Cerebral Parasite
© 2013 Christopher Burdett
The Cerebral Parasite is described as being a microscopic parasite of the mind... but what is it wasn't? What if it was really big and if just could not be seen but still had a taste for brains? Microscopic is all well and good and some of our worst real world monsters are microscopic... but in a fantasy gaming world of high adventure... do you really want your hero dieing at the hands of an unseen brain parasite? I realize a huge invisible or undetectable monster with tentacles ready to NOMS your brain isn't necessarily better... but it has the potential to be more epic a death...
As a side note, if you are still reading this... This personal project of mine, to redesign EVERYTHING in the original D&D Monster Manual is going through some changes as I get a better feel for it and take a realistic look at what I am doing with it. While it is DEFINITELY continuing I am going to be going about it a little differently. Starting now I am going back to the beginning of the alphabet and will finish off all the remaining "A" monsters, followed by the remaining "B" monsters, and lastly the remaining "C" monsters. At this point I should have a better idea for the scope of the next step of this project I have given myself. More info on this as it happens! RAWR!
My first 100 original Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual redesigns (A - Z): Aerial Servant, Ankheg, Ant (Giant), Ape (Carnivorous), Ape (Gorilla), Axe Beak, Axe Beak (version 2), Baboon, Badger, Barracuda, Basilisk, Baluchitherium, Bear (Black), Bear (Brown), Bear (Cave), Beaver (Giant), Beetle (Giant) - Bombardier, Beetle (Giant) - Boring, Beetle (Giant) - Fire, Beetle (Giant) - Rhinoceros, Beetle (Giant) - Stag, Beetle (Giant) - Water, Beholder, Black Pudding, Blink Dog, Boar (Giant), Boar (Warthog), Boar (Wild), Brain Mole, Brownie, Bugbear, Buffalo, Bulette, Carrion Crawler, Catoblepas, Cerebral Parasite, Chimera, Cockatrice, Coutal, Crab (Giant), Demon Type III (Glabrezu), Demon (Juiblex), Demon (Manes), Devil (Ice), Dragon (Red), Elemental (Earth), Ettin, Eye of the Deep, Flightless Bird, Frog (Giant), Fungi (Violet), Giant (Hill), Goblin, Golem (Flesh), Hobgoblin, Homunculus, Hydra, Imp, Intellect Devourer, Ixitxachitl, Jackal, Jacklewere, Jaguar, Ki-Rin, Kobold, Lich, Lizard (Giant), Lizardman, Manticore, Mind Flayer, Minotaur, Naga, Neo-Otygugh, Nixie, Ochre Jelly, Ogre, Owlbear, Peryton, Pixie, Purple Worm, Quasit, Ram (Giant), Roper, Rust Monster, Sahuagin, Salamander, Shambling Mound, Treant, Troglodyte, Troll, Umber Hulk, Unicorn, Vampire, Wasp (Giant), Wight, Wyvern, Xorn, Yeti, and Zombie.
That is all for another exciting Monday on the blog, see you back here on Wednesday! Until then...
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
I'm still reading ;) and if I understand you correctly, you're doing all the As, then the Bs, then the Cs, etc, right? I dig it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree about the scale of a beastie. I would think you'd think the thing burrowing into your brain is the size of a VW beetle. It's like when you break a tooth and the pain tells you the crack must be a massive chasm into the depths of your very soul.
An interesting twist on this critter would be that it's all an illusion concocted by a sadistic mage who just wants to watch you try to dig it out with your own dirk.
You are reading it correctly, I am going to go back now and finish off 'A', 'B', and 'C' at which time I will look at where I stand with the project. But this most likely will not gear up until after Gen Con next month. Lots to do before then and now.
DeleteWell... we can't blame EVERYTHING on crazy wizards... this could be the fault of the Far Realms :P