I'm gonna try to start posting monsters for certain holidays. So, here's a jester type of fey (loosely inspired by a story from Edgar Allan Poe) known as the frhopog.
Art by Daniel Larios.
The concept for this monster was fun and I really enjoyed playing around with it, seeing what I could do. Honestly, I think my favorite ability for it is its buffoonery. It feels like a fun defensive ability that is a good thematic fit. I was debating what else to do with it before I realized that dirty trick maneuvers were perfect to capture the essence of the creature.
Pathfinder 1e Version
With the lack of dirty trick in 2e, I wasn't quite sure what would be best to use for its Prankster ability. I ultimately settled on it being a Performance check, which feels appropriate. I'm still a little unsure whether 2 actions is appropriate but given that the ability can inflict damage and a condition, 2 actions felt appropriate.
Pathfinder 2e Version
Blue's D&D 5e Version (https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/XSVlrnPq):
My design for these creatures was to make them decently versatile in how they could be used in a game. Their typical resentment of other fey could have them appear as allies or they could even be foes eager for a chance to inflict the pain they have suffered upon others. They could use their charm to lure lesser creatures into their servitude and may even develop schemes of their own.
ENCOUNTER HOOKS
The Last Laugh: To win the favor of a fey noble, the heroes must outperform the noble’s court frhopog in amusing the noble and his court. Spurred by a promise of cruel punishment if it loses, the frhopog will do whatever is required to win. Even if it means resorting to darkly humorous murders of its competitors mid-performance.
The Killing Joke: Freed from the confines of a fey court, a frhopog has come to the material realm but is unsure of what to do next. It has begun to entertain itself with pranks on the townsfolk until it can formulate a plan. However, as it grows more bold and its pranks more complex, it starts to forget that mortals don’t recover as easily as the fey do from death.
Feel free to critique and a Happy April Fools Day!
Comments