looking for ideas for the creeps and mercs in my map

[Cheshire]

Hey there,

the map I am currently working on (linked in my signature) is basically themed around people trying to steal treasure from a Smaug-like dragon, and the dragon getting revenge.

I'm trying to think of a cohesive biome of units that will make up the creep camps and the merc camps. I am looking for units that lore wise make sense to be lurking around the desolation of the dragon. here is what I thought of so far:

• Draconic cultist. ->Cultists that worship the dragon.
• thieves of sorts. -> trying to get some of that juicy dragon treasure.
• treasure hunters - > same,
• gnolls? -> I was going for some kind of carrion eaters. thought of hyenas, and realized that gnolls are pretty much that...
• ghosts and skeletons of sorts -> past victims.

this is what I thought of so far, although it doesn't seem very cohesive. any additions or thoughts on the matter would be appreciated

 

[FeelMyRash]

• Draconic cultist. ->Cultists that worship the dragon.
• thieves of sorts. -> trying to get some of that juicy dragon treasure.
• treasure hunters - > same,
• gnolls? -> I was going for some kind of carrion eaters. thought of hyenas, and realized that gnolls are pretty much that...
• ghosts and skeletons of sorts -> past victims.

All these seem pretty good.

I guess it depends on the location. You might find some very stubborn (or stupid) creatures deciding to say behind, Dragon be damned.

There'd be a couple Survivors of whatever the native population was - half-starved and forced into a nomadic lifestyle, probably.

Don't know if you count Dwarves as Creeps - but where there's Dragons, there's usually Dwarves.

You might find Elementals (Ash, Fire, Smoke, etc) having emerged from the aftermath of a Dragon attack. There might also be any number of Golems hanging around (possibly crafted by the original owners?)

I think Kobolds are likely, as well. They're sort of scavengers, but they're also known to worship big, flying creatures (like Harpies).

Dragon gold is usually cursed, so there might be some Mimics.

A lot of Dragons are intelligent, so they might understand the concept of a staple food source - some sort of animals that breed fast but serve as a good meal - the Dragon would likely keep these around for when it's too lazy to steal damsels.

 

[Cheshire]

There'd be a couple Survivors of whatever the native population was - half-starved and forced into a nomadic lifestyle, probably.

This is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure how to work this in as mercs or creeps. it is funny for a creep camp though. -> here are some half-starved peasants who managed to stay alive despite the dragon. now go kill them to level up your hero .

You might find Elementals (Ash, Fire, Smoke, etc) having emerged from the aftermath of a Dragon attack. There might also be any number of Golems hanging around (possibly crafted by the original owners?)

I don't really get blizzard elementals. golems I get -piles of mud or whatever shaped into slaves by wizards. but who is operating these elementals? are they normal living creatures? what is their deal? why is there an angry pile of rocks here?

Dragon gold is usually cursed, so there might be some Mimics.

I like this

Don't know if you count Dwarves as Creeps - but where there's Dragons, there's usually Dwarves.

yeah, that was what I had in mind for the treasure hunters. I thought I wrote that. sort of a Thorin & party knockoff.

 

[cleavinghammer]

A necromancer taking advantage of the plentiful corpses from the dragon's victims/hired by the dragons to reanimate those victims into guardians.

 

[Rheiko]

I don't really get blizzard elementals. golems I get -piles of mud or whatever shaped into slaves by wizards. but who is operating these elementals? are they normal living creatures? what is their deal? why is there an angry pile of rocks here?

I'm not sure what's the lore behind blizzard elementals. But I think some other fantasy lore has it that, they are nature themselves or perhaps spirits, getting angry, because they're not being taken care of properly, so they take a shape of a living creature or some sorts. They could also be a result of magical residue that was left after dragon attacks as dragons usually have a great amount of magic power and capabilities.

If they do have a great amount of magic power and capabilities, it also makes sense that the dragons are able to create guardians by themselves through some ways like turning victim corpse into a guardian or controlling the elementals.