| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1251 Posts |
 Posted - 27 May 2025 : 02:33:42
|
So the Tarrasque has played a number of roles in FR. From the Sleeper of Katashaka to the being whose heart allowed Karsus to cast his greatest and most disastrous spell.
But what if it actually had a role as a living catastrophe but OUR living catastrophe?
This was a role played by Godzilla on so many occasions where yeah, he might destroy Tokyo every week, but if a spaceborn kaiju came to Earth, big G suddenly stepped up as its defender.
That thematic role could really very easily be applied in the D&D and particularly the Forgotten Realms multiverse. I’m leaving more towards a Spelljammer story, but threats could come from the Planes as well.
Imagine that every world has its own creature that is Tarrasque-like but not the Tarrasque. We actually got a glimpse of something like this from H’Calos (arguably of H’cCatha) arriving on Toril in Maztica. Imagine the titanic showdown had it squared off against the tarrasque and the destruction and mayhem (but ultimately a good thing). More could come, titans from other wildspace systems.
Anyway, it’s just a thought. I’d love to stat up a Tarrasque equivalent that is different in many ways but pretty equal in a head to head matchup.
I know Sleyvas’ musings on Katashaka could certainly be tangential to this.
|
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
|
|
Delnyn
Master of Realmslore
USA
1041 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2025 : 04:09:11
|
| Ubtao could also serve in this role as a defender against Dendar. |
 |
|
|
TBeholder
Great Reader
2479 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2025 : 08:02:41
|
IIRC in Spelljammer some planet had entire packs of these critters roaming around.
The solitary Tarrasque may exists only because it happened to fit for whatever divine meddling or genie sorcery turns it into "eternal nemesis" type critter.
Anyway, consider that tarrasque is visibly prey species. Those spikes. Eyes are on the sides of its head (for watching out) rather than looking forward (to have a good stereo sector) like you can see on predators from spiders to cats to humans. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
|
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12050 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2025 : 16:09:29
|
quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr
So the Tarrasque has played a number of roles in FR. From the Sleeper of Katashaka to the being whose heart allowed Karsus to cast his greatest and most disastrous spell.
But what if it actually had a role as a living catastrophe but OUR living catastrophe?
This was a role played by Godzilla on so many occasions where yeah, he might destroy Tokyo every week, but if a spaceborn kaiju came to Earth, big G suddenly stepped up as its defender.
That thematic role could really very easily be applied in the D&D and particularly the Forgotten Realms multiverse. I’m leaving more towards a Spelljammer story, but threats could come from the Planes as well.
Imagine that every world has its own creature that is Tarrasque-like but not the Tarrasque. We actually got a glimpse of something like this from H’Calos (arguably of H’cCatha) arriving on Toril in Maztica. Imagine the titanic showdown had it squared off against the tarrasque and the destruction and mayhem (but ultimately a good thing). More could come, titans from other wildspace systems.
Anyway, it’s just a thought. I’d love to stat up a Tarrasque equivalent that is different in many ways but pretty equal in a head to head matchup.
I know Sleyvas’ musings on Katashaka could certainly be tangential to this.
HMMMMM, I'm liking this base idea.... the nyama-nummo could definitely serve this purpose. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
|
Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2025 : 17:18:09
|
quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
IIRC in Spelljammer some planet had entire packs of these critters roaming around.
The solitary Tarrasque may exists only because it happened to fit for whatever divine meddling or genie sorcery turns it into "eternal nemesis" type critter.
Anyway, consider that tarrasque is visibly prey species. Those spikes. Eyes are on the sides of its head (for watching out) rather than looking forward (to have a good stereo sector) like you can see on predators from spiders to cats to humans.
Ahh yes, I think it was a very popular Dmsguild product from what I remember. And yeah you have a point about the tarrasque's appearance. Going beyond a CR 30 creature doesnt seem supported yet in 5e, but one that is an equal match would be even more fun to play out.
quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
Ubtao could also serve in this role as a defender against Dendar.
A very similar concept for sure. I think ubtao is a clearcut defender though and not a problem himself. The tarrasque is a walking catastrophe, yet when it comes down to an otherwordly catastrophe coming to mess with his world...she's not having it.
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
HMMMMM, I'm liking this base idea.... the nyama-nummo could definitely serve this purpose.
If you're working out an adventure for your players or writing something up, I will gladly contribute a stat block. I? had in mind a CR 29 creature ive been working on that essentially looks like the "kraken" from the Harry Hausen Clash of the Titans. Four armed and amphibious. |
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
|
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12050 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2025 : 13:18:12
|
quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
HMMMMM, I'm liking this base idea.... the nyama-nummo could definitely serve this purpose.
If you're working out an adventure for your players or writing something up, I will gladly contribute a stat block. I? had in mind a CR 29 creature ive been working on that essentially looks like the "kraken" from the Harry Hausen Clash of the Titans. Four armed and amphibious.
Nothing CURRENTLY in the pipes. I was working on developing something down in the Shaar, but it is getting long and work is killing me. So, this last weekend I decided something smaller that I can do as a chunk is better. It started out at first just being to stat up the Ghirrash from the 3e miniatures handbook. But its morphing into doing a single city down in Katashaka. Latoombe (Lah-toom-bay), city of tricksters. It will be a city where there are these "Rakshasa Lords", who are much less powerful than 5e Rakshasa, but they're drawing power from something in the city. There will also Ghirrash and "Ghirrash-kin".... basically some cat folk who bred with Ghirrash so that you have a lower powered player race. Finally, in inspiration of the feystag, there will be the Besh'ba'sym ..... picture displacer beast with feathered wings instead of tentacles and a pair of antlers ... who can cause ill luck with magic items in some ways similar to a feystag. The city will also have a standard population of cat folk. The city itself is on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, but it has an undercity where a lot of the beings reside, and this undercity has gates that open on the base of the cliff where they can take in cargo from ships. The undercity will also have many "ledges" that open up along the cliffside, meaning the undercity is prone to winds constantly going through them, etc.... So, it won't be "the underdark". Many of these ledges will have hanging greenery and small gardens.
Linking this back to where we're going here.... these "rakshasa" lords will be "tied" to a sleeping power beneath the city. It will be some kind of nyamma-nummo with ties to darkness / the shadowfell. Beneath the city will also be a portal TO the shadowfell (thus why Ghirrash aka Shadowfiends are here). I haven't got that idea worked out much yet, but the idea is that these Rakshasa are tied to this world, NOT the nine hells. Like some forms of liches as well, when they die they are "reborn", but it will be in the form of taking over another of their bloodline (which they possibly have to "prepare" for this privilege). |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
The Tarrasque as an Earthly Defender
