Café de Nuit

Halloween will be here next week! So will the next issue of Quoth the Raven! Are you excited?

To kick off the festivities, here's a fun little thing to do. Assign 10 points between the following monsters, giving more the better you like the beast in question:

1. Arak
2. Darkenbeast
3. Death knight
4. Doppelganger (dread)
5. Doppelganger (standard)
6. Ermordenung
7. Fiend (specify type)
8. Ghost
9. Ghoul
10. Goblin
11. Goblyn
12. Golem (flesh)
13. Hag (any; specify type)
15. Huecuva
16. Lebendtod
17. Lich
18. Mummy
19. Red widow
20. Vampire (specify type)
21. Vampyre
22. Werepanther
23. Wererat
24. Werewolf
25. Wolfwere
26. Zombie

Think of standards such as "Which beastie would I most like to dress up as", or even "Which monster would I most like to meet on Halloween".

Rock wrote:Halloween will be here next week! So will the next issue of Quoth the Raven! Are you excited?

To kick off the festivities, here's a fun little thing to do. Assign 10 points between the following monsters, giving more the better you like the beast in question:

[1] 1. Arak. - I like fey as villains, but not this domain's
[0] 2. Darkenbeast
[1] 3. Death knight - Not because soth, I just like the statblock
[0] 4. Doppelganger (dread)
[0] 5. Doppelganger (standard)
[0] 6. Ermordenung
[1] 7. Fiend (specify type) - the clever wheeling and dealing sort
[1] 8. Ghost
[0] 9. Ghoul
[1] 10. Goblin
[0] 11. Goblyn
[0] 12. Golem (flesh)
[1] 13. Hag (any; specify type) - green/night
[0] 15. Huecuva
[0] 16. Lebendtod
[1] 17. Lich
[0] 18. Mummy
[0] 19. Red widow
[1] 20. Vampire (specify type) - standard
[0] 21. Vampyre
[0] 22. Werepanther
[0] 23. Wererat
[0] 24. Werewolf
[0] 25. Wolfwere
[1] 26. Zombie

Missing from list that I would have awarded points: Oni/Ogre Mage.

[1] 1. Arak - Their immortality is a bit like Doctor Who regenerating, what with the personality changes.
[0] 2. Darkenbeast
[1] 3. Death knight - Traveling through the shadows is very cool.
[1] 4. Doppelganger (dread) - That object glamer ability is incredibly versatile.
[0] 5. Doppelganger (standard)
[0] 6. Ermordenung
[1] 7. Fiend (specify type) - Arcanaloth or Rukarazyll
[0] 8. Ghost
[1] 9. Ghoul - If people aren't supposed to be eaten, then why are they made out of meat? Sounds like a mixed message to me.
[0] 10. Goblin
[0] 11. Goblyn
[0] 12. Golem (flesh)
[0] 13. Hag (any; specify type)
[0] 15. Huecuva
[1] 16. Lebendtod - I would like to be able to detach my limbs.
[1] 17. Lich
[0] 18. Mummy
[1] 19. Red widow - I wonder if any of these have tricked drow into serving them. That could be a fun story.
[1] 20. Vampire (specify type) - Terror (Dragon 348); can walk in direct sunlight for short periods.
[0] 21. Vampyre
[1] 22. Werepanther - I would really like to be a weretiger, but I will take a big cat.
[0] 23. Wererat
[0] 24. Werewolf
[0] 25. Wolfwere
[0] 26. Zombie

So far, the death knight [3] and the vampire [20]are in the lead with two votes!

5 points to werewolf
3 points to mummy
2 points to goblin
1 point to lich

I want to give liches more points, but I feel like there’s never been a cool lich story much less a definitive one. There are some interesting liches in DnD, but it always seems like more could be done with them.

Ten points to Wolfweres. They are cool.

Wolfweres (25) are now in the lead with [10] points!

Werewolves (24) are in second place with [5] points!

In third, the lich (17) and the mummy (18) are dogging the werewolf's heels with [3] points!

The Arak (1), death knight (3), fiend (7), goblin (10) and vampire (20) are hanging onto the fourth slot with [two] points each!

Hanging out in the crowd with only [one] point, the dread doppelganger (4), ghost (8), ghoul (9), hag (13), lebendtod (16), red widow (19), werepanther (22) and zombie (26) are giving each other funny looks!

The race ain't over yet, folks, so place those votes and see if you can make your favorite win!

The score as it stands is:

[2] 1. Arak
2. Darkenbeast
[2] 3. Death knight
[1] 4. Doppelganger (dread)
5. Doppelganger (standard)
6. Ermordenung
[2] 7. Fiend (specify type)
[1] 8. Ghost
[1] 9. Ghoul
[2] 10. Goblin
11. Goblyn
12. Golem (flesh)
[1] 13. Hag (any; specify type)
15. Huecuva
[1] 16. Lebendtod
[3] 17. Lich
[3] 18. Mummy
[1] 19. Red widow
[2] 20. Vampire (specify type)
21. Vampyre
[1] 22. Werepanther
23. Wererat
[5] 24. Werewolf
[10] 25. Wolfwere
[1] 26. Zombie

Votes in from Mischief, Mistmaster, Pizza and Wolfglide.

10 points for: number 15. Huecuva. Always been a fav of mine and at least one has been a recuring NPC for my players over the years.

The score as it stands is:

[2] 1. Arak
2. Darkenbeast
[2] 3. Death knight
[1] 4. Doppelganger (dread)
5. Doppelganger (standard)
6. Ermordenung
[2] 7. Fiend (specify type)
[1] 8. Ghost
[1] 9. Ghoul
[2] 10. Goblin
11. Goblyn
12. Golem (flesh)
[1] 13. Hag (any; specify type)
[10] 15. Huecuva
[1] 16. Lebendtod
[3] 17. Lich
[3] 18. Mummy
[1] 19. Red widow
[2] 20. Vampire (specify type)
21. Vampyre
[1] 22. Werepanther
23. Wererat
[5] 24. Werewolf
[10] 25. Wolfwere
[1] 26. Zombie

Now in shared first place, the Huecuva (15) and the Wolfwere (25)! What an upset, folks!

Votes in from Brothersale, Mischief, Mistmaster, Pizza and Wolfglide.

25. Wolfwere - 4pts. Lovely singing voices and a deft hand (paw?) on the lute

6. Ermordenung - 3 pts. Never have to worry about grabby hands or personal space invaders again. And do things in style.

7. Fiend (specify type) - 2 Pts. Arcanaloth. I have a soft spot for Inajirra. Show Strahd the Sparkly who's the boss.

3. Death knight - 1pt. Ah Soth. I miss you.

The score as it stands is:

[2] 1. Arak
2. Darkenbeast
[3] 3. Death knight
[1] 4. Doppelganger (dread)
5. Doppelganger (standard)
[3] 6. Ermordenung
[4] 7. Fiend (specify type)
[1] 8. Ghost
[1] 9. Ghoul
[2] 10. Goblin
11. Goblyn
12. Golem (flesh)
[1] 13. Hag (any; specify type)
[10] 15. Huecuva
[1] 16. Lebendtod
[3] 17. Lich
[3] 18. Mummy
[1] 19. Red widow
[2] 20. Vampire (specify type)
21. Vampyre
[1] 22. Werepanther
23. Wererat
[5] 24. Werewolf
[14] 25. Wolfwere
[1] 26. Zombie

Number 25, the Wolfwere, is pulling ahead of the pack! The Huecuva is not looking happy, and the werewolf has dropped to third place! That must hurt, folks! Still, the race isn't over just yet, so keep those votes coming!

Votes in from Brothersale, Dustbunny, Mischief, Mistmaster, Pizza and Wolfglide.

1. Arak [1] I like a little weirdness now and then
4. Doppelganger (dread) [1] the ultimate imposter
8. Ghost [2] Do you tell "ghoul stories?" or "Mummy stories?" no, they are "ghost stories" for good reason.
11. Goblyn [1] Soft spot for these guys for some reason
12. Golem (flesh) [1] Can't have Halloween without "Frankenstein"
16. Lebendtod [1] I've always liked "Thing" from the Addams Family
17. Lich [1] Most of this point is for Azalin. other liches I can take or leave, usually.
20. Vampire (classic version) [2] (sorry, I'm a "sucker" for vampires)

The score as it stands is:

[3] 1. Arak
2. Darkenbeast
[3] 3. Death knight
[2] 4. Doppelganger (dread)
5. Doppelganger (standard)
[3] 6. Ermordenung
[4] 7. Fiend (specify type)
[3] 8. Ghost
[1] 9. Ghoul
[2] 10. Goblin
[1] 11. Goblyn
[1] 12. Golem (flesh)
[1] 13. Hag (any; specify type)
[10] 15. Huecuva
[2] 16. Lebendtod
[4] 17. Lich
[3] 18. Mummy
[1] 19. Red widow
[4] 20. Vampire (specify type)
21. Vampyre
[1] 22. Werepanther
23. Wererat
[5] 24. Werewolf
[14] 25. Wolfwere
[1] 26. Zombie

Car #25, the "Wolfwere-wagon" is still in the lead, hotly pursued by #15, "Chevy-chevy-Huecuva" (try saying that ten times fast! ), with #24, "Howling Acceleration" hanging onto third place like grim death!

But the field is changing, friends! Coming up fast behind #24, we have cars #7 (Fiend Ferrari), #17 (Lich Convertible) and #20 (Vampire Red-Eye), all hot on the werewolf's heels and looking to pass from fourth into third!

And right behind them, #1 (Arak Accelerati), #3 (Death Knight Chariot), #6 (Ermordenung Eclipse), #8 (Ghost Train) and #18 (Mummy Fandango) are getting ready to make their big push!

Cars #4 (Dread Doppelganger), #10 (Goblin) and #16 (Lebendtod) are making a brave effort to get ahead of the crush!

Cars #9 (Ghoul), #11 (Ghoul), #12 (Flesh Golem), #13 (Hag), #19 (Red Widow), #22 (Werepanther) and #26 (Zombie) are second to last, and struggling to get away from each other and break into sixth, folks, but they seem to be tangling each other up! Will any of them manage to get ahead?

In dead last, the Darkenbeast, Standard Doppelganger, Vampyre and Wererat might have to give up unless they can force an upset. Better luck next year, guys, and don't blame me!
(Seriously, guys... there's no point in hurting me. I'm just the announcer. It isn't my fault. It's not...! Oh gods, please don't look at me like that!)

An - anyway, your votes carry the race, dear audience, so - you go vote while I hide under this table...

Votes in from Brothersale, Dustbunny, Gonzoron of the FoS, Mischief, Mistmaster, Pizza and Wolfglide.

20 Vampire (Nosferatu subtype) (3 points). Classic villain that just lends itself to a great backstory. Specifically love Nosferatu (3rd ed version) b/c they can be out in the daytime. Really upends PCs' expectations.

8 Ghost (2 points). Ghosts are great villains. Also love the idea PC's have to think about how to put them to rest. not just hack and slash them. Makes for a good investigative mystery vibe. Plus, the ghost doesn't even have to be the villain of the adventure either.

19 Red Widow (1 point). These 'ladies' are fun! I have a couple of PC's who like to act like they're ladies men w/ their characters. These villains are always good for a laugh & a freak out. Sexy lady turns into monstrous spider ready to eat you right when you're ready to get busy. Hilarious!

17 Lich (1 point). This is simply for Azalin. I've never used a Lich in any other context in a Ravenloft game aside from Azalin appearance. But Azalin is just the best!

13 Hag (1 point). Hag's are great. More Brother's Grimm than Gothic Horror. But they're great to creep out PC's. Especially if you have a coven in a game.

24 Werewolf (1 pt). Classic horror movie monster. Plus, the whole trope of The Beast Within is always a great theme for an adventure

7 Fiend (1 pt). Great Faustian villain. Or, and this might be a bit twisted, having a Fiend possess a child (ala Exorcist) is always a good chill for PC's

Nice poll btw