(RPG PDF Spotlight) Forgotten Realms: Monsters of Faerûn

RPG PDF Spotlights is our daily look at a recent release for a new tabletop roleplaying game, supplement or scenario, or solo journaling game, that has caught my eye. This isn’t a review, although I hope we can start offering reviews in addition to our news coverage in the future, more of a “hey guys, check this out!” shoutout.

Forgotten Realms: Monsters of Faerûn

Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Bestiary by The Dungeon Masters Guild

Welcome to Faerûn, a land of incredible beauty, with a vast range of flora and fauna that populate its many environments. The diversity of life here is staggering, inhabiting every conceivable biome; from the plains and rolling hills of the Heartlands, to the tundras and mountain ranges of the frozen north, the scorching deserts of the Unapproachable East, the jungles of the south, the vibrant depths of the oceans, and even the darkness of the Underdark beneath.

Alongside this abundant natural life exists a fantastic array of magical and supernatural creatures; mythical, bizarre and often-terrifying. These beings have come to inhabit the ancient realms of Toril, either originating from the world or migrating here from other planes. They exist in the wilderness between towns and cities (as well as within the cracks of civilization) forming unique ecosystems within Faerûn’s natural world. Many of these creatures are monstrous beasts, preying on the unwary and fighting over territory; whereas others are highly intelligent, establishing their own foothold and societies across the continent. This immense array of natural and magical life is a large part of what makes Faerûn one of the most incredible locations in the Material Plane, and this tome aims to bring such creatures to life for use in game.

Within the pages of this mythical compenium of monsters you will find:

• 200+ new monsters for use in D&D 5.5 (and guidelines for using in 5e 2014). These contain creatures that are entirely new (including several devised by Ed Greenwood himself!), classic monsters from earlier editions of D&D updated to 5e, as well as monsters from other media & games that have never had in game representations.

• A separate appendix containing 30+ beasts for use with Polymorphing spells or abilities - these are suitable for use by players with the DM's permission.

• 10 brand new monstrous player species, including the gnoll, malenti and yuan-ti malison; suitable for your players to use in the Forgotten Realms or similar settings.

• Artwork from a full host of amazingly talented artists representing every single monster and species option in the book!

• Brand new lore updating the background of these monsters and species in the Forgotten Realms setting, up to the current era circa 1501 DR (this book is designed for use alongside Adventures in Faerûn and Heroes of Faerûn official setting guides).

• Important note: Though the book has been designed primarily for use in the Forgotten Realms setting, there is nothing stopping you using the monsters or species herein in other settings. With interplanar travel it is perfectly feasible to find any creature in this book outside of Faerûn or in other settings.

Let's hear what our favorite Sage of Shadowdale, Elminster Aumar (also known as the one and only Ed Greenwood) has to say about the book:

As the sage Ordraun of Tantras recently put it, “an endless parade of life that a sober person who is not in the grip of a nightmare or a bard’s babbling would never have thought of.”

Whereupon about all I can say to thee is: enjoy this tome, for there are new monsters here!

Forgotten Realms: Monsters of Faerûn is available through DriveThru RPG in PDF.