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Zeta Kai
2009-02-25, 11:08 PM
Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #7: Voting Takes Manhattan
Here are links to previous VUA contests, & the resulting creations:
Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #1 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Gatekeeper

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #2 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Deus ex Machina

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #3 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Ectoplasmic Swarm

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #4 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Polymental

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #5 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Spirit Dragon

Vote Up a Monster (3.X) #6 by Zeta Kai
Result: the Changeling

Vote Up a Monster (4E) #1 by Shadow_Elf
Result: the Songbird Spirit

Vote Up a Monster (4E) #2 by Shadow_Elf
Result: the Pandora's Paradox

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #1 by afroakuma
Result: the Maiden’s Weeping/Swain of Varrone

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #2 by afroakuma
Result: the Caillteanas

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #3 by afroakuma
Result: Dandag the Quiet

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #4 by afroakuma
Result: the Augmoha

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #5 by afroakuma
Result: the Silver Hellstar

Vote Up a Villain (3.X) #6 by afroakuma
Result: Prince Meridius

Vote Up A Villain (3.X) #7 by afroakuma
Result: the Thief King’s Palace

Vote Up A Villain (3.X) #8 by afroakuma
Result: the Omenwrath

Vote Up A Villain (3.X) #9 by afroakuma
Result: Tsartajius

Vote Up a Discipline! by The Demented One (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101243)
Result: The Army of One (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103406)

Vote Up A Campaign Setting by afroakuma, Shadow_Elf, & Zeta Kai (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96183)
Result: Pending
Discussion Thread #1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102957”)
Discussion Thread #2 (“http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98325”)

Don’t Vote Up a Monster #1 by kellus
Result: the Zeppelos

Don’t Vote Up a Monster #2 by kellus
Result: Pending

Vote Up a Magic Item #1 by watsyurname529
Result: the Nox Mirror

Here are the official VUAM Rules for Voting™. Please read these, as a violation may result in your vote not being counted:
Please only vote for the options provided. Write-in options are largely discouraged. In exchange, I will offer a wide variety of options, including a few that would normally be impossible, given the previously-chosen aspects. The only exception to this would be for Special Abilities. I do encourage people to write in any Special Abilities that they find appropriate (either from published monsters or homebrewed), & people are free to vote for those, if they so choose.
Please do not criticize or disparage the votes of other forum members. Let the votes fall where they may. A later VUAM may go your way instead, so just be patient, & allow other voters to voice their own opinions.
Please do not offer suggestions on the monster’s concept, behavior, appearance, etc. That is all part of my creative process, & it is stifling to consider write-ins. It is also unfair to other voters, as many do not make suggestions, & suggestions are not voted upon anyway.
If you must change your vote, please let me know that you are doing so, & what your original vote was. I tally votes often, to keep post #1 up to date, & it’s hard enough to keep track of which posts haven’t been tallied yet.
If your vote cannot be tallied due to violation of any of these rules, I will post to inform you of that before voting ends. I will also ask you to modify your vote, so that it may be changed.
I am, again, soliciting votes on a number of aspects on this next creature. Here are the aspects, in order:


Type: Magical Beast

{table=head]Type|Votes
Aberration|7
Animal|5
Construct|1
Dragon|0
Elemental|0
Fey|0
Giant|0
Humanoid|0
Magical Beast|9
Monstrous Humanoid|0
Ooze|0
Outsider|0
Plant|0
Undead|0
Vermin|0
[/table]
Subtype: Extraplanar

{table=head]Subtype|Votes
Air|0
Angel|0
Aquatic|0
Archon|2
Augmented|2
Chaotic|0
Cold|0
Earth|0
Evil|0
Extraplanar|6
Fire|0
Goblinoid|2
Good|0
Incorporeal|1
Lawful|0
Native|1
Reptilian|0
Shapechanger|1
Swarm|3
Water|0
NONE|1
Baatezu|2
[/table]
Size: Large

{table=head]Size|Votes
Fine|1
Diminutive|1
Tiny|1
Small|2
Medium|0
Large|5
Huge|0
Gargantuan|1
Colossal|0[/table]
Alignment: Lawful Neutral

{table=head]Alignment|Votes|Alignment|Votes|Alignment|Votes
Lawful Good|0|Neutral Good|0|Chaotic Good|0
Lawful Neutral|8|True Neutral|0|Chaotic Neutral|4
Lawful Evil|0|Neutral Evil|0|Chaotic Evil|7
[/table]
Challenge Rating: 12

{table=head]CR|Votes
1|0
2|0
3|0
4|0
5|0
6|0
7|0
8|0
9|0
10|1
11|0
12|9
13|0
14|0
15|1
16|0
17|0
18|0
19|0
20|8
[/table]
Special Abilities: Sonic Attacks, Planar Pounce, & Screams of the Otherworld

{table=head]Special Ability|Votes
Ability Damage|0
Ability Drain|0
Alternate Form|0
Antimagic|0
Blindsight/Blindsense|0
Breath Weapon|0
Change Shape|0
Charm/Compulsion|0
Cold Immunity|0
Constrict|0
Damage Reduction|0
Darkvision|0
Death Attacks|1
Disease|0
Energy Drain/Negative Levels|0
Etherealness|3
Evasion/Improved Evasion|0
Fast Healing|1
Fear Aura (Su)|0
Fear Cones (Sp)/Rays (Su)|0
Frightful Presence (Ex)|0
Fire Immunity|0
Gaseous Form|0
Gaze Attacks|0
Improved Grab|0
Incorporeality|0
Invisibility|0
Level Loss|0
Low-Light Vision|0
Manufactured Weapons|0
Movement Modes (Burrow/Climb/Fly/Swim)|0
Natural Weapons (Bite/Claw/Gore/etc)|0
Nonabilities|0
Paralysis|2
Poison|0
Polymorph|0
Pounce|1
Powerful Charge|0
Psionics|0
Rake|0
Rays|0
Regeneration|2
Resistance To Energy|0
Scent|0
Sonic Attacks|6
Spell Immunity|0
Spell Resistance|0
Spells/SLAs|1
Summon|0
Swallow Whole|4
Telepathy|1
Trample|1
Tremorsense|0
Turn Resistance|0
Vulnerability to Energy|0
Planar Pounce (NEW!)|5
Screams of the Otherworld (NEW!)|5[/table]

All votes have been tallied. Voting is concluded at this point. The resultant creature, the Ethereal Shrieker, has been posted. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Limos
2009-02-25, 11:10 PM
Abberation! Abberation! Abberation!

This type never wins.

afroakuma
2009-02-25, 11:16 PM
Don't speak too soon... :smallamused:

Your turn to suffer, Zeta! Animal! :smallwink:

Alteran
2009-02-25, 11:26 PM
Another vote for Abberation.

Come on, Mind Flayer! :smallbiggrin:

Vadin
2009-02-25, 11:29 PM
AMINAL!

Or, failing that, Animal.

The Mentalist
2009-02-25, 11:33 PM
Animal please

LordZarth
2009-02-25, 11:51 PM
Your turn to suffer, Zeta! Animal! :smallwink:

You are a terrible person! :smallamused:

Construct. By the way, Zeta, good show on the Changeling.

afroakuma
2009-02-26, 12:05 AM
You are a terrible person! :smallamused:

Vote Up A Villain XX will probably deliver me as the ultimate evil. :smallamused:

It's not like he has to do a villain; worst I skunked him with is a dull monster.

Owrtho
2009-02-26, 12:05 AM
Abberation. I have yet to see one in any of the 'vote up a' contests.

Owrtho

DracoDei
2009-02-26, 12:08 AM
Aberration... preferably Lawful Good, but still looks like something out of your worst nightmare, and with each of 3 different types of natural weapons having its own different type of venom... because D&D needs more things that look much much more evil than they actually are.

afroakuma
2009-02-26, 12:11 AM
Aberration... preferably Lawful Good, but still looks like something out of your worst nightmare

He already did exactly this thing. The very first Vote Up A Monster.

Owrtho
2009-02-26, 12:12 AM
Lol, an aberration can be lawful good and still slaughter huge numbers on a whim. Its the whole alien mindset thing. From their point of view there is nothing chaotic or evil in their actions. Thats a part of what makes them so fun.

Owrtho

Reverent-One
2009-02-26, 12:28 AM
Magical Beast.

vegetalss4
2009-02-26, 03:30 AM
Animal, afro shouldn't have to be the only one to suffer
also an animal monster shouldn't be to bad

Debihuman
2009-02-26, 04:22 AM
Magical Beast.

Debby

Mercenary Pen
2009-02-26, 05:57 AM
Animal with bonus points for all muppet references.

The Bookworm
2009-02-26, 06:50 AM
Magical Beast!

TSED
2009-02-26, 07:18 AM
I've got a thing for Magical Beasts myself.

Pronounceable
2009-02-26, 07:57 AM
Magical beasts are animals. Somewhat. Debatably. Anyway, they're better. It's not like Zeta will be driven to the depths of despair that Afro sunk to by voting an animal, so there's really no reason to vote for one...

Lord_Gareth
2009-02-26, 08:01 AM
And yea, I did speaketh.

Aberration

afroakuma
2009-02-26, 08:21 AM
Magical beasts are animals. Somewhat. Debatably. Anyway, they're better. It's not like Zeta will be driven to the depths of despair that Afro sunk to by voting an animal, so there's really no reason to vote for one...

Excuse me? What depths are you referring to? :smallannoyed:

Eighth_Seraph
2009-02-26, 08:40 AM
Magical Beast

I'm a fantasy man myself, and there's far too few of these that don't have a Greek mythology or Brothers-Grimm aftertaste.

Zeta Kai
2009-02-26, 10:03 AM
All votes are currently tallied. I feel no pain; weird votes are what these polls are all about. :smallamused:

And yes, the Gatekeeper from VUAM#1 was a LG Aberration that morphed into a church.

paddyfool
2009-02-26, 10:59 AM
Hmm... Magical Beast should be fun.

SlyGuyMcFly
2009-02-26, 02:13 PM
Magical Beast. Like animals, only better!

MageSparrowhawk
2009-02-26, 07:38 PM
Aberration FTW!...but preferably not evil...

kopout
2009-02-26, 07:43 PM
have we had an Abberation yet?

Llama231
2009-02-26, 08:13 PM
Animal is always good.

LordZarth
2009-02-26, 08:15 PM
I am now changing my vote. Remembering the vote-changing horror of VUAM XI, I will do this properly.

Previous vote located at LordZarth's Previous Vote (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5822248&postcount=7). Previous vote was for Construct.

Now voting for: Magical Beast.

Summary:
-1 Construct
+1 Magical Beast

LucyHarris
2009-02-26, 08:38 PM
Hmmm...I really want animal, but I can tell already it's going to get out-voted, so next best thing...

Magical Beast

Zeta Kai
2009-02-26, 08:46 PM
Sorry, LordZarth, but since vote-changing got out of hand in the last round, it will not be permitted this time. Next round, we'll see.
The next person who asks if I've done a goddamned Aberration is getting a Gatekeeper where the sun don't shine.
All votes are currently tallied.

Zeta Kai
2009-02-27, 06:56 AM
Well, I'll go ahead & call this one. The winning type is: Magical Beast!

So next, I need you guys (& girls) to vote on the creature's Subtype (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#subtypes). Votes will be tallied regularly. As always, please only vote for 1 subtype, & please peruse the voting rules. Thank you for voting.

UnChosenOne
2009-02-27, 07:11 AM
I vote for Extraplanar.

Lord_Gareth
2009-02-27, 07:38 AM
Hey Zeta, I see you have Angel and Archon, but what about some of the other subtypes? I wanna vote Baatezu.

Yes, I'm doing it again. Yes, I realize I already did this with the Deus Ex Machina vote. But you know what, I'm doing it anyway. SO THERE!

vegetalss4
2009-02-27, 08:02 AM
can we vote Baatezu?
if not i vote Incorporal

paddyfool
2009-02-27, 08:10 AM
Augmented. Keeps it nice and open, while allowing for much creativity.

Zeta Kai
2009-02-27, 08:57 AM
You guys realize that Baatezu, like Tanar'ri, have no real traits, right? I mean, if I were to make a Baatezu creature, it would be a normal monster (presumably an evil outsider), slap the Baatezu label on it, & be done with it. There's nothing about Baatezu that is any different from a non-Baatezu monster. It's just a brand-name devil.

Adumbration
2009-02-27, 09:06 AM
Augmented for me.

Mercenary Pen
2009-02-27, 09:22 AM
Archon for me please.

LucyHarris
2009-02-27, 09:56 AM
An Extraplanar magical beast sounds interesting.

Llama231
2009-02-27, 10:02 AM
Archon for no particular reason.

Lord_Gareth
2009-02-27, 10:27 AM
You guys realize that Baatezu, like Tanar'ri, have no real traits, right? I mean, if I were to make a Baatezu creature, it would be a normal monster (presumably an evil outsider), slap the Baatezu label on it, & be done with it. There's nothing about Baatezu that is any different from a non-Baatezu monster. It's just a brand-name devil.

Incorrect! Check out the "types and abilities" section of MMV, maybe even 4, for definitive Baatezu traits. For that matter, Tanar'ri traits. The BoED has Eldarin traits as well.

Pronounceable
2009-02-27, 10:29 AM
Magical goblinoid beast looks catchy.

Juhn
2009-02-27, 10:51 AM
Native! Because as far as I can tell, that would have no effect whatsoever!

Owrtho
2009-02-27, 12:38 PM
Incorporeal cuz its the first one on the list.

Owrtho

kopout
2009-02-27, 01:04 PM
Magical goblinoid beast looks catchy.

I'm with you on this one a non humanoid goblinod it's odd it's interesting and it's one of a kind.

Keler
2009-02-27, 01:27 PM
My vote goes to Swarm.

DracoDei
2009-02-27, 02:20 PM
He already did exactly this thing. The very first Vote Up A Monster.

I was more thinking something that could be part of the daily economic and social life of a city.

PS: I am feeling boring... I vote None for this phase of things.

The Mentalist
2009-02-27, 02:42 PM
Extraplanar

Firebreathing Space Squirrels

The Bookworm
2009-02-27, 03:37 PM
I'm going to go with extraplanar...

SlyGuyMcFly
2009-02-27, 04:16 PM
Swarm is always a fun one.

Zeta Kai
2009-02-27, 04:53 PM
All votes are currently tallied.

watsyurname529
2009-02-27, 11:01 PM
I can work with Extraplanar.

MageSparrowhawk
2009-02-27, 11:09 PM
Extraplanar does look cool...yeah...

Reptilius
2009-02-27, 11:11 PM
How about a Shapechanger?

puppyavenger
2009-02-28, 12:00 AM
I vote swarm

Zeta Kai
2009-02-28, 12:31 PM
The votes are in, & the winning Subtype is: Extraplanar!

So next, I need you guys (& girls) to vote on the creature's Size (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/movementPositionAndDistance.htm#bigandLittleCreatu resInCombat). Votes will be tallied regularly. As always, please only vote for 1 size, & please peruse the voting rules. Thank you for voting.

watsyurname529
2009-02-28, 12:41 PM
Whoo, first! I'm going to vote for Small!

Limos
2009-02-28, 12:52 PM
Diminutive!

C'mon fire-breathing space squirrel.

UnChosenOne
2009-02-28, 01:25 PM
I vote for Fine.

LucyHarris
2009-02-28, 02:10 PM
Whoo, Extraplanar Magical Beast!

I vote for large...something impressively-sized, eh?

puppyavenger
2009-02-28, 02:11 PM
going to go with large as well

Zolem
2009-02-28, 03:07 PM
I'm voting for Gargantuin. There aren't enough massive monsters out there.

The Bookworm
2009-02-28, 03:07 PM
I like Large!

Owrtho
2009-02-28, 04:46 PM
Tiny.

Owrtho

kopout
2009-02-28, 06:25 PM
Large because it seam resnoble

Pronounceable
2009-02-28, 06:29 PM
Large lalala

paddyfool
2009-02-28, 06:34 PM
Small! Something they'll never suspect...

Zeta Kai
2009-02-28, 08:48 PM
All votes are currently tallied.

lesser_minion
2009-02-28, 09:50 PM
Can I go for Collosal

Something that can punch out the Tarrasque without even breaking a sweat.

The Mentalist
2009-02-28, 09:53 PM
Fine

and seeing if I can get a CR in the epics, little tiny death machine.

Sereg
2009-02-28, 11:23 PM
I shall vote small.

LordZarth
2009-02-28, 11:33 PM
Small, please.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-01, 02:11 PM
All the votes are tallied, & the winner is: Large!

So next, I need you guys (& girls) to vote on the creature's Alignment (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/description.htm#theNineAlignments). Votes will be tallied regularly. Votes will be tallied regularly. As always, please only vote for 1 alignment, & please peruse the voting rules. Thank you for voting.

Llama231
2009-03-01, 02:17 PM
Lawful Neutral
This would be awesome.

Alteran
2009-03-01, 02:19 PM
Sure, Lawful Neutral.

puppyavenger
2009-03-01, 02:24 PM
Chaotic evil

Owrtho
2009-03-01, 02:37 PM
Chaotic Evil

Owrtho

Juhn
2009-03-01, 02:39 PM
Well, as the thing is Extraplanar, this particular vote will probably end up being quite important. I vote Lawful Neutral.

shadowxknight
2009-03-01, 02:50 PM
chaotic Evil!

vegetalss4
2009-03-01, 03:04 PM
Chaotic Evil

kopout
2009-03-01, 03:15 PM
Lawful Neutral is gaining momentum

LordZarth
2009-03-01, 03:21 PM
Chaotic Evil.

paddyfool
2009-03-01, 05:32 PM
Ouch... it seems that we're stuck with a two-party vote. I protest the bandwagoning, and vote CN. For freedom!

LucyHarris
2009-03-01, 05:38 PM
Lawful Neutral.:smallsmile:

The Bookworm
2009-03-01, 06:35 PM
Chaotic Evil!For once, let's have an evil monster!

Sereg
2009-03-01, 11:54 PM
Lawful Neutral seems like a good idea to me.

UnChosenOne
2009-03-01, 11:57 PM
I vote for Lawful Neutral.

SlyGuyMcFly
2009-03-02, 01:47 AM
Chaotic Neutral Vote for the FUN alignment!

Terror_Incognito
2009-03-02, 05:56 AM
The next person who asks if I've done a goddamned Aberration is getting a Gatekeeper where the sun don't shine.

Is that the valley near Slice?

I would also like to vote Chaotic Neutral.

Pronounceable
2009-03-02, 06:24 AM
CN for FREEDOM!

Zeta Kai
2009-03-02, 07:02 AM
All votes are currently tallied. This one's a close fight.

BTW, have you guys noticed that the last two VUAM's have been CN? The Spirit Dragon was only nominally a CN creature, but the Changeling could teach the slaadi a thing or two about pure chaos.

LordShotGun
2009-03-02, 01:05 PM
Well, I personally would like some more evilness to trip up my players, so... Chaotic Evil!!!

LordZarth
2009-03-02, 07:09 PM
Yeah... three CNs in a row?

Zeta Kai
2009-03-02, 10:30 PM
All votes are currently tallied. The next single vote will break the tie, & decide the vote.

Shadow_Elf
2009-03-02, 10:59 PM
Lawful Neutral!

(Yay Tie-Breaker!)

LordZarth
2009-03-03, 12:20 AM
Lawful Neutral!

(Yay Tie-Breaker!)

Nooooooo! You're not my fath--wait, wrong line.

Limos
2009-03-03, 12:30 AM
CR 20 since apparently the tied vote has been decided.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-03, 06:58 AM
All votes are tallied, & the winner is (by a hair): Lawful Neutral!

So next, I need you guys (& girls) to vote on the creature's Challenge Rating (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/intro.htm#challengeRating). Votes will be tallied regularly. As always, please only vote for 1 CR, & please peruse the voting rules. Thank you for voting.

UnChosenOne
2009-03-03, 07:08 AM
I vote for CR 20.

Pronounceable
2009-03-03, 07:57 AM
12, aka twelve.

Lord_Gareth
2009-03-03, 07:59 AM
CR 12 for the win.

vegetalss4
2009-03-03, 11:18 AM
10 thats a good number

Adumbration
2009-03-03, 11:33 AM
CR 12, jumping to the bandwagon.

Indeed.
2009-03-03, 11:43 AM
CR 20, let's see some wacky offspring of Judge Dredd and a Tarrasque.

LordShotGun
2009-03-03, 12:05 PM
Huh, considering the monster is lawful neutral, I could have him as the antagonist of my adventure trail, or at least a major supporting character. So therefor CR 20

Owrtho
2009-03-03, 12:54 PM
20 with no explanation.

Owrtho

Zeta Kai
2009-03-03, 02:51 PM
All votes are currently tallied.

puppyavenger
2009-03-03, 02:54 PM
CR 20 to give plenty of room to work with.

The Mentalist
2009-03-03, 03:23 PM
CR 15

Requisite message lengthening

Magnor Criol
2009-03-03, 04:00 PM
I'll throw in another vote for CR 12.

kopout
2009-03-03, 04:51 PM
Cr 12anti chaos monster

The Bookworm
2009-03-03, 05:22 PM
Challenge Rating: Twenty!

watsyurname529
2009-03-03, 06:09 PM
Hmm... I'm going to go with CR 12 for this one.

Keler
2009-03-03, 06:55 PM
One more vote for CR 12.

Llama231
2009-03-03, 07:56 PM
Always 20 of course!:smallbiggrin:

Alteran
2009-03-03, 09:27 PM
CR 12 sounds good.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-04, 11:19 AM
All votes are currently tallied. We'll keep this one open for a bit longer, so as to break the tie.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-04, 08:14 PM
If somebody doesn't break the tie by 10PM EST, I will choose a CR myself.

lesser_minion
2009-03-04, 08:15 PM
I'd go with CR12

Zeta Kai
2009-03-04, 08:15 PM
Thank you. That's all I needed.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-04, 08:24 PM
The votes are tallied, & the winner is: CR12!

So lastly, I need you guys (& girls) to vote on the creature's Special Abilities (http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/specialAbilities.htm). Votes will be tallied regularly. Please only vote for 2 Special Abilities maximum, & please peruse the voting rules. Thank you for voting.

Limos
2009-03-04, 08:27 PM
Sonic Attacks
Swallow Whole

Go go gadget extraplanar lungfish!

The Bookworm
2009-03-04, 08:50 PM
Sonic Attack and Spells/SLAs!

Alteran
2009-03-04, 08:51 PM
Sonic Attacks and Paralysis.

Owrtho
2009-03-04, 09:03 PM
Swallow Whole and Planar Pounce

Planar Pounce: The [creature name] is able to easily traverse between the planes both wholly and partially. It often exploits this to hunt for prey, traversing the planes only enough to see if there is any prey, while it lays in wait. Upon seeing the prey it may lunge partially or fully into the plane as a move action. If it successfully grapples (swallows) its target after only partially entering the plane, it may retreat back into the other plane as a swift action taking its prey with it.

Owrtho

UnChosenOne
2009-03-04, 11:34 PM
I vötë für Swallow Whole and Death Attacks.

Llama231
2009-03-04, 11:59 PM
Regeneration and Telepathy.

paddyfool
2009-03-05, 04:34 AM
Pounce (not the Planar kind) and Paralysis.

Lord_Gareth
2009-03-05, 09:09 AM
Ethereal Jaunt (to make it a native of the Ethereal Plane) and Screams from the Otherworld

Screams from the Otherworld (Su): The [Magical Beast] is infused with the odd energies of the Ethereal Plane, and it can tap into the curious swirls and eddies that power ghosts and other ethereal undead. As a standard action, the [Magical Beast], while on the Ethereal Plane, can throw back its head and howl. All within sixty feet on either the Material or Ethereal plane hear the howling as the screams and shrieks of dying men and women, and must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hit die + cha modifier) or be shaken. This is a mind-affecting, fear effect.

Furthermore, any incorporeal creature in the radius is rendered corporeal for a number of rounds equal to the [Magical Beast]'s charisma modifier. If they are currently inside an object, they are shunted to the nearest open space and dealt 1d6 points of damage per five feet moved this way.

lesser_minion
2009-03-05, 09:36 AM
I guess I'm now going to have to vote for Screams from the Otherworld and Ethereal Jaunt.

write-ins for the win!

Lord_Gareth
2009-03-05, 12:33 PM
Edited for wording/tags.

LucyHarris
2009-03-05, 01:38 PM
Blast, stupid internet problems made me miss the CR vote. **Raaaage**

Ah, well, it was a CR I would've gone with anyway.

Ahem, for special abilities...

Sonic Attack and Trample

vegetalss4
2009-03-05, 02:14 PM
Screams from the Otherworld and planar pounce
write-ins for the win indeed

Zeta Kai
2009-03-05, 03:21 PM
All votes are currently tallied.

puppyavenger
2009-03-05, 03:27 PM
Screams from the Otherworld (Su) and planar pounce

kopout
2009-03-05, 04:41 PM
Ethereal Jaunt and Sonic Attack

watsyurname529
2009-03-05, 06:16 PM
Definately Screams from the Otherworld and Planar Pounce.

LordZarth
2009-03-05, 07:58 PM
Zeta, just wondering when this round will end. I haven't decided what I want to vote for yet but don't want to not vote!

The Mentalist
2009-03-05, 10:45 PM
Regeneration & Fast Healing

Shadow_Elf
2009-03-05, 10:55 PM
Planar Pounce and Swallow Whole

Zeta Kai
2009-03-06, 04:39 PM
All votes are currently tallied. This poll will conclude tonight, @ ~10PM EST.

Juhn
2009-03-06, 05:08 PM
I'll go with Sonic Attacks. My other vote will probably appear once I decide on it.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-07, 10:49 AM
All votes are tallied (sorry, Juhn), & the winners are: Sonic Attacks, Planar Pounce, & Screams of the Otherworld!

All votes have been tallied. Voting is concluded at this point. The resultant creature, the Ethereal Shrieker (working title), will be posted on Monday, March 9th. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Lord_Gareth
2009-03-09, 06:44 AM
Yay! I love this contest ^_^

(By the by, Zeta, it's FROM the Otherworld, not OF)

LucyHarris
2009-03-09, 10:50 AM
Cooool...and nice name, there. Makes me think of a falcon's cry (that "screeee" sound they make).

Zeta Kai
2009-03-09, 06:51 PM
Due to illness, I doubt I will be able to complete this monster tonight. I'm working on it, but I'm still under the weather. I will complete this beastie ASAP. I apologize for my tardiness, & for breaking my word.

Alteran
2009-03-09, 08:05 PM
Don't worry Zeta, nobody blames you for getting sick. I hope you get well soon, and complete the monster whenever it's convenient for you.

Zeta Kai
2009-03-10, 03:39 PM
Ethereal Shrieker

http://fc18.deviantart.com/fs14/f/2007/109/5/1/Speedpainting_by_wanbao.jpg
A pair of shriekers on patrol, far from their native mists.

Large Magical Beast (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 15d10+30 (112HP)
Initiative: +5
Speed: Fly 30’ (6 squares, perfect maneuverability)
Armor Class: 22 (-1 size, +5 Dex, +8 natural); touch 14; flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+22
Attack: Fin Slap +17 melee (1d8+3)
Full Attack: 4 Fin Slaps +17 melee (1d8+3) & Bite +12 melee (1d6+1)
Space/Reach: 10’/5’
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Planar Pounce, Screams from the Otherworld, Shriek, Swallow Whole
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60’, Ethereal Jaunt, Extraplanar traits, Magical Beast traits
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +14, Will +6
Abilities: Str 16 (+3), Dex 21 (+5), Con 14 (+2), Int 11 (+0), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 19 (+4)
Skills: Hide +8, Listen +8, Move Silently +12, Search +5, Spot +8, Survival +6
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Spring Attack, Stealthy
Environment: any land or underground (Ethereal Plane)
Organization: solitary, pair, screech (3-5), or cacophony (6-20)
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: ½ standard
Alignment: usually Lawful Neutral
Advancement: 16-30HD (Large), 31-45HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: N/A

The massive beast is almost twice as long as a man is tall, & is built like a bizarre sort of fish. Its greenish-gray skin is translucent, with dark veins running underneath. It has four short tentacles on its underside, & a long glowing illicium (or lure) on their dorsal side. Its head is like that of a hammerhead shark, with beady eyes mounted on widely-spaced stalks.

From the most impenetrable fog of the Deep Ethereal, there are mysterious creatures that guard the Great Gray from outside intrusion. Unyielding in their commitment to their chosen cause, they patrol their territory without compassion or exception. Known amongst themselves as the Ntek’Tthek, they are more commonly called ethereal shriekers.

Ruthless & steadfast, the reason for their protection of the Deep Ethereal is a complete unknown, & is one of the biggest riddles of the plane. They seldom venture outside of the Ethereal Plane, but they will pursue trespassers relentlessly, bringing their considerable powers to bear upon any transgressors. Although it is extremely rare, legends tell of shriekers that have permanently left the Ethereal for other realms, choosing to protect different places & people.

An ethereal shrieker is about 10-12’ long & weighs around 750-900 pounds. They speak their own tongue (Ntek’Shka), & some of the more intelligent speak Common as well.

Combat
Shriekers are an orderly lot, & so they fight in a regimented, methodical manner. If they are engaging a creature that has attempted to enter their territory, they will attempt to deter them, using any means necessary. They will avoid any other sort of fight, preferring to conserve their energy. They will only retreat or surrender if the conflict is unrelated to their pursuits, or if doing so is tactically advantageous to them.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an ethereal shrieker must successfully perform a Bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold & can Swallow Whole.

Planar Pounce (Su): An ethereal shrieker is able to easily traverse between the Material & Ethereal planes both wholly & partially. It often exploits this to hunt for prey, traversing the planes only enough to see if there is any prey, while it lays in wait. Upon seeing the prey it may lunge partially or fully into the plane as a move action. If it successfully grapples (swallows) its target after only partially entering the plane, it may retreat back into the other plane as a swift action, taking its prey with it.

Screams from the Otherworld (Su): An ethereal shrieker is infused with the odd energies of the Ethereal Plane, and it can tap into the curious swirls & eddies that power ghosts & other ethereal undead. As a standard action, the ethereal shrieker, while on the Ethereal Plane, can throw back its head & howl. All creatures within 60’ on either the Material or Ethereal plane hear the howling as the screams & shrieks of the dying, & must succeed a Will save (DC21) or be shaken for 1d4+1 rounds. This is a mind-affecting, fear effect. Furthermore, any incorporeal creature in the radius is rendered corporeal for a number of rounds equal to the ethereal shrieker’s charisma modifier. If they are currently inside an object, they are shunted to the nearest open space & dealt 1d6 points of damage per 5’ moved in this way.

Shriek (Su): An ethereal shrieker can unleash an unearthly, deafening scream; all creatures within a 40’ cone take 8d6 sonic damage & are rendered deafened; Fortitude save (DC20) for half damage & negating the deaf status; the save DC is Strength-based; this attack can be used once every 1d4 rounds.

Swallow Whole (Ex): An ethereal shrieker can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of Small or smaller size by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, the opponent takes no damage. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by dealing 2d6+8 points of damage to the containment chamber (AC4). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. The shrieker’s stomach can hold 1 Small, 2 Tiny, 4 Diminutive or 8 Fine creatures.

Ethereal Jaunt (Su): An ethereal shrieker can shift from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane as a free action, & shift back again as a move action (or during a move action). The ability is otherwise identical with ethereal jaunt (caster level 17th).

Extraplanar traits: A subtype applied to any creature when it is on a plane other than its native plane. A creature that travels the planes can gain or lose this subtype as it goes from plane to plane. Monster entries assume that encounters with creatures take place on the Material Plane, & every creature whose native plane is not the Material Plane has the extraplanar subtype (but would not have when on its home plane). No creature has the extraplanar subtype when it is on a transitive plane, such as the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, & the Plane of Shadow.

Magical Beast traits: All creatures with the Magical Beast type possess the following traits:

Darkvision out to 60’.
Proficient with its natural weapons only.
Proficient with no armor.
Magical Beasts eat, sleep, & breathe.

Monster Lore
Characters that have ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) can learn more about Ethereal Shriekers. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DC’s.

DC22: “In the featureless gray expanse of the Deep Ethereal dwell frightening creatures, dedicated to protecting their territory from incursion.” A character making this check recalls all extraplanar magical beast traits.
DC27: “Known as ethereal shriekers, they can harm others with a deafening screech.” A character making this check knows the workings of the Shriek ability.
DC32: “They are unrelenting in their efforts to prevent others from violating the boundaries of their domain, & they seem to live for nothing else.” A character making this check remembers the mechanics of Planar Pounce & Screams of the Otherworld.
DC37: “Their religion dictates that they must guard the hidden demiplanes of the Deep Ethereal, some of which hide terrible secrets.” A character making this check is familiar with Improved Grab & Swallow Whole.

LucyHarris
2009-03-10, 05:47 PM
Wooooowwwww. That thing is fantastic. I can imagine springing that on a party and then sitting back to watch their reaction to it. Bravo, sir! Bravo!

Lord_Gareth
2009-03-10, 07:07 PM
I LOVE the creature, but I have a couple of questions about the feats:

1. Alertness. Really? I know WotC gives it to every monster and its grandma, but why has the Shrieker wasted a feat on it?

2. Why does a creature with a fly speed - and no land speed - have Skill Focus (Jump)?

Zeta Kai
2009-03-10, 07:34 PM
1. Alertness. Really? I know WotC gives it to every monster and its grandma, but why has the Shrieker wasted a feat on it?

Alertness is useful, especially for flying ethereal whales. What do you expect, Leadership? Quick Draw? Deft Hands?


2. Why does a creature with a fly speed - and no land speed - have Skill Focus (Jump)?

Oops. Fixed! That was a holdover when the creature looked like this:

http://media.movieweb.com/news/01.2008/monster.jpg

Owrtho
2009-03-10, 08:50 PM
I really quite like the way it turned out. They could be really mean about splitting up a party too. It would use planar pounce as a move action, make a bite attack, improved grab to grapple the target, Then it swallows whole and uses the swift action from planar pounce to retreat back to the other plane where the target is taken out alone (well assuming that it can un- swallow it on the other side to kill it). Quite an entertaining thought if a group of them get a surprise round (and the person in front turns around to find not their party, but a group of Ethereal Shriekers).

One note though, in the Monster lore you say "...Knowledge (Arcana) can learn more about Ectoplasmic Swarms." I figured that was a typo.

Owrtho

Zeta Kai
2009-03-11, 06:52 AM
One note though, in the Monster lore you say "...Knowledge (Arcana) can learn more about Ectoplasmic Swarms." I figured that was a typo.

Fixed typo.

This creature was designed to be nothing like the Chronotyryn, the only Large Magical Beast (Extraplanar) (http://monsterfinder.dndrunde.de/details.php?id=955&backlink=%2Fallmonsters.php) that I know of. It may be a tad too powerful for CR12; one could argue that it is CR13 or CR14. It depends on how optimised the opposing party is.