Advanced Dungeon & Dragons Monster Manual

Inspired

Canonical title

Advanced Dungeon & Dragons Monster Manual

Original publication date

1977

People/Characters

Demogorgon; Orcus; Asmodeus; Tiamat; Bahamut

First words

FOREWORD
It is with a certain measure of pride that we at TSR bring you this second part of the new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS releases, the long-awaited MONSTER MANUAL for ADVANCED D & D.

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PREFACE
The various creatures contained herein are for use in ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

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EXPLANATORY NOTES
The term "monster" is used throughout this work in two manners.

Quotations

"Whaddya mean we gotta talk to this lynx?? The last monster we talked to ate half of the party!"

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The success of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has spawned a considerable number of imitations and spin-off products, perhaps inevitably. Some of these have merit; many, however, do not—and although we may concede their right to exi... (show all)st (however dependent they may be on D & D's audience), we would caution the prospective buyer to consider their true value and not to be confused with those items which bear the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS or ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS name and constitute the official D & D family of products. As for value, let the others be measured against the standard of quality we have striven for—a hardbound encyclopedia of monsters, for instance, as opposed to a low quality collection which is poorly assembled and bound.

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One final note: as valuable as this volume is with its wealth of information, some DM's may wisely wish to forbid their players from referring to the MANUAL in the midst of an encounter, since it will be considerably more cha... (show all)llenging to confront a monster without an instant rundown of its strengths and weaknesses—and besides, a D & D player's true mettle (and knowledge) will be put to the test.

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The anhkheg burrows through the earth like an earthworm preferring soil rich in minerals and organic matter. Thus it will usually be found in forests and choice agricultural land. This causes farmers great consternation, sinc... (show all)e the anhkheg likes to supplement its earthly diet of soil with a bit of fresh meat, human or otherwise.

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Giant beavers sometimes trade, and if coins or other valuables are offered they can sometimes be persuaded to undertake the building of dam-like constructions if there is water near the building site, for they use such water ... (show all)to work in/from.

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The bulette (or landshark) was thought to be extinct until recently when this horror reappeared. It was the result of a mad wizard's experimental cross breeding of a snapping turtle and armadillo with infusions of demons' ich... (show all)or.

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This nightmare creature is loathsome beyond description and has no redeeming features.

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Perhaps its habitat—fetid swamps and miasmal marshes—caused the bizarre combination of genetic characteristics in this monster, or perhaps it was due to some ghastly tinkering with life by a demented godling.

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Those to whom demons show a liking are typically carried off to the demons' plane to become a slave (although a favored one).

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Type V demons are taller than a large man and far more terrible.

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The sixth and seventh planes of Hell, Malbolge and Maladomini respectively, are ruled by Baalzebul, "Lord of the Flies" ("lies"?)

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These are the least of the greater devils, and have such names as "Dogretch," "Evil Tail," and "Bent Wing."

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Because of the nature of time in planes where magic works, dinosaurs widely separate in time are discussed hereunder, for they can be found intermingled on some alternate world, strange plane, or isolated continent somewhere.

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It is a plains dweller, and so stupidly fierce that it will attack a small triceratops, kill it, and swallow its head in one gulp—thus killing itself in a matter of hours as the horns of the victim pierce the stomach of the... (show all) victor.

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They tend towards the mid point between law and chaos in their evil.

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Green Dragon (Draco Chlorinous Nauseous Respiratorus)

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There are seven huge ancient gold dragons of highest abilities and loyalty who serve as guards, companions, and advisors to Bahamut. He seldom (10%) is without them. (A sage tells of encountering Bahamut in the guise o... (show all)f an old hermit, with seven canaries singing sweetly as they flitted nearby. The sage relates that he would never have known that he was anything other than what he appeared to be except that a group of ogres and trolls happened by much to their sorrow . . .)

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Killer Frog: These smallish giant frogs employ talons and teeth in attack. They are man-eating, specially bred mutants. Only their cannibalistic habits keep them from becoming common and thus a real threat.

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GELATINOUS CUBE

FREQUENCY: Uncommon
[...]
The gelatinous cube is one of the scavengers not uncommon in dungeons.

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Rumor has it leprechauns are a species of halfling with a strong strain of pixie.

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Known orc tribes include the following: Vile Rune, Bloody Head, Death Moon, Broken Bone, Evil Eye, Leprous Hand, Rotting Eye, Dripping Blade.

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The gynosphinx is the female counterpart of the androsphinx. They are both knowledgeable and wise. As they are neutral, and prize gems and similar wealth, they will only help humans if they are paid—although they will somet... (show all)imes accept payment in the form of riddles, poetry, prose, knowledge, or the location of an androsphinx.

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Wolverines inhabit only colder regions (which is fortunate for mankind, for these animals are horrible). They are vicious, hateful, destructive carnivores who kill for the sheer love of ending another creature's life. Bears a... (show all)nd wolves respect these creatures' ferocity.

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Holy water vials score 2-8 hit points of damage for each one which strikes.

Disambiguation notice

This is the first Monster Manual volume.

The "A" Monsters for Volume 1 are Aerial Servant, Anhkheg, Ant Giant, Ape, Axebeak.