The Dirty Dozen (12 Creature Templates)
In 2016 Jack Shear wrote a blogpost called Just Use Bears which was the premise that you can use the Bear Statblock for any creature.
This article provides 12 templates that you can use as a base for any creature, which expands in scope from a solitary statblock.
Each template uses a Schema that is derived from two sources: The Reach of the Roach God an out of print, hard to find, OSR book; the second is an article that expands the original schema called Lore Blocks. I have combine the two.
The Schema
Each monster is described using words and sentences
The FIRST WORD describes the influence this creature has on the world.
- COMMON Common folk; bandits, creatures that are plentiful in the world.
- UNCOMMON Notable individuals, creatures that are not as plentiful in the world.
- STORIED Famous people, renown creatures.
- LEGENDARY Rulers, leaders, creatures of myth or legend.
The SECOND WORD describes the power of the creature and how dangerous it is to the players.
- HARMLESS no threat, minor danger.
- HAZARDOUS creates danger, complications or consequences, causes harm if able to.
- DANGEROUS presents major complications, causes serious harm.
- DEADLY harm is inevitable, death is likely.
The THIRD WORD describes the health of this creature.
- FRAGILE unhealthy, is taken out easily.
- DURABLE healthy, can take a few hits.
- STURDY very healthy, is hard to put down.
- TOUGH peak health, almost unstoppable.
The FOURTH SENTENCE is a list of three to six skills/traits/abilities this creature is expert at. They should receive significant advantages whenever acting on or challenged when using them.
The FIFTH SENTENCE describes the creature's attacks: the weapon or body-part they use to cause harm.
The SIXTH SENTENCE is a list of the creature's defences: armour, or protection.
Putting it all together the schema for each creature reads:
Influence {common, uncommon, storied, legendary}. Danger {harmless, hazardous, dangerous, deadly.} Health {fragile, durable, sturdy, tough). 3-6 skills. Attacks. Defences.
Example:
Goblin
Common. Hazardous. Fragile. Stealth, hiding, gang-up. Scimitar and bow. Poor quality leather armour
When creating your new creature take a template and then tweak it to fit your theme, swap their health, modify skills, attacks, defences. Nothing is set in stone, make it fit the creature you envision.
Sources for ideas:
Prey
Common. Harmless. Fragile. Submission, fleeing, blending in. Club or claws. Unprotected.
Prey are bottom of the food chain, other animals hunt or dominate them, whilst they just try to survive from day to day. Use for: peasants, wild game, birds, rodents, prey animals, timid creatures.
Mount
Common. Harmless. Durable. Endurance, load carrying, speed. Hooves or bites . Unprotected or tough hide.
Mounts of all kinds, either ridden or used for pulling vehicles and operating farm machinery. Use for: horses, camels, large birds.
Swarm
Uncommon. Hazardous. Durable. Destroy crops, spread disease, overwhelming. Minor bites, stings or claws. Too many of them.
Small creatures that form a swarm making them dangerous. Powerful as a swarm, weak as individuals. Use for: minions, bats, birds, carnivorous fish, rats, insects, zombies.
Poisoner
Storied. Deadly. Durable. Stealth, surprise, poison, first strike. Deadly strike, bite or sting. Immune to poison.
Often weak but deadly—lurks in shadow or undergrowth, strikes with poison and surprise. Use for: Insects, snakes, scorpions, frogs/toads
Trapper
Storied. Dangerous. Durable. Trap building, senses, surprise, stealth. Entangle, grab. Camouflage.
Lay simple or complex traps to trap or incapacitate. Use for: Spiders, insects
Aerial Forager
Uncommon. Hazardous. Fragile. Eyesight, distract, tracking, flight. Swooping attack with beak or talons, grab smaller prey. Dodging and evasion.
They attack from the air. Use for: Vultures, eagles, harpies, flying imps.
Hunter
Uncommon. Dangerous. Sturdy. Stealth, terror, leap, speed, tracking, agile. Powerful bite or claws. Cannot be surprised, tough hide.
Excellent hunters that are patient and enduring. Use for: large felines, crocodiles, sharks, skilled assassins.
The Pack
Common. Hazardous. Durable. Co-ordinated, tactics, loyal. Gang up on individual targets. Flee when reduced to half their numbers.
Work together, one for all and all for one. Use for: Wolves, bandits, goblin warband, ants, piranhas.
Solo
Storied. Dangerous. Sturdy. Acute senses, strong, anti-social, rage when wounded. Single crushing or blunt attacks. Well protected through armour or hide.
Solitary, powerful. Use for: Ogres, trolls, lone barbarians, cave beasts.
Chargers
Uncommon. Hazardous. Durable. Wary, strong, quick reactions, momentum. Gore, trample. Tough hide.
Keep their distance but when threatened charge into combat. Use for: Bulls, Bison, Moose, Wild Boars, Rhinoceros, mounted armoured cavalry.
Colossal
Legendary. Deadly. Tough. Strong, long reach, relentless, fearless. Powerful limbs or horns. Extremely tough hide or armour.
Massive, intimidating. Use for: Elephants, Constructs, Giants.
Apex Predator
Legendary. Deadly. Tough. Cunning, fearless, domination, tracking, relentless. Powerful jaws, claws, tails and/or breath weapon. Incredible armour or tough hide.
A huge apex threat with destructive attacks and terrifying presence. Top of the food chain. Use for: Dragon, Tyrannosaurus Rex.