Best of Friends in the Dungeon
I recent saw the following article about frogs and spiders Tiny frogs and giant spiders: the best of friends It seems in some environments, the two will develop symbiotic relationships where the frogs control the threats against the spider's eggs and the spider provides protection to the frog from other predators as well as food remains for the frog. It got me thinking that in dungeon design, I've often limited monster pairings, like goblins and ogres, kobolds and dragons, based on intelligent monsters that can communicate and knowingly set up a social contract based on mutual benefit. As observed, theses mutual relationships can develop among a variety of animals, from pilot fish and sharks , to certain birds and crocodiles . How can you use this in your game? Well, first, it allows you to explain why certain animals are in such close proximity without one having wiped out the other, an issue often cited as a problem of poor dungeon design. Second, it offers a way to...