We’re back with another look behind the curtain, this time with something a little smaller… significantly more damp... and maybe a bit sticky.
Not everything in Vault of Monsters is built to crush your party into the floor or guard ancient ruins. Some of them are just here to cause problems in a much more… inconvenient way.
This is one of those.
Puddlejumper
The Original Brief: Puddlejumper (We knew exactly what this one was called straight away, which is rare)
Puddlejumper is a small, mischievous creature, barely a foot tall, with blue translucent skin and eyes that are far too expressive for something that absolutely cannot be trusted. It is constantly dripping, leaving a trail of water behind it like a mobile trip hazard.
It doesn’t attack. It doesn’t threaten. It just… interferes.
Puddlejumper delights in startling travellers. A quiet path suddenly becomes a splash. A still puddle erupts into a fountain. Boots fill with water. Dignity is lost. It considers all of this a great success.
It’s harmless, technically. But after ten minutes, most adventurers start reconsidering their stance on that.
They’re said to be spirits of water, born from the laughter of children playing in the rain. In dry regions, spotting one is considered good luck.
In the moment, however, it mostly feels like a personal attack.
Inspiration & Direction
We wanted something that could break the rhythm of a session. A creature that doesn’t threaten the party’s health, but absolutely threatens their patience. There’s something very satisfying about watching a heavily armoured fighter slowly lose control of a situation to something the size of a loaf of bread.
Visually, we wanted it to sit somewhere between an axolotl and two Pokémon (Can you guess which ones?) It needed big eyes, soft shape, just enough charm that you hesitate for a second… right before it ruins your day.
Working With Nick!
Nick had a lot of fun with this one. We sent over the idea of a small, waterlogged nuisance with far too much personality, and he leaned straight into it. Big eyes, slightly smug expression, and just enough detail in the translucent skin to make it feel like it’s never quite solid.
Puddlejumper
There are a few creatures in the Vault that sit in this space. Not hostile, not friendly, just… unhelpful. They tend to cause more chaos than anything with claws.
We’ll be back soon with something a bit less playful.
