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Creatures

            During their adventures, the pony characters may come across the occasional creature or monster. These creatures may be adversaries, or may be in need of some help. The creatures presented in this chapter have been limited to just a few that have appeared in the show. Creatures should be played as story elements and for effect, try not to have the pony characters get into hoofticuffs with them too often, as most of the creatures, like ursas, are beyond the capability of most ponies to handle.

 

            Most creatures encountered in MLP will be obstacles to some other goal. In most cases the best way to deal with a creature is to run away, but if the creature is blocking the pony’s path, they may need to find some way to outsmart, charm, or possibly out hoofticuff their way past. In some cases, getting the monster to leave or return home may be the objective of the scenario. New creatures will be presented from time to time in future updates or scenarios.

 

Each creature is assumed to have a normal range (3 to 8) for any attribute unless specified otherwise in the description. To determine a creature's attribute, roll 1d6+2 or roll as indicated in the description for attributes that are outside of the pony norm. Unless the description says otherwise, all creatures are able to take 3 hits before being out hoofticuffed.

 

Buffalo – Physique 1d6+4, Hits 4

           

            The proud and intelligent buffalo roam on their traditional stampeding grounds throughout the frontier lands. They are not normally hostile, but can be if they feel threatened or if they feel they are being treated unfairly.

 

Cockatrice

 

A cockatrice is a creature with the head of a chicken and the body of a snake, with two bat like wings and two legs that end in chicken like talons. It has the ability to turn anypony or other creature into stone with its gaze. If the cockatrice can be out hoofticuffed or intimidated, coerced or otherwise just convinced, it also has the power to reverse the process and return its victims to normal.

 

Diamond Dog – Physique 1d6+1, Realization 1d6+1

 

Intelligent bipedal dogs with long forearms and stubby spiked tails. Diamond dogs live in underground tunnel complexes where the leaders hunt for gems to decorate their jackets and accessories. Diamond dog guards wear armor and carry lances. They may try to capture ponies to use as work horses.

 

Dragon – 30 hits

           

Typical large, European type dragons with wings, scales and claws. Capable of breathing fire and smoke, and possibly other types of bad breath. Dragons aren’t overtly hostile, they can be negotiated with right up to the point where someone bucks them on the nose or try’s to take a piece of their treasure. Anypony hit by a dragon’s fire breath is instantly considered out hoofticuffed. Best thing to do if things go bad is RUN! Dragons will usually give up the chase after a short while.

 

Griffon – Agility 1d6+3, 4 hits

 

Intelligent creatures with the body of a lion an eagle like head and beak, and eagle like talons for front legs. Griffons can be found living in Equestria, although the population is fairly small. Griffons can walk on clouds like pegasi and some attend the same flying schools. It would be unfair to assume all griffons have personalities like the one example we’ve seen in the show. Give your griffons qualities and personality traits just like a pony characters.

 

Hydra – 15 hits

 

A large dragon like being with two legs and multiple heads. They live in swampy areas and are quite aggressive, but rather slow and clumsy. The best way to deal with a hydra is to run away.

 

Manticore – 10 hits

 

Manitcores have the body of a lion, a scorpion’s tail, and two large wings. They are fearsome, but not particularly aggressive unless hurt, surprised or otherwise threatened.

 

 

Parasprite – N/A

 

A little round ball with eyes and dragonfly like wings, parasprites have voracious appetites, eating anything they can get to. They multiply rapidly when given access to food and can consume an entire town’s food supply and crops in a day or two. The only way to get rid of them is to lure them away with music.

 

Sea Serpent – 15 hits

           

Similar to a dragon, but without the greedy disposition and nasty breath. Serpents lead solitary lives and don’t have contact with others very often. When they do meet a pony, they can be very talkative, especially about themselves.

 

Timber Wolves

           

Literally wolves made of timber, looking like a pieced together wooden sculpture. They hunt in packs, but can be easily scared off by loud noises. They typically won’t attack ponies in groups, but they may follow through the forest and harass them a bit.

 

Wendigo – N/A

           

Winter spirits that feed of negative emotions, especially hatred. The more negative emotions are expressed when a Wendigo is around, the colder it gets, even to the point of encasing hapless (and hateful) ponies in ice! Wendigos can be driven off by open displays of good will and true friendship.

 

Other Creatures

 

            Other creatures are certainly possible. Some others that have appeared or been mentioned in episodes include alligators, bears, ursas, and quarray eels. During play testing, it was generally agreed that none of the creatures should have human like features. This was based on the fact that so far, none of the creatures have exhibited any human like features. The manticore had a lion’s face, not a human face as they are generally presented. Because of this we ruled out things like satyrs and centaurs. However if you are looking for a new creature to add, there are a number of great creatures that can be adapted from mythology and folklore. Just use your imagination.

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