Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
What are DnD Monsters EVEN FOR?! What do Vonnegut, Tolkien, and Beowulf tell us about Dungeons and Dragons? We talk about what the purpose of monsters are in terms of game design and narrative impact! 5E uses the images of myth, folklore, and fantasy literature, but the monster design is somewhat flat in the story department. The metaphor of the monster in a game should be designed with more than just stat blocks and combat abilities.
Download the MONSTROUS Preview Packet: thecloudcurio.com/monstrous
Sign up for the email alerts to make sure you here when the project goes live!
J R R Tolkien's article, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf:_The_Monsters_and_the_Critics
Kurt Vonnegut's Writing Tips: youtube.com/watch?v=nmVcIhnvSx8&ab_channel=GerryJustice
@Matthew Colville 's thoughtful video What Are Dungeons For?: youtube.com/watch?v=BQpnjYS6mnk&t=2s&ab_channel=MatthewColville
I use 6B and 6B pencil, some soft charcoal, a kneaded and a mechanical eraser, and a wad of paper towel. This was drawn on 100 pound Strathmore bristol board.
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Patreon: patreon.com/mapcrow
Podcast: thesplatbook.com/episodes
Join my Newsletter: kylelatino.com/newsletter
Itch Store: mapcrow.itch.io
Drivethru RPG: drivethrurpg.com/product/364793/Old-Roads-Map-Zine
Music by Ivan Formin: ivan-fomin.itch.io
00:00 Introduction
00:32 What Are Games?
01:21 What Are Stories For?
03:54 What Are Monsters For?
07:12 Monster As Inevitable Despair
08:47 The Metaphor of the Hero
10:08 Other Monster Metaphors
What are DnD Monsters EVEN FOR?! What do Vonnegut, Tolkien, and Beowulf tell us about Dungeons and Dragons? We talk about what the purpose of monsters are in terms of game design and narrative impact! 5E uses the images of myth, folklore, and fantasy literature, but the monster design is somewhat flat in the story department. The metaphor of the monster in a game should be designed with more than just stat blocks and combat abilities.
Download the MONSTROUS Preview Packet: thecloudcurio.com/monstrous
Sign up for the email alerts to make sure you here when the project goes live!
J R R Tolkien's article, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf:_The_Monsters_and_the_Critics
Kurt Vonnegut's Writing Tips: youtube.com/watch?v=nmVcIhnvSx8&ab_channel=GerryJustice
@Matthew Colville 's thoughtful video What Are Dungeons For?: youtube.com/watch?v=BQpnjYS6mnk&t=2s&ab_channel=MatthewColville
I use 6B and 6B pencil, some soft charcoal, a kneaded and a mechanical eraser, and a wad of paper towel. This was drawn on 100 pound Strathmore bristol board.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Patreon: patreon.com/mapcrow
Podcast: thesplatbook.com/episodes
Join my Newsletter: kylelatino.com/newsletter
Itch Store: mapcrow.itch.io
Drivethru RPG: drivethrurpg.com/product/364793/Old-Roads-Map-Zine
Music by Ivan Formin: ivan-fomin.itch.io
00:00 Introduction
00:32 What Are Games?
01:21 What Are Stories For?
03:54 What Are Monsters For?
07:12 Monster As Inevitable Despair
08:47 The Metaphor of the Hero
10:08 Other Monster Metaphors
