Review and test example, Random Esoteric Creature Generator

My gift to myself is turning out pretty handy, a long reach stapler (yes its not really all that special, but its useful) and one of the first pdfs I have that I printed out in booklet form is James Raggi's Random Esoteric Creature Generator from RPGnow. Ever since handling the copy of Lamentations of the Flame Princess I've finally really understood the appeal of the booklet form factor, especially for old school games. Anyways onto the review..


I skipped printing out the cover and back page this time as I wanted to focus on just getting the game material printed out, but they are rather pretty. The forward from Mr. Raggi is, in my opinion, both a very apt analysis of traditional gaming and a battle-cry to bring back what is best in any game, the sense of wonder. I admit I've only been playing for about 11 years, and not even that has been continuous but recently my girlfriend's nephew has been desperately trying to break into tabletop gaming and the wonder, confusion and exploration as he explores a new world reminds me of something Ive lost in so many genres and games. I'm so used to certain things to be a certain way that Ive become jaded to them and the Random Esoteric Creature Generator (or RECG) is the perfect antidote for that, as long as you remember that in general all it creates are creatures as opposed to sentient races. Creation starts from a base template, fixes the basic body shape, the basic characteristics, size, movement type, attack methods, then the stars of the book, the distinctive features and special abilities. These are really the core of the book, and are followed by how it delivers its special ability/attack, combat strategy and motivations.

As an example I'm crafting a creature for my "Bridgeport Blues" idea.
Body shape: Quadraped
Basic Characteristics: mammalian, vaguely dog like
Size: Human Sized
Movement method: Standard
Attack Methods: Multiple
                          Spikes/Horns, Bite
Distinctive Features: Multiple Features
                               Pulsating Body, Oozing Sores
Special Abilities: Glowing eyes
Delivery of Special Attacks: none
Combat strategy: Attack Closest
Motivation: Fear

Now first of all I'll admit rerolling the special abilities as I rolled up "only hit by cold iron" and ideas were already starting to form before I got to that, especially since I re-watched Predators recently. So my mind brought up the dog beasts from the movie, but the pulsating bodies and oozing sores call up images of something darker and less natural. The multiple attack methods abilities all stack so on a hit its biting you for a respectable 2d8 damage, so its already capable of killing a 1st level player with an average die roll. So I have a mysterious hound analogue that is grotesque to look at, will rip your face off and feeds on fear. I'm definitely going to need to play up the nasty nature that even as you look at it, its body ripples and rents appear in its skin that ooze pus. The big question is, is it a minion of a dark good or some horribly warped canine? Im already envisioning a heavy rottweiler head, kinda like my dogs but wreathed with horns that are set in this moving flesh, maybe with a hand or face pressing outward from inside. And its definitely an ambush predator as it is still sitting around with decreased chance to surprise in the dark and the AC of an unarmored man, so Im also thinking some sort of hunting pack.

Toss in a possible location.. the Beasts of the Wilderheath or a name - the Hounds of Gunuck and I have enough of a beast to put into a game world, just need a reason for the PCs to encounter them.

Over all the RECG is definitely a good buy, though I admit I would prefer a soft bound booklet size over my current home printed version

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Some random seeds for ideas;

This vicious swamp country was noted for its advanced brewing. It was destroyed by social breakdown caused by interest in forbidden things, leaving behind only treasures.

This educated mountain country was noted for its advanced astronomy and medicine. It was destroyed by the underworld because of the people's extreme interest in forbidden things, leaving behind only its language and treasures.

This cruel grassland imperium was noted for its advanced ground travel. It was destroyed by a drought, leaving behind only records and ruins.

This bigoted underground imperium was noted for its advanced brewing and herbology. It was destroyed by religious conflict caused by perversion, leaving behind only its relics.

This militant arctic theocracy was noted for its advanced forestry and mercantile skills. It was destroyed by an earthquake, leaving behind only its language.

This materialistic mountain theocracy was noted for its advanced metallurgy and forestry. It was destroyed by social breakdown, leaving behind only trade routes and superstitions.

This secretive swamp theocracy was noted for its advanced art and canal-building. It was destroyed by a plague, leaving behind only tombs.

This uncreative swamp kingdom was noted for its advanced astrology and astronomy. It was destroyed by bizarre experiments, leaving behind only superstitions and its religion.

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