stormsweeper
07-21-2007, 11:40 AM
Here's an example of how the monster burning process works. This is mainly meant as an overview for those who have not yet picked up the Monster Burner. I'm going to follow the "100 Questions" process to burn up the owlbear.
Monster Concept
Describe the overall concept for the creature. Pretty easy in this case.
Owlbear - an abomination that is a ferocious cross between and owl and a bear.
Otherness
Describe how this creature is different than John Q. Human. These will inform the later questions, primarily becoming traits.
Massive; Bear-like body with owl-like head; night vision; Beaked, clawed; Ferocious, Untamable, Crazed; Fur and feathers, red-rimmed eyes; Ursine movement (5x)
Stats
Now we choose his stats, based on the guidelines. We want something really strong, reasonably fast, but not all that bright.
Wil 3, Per 3, Agl 4, Spd 5, Pow 8, For 88
Here I'm going to keep all the stats in the mortal shade (aka black). I don't think a heroic shade is really called for.
Beliefs and Instincts
The basic BITs for the monster. These are simple since the creature is simple.
Beliefs: Must protect the young. Everything is my prey. I will not be tamed.
Instincts: Attack on sight; Kill all prey; Defend the nest.
Skills
First we choose an "occupation" for the monster, which focuses the skill choice. An owlbear most fits "ravager of the countryside" which means he only needs a couple skills. We'll also only give him 12 skill points.
Savage Attack B7, Intimidation B6
Attributes
There's special questions here, but I'll just list the results. The owlbear has a high steel from being a ruthless killer.
Steel: B7; Health - B6; Resources: B0
Finalize Traits
Here we choose the final traits, burning up any new ones required.
Ursine body, Avian head, Massive Stature, Terrible Beak, Berzerker, Unfeeling, Unflinching, Untamable (+2 ob to all social skills against this creature), Sight of the Owl, Cruel Strength, Rending Claws, Tearing Claws, Fearsome Beast, Feathered, Coat of fur, Hideous!, Leathery skin, Abomination, Red-Rimmed Eyes
Peer review!
Now we put it all together and put it out there for review.
Owlbear
Concept: Magical hybrid of a bear and owl
Stats: Wil B3, Per B3, Agl B4, Spd B5, Pow B8, For B8
Attributes: Ste B7, Hea B6, Hes 3, MW B14, Ref B4
PTGS: Su: B5 Li: B9 Mi: B11 Se: B12 Tr: B13 MW: B14
Skills: Savage Attack B7, Intimidation B6
Traits: Ursine body, Avian head, Massive Stature, Terrible Beak, Berzerker, Unfeeling, Unflinching, Untamable, Sight of the Owl, Cruel Strength, Rending Claws, Tearing Claws, Fearsome Beast, Feathered, Coat of fur, Hideous!, Leathery skin, Abomination, Red-Rimmed Eyes
Weapons:
Beak: I:B5 M:B10 S:B15 VA1 Slow Short
Claws: I:B5 M:B10 S:B15 VA1 Fast Short
Beliefs: Must protect the young. Everything is my prey. I will not be tamed.
Instincts: Attack on sight; Kill all prey; Defend the nest.
Again, this is an overview, really. Each step in the book (and I combined some above) has lots of examples and guidelines.
Monster Concept
Describe the overall concept for the creature. Pretty easy in this case.
Owlbear - an abomination that is a ferocious cross between and owl and a bear.
Otherness
Describe how this creature is different than John Q. Human. These will inform the later questions, primarily becoming traits.
Massive; Bear-like body with owl-like head; night vision; Beaked, clawed; Ferocious, Untamable, Crazed; Fur and feathers, red-rimmed eyes; Ursine movement (5x)
Stats
Now we choose his stats, based on the guidelines. We want something really strong, reasonably fast, but not all that bright.
Wil 3, Per 3, Agl 4, Spd 5, Pow 8, For 88
Here I'm going to keep all the stats in the mortal shade (aka black). I don't think a heroic shade is really called for.
Beliefs and Instincts
The basic BITs for the monster. These are simple since the creature is simple.
Beliefs: Must protect the young. Everything is my prey. I will not be tamed.
Instincts: Attack on sight; Kill all prey; Defend the nest.
Skills
First we choose an "occupation" for the monster, which focuses the skill choice. An owlbear most fits "ravager of the countryside" which means he only needs a couple skills. We'll also only give him 12 skill points.
Savage Attack B7, Intimidation B6
Attributes
There's special questions here, but I'll just list the results. The owlbear has a high steel from being a ruthless killer.
Steel: B7; Health - B6; Resources: B0
Finalize Traits
Here we choose the final traits, burning up any new ones required.
Ursine body, Avian head, Massive Stature, Terrible Beak, Berzerker, Unfeeling, Unflinching, Untamable (+2 ob to all social skills against this creature), Sight of the Owl, Cruel Strength, Rending Claws, Tearing Claws, Fearsome Beast, Feathered, Coat of fur, Hideous!, Leathery skin, Abomination, Red-Rimmed Eyes
Peer review!
Now we put it all together and put it out there for review.
Owlbear
Concept: Magical hybrid of a bear and owl
Stats: Wil B3, Per B3, Agl B4, Spd B5, Pow B8, For B8
Attributes: Ste B7, Hea B6, Hes 3, MW B14, Ref B4
PTGS: Su: B5 Li: B9 Mi: B11 Se: B12 Tr: B13 MW: B14
Skills: Savage Attack B7, Intimidation B6
Traits: Ursine body, Avian head, Massive Stature, Terrible Beak, Berzerker, Unfeeling, Unflinching, Untamable, Sight of the Owl, Cruel Strength, Rending Claws, Tearing Claws, Fearsome Beast, Feathered, Coat of fur, Hideous!, Leathery skin, Abomination, Red-Rimmed Eyes
Weapons:
Beak: I:B5 M:B10 S:B15 VA1 Slow Short
Claws: I:B5 M:B10 S:B15 VA1 Fast Short
Beliefs: Must protect the young. Everything is my prey. I will not be tamed.
Instincts: Attack on sight; Kill all prey; Defend the nest.
Again, this is an overview, really. Each step in the book (and I combined some above) has lots of examples and guidelines.