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There's lots of headless humanoids in folklore (and D&D) under names like Dullahans, Blemmyes, Akephaloi, Xingtian, and this guy, Donotsura. I just wanted to show y'all this particular rendition because I love his expression

#monstrous humanoids

Creature Corner: Monstrous Humanoid part 3

Foes

Whether it is a misunderstanding or true monstrous intent, sometimes adventurers come into conflict with monstrous humanoids.

The exact reasoning varies quite a bit, and can sometimes lead to the same unfortunate parallels when comparing other traditionally “hostile” races like orcs to real-world cultures, only exacerbated by the increased lack of “humanity”. Long story short, I’ve said it a dozen times, and others have said it better, but be careful what inspiration you take from real-world cultures when designing fantasy cultures.

The unfortunate truth of the matter is that, like humanoids, even those that are normally friendly with adventurers might become hostile in other circumstances. Even Deep Ones, despite their devotion to elder gods, might simply be defending their homes from interlopers, or otherwise protecting that which is theirs.

Whether it be by dark magic or accident of fate, some members of this type category have become unfortunately true-breeding abominations, as much victim as they are monster. Creatures like adherers, dire corbies, lamias, certain versions of medusae and Euryales,

Sometimes the needs of a monstrous race are so incompatible with other humanoids that they cannot help but come into conflict with other races. The black-blooded chardas come to mind, as do gholes, the alien gugs and nightgaunts, brutal sahuagins, arrogant serpentfolk, and so on.

One cannot talk about hostile monstrous humanoids without thinking about hags, of which there are several types, these magical female beings seem to represent a sort of malevolent “other” that preys upon mortals as a living example of the darker side of the old ways. These beings range from the common annis, green, and sea hags, to such rare beings as horrifying blood hags, destructive storm hags, imperious winter hags, and much more besides.

In the same vein, there is also a special breed of monstrous humanoid that seem (and may very well be) both less and more than ordinary mortal beings, literal boogiemen that blur the line between mortal and sprit. These might be rare beings like rawheads or qallupiluks, or they might be entirely unique beings like Grendel and The Krampus. Even mothmen get in on the action, those that seek to cause disaster rather than merely predict it.

Whether they are otherwise ordinary beings or creatures from children’s nightmares, there is a surprising amount of variety of foes to be found within this creature type. Tomorrow though, we delve into how these beings may inspire player characters!

#pathfinder #creature corner #monstrous humanoids

Encounter: the Gorlok, a fusion of St Bernard, buffalo, and cheetah (and presumably a little human since it walks upright) developed by the sorcerous fleshsmiths of Webster University to give them an edge in sporting events

#hybrids #monstrous humanoids

Encounter: a Terrible Combat.

#monstrous humanoids #fighters

Encounter: a local species of the Waddling Head, a low-level creature type broadly distributed across the gaming multiverse. I could be wrong but as a seasoned researcher in the field my guess is that this particular one will have a gravelly voice and a Brooklyn/Jersey accent and will rudely refer to adventurers as "pal" or "buddy". (On the other hand, I also see some facial morphic resonance with the investigative physician Dr. Gregory House, so if any members of the party have unknown afflictions they may consider asking this fellow about them. I wouldn't guarantee a good result, though.)

#monstrous humanoids #i think?#healers #maybe