This article was originally written in 2000-01. It has never been published.

The most basic of all mimic encounters (the mimic disguised as a treasure chest) is the ultimate moral message: Don’t be greedy. Used properly, though, mimics can be a constant and pervasive threat – and a DM who knows how to use them well will always have his players just a little bit unsure of whether or not what they see is truly what they see.

ORGANIZATION

Mimics were supposedly created by a wizard long ago with the sole purpose of guarding treasure. Although their creator is long dead, they live on – a solitary species, whose natural predilection for things precious have led them into many unusual circumstances. Mimics can be found anywhere and everywhere, as anything – literally.

PREPARATION

BASICS: A mimic’s basic tactics are simple enough: Assume a shape which will attract attention, wait for their target to draw near, ensnare them with adhesive pseudopods, and then pummel them to death. The most common shape for them to assume when adventurers are in the area is that of a treasure chest – coming to life when someone attempts to open them. Mimics are at a severe disadvantage in ranged combat, so they will typically prefer to lair in enclosed spaces.

GUARDS: Mimics were created to guard treasure, and many of them continue to fulfill that role even today. Mimics can be found watching over the lich’s foul tomes of magic (disguised as a book or even an entire bookshelf), the king’s treasure (as one chest among many), or the weapon’s of an orc tribe (as a spear, perhaps). Mimics typically fall into this line of work as an effective way of earning “room and board”. Other mimics have been known to let their protective desires become covetous – amassing their own hordes, which they guard preciously s extensions of their own personality.

THE THREAT WITHIN: Once your PCs are familiar with mimics, you can begin throwing some curves at them. One of the simplest is a dislocation of the danger: Instead of having the mimic imitate the form of a chest, have the mimic place itself inside the chest – disguised as some ordinary object, or merely lying in wait for the first unfortunate to open their lair. Some of these chests have been known to have false bottoms – allowing the mimic to enter and leave the chest without disturbing the surrounding environs.

FALSE LURES: PCs are who see a treasure chest sitting unguarded in the middle of an empty room are instantly suspicious. Mimics, however, are aware that the unusually easy access to the wealth they promise sets many on their guard. Some mimics have taken to setting up false lures to set their prey at easy. For example, setting out actual chests in the middle of empty rooms – so that they are, again, merely one among many.

THE UNEXPECTED THREAT: While some mimics attempt to make their unusual appearance in plain sight merely seem like one unusual occurrence among many, other mimics choose to hide in plain sight without arousing suspicion: For example, it is relatively easy for a mimic to assume the form of the walls or floor. Let the PCs enter a small room, and then have the floor come to life beneath their feet!

NATURAL WONDER: Because they prefer enclosed spaces, mimics are typically found underground. However, some mimics have learned to enjoy the outdoors. Some go to the forests and disguise themselves as trees (waiting for prey to pass beneath their boughs before ensnaring them). Others will slip into farmer’s fields, disguise themselves as part of the crop, and wait to trap the farmer as he passes near them.

IT’S HUGE!: It is easy to forget that larger mimics exist. If the PCs can be surprised by a treasure chest coming to life, imagine their horror when the fifteen foot tall golden idol comes to life and flows towards them!

TACTICS

Mimics have a limited tactical repertoire – with their primary advantages as combatants coming in the preparation they put into their attack.

LURE THEM IN: The mimic’s primary tactic is to wait for someone or something to draw near, and then come to life – ensnaring them in their pseudopods. Mimics will attempt to time their assault so that they can trap as many of their foes as possible.

BARGAIN: If things are going badly for the mimic, it will not hesitate to bargain – often doing so while it can still maintain the appearance of superiority. If the bargaining fails it will attempt to escape.

NEXT: vs. the Mimic

vs. the Mimic Monstrous Tactics: Ethereal Marauders vs. the Ethereal Marauder