What The Heck's That????

Looking for a totally unique monster (or two) to utterly bamboozle - and probably freak-out - your players? Then look no further than RPG Creatures, a stunning new website, and free online bestiary in the making, from Swedish freelance illustrator & concept artist Nicholas Cloister.

Every monster on the blog is a new creation, highly detailed and presented with universal, system-neutral statistics (so the beastie can be easily tailored to your game of choice) and a gorgeous piece of artwork (such as featured left) by the talented Mr Cloister.

With the ambition of ultimately creating one of the greatest "monster compendiums of all time", Nicholas told HeroPress: "Of course, I could wait further with spreading the word about this Bestiary, but I think it would be more joyful for readers to take part in the making of it.

"It is, I think, easier to consume a new creature occasionally, rather than being presented with hundreds of new creations at once."

I asked him about the genesis of the blog, the frequency of planned updates and the future of RPG Creatures.

"I started the bestiary blog when I had no commissions or work at all, and when that is the case I hope to update about once a week," Nicholas explained. "However after the fifth creature I was given a full-time gig that lasted about six weeks, and during that time I didn't have a chance to make any creatures for the blog at all.

"However, since I got back into making fantasy art some years ago, my favourite motif has been, and is, creatures."

Having been slightly disappointed by the inconsistent quality of various monster manuals and creature collections during his youth, Nicholas decided to strive for an internal, consistent style in his own menagerie of monsters.

"Up until the blog started the creatures I designed were rather random," he said, "so one day I thought why not make a product of sorts - keep the critters you produce in line with the fantasy world in your mind.

"What I want to do is a bestiary where all the creatures are such that I'd like to use them in a campaign of my own, should I run one again. I also want to make sure that all the illustrations are well done and, hopefully, inspiring."

He admits that the pressure of paid-work can sometimes take him away from his blog, but said: "Even should the update frequency slow down, I know I will return to making creatures now and then. Perhaps when they reach a decent number I can publish them as a book, and maybe even earn myself some time to continue this bestiary professionally, and disregard other work offers.

"Furthermore, I still remember the magic of my rpg-days, and this is a way for me to linger in the creative fantasies of my teens, and early 20s.

"If I can see an increasing number of people using this blog as a resource or inspiration for their campaigns, I will certainly be happy enough to continue it - with or without financial gain."