Monstrous Races

Monstrous Adventurers

In some campaigns, humanoids normally regarded as sinister threats can emerge to adventure alongside humans and the other standard races.

Why a Monstrous Character?

Creating characters as creatures normally cast as villains offers up some interesting roleplaying possibilities. Whether played for comedy, as a tragic story of betrayal and loss, or as an antihero, a monstrous character gives a player a chance to take on an unusual challenge in the campaign. Before considering playing a monstrous character, consider the following three concepts.

Civilized Prejudice

It is extremely rare to have orc, goblin, and similar adventurers. They are met with suspicion, aggression, and sometimes violence by most common races. Most cities, towns, and villages will either bar them from entry or attack them on sight.

An orc character might have to venture into town in disguise or remain in the wilderness, for fear of imprisonment or mob violence. Be sure you understand how monster characters can expect the world to treat you. You might like the challenge of taking on an outcast, but don't be surprised if you end up left out of adventures as a result.

Native Culture

Consider how a monstrous character's native culture has molded the character. It is important to work the racial background into the personality of the character. A orc has many similarities to Klingons and should feel similar (think of how Worf might portray a half-orc). Is the character an outcast, a spy, or something else? How did the character end up as an adventurer? The character's bond is a great starting point to consider for this question. How did the bond drive the character to adventure? The character's trait, flaw, and ideal can also play a role in fleshing out the story.

Party Interaction

Figure out what special ties the character has to other members of the adventuring party that will make the party want to have a monster along with them. An orc warlock might be the dwarf ranger's sworn enemy, but the two are forced to work together to defeat a mutual foe. Perhaps the kobold sorcerer was the tiefiing wizard's familiar, transformed by an irate archmage in return for some petty insult. The hobgoblin paladin might have been human once, but crossed the wrong hag and was cursed to take on an evil guise. A creative tie between a monstrous character and the rest of the party helps make for a memorable campaign.

The Monstrous Origin table gives a number of ideas for adding a monstrous character to the campaign.