All heroes need foes to vanquish. Myths from a variety of ancient cultures involve people overcoming great odds to save their loved ones, to fight against the whims of gods, and to defeat the minions of those gods. This article introduces foes from classic tales of Greek mythology to Green Ronin’s Dragon Age system. Some will seem familiar. Some will have a different twist than you may have seen previously in other fantasy roleplaying games. They can be used as is for many campaign settings or you can re-skin them for use in Thedas.
I have tried to keep to the classical characteristics of the monsters described below as opposed to regurgitate characteristics shown in other roleplaying games. However, the recorded myths involving these monsters vary, and in some cases I have taken some poetic license in combining or leaving out some of the characteristics from myth.
Chimera
The Chimera is the offspring of Typhon and Echidna: the father and mother of monsters. It has the head and body of a giant lioness, the wings of a dragon, a goat’s head that extends from its back, and a serpentine tail that ends with a snake’s head. The Chimera breathes fire and often lairs in areas where explosive swamp gas is prevalent.
In the initial rounds of combat, the Chimera often makes fly-by attacks. If a successful Threaten stunt is made against it, or if it drops one of its opponents below 0 health, it will land and continue the rest of combat on the ground, making Triple Attacks when possible.
Abilities (Focuses)
|
-1 |
Communication |
|
7 |
Constitution (Stamina) |
|
0 |
Cunning |
|
1 |
Dexterity (Snake Bite, Lion Bite) |
|
2 |
Magic |
|
3 |
Perception (Seeing, Smelling) |
|
8 |
Strength (Claws, Goat Head Butt) |
|
4 |
Willpower (Courage) |
Combat Ratings
| Speed | Health | Defense | Armor Rating |
|
11 |
100 |
11 |
3 |
Attacks
| Weapon | Attack Roll | Damage |
| Lion Bite | +3 | 3d6 + 8 |
| Goat Head Butt | +3 | 2d6 +8 |
| Snake Bite | +3 | 1d6 +8 |
| Claws | +10 | 3d6 +8 |
Powers
Favored Stunts: Knock Prone (1 SP), Mighty Blow (1 SP), Lethal Blow (4 SP), Fire Breath (5 SP)
Triple Attack: While on the ground, the Chimera can make an attack with Lion Bite, Goat Head Butt, and Snake Bite as a single major action against one target for each attack. Make a single attack roll and compare the result vs. the Defense of each target.
Fly-By Attack: While flying, the Chimera can move its speed, make an attack and then move again as a single major action as long as all movement is flying.
Fire Breath: As a 5 SP stunt, the Chimera can breathe fire on all creatures within 6 yards causing 3d6 + 3 penetrating damage. Creatures within the blast may make a TN 11 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test to take half damage. It is a blast effect with the Chimera at the center.
Tough Hide: The Chimera has a toughened hide that gives it an Armor Rating of 3.
