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New Monsters: the Orcs are upon us!
🕑 Added 2025-05-01 15:48:52 +0000 UTCHey all! really excited about this new monster group, THE ORCS! In the PDF below, you'll not only find 7 new monsters and 1 new legendary monster, but also something I'm QUITE happy about: additional handy info for the GM running these guys. Premade encounters and tactics for different levels, as well as Orcish Names (for when the heroes inevitably ask "what's this guy's name?"), and 2 new things I'm most excited about:
Parley
Some alternate things to do instead of a "fight to the death.." What else would happen if the heroes win, what would it look like if these orcs wanted to Parley? What would the heroes get out of it?
Defeat (TPK alternatives)
What if…the Orcs are winning? Is the only option for you as the GM fudging the dice or causing a TPK? No! Now you have additional options for what else could happen to keep the story moving forward, even in the face of defeat. I really like this the most since it frees you as the GM up with experiment with different power levels without worrying too much about unintentionally ending the campaign. Defeat can simply be the next twist to the story!
New Mechanics
These orcs have some really interesting mechanics that make them feel very "Orc-y." Battlelust triggers when initiative is rolled, Tough as Nails gives them a thematic "weakness" without them feeling weak, and their Enrage ability will make the heroes change up their own tactics as they learn how fighting Orcs works.
The Orcish Battlebard makes for an interesting secondary objective and breathes new life into less damaging spells & abilities. The Warchief and High Flamecaller add some tactical spiciness to the top end of the monster group. Even if you've fought Orcs at a lower level, they gain powerful new abilities at higher levels, making for a much more versatile and longer lasting monster group (I love getting MORE out of each monster group).
What else is going on? Design Jam Review!
If you haven't heard, I've just announced the very first Nimble Design Jam. I've already got a number of submissions for it, and tomorrow (Friday) at 11:30 am eastern. I'll be doing a livestream to give some preliminary feedback on them before the final deadline of next Friday.
There's still time to come up with your own submission if you're interested, click here for more details.
Thanks as always for your continued support. Please let me know what you think about the awesome and ferocious orcs!
Comments
Floris van Kuijen
I love the direction you've gone with this. Tough as Nails is very evocative. I also really like the flame theme, since it coincidentally works really well for the Ghaash'kala orcs of Eberron, who worship Kalok Shash, The Binding Flame (they fight demons, it's dope)
Danny Rowe
HORDECALLER KEREM seems a bit...much.
