Hello, little beastie... - Living table (1) - Entries 74-80

If you read my recent post on spectral creatures, you might have thought of something I didn't, that the ideas would make good entries for the table of small creature concepts.

You can find the full table here at DM Muse, ready for rolling. It's a living table, meaning anyone can add entries. There are 11 living tables so far, and new can easily be started.

Here are the latest seven then, making 80 in total.

1. This creature exists in this particular stream of light and will defend itself by striking at the visual organs of any individual observing it.
2. This creature inhabits the current light conditions at this specific location, and as the conditions change, it will follow, vanishing if they cease to exist; if an observer can manoeuvre closer, roll again on this table, treating the same result as the creature transferring to another set of these conditions elsewhere.
3. This creature exists only at the edge of sight, and maintaining it in the peripheral vision requires concentration; any individual approaching will seem to move to the edge of sight too, and if such an approach is made, roll again on this table.
4. This creature appears to exist within a reflective surface, such as a mirror, window or puddle, which is in fact a portal of some kind; if physical contact is attempted, roll again on this table, with the same result indicating the individual attempting physical contact is drawn through the portal.
5. This creature ordinarily inhabits the shadow of the individual discovering it, but has become briefly disoriented; it will attempt immediately to reenter the shadow; if prevented, the individual will undergo minor personality changes.
6. This docile creature navigates darkness by emitting light from an unusual organ.
7. This creature is in fact a colony of sparks of light inhabiting a precious stone.

I've added them to DM Muse, so they'll be visible a little later. Go ahead and add more.

_

Hello, little beastie... - Living table (1) - Entries 51-70

A few more entries for the Small Creatures table here at the Expanse and over at DM Muse. They're ideas for small creatures in gaming and writing, non-system-specific.

There are 20 more, making 70 in total. Again, rolling a D70 isn't practical, but DM Muse can do the random bit. Remember, this is a living table, meaning you can add to it.

1. As a defence, this creature expands to immense size; if an attempt is made at capture or harm, it will deflate, releasing a cloud of noxious gas.
2. This elongated creature is slow-moving and muscular, and will attempt to constrict a nearby organism if ignored.
3. This creature is magnetic and exerts a strong pull on metal items.
4. As a defence, this creature produces a flash of light through its outer tissues.
5. This creature is able to focus any light falling on its body, and will defend itself by unleashing a blast of as much heat as it can muster by this means.
6. This creature has a terrifying appearance likely to cause shock upon discovery.
7. This ornately-horned or tusked creature attempts to gore any perceived threats.
8. This creature has a fungal biology and will release spores upon discovery; these will produce rapidly-maturing offspring in clothing and among possessions at a later date, at which point roll again on this table for the nature they exhibit.
9. This creature secretes a lubrication making it extremely difficult to grip.
10. This multipedal creature will respond to danger by fixing itself to the ground with its sharp claws.
11. This telepathic creature will attempt to plant suggestions in the minds of nearby organisms, encouraging its support and protection.
12. This insubstantial creature will attempt to possess the body of a nearby organism, and will be difficult to evict once in.
13. This creature is covered in a great mass of silken hair, which it will shed and attempt to abandon unnoticed; if pursued, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
14. This creature has the ability to pass through solid materials; if approached, it will do so, leaving an opening icy to the touch.
15. This flying creature catapults away when discovered to circle or hover far overhead, remaining there for some time, a sign for all able to read it.
16. This creature is in fact mechanical, a collection of highly advanced technologies; if approached, roll twice more on this table to determine its immediately notable systems.
17. This shapeshifting creature is able to mimic the appearance of other organisms, even those of greatly differing size, and defends itself by duplicating a threat.
18. As a defence, this creature will break itself down into increasingly small component organisms which scatter in every direction.
19. This creature is in fact a vehicle for another; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as immediate emergence; upon emergence, also brought about through the death of the vehicle or attempts at friendly communication, roll once again to determine the nature of the pilot.
20. This highly-intelligent creature controls a network of other creatures spanning a vast area; if threatened, it will call upon them, at which point roll again on this table for each new arrival to determine its nature.

I've fed them in at DM Muse, but it may take a little while for them to appear. If you want to add your own ideas, or even a completely new table, go right ahead.

_

Hello, little beastie... - Living table (1) - Entries 31-50

Here are some more entries for the Small Creatures table at the Expanse and DM Muse. They're ideas for using wee beasties in gaming and writing, non-system-specific.

There are 20 extra, making a total of 50. Rolling a D50 isn't practical, but DM Muse can handle that. The tables are alive so you can add your own ideas.

There are two more tables up now as well, Nasty Mutations and Stronghold Favors, nine altogether. If you want to create a completely new table of your own, you can.

I've also added a small creature to the 'blog your own adventure' project. The scene is here, and the beginning of the adventure here. I'll write a later instalment today...

C'nor at Lunching at Lamias has also combined a few rolls on the table to create some more complex creatures, which you can find here.

And re tables, check this out - some ideas there for the What's in the Tome project. Desert Scribe also has this fun table for non-critical hit damage in starship combat.

The new entries then.

Hello, little beastie... - Living table (1) - Entries 1-30

This ties in loosely with yesterday's post on a new way of playing miniatures wargames in heavier terrain, but is also very relevant to roleplaying games of all or most kinds.

In dense alien jungles and rubble-strewn post-apocalyptic cityscapes it's quite possible player characters and units will bump into strange new creatures, many of which will be small and relatively insignificant, but still able to influence the game and add colour...

Here then is the first table at the Expanse - 'Hello, little beastie...' - and it's being donated to the Living Table project at DM Muse, an excellent site full of good ideas for games and fiction. Old School Heretic gives a batch of stats here. Impressive.

I'll feed in the entries now and the table should be up soon. Once it is, just head across and add your own whenever the Muse calls.

Until then, it's a mighty D30 table. Yes, D30. Learn about the Order of the D30 here.

The idea is simple. When an individual or group takes cover, explores a hidden space or moves an item, a roll may be made on the table. The creatures are deemed too small to warrant stats and are at the mercy of the characters if they can be caught. System-specific details are not given - these can be set in advance or, better still, improvised.