Monsters Teaming up with a Wizard or with Items

David L Pulver · 12-28-2021, 04:29 PM

What monsters become extra-powerful as adversaries if they're teamed up (or controlled via Geas or a Ring of Control) with a friendly wizard who casts buff spells on them? For this to work the monster generally has to be a 1-hex creature and either stupid enough to be easily controlled or smart enough to be an ally... Or just part of a trap in the wizard's lair. Of course, a skilled party may be able to turn such a minion against its master, but that's part of the fun.

Or for alternatives, have the monster pick up a magic item. Again, usually you need a 1 hex monster for this as most items are built for multi-hexers.

Odd thoughts:
* A ring of Goo Control, a 1 hex-Goo,and then enhance the super-Goo with a Blur, Speed Movement, or Reverse Missiles on it?
* Trolls are good if you can get them working for you (see above). A regenerating Troll with a Stone Flesh ring is especially fun. Extra treasure after you kill it.
* Any one-hex monster with a Glamor on it to look nicer. Wizard stocks his labyrinth with a trapped Long Larkin with a permanent Glamor to look like a wimpy little hobgoblin. Just hope he didn't have a Stone Flesh ring as well.

hcobb · 12-28-2021, 04:52 PM

David, would you also consider monsters that can't venture out in daylight (like trolls?) who can therefore be kept in a wizard's labyrinth and out of his castle? (Or perhaps a Jabba style trapdoor into a large monster's lair?)
Also Glamor seems to only increase, not decrease creature size.

Wizardly tools for monster stocking:

Create Elemental in a place that's comfortable for them so they remain there.
Calling specific critter types.
Wear amulet against low-IQ monsters such as slimes that won't venture outside.
One-way gate for monsters to stumble through
Cast Stalwart to get a monster to survive daylight until it gets into your pit.
Cast multiple levels of Conceal on the exits.
Shapeshift those fools who could never understand your genius into monsters. The princess who turned you down gets to be a werewolf.
Possession is always nice to give a monsters that is much smarter than it should be.
Freeze with a limitation to unleash the beast when there are visitors for the feast.
Fireproof troll.

Shostak · 12-29-2021, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David L Pulver

What monsters become extra-powerful as adversaries if they're teamed up (or controlled via Geas or a Ring of Control) with a friendly wizard who casts buff spells on them?

All of them. A giant or troll buffed w/Aid or a +DX ring could be deadly. Or a wolf with Stone Flesh (or worse, a tiger). Heck just a tiger under Control Animal would be bad.

David L Pulver · 12-29-2021, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcobb

Wizardly tools for monster stocking:

Fireproof troll.

The fireproof troll is indeed mean.

hcobb · 12-30-2021, 02:26 AM

Whataboutism acid vs trolls and vampires? Now that is a spell I haven't heard in many years.
Compare against an IQ boosting helmet for a troll of many talents or a dragon with a Wizard's Wrath ring.
Alchemist dragon with a Pyrotic Ability potion can help herself.

Axly Suregrip · 12-31-2021, 04:18 PM

How about a Basilisk and wizard?

Since it is a psychic ability, it should still work when the Basilisk is invisible. The GM may even make the victim's saving roll 5 dice as you don't know what it is you are avoiding the gaze.

Or the basilisk is glamoured to looked like an adorable puppy with big sad eyes! Ah those cute eyes!

Of course, all the standard defenses would help the basilisk: stone flesh, etc.

12-28-2021, 04:29 PM	#1
David L Pulver AlienAbductee Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: In the UFO	Monsters Teaming up with a Wizard or with Items What monsters become extra-powerful as adversaries if they're teamed up (or controlled via Geas or a Ring of Control) with a friendly wizard who casts buff spells on them? For this to work the monster generally has to be a 1-hex creature and either stupid enough to be easily controlled or smart enough to be an ally... Or just part of a trap in the wizard's lair. Of course, a skilled party may be able to turn such a minion against its master, but that's part of the fun. Or for alternatives, have the monster pick up a magic item. Again, usually you need a 1 hex monster for this as most items are built for multi-hexers. Odd thoughts: * A ring of Goo Control, a 1 hex-Goo,and then enhance the super-Goo with a Blur, Speed Movement, or Reverse Missiles on it? * Trolls are good if you can get them working for you (see above). A regenerating Troll with a Stone Flesh ring is especially fun. Extra treasure after you kill it. * Any one-hex monster with a Glamor on it to look nicer. Wizard stocks his labyrinth with a trapped Long Larkin with a permanent Glamor to look like a wimpy little hobgoblin. Just hope he didn't have a Stone Flesh ring as well. __________________ Is love like the bittersweet taste of marmalade on burnt toast?

12-28-2021, 04:52 PM	#2
hcobb Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pacheco, California	Re: Monsters Teaming up with a Wizard or with Items David, would you also consider monsters that can't venture out in daylight (like trolls?) who can therefore be kept in a wizard's labyrinth and out of his castle? (Or perhaps a Jabba style trapdoor into a large monster's lair?) Also Glamor seems to only increase, not decrease creature size. Wizardly tools for monster stocking: Create Elemental in a place that's comfortable for them so they remain there. Calling specific critter types. Wear amulet against low-IQ monsters such as slimes that won't venture outside. One-way gate for monsters to stumble through Cast Stalwart to get a monster to survive daylight until it gets into your pit. Cast multiple levels of Conceal on the exits. Shapeshift those fools who could never understand your genius into monsters. The princess who turned you down gets to be a werewolf. Possession is always nice to give a monsters that is much smarter than it should be. Freeze with a limitation to unleash the beast when there are visitors for the feast. Fireproof troll. __________________ -HJC Last edited by hcobb; 12-28-2021 at 05:09 PM.

12-30-2021, 02:26 AM	#5
hcobb Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pacheco, California	Re: Monsters Teaming up with a Wizard or with Items Whataboutism acid vs trolls and vampires? Now that is a spell I haven't heard in many years. Compare against an IQ boosting helmet for a troll of many talents or a dragon with a Wizard's Wrath ring. Alchemist dragon with a Pyrotic Ability potion can help herself. __________________ -HJC Last edited by hcobb; 12-30-2021 at 02:43 AM.

12-31-2021, 04:18 PM	#6
Axly Suregrip Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Durham, NC	Re: Monsters Teaming up with a Wizard or with Items How about a Basilisk and wizard? Since it is a psychic ability, it should still work when the Basilisk is invisible. The GM may even make the victim's saving roll 5 dice as you don't know what it is you are avoiding the gaze. Or the basilisk is glamoured to looked like an adorable puppy with big sad eyes! Ah those cute eyes! Of course, all the standard defenses would help the basilisk: stone flesh, etc.