Getting to Know - the Myriad Host

The first two entries in this series explored the possibilities of some common humanoid (goblinoid) monsters in the game - as adapted for the Avremier setting. This time, let's take a look at a small group of monsters that I've given a common biological background and development.

The ankheg:

The remorhaz:

The umber hulk (PI):

What do these creatures have in common? Well, the first two just seem to go together in my mind when I look at the illustrations. As for the third, well...I happen to prefer the later look of the critter:

That makes more sense. Three monsters based upon insects or arthropods. In an early Avremier campaign, I had a major villain that was breeding and taming monsters for use as laborers and soldiers. This villain was the source of what ended up being called the Ulentohksa (Myriad Host). They created a gigantic hive beneath the main villain's lair that served as a rather creepy dungeon environment.

Ankhegs became a worker caste. They would also be used as gatherers. In a pinch, the ankheg made a fine soldier.

 

The remorhaz was an elite warrior and hunter type. Harder to control, but fierce and effective. Yes - the setting was in a northern clime. The ankheg adapted just fine and served well as an outrider and scout to the south.






The umber hulk (umbulc in Avremier) was carefully engineered to be an elite warrior and colony director. Of comparable structure, but superior intellect and utility.

With this structure, it stands to reason that there must be an Ulentohska Queen somewhere. A truly terrifying and gigantic monster, hidden away - producing more and more monsters for the Myriad Host. In my mind, I tend to imagine a remorhaz crossed with:

Yeah - go ahead and watch out for that sucker in a future adventure.