Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this idea for a while now, and I finally decided to sit down and make it happen. I wanted to create my own little world filled with those classic D&D monsters we all know and love. You know, the ones that make you think of epic dungeon crawls and late-night gaming sessions.
First off, I started by brainstorming which monsters I absolutely had to include. I mean, you can’t have a classic D&D setting without a Beholder, right? That thing’s iconic! It’s even on the cover of the 5th edition Monster Manual. I made a list of all my favorites, like Mind Flayers, Dragons, and some good old Goblins for those low-level encounters.
Then, I got to work on the environment. I figured a good dungeon is key, so I sketched out a few rooms, making sure to describe them in a way that felt alive. I followed this “rule of three” thing where you pick three details to really make a room stand out. For example, one room might have a crumbling statue, a mysterious glowing rune on the wall, and a suspiciously placed lever. You know, to keep things interesting.
Next, I started fleshing out the monsters themselves. I didn’t want them to be just your standard stat blocks, so I thought about ways to make them feel unique. I remember reading somewhere that giving monsters more options in combat, without necessarily making them stronger, can make fights way more dynamic. So, I played around with that idea. My Beholder, for instance, I gave it a few special abilities based on its lair. I used the “Story Role” and “Lair” details to explain these, making it feel more like a boss battle.
I also wanted to make sure the encounters weren’t just about killing everything in sight. If total annihilation isn’t the only goal, things get way more interesting. I added some scenarios where maybe the players need to negotiate with a group of monsters or solve a puzzle to avoid a fight altogether.
One thing I found super helpful was looking at other people’s ideas. I watched a video by this guy, Dark Kingsmill, who had some cool tips on making combat feel more intense. His ideas really inspired me to think outside the box.
- Environment: Making the battlefield interesting was a big one. I added different levels and environmental hazards to keep players on their toes.
- Monster Variety: I made sure to have a good mix of classic monsters, each with their own unique abilities and tactics.
- Non-Combat Options: I included ways for players to interact with the monsters and the environment without always resorting to violence.
Here are some of the main things I focused on:
It was a lot of work, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely got that classic D&D vibe I was going for. I’ve already run a few sessions with my friends, and they seem to be having a blast. I even got emotional in one part when I described the Beholder’s layer. It’s always rewarding when your players are fully engaged and enjoy your work. I will keep working on it though, and try to make it even better. Anyway, I just wanted to share my little project with you all. Maybe it’ll inspire some of you to create your own monster-filled worlds too!