Unhealthy information in your social gathering, the motto of the Quicklings appears to be ‘Stay quick, die younger, damage as many lives as you possibly can within the meantime.’
I admittedly knew little or no about Quicklings earlier than I began this monster highlight. They haven’t come up in video games I’ve performed, and I by no means randomly hit their web page whereas DMing (my DM fashion isn’t very actual or deliberate). I knew they have been small, quick, fey and had a sequence of assumptions about them primarily based on that information. In all probability mischievous, in all probability cute, in all probability dwell perpetually. Puck, I used to be picturing quick Puck. Nicely people, quick Puck they ain’t.
These speedy little homicide fairies might need misplaced a few of their edge through the years, however don’t let that idiot you. They’re nothing lower than a tiny pack of villains transferring as quick as they’ll.
First Version
“It’s I, Jareth, the Goblin King from Labyrinth. Give me your kids!”
Quicklings are stated to be a sub-race of brownies (who’re themselves stated to be a distant relative of halfling) who found magic and will simply be left alone as they’re fast, small, and present malicious in the direction of people and human-like creatures. They transfer so quick, the truth is, that it shortens their life span to 12 to fifteen years. And when combined with the highness of their voices their velocity makes them laborious for people to know. Regardless of their tiny stature, Quicklings aren’t pushovers. Dashing about makes them troublesome to hit they usually’re more likely to take three strikes per flip with their needle-like, typically poisoned, daggers. Whether or not by way of magic of superior survival expertise, Quicklings are in a position to stay unseen when standing nonetheless, and when in motion are sometimes solely seen as a blur.
Quicklings don’t seem in 2nd or third editions… Or are they simply standing nonetheless and invisible? Who is aware of!
Fourth Version
What HAPPENED?!
Quicklings got here again meaner and uglier than ever for 4E. Emphasis on the uglier, have a look at that factor. It’s just like the offspring of Gollum and Thanos – I digress.
Earlier than Quicklings have been merely malicious and evil. Now they enjoyment of tormenting and killing different creatures and don’t have any qualms about leaving an ally to fend for themselves and die if it furthers the Quickling’s wishes. Their 24+ AC makes them almost inconceivable to hit and their velocity makes it laborious to run away as soon as they’ve gotten their eyes on you. Fortunately, a Quickling doesn’t like to select on stronger creatures, avoiding powerful fights in choice of focusing on weaker creatures. However that does imply that in case you’re connected by Quicklings, you in all probability seemed like a simple mark. Time to go purchasing for a extra formidable look!
Fifth Version
Volo traveled far and large to coach us about Quicklings for 5E and he’s right here to let you know that they’re actually not all that dangerous anymore. Fifth Version modified Quicklings from the monsters who would stab you in your lunch cash into mischievous little scamps. They’ve a “capricious nature” and don’t cross up “a chance to tie an individual’s bootlaces collectively.” They’re nonetheless very happy to damage a life or two, however not commit outright homicide.
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They continue to be fast and are, from the art work right here, canonically blue. So you might be legally required to play both of the Sonic SatAM theme songs when busting these fae out.
Quicklings have undergone a change since first version way more dramatic than I normally see all through the Monster Manuals. The truth is, they modified as creatures and encounters at their very core. However I additionally don’t solely belief that Volo, he at all times feels a bit of an excessive amount of like Gilderoy Lockart to me.
Which incarnation of the Quicklings are your favourite? Have you ever encountered them in your campaigns? Did they attempt to homicide you or simply tie your bootlaces collectively? Tell us within the feedback!
Comfortable Adventuring!
