1

The villain/monster feeds on people from within civilization, using a secret identity for cover. This sort of villain might be a shape-shifter, a cannibal, or a disguised non-human with enough of a bipedal shape to pass for human after dark.

2

The villain/monster feeds on people from a hidden place in civilization (does not need to resemble a human, but might)

3

The villain/monster has allies nearby that need to be fed. He (or they) steals people, vegetables and grain, or livestock by means of luring them away or kidnapping them. This sort of approach is taken by a wide variety of creatures ranging from will-o-the-wisps to cattle rustlers.

4

The villain/monster feeds on people or livestock by making stealthy attacks from outside civilization.

5

The villain/monster lures people away from civilization to feed at leisure.

6

The villain/monster feeds on people by attacking them when they leave the boundaries of civilization. (This is virtually the default scenario of a monster lurking in the wilderness).

7

The villain/monster feeds on people who are given as a sacrifice or tribute by a reluctant community.

8

The villain/monster feeds on people who are given as a sacrifice or tribute by willing minions who run the community.

9

The villain/monster feeds on people in a way that leaves them alive for future feedings (e.g., parasite or other). The food source could be souls, blood, morale, ability scores, or even emotions such as jealously.

10

The villain/monster feeds on people in a way that leaves them alive for future feedings, but not directly. In addition, the villain must process the vital essences before eating them. The “processing” is an extra step in the cycle.

11

The villain/monster is growing or raising something dangerous as a crop or livestock outside of civilization.

12

The villain/monster has a dangerous food source inside civilization (grows poison mushrooms or raises giant rats, for example)

13

The villain/monster alters a crop or livestock within civilization to make it usable for his consumption (and probably not for anyone else’s).

14

The villain/monster has taken over an entire community for use as a food source

15

The villain/monster has created a community (probably through kidnapping or taking human tribute) as a food source

16

The villain/monster is inherently dangerous (possibly an unintelligent monster) and sneaks into community to eat crops, livestock, or garbage

17

The villain/monster lures away livestock or steals crops from civilized area

18

The villain/monster or minions eats carrion – stealing bodies, etc. They might be creating “accidental” deaths first, and retrieving the bodies after or just before burial

19

The villain/monster’s food processing operation outside a community is causing environmental-type damage in the community (fouled water, poisoned grass, clouds of poison gas, etc)

20

The villain/monster gets tributes of normal food by using threats of violence, using hostages, taking legal action, etc.