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Aberzanzorax · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:39 am Post subject:

I couldn't decide where to put this (OD or KQ subforum), but here goes:

One reason I LOVE Open Design is that monsters are treated as monsters...not stat collections. In a discussion of "monster roles" on ENworld here: http://www.enworld.org/forum/news/326185-working-game-mine-14.html#post5970009 it occurred to me that the simple goblin (or in this case, kobold) could be used, used again, and yet once more with the exact same statistics in a well written adventure (no templates, no kobold assassin, no kobold brute, etc). My point was/is that a monster's role should not define its actions; it should only be descriptive in regard to its common tactics.

My thought was that it might be interesting to show gamers and game companies that the story and action is what matters, not the statblocks. Encounterwise, kobolds might attack from hiding, attack en masse, wear armor (the leader) who is surrounded by polearm wielders aiding another on his armor class, use traps, cause avalanches and rockslides, bargain, sing, plead, connive, flee and regroup, flee just to flee, use poison, etc.

So the "Kobold challenge" is a suggestion for an article on or an adventure on this idea. Can an adventure be designed with one creature fulfilling multiple roles (perhaps even sucking at some...kobold brute? HAH! and defining itself by those actions and that ineptitude)?

Can a compelling adventure be written with kobolds fulfilling striker, brute, artillery, controller, etc etc. with no actual changes to the statblock of the kobold (apart from mundane equipment usage that they're skilled in).

Even if no one takes up the banner, I'm curious what the excellent writers here think about such an idea.

Thanks for perusing this little flight of fancy.

Kobold Courier