or maybe a Cockroach. Or if you want something more unique, you could also go for a Cicada or a Stick Insect.
As for the Dragonfly look, there is the elegant version, and the freaky version. The freaky version is a slender humanoid that has a big hunch on his back with the wings attached, from which a "tail" extends. The elegant version would just be a humanoid with a carapace, wings placed like on a fairy/pixie and a tail. I myself would find the hunched version far more interesting, but it might not be something that fits the backstory that you thought up.
Think elegant over gross. The fey courts here are meant to be beautiful, alien, and dangerous to the uninitiated. I like the idea of a moth as a secondary but I don't think we have a moth in stats. I like the idea of a mothman or dragonfly duelist that is alien and going crazy from his entothrope and also has to deal with the idea that the Fey lords might still like him better as a dragonfly than as a man.
Basically think, "What would be cool as a duelist?" and you're on the right track.
I've also debated on the Cave Solifugid or another white spider, but I'm digging the help I've gotten here. I'd love to see what else people have.
Also, does anyone know of a Giant Moth being statted anywhere?
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Maybe your entothrope might look a little like the addiction devil from Wayfinder #13, although it's based on a damselfly instead of a dragonfly (and minus the horns, hooves, and fungal buds)?
Thanks for the reference! I can't believe I forgot about this thing, it was one of my favorites from that bestiary.
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Probably leaning forward, like a theropod. Hope this image is helpful.Dragonfly could also do well.I've been really tempted with this one too, but I'm trying to figure out just what the hell this would even look like? Ignoring his armor and how that all fits onto whatever this horror looks like, how does it stand, where does its wings go? Like, does a dragonfly entothrope hunch over with its head at like center of mass and it's wings above it or does it maintain upright posture but the wings are at its side?
This is the one I've bandied about the most but for the life of me can't decide about until I figure out what it looks like. Ohh and that giant tail!
Any idea on how that thing is supposed to well, stand?
Like that! What is that from anyways? I could maybe see that but in blue and likely with less arms. I'm going to have to look over the template again and see if certain species get extra arms or not.
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The type of bug kinda depends on the type of fey he interacted the most with, I guess. Although the dragonfly is a good one because it is so recognizable, if his history is with darker fey, you could also pick something that is naturally nocturnal or not so elegant. Think about a Moth, or maybe a Cockroach. Or if you want something more unique, you could also go for a Cicada or a Stick Insect.
As for the Dragonfly look, there is the elegant version, and the freaky version. The freaky version is a slender humanoid that has a big hunch on his back with the wings attached, from which a "tail" extends. The elegant version would just be a humanoid with a carapace, wings placed like on a fairy/pixie and a tail. I myself would find the hunched version far more interesting, but it might not be something that fits the backstory that you thought up.
Think elegant over gross. The fey courts here are meant to be beautiful, alien, and dangerous to the uninitiated. I like the idea of a moth as a secondary but I don't think we have a moth in stats. I like the idea of a mothman or dragonfly duelist that is alien and going crazy from his entothrope and also has to deal with the idea that the Fey lords might still like him better as a dragonfly than as a man.
Basically think, "What would be cool as a duelist?" and you're on the right track.
I've also debated on the Cave Solifugid or another white spider, but I'm digging the help I've gotten here. I'd love to see what else people have.
Also, does anyone know of a Giant Moth being statted anywhere?
Elegant Dragonfly, got it. How about this? Image is not mine, found it by googling. Just think the spear away and insert rapier, I guess.
As for statted moths... There are a couple of outsiders and magical beasts statted that look like moths. Like the Star Monarch and the Gloomwing. But they might not be what your looking for.
Also, does anyone know of a Giant Moth being statted anywhere?
Actually, that's a good point. I don't know of any Vermin type moths/butterflies. Not Paizo published at least. Such a shame.
There is the Star Monarch, but it is a Magical Beast...
Secondly, you said they were a rapier fighter, i.e. focused on putting a single point in the right spot? Why not mosquito?
That seems like a great suggestion! Giant Mosquito
I don't remember the template mentioning any innate connection to fey, I thought that was just an element of the OP's character, but maybe I am not remembering something...
Once thing I think is interesting is that the template works with any Vermin. So while insects/arachnids are the first thing that jumps to mind, other creatures that are Vermin type are also options.
Werecrab
Wereleech
Werejellyfish
Maybe even a were-Worm that Walks!
I rather like the concept of swarm-shapes. I think they are far creepier than just giant bugs, excepting, possibly, Kafka's cockroach.
From Munckinland, wouldn't you like a fey cohort/familiar that can sit on your shoulder, then go swarm, and crawl down your arm to become your Whip of [bug-type].
Would a swarm be a legal choice for Entothrope?
It is treated as a single creature, but made of many different creatures....
That would be really cool!
How about one of these:
https://cvrvrsns.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/osibisa-woyaya-full-wide.jpg
NAstiest looking bug I've ever seen! <g>
Are we linking pictures of ridiculous arthropods now? Great! I love doing this!I think you win...
Oh, I can beat that: bunny/Totoro spider (technically a harvestman, Metagryne bicolumnata)
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Firstly, there's a not insignificant part of me annoyed that the template gets an association with fey simply because of it's use of arthropods. It's like saying cattle must be Evil because of Baphomet. You're vulnerable to Silver, not Cold Iron.
Secondly, you said they were a rapier fighter, i.e. focused on putting a single point in the right spot? Why not mosquito?
1.) Lol don't worry about that. My first pass on the Entothrope concept was homeless cockroach entothrope slayers that have been driven mad by their infection. Elf Magus is just the latest, not the only.
2.) Ohh I have thought about it and mosquitos will be horrifying. But, I think I want to save that for something that is focused more on the sick horror of bugs, vamprism, and lycanthropic transformations than this one. Also, I think I want to save that one for something female and maybe look into the male/female dynamic of mosquito blood sucking. Maybe even like a vigilante or something with the mosquito as this subconscious other identity that is the mosquito creature.
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The type of bug kinda depends on the type of fey he interacted the most with, I guess. Although the dragonfly is a good one because it is so recognizable, if his history is with darker fey, you could also pick something that is naturally nocturnal or not so elegant. Think about a Moth, or maybe a Cockroach. Or if you want something more unique, you could also go for a Cicada or a Stick Insect.
As for the Dragonfly look, there is the elegant version, and the freaky version. The freaky version is a slender humanoid that has a big hunch on his back with the wings attached, from which a "tail" extends. The elegant version would just be a humanoid with a carapace, wings placed like on a fairy/pixie and a tail. I myself would find the hunched version far more interesting, but it might not be something that fits the backstory that you thought up.
Think elegant over gross. The fey courts here are meant to be beautiful, alien, and dangerous to the uninitiated. I like the idea of a moth as a secondary but I don't think we have a moth in stats. I like the idea of a mothman or dragonfly duelist that is alien and going crazy from his entothrope and also has to deal with the idea that the Fey lords might still like him better as a dragonfly than as a man.
Basically think, "What would be cool as a duelist?" and you're on the right track.
I've also debated on the Cave Solifugid or another white spider, but I'm digging the help I've gotten here. I'd love to see what else people have.
Also, does anyone know of a Giant Moth being statted anywhere?
Elegant Dragonfly, got it. How about this? Image is not mine, found it by googling. Just think the spear away and insert rapier, I guess.
As for statted moths... There are a couple of outsiders and magical beasts statted that look like moths. Like the...
Yeah, that's been my problem as well. You'd think we'd get a giant moth/butterfly somewhere around here. A nice insect mount thing to go with the giant eagles but for Desna or something.
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Sigh, you know that your Vigilante Entethropes must include Blue Beetles, Green Hornets, Yellowjackets, Wasps and all.
The greatest of these though, must always be .
Justice is always his business.
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Also, does anyone know of a Giant Moth being statted anywhere?Actually, that's a good point. I don't know of any Vermin type moths/butterflies. Not Paizo published at least. Such a shame.
There is the Star Monarch, but it is a Magical Beast...
Secondly, you said they were a rapier fighter, i.e. focused on putting a single point in the right spot? Why not mosquito?That seems like a great suggestion! Giant Mosquito
I don't remember the template mentioning any innate connection to fey, I thought that was just an element of the OP's character, but maybe I am not remembering something...
Once thing I think is interesting is that the template works with any Vermin. So while insects/arachnids are the first thing that jumps to mind, other creatures that are Vermin type are also options.
Werecrab
Wereleech
Werejellyfish
Maybe even a were-Worm that Walks!
Again, agreed on the top part. As for the second half, I'm down to see any of the other ones there but I don't think they quite fit for this one right now. I do want to build a werejelly at or wereleech for something.