Tired of Orcs and Goblins? The Grendel is a new humanoid opponent that
will provide some challenges for PCs, including higher hit dice and a
few special skills.
Grendel are fearsome, disfigured humanoids with large ears, mottled
skin, and sharp, extruding teeth. They are highly skilled at sword
fighting and typically attack with two blades, gaining +1 to-hit and
the better of two damage rolls if they do hit. They will also carry a
few throwing knives secreted about their person, which can be used as
missile weapons at short range (within 20 feet) for 1d6 damage with +1
to-hit. Grendel can bite twice per round for 1d3 damage if they are
disarmed.
Thankfully, they disdain traveling in large groups, preferring smaller
groups of perhaps five to six with lone scouts sent ahead. Such scouts
are quite stealthy when encountered alone, surprising on a
1-3/1d6. They move quickly and prefer to travel lightly. Female
Grendel are just as fearsome as their male counterparts, and can be
found in equal numbers amongst patrols. They like to live in small
communities in shallow caves or outdoors in shelters of their own
making. Such encampments will be protected by various snares and traps
around their perimeters.
Grendel tend to be distrustful of even their own race, and will hide
treasure in secretive places. They like to train and use wolves as
guard animals.
* Stat block above is for Swords & Wizardry Whitebox (or OD&D, Delving
Deeper, etc.), where HD are d6-based. For other S&W editions, or for
Labyrinth Lord, use 1d8 for both HD and damage.
