Do you tell if a Gargoyles is in stoneform?

[Goblin-King]

Sometimes a gargoyle is in stoneform and can't move, attack or be attacked.
But do you tell the players "The gargoyle in this room is made of stone..."?
Or do they have to waste a turn attacking it just to realize it is in stoneform? They may suspect that it is made of stone but dare not avoid attacking it just in case it's alive.
And does a stoneform gargoyle count as a monster in regard to searching?

Personally I would say: Tell the players And allow searching.

But would like to hear what others do. And if there might be some rule I hadn't seen yet

[AerynB]

This is a great question, and I'd like to know the answer too. I don't get a chance to play with a lot of groups, mostly just my husband and he's not much of an RPG guy, so I tend to give him breaks on the rules. Anyway, at first when we went through the main system of quests, I think I told him when a Gargoyle was a statue. But recently we've been going through the Kellar's Keep quests and I don't tell him when the Gargoyle is a statue. This sort of backfired on me in quest 7. When he attacked the Gargoyle and it wasn't harmed, he correctly figured it was a statue. However, I had added a treasure chest to the room, and he figured the Gargoyle would come to life if he opened the chest. But that wasn't going to happen and he missed out on the treasure.

I forget my point. I guess, you kind of have to adjust the rules based on who you're playing with.
Sorry. I wish I was more help.

[cynthialee]

This is a great question, and I'd like to know the answer too. I don't get a chance to play with a lot of groups, mostly just my husband and he's not much of an RPG guy, so I tend to give him breaks on the rules. Anyway, at first when we went through the main system of quests, I think I told him when a Gargoyle was a statue. But recently we've been going through the Kellar's Keep quests and I don't tell him when the Gargoyle is a statue. This sort of backfired on me in quest 7. When he attacked the Gargoyle and it wasn't harmed, he correctly figured it was a statue. However, I had added a treasure chest to the room, and he figured the Gargoyle would come to life if he opened the chest. But that wasn't going to happen and he missed out on the treasure.

I forget my point. I guess, you kind of have to adjust the rules based on who you're playing with.
Sorry. I wish I was more help.

HQ quote of the day!

[AerynB]

I forget my point. I guess, you kind of have to adjust the rules based on who you're playing with.
Sorry. I wish I was more help.

HQ quote of the day!

*giggles* I suppose I did just say something on the order of 'duh,' didn't I?

[Sjeng]

Valid point there! I didn't want to attack the gargoyle in the first quest where he's a statue, because I was afraid he'd come to life, without me harming him at all. But if I didn't attack, it might turn out to be not a statue at all, and attack me in the next round... I always like to have first strike, to minimize my damage.
But I have 2 gargoyle miniatures, so I'm going to paint one as a statue, and another as a living creature. That way, you don't have to say anything

[Daedalus]

Just figured a justification for buying a dagger or 2. Shuck it at the suspected Gargoyle (hopefully hitting it) and put at least 7 squares between you and it. If it's stone it won't react. If it's a monster it will defend and fall short trying to get at you for payback (or it will run for cover). You can roll movement dice on the next turn and do it again if possible, otherwise charge and get that first strike in.

[Sjeng]

Just figured a justification for buying a dagger or 2. Shuck it at the suspected Gargoyle (hopefully hitting it) and put at least 7 squares between you and it. If it's stone it won't react. If it's a monster it will defend and fall short trying to get at you for payback (or it will run for cover). You can roll movement dice on the next turn and do it again if possible, otherwise charge and get that first strike in.

Unless it's an American Gargoyle, and Zargon decides to simply take the damage and not let the players know, and attack as soon as the players are colse enough

[Goblin-King]

Looking through the books, almost all gargoyles has some special quest note...
I'm considering to just make it a general house-rule that gargoyles can never be hurt until they have either moved or attacked.
That way there can be no confusion, and it still makes kinda sense.

[ken]

Interesting thread, this. I feel the poor old Gargoyle is a bit of a lost soul in HQ. He does not figure in many quests, and who among us can truthfully say, the Gargoyle is at the forefront of any quests he builds?
In the Advanced game are rooms called Hazard Rooms. One of these contains a Statue, which can be likened to our lonely Gargoyle. The Statue stands, with a single gigantic ruby as one eye. Any Hero can attempt to remove the ruby, by rolling a D12. A number of Results can happen, depending on the dice roll.
To simplify this, for Hero Quest, imagine this scenario. Our Hero enters a room containing a Gargoyle. In its hand, it clutches a Gigantic Ruby, worth X number of Gold Coins. Our Hero decides to try to steal the Ruby. He rolls a Combat Dice.
A Skull, the Gargoyle springs to life, and immediately attacks, normal stats.
A White Shield, the Hero takes the Ruby.
A Black Shield, the Ruby cannot be freed.
If the Gargoyle is killed in combat, the Ruby falls down a crack in the floor, and is lost.
Comments?

[cynthialee]

I would allow the player who killed the gargoyle to roll off a d6 against the GM and if the player can beat the GM then they may have the ruby.