Monsters II

[The King]

Just received the book.
It seems great: excellent binding and 95%+ of the content is Gloranthan with broos and snake varieties (but not too many) as well as dinosaurus. There is even the rubble runner as well as an index.
In fact, it is quasi equivalent to the former Gloranthan Bestiary.

Moreover, there are some creatures from the planes (mentioned in the Anaxial roster) and there are even stats for Luathans or Morokanth herds or Mostali creations.

Illustrations aren't bad and tends to be quite good.

A must for every and any Gloranthan fan. 8)

Only one critic: there is nothing about Agimori.

 

[havercake lad]

Anything of interest to GMs needing basic animals etc in the Young Kingdoms ?

 

[Scut Farkas]

Similar question - does Monsters II offer much for people using MRQ in the generic sense?

 

[The King]

As it is said at the back, it is a Gloranthan bestiary but some of the creatures are commonplace elsewhere.

There are few basics animals but most creatures can be used in many fantasy settings IMO, including the Young Kingdoms (there are also some sea creatures).

 

[Scut Farkas]

I'll have to give it a look-see when I've got the coin.

 

[Nickbergquist]

As a non-Gloranthan Runequester I found Monsters II to have plenty of potential outside of that setting; I think it would be easiest to adapt some of these beasties if your home campaign has room for some very chaotic creatures, or an explanation for such; there's some very melty and gruesome stuff in her from the chaos side of things. Probably the only stuff I'll have limited use for is the strange decidedly Gloranthan elves, although it's pretty easy to call them dryads or treants and use them as is, more or less, in other games.

EDIT: the only disappointing thing reall was seeing that Monsters III was moved to a January 2009 schedule; I was really looking forward to the big book of non-gloranthan monsters....ah well....

 

[Scut Farkas]

Good point, Nick. I suppose it really doesn't matter whether the creatures are Gloranthan or Neptunian, they're creatures that can be stuck into any given campaign with a bit of creative twisting (in the case of mythical background). I wasn't sure because I'm not familiar with Glorantha. I know it's very heavy on myth and so I wasn't sure about where the creatures fit in.

 

[duncan_disorderly]

My comment/question on Monsters II is to do with Birds Necks. It seems that the Avian creatures have been given an extra hit location of "Neck" which, for the purposes of major wounds etc is treated as if it were "Head" - having 2 such locations means they account for 25% of possible hits (Neck 16-18, Head 19-20). I'm wondering if this makes them a bit too fragile? Other creatures with notably long necks don't have this "extra" location, so I'm not sure why it's just Birds that get it.

I'm not sure it's "wrong", but it strikes me as "odd" - what does anyone else think?

 

[The King]

You're right, but I don't find this odd, rather something logical because these creatures have a long neck that is easier to hit that the head.

 

[The King]

Anything of interest to GMs needing basic animals etc in the Young Kingdoms ?

As to your question, nothing special about basic animals (there are some but less than in the first monsters book), but there are many creatures that fits into the Y.K.

 

[duncan_disorderly]

You're right, but I don't find this odd, rather something logical because these creatures have a long neck that is easier to hit that the head.

But isn't that also true of the High Llama? and the Serpentine Dream Dragons?

 

[The Greek]

You're right, but I don't find this odd, rather something logical because these creatures have a long neck that is easier to hit that the head.

But isn't that also true of the High Llama? and the Serpentine Dream Dragons?

You're not wrong - they could have gone this way.

Most of the other critters are unlikely to put their heads in harms way, though (they still could, but generally have other attack options to watch out for), and having a high number of number for a relatively small head for the birds just seemed wrong - hence the neck was added.

 

[TRose]

I just bought it and here my thoughts.
Over all I like the book , with only one major complaint. I would of like to have had a better description of what monster could be found where, or better yet maps like in the old Beastiary.
As far as use in a Non Gloratha game goes I agree with tthe above as most monster could easy fit elsewhere. Some of the Mostali/Zistorite constructs could fit in a Elric game with out much trouble in my opinion. And the snakes and rubble runner make good monster to throw against new characters.

 

[Daithi O'an tSionnaigh]

Awesome book! And lots of very useful critters. My only disappointment was not seeing some of that artwork in colour. But I understand the whole cutting down on costs end. At any rate well worth the cash! Love the fact that there are lots of Dinosaurs in the book!

 

[Rictus]

Yes, great book, several of the creatures I intend to use in RQ Slaine...especially in and around the Glamour Lands. I think some of them could be worked into the Land of the Young Kingdoms/Elric...

However I like the Fey Boar and the Storm Tiger.

 

[The Greek]

You have no idea how good it feels when a book you work (very hard) on is appreciated. So thanks, guys. (I know Bry feels the same).

 

[B_Steele]

In a big, big way.