So Why Use Monsters in a Storytelling Game?

Gygaxia is not really primarily about going around slaying monsters, or getting repeatedly ambushed by random nasties as you wander through the wilderness. This sort of thing certainly can happen if you want, but we think games are more fun when it isn’t the primary focus, and when it happens with a twist. So what are monsters for? Three basic things:

• Plot Elements: Monsters are plot devices and parts of stories. Sometimes, maybe, they’re just the minions that stand in your way to the big bad or red herrings to distract you from the plot (or give you a break from it). But more often monsters are individuals with their own stories, which means that often they're companions or entire adventures in themselves.

• Background: As standard fantasy game components, monsters are part of the background of your world. From a story perspective, therefore, they're important even when they aren't the focus of your adventures, because they give depth to your fantasy. A scenario is more believable, and usually more interesting, if creatures who aren't directly involved in the plot are still present. Also, monsters can provide the occasional temporary amusing distraction from the main plot.

• Player Characters: Players can be allowed to play monsters as characters. This is a great opportunity to tell unusual stories and mess with typical fantasy scenarios. As monsters, players can immerse themselves in new cultures, use new abilities, and look at things in a totally different light. They can defend dungeons from the likes of adventurers, become adventurers themselves, or try to settle into society as ordinary citizens. Stats for making PC monsters (and animals) are listed above the creature in question when a type of monster seems feasible as a PC race.

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