Now thats good water...

Yeah, its a simple little fellow, but definitely good Familiar potential :smallsmile:

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Wellspring Newt

http://enquire.hertscc.gov.uk/hbrc/images/newt.jpg

Diminutive Magical Beast (aquatic)
Hit Dice: 1/4d10+1 (2 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), swim 15 ft.
Armor Class: 16 (+2 dex, +4 size), touch 16, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-13
Attack: -
Full Attack: -
Space/Reach: 1 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Amphibious, darkvision 60 ft.
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +3
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 5
Skills: Climb +8, Hide +16, Listen +4, Spot +4
Feats: Great Fortitude
Environment: Underground or temperate and warm aquatic
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 1/10
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: -
Level Adjustment: -

Old tales speak of newts as creatures of purity that only live within exceedingly clean waters, and by one inhabiting their spring proves the water is clear. Most however are simple animals, but every now and again a true wellspring newt is found that gives credibility to the myth. Those that are proven to be true wellspring newts are jealously protected, though if sold go for high prices.

Wellspring newts tend to be somewhat larger than than an average newt, about a foot from snout to tailtip, though vary in coloration, from drab to bright, as do their normal brethren. Though only true difference is that the newt always has a spot of brilliant white upon its nose or beneath its chin which it uses to detect the freshness of the water it inhabits. Though unaffected by poisons, a wellspring newt will only inhabit extremely clean waters that it further purifies with its touch.

Combat:
A wellspring newt is as inoffensive as its cousins and searches for deep water or a deep hole in which to hide if pursued.

Spell-like abilities:
At will/Detect Poison, Purify Food and Drink (drink only). Caster level 5th.

Skills:
A wellspring newt has a +6 bonus on climb checks. They use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier for Climb checks.

That is cool. A great little background magical ecology creature. Nice way of reminding players that the D&D world doesn't work like reality, but has more in common with Discworld. ;D

What I wanna know is, can you get one as a familiar?

Oooh, ooh. Imagine the Celestial and Fiendish varients: creating holy/unholy water as they paddle around in it. :)

Aye, thats sort of what I had in mind for it. Not sure if its worth the 'Improved Familiar' feat, but its definetely has familiar potential.

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Oooh, ooh. Imagine the Celestial and Fiendish varients: creating holy/unholy water as they paddle around in it.

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Heh, that'd definetely be an interesting variant ;)

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Originally Posted by bosssmiley

What I wanna know is, can you get one as a familiar?

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That would be pretty cool.

"Hey, why's you're familiar swimming around in our drinking water?"
"Because he makes it good for us, silly."

But be careful, or...

"Oops! I think I just drank your familiar..."

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Originally Posted by The Vorpal Tribble

Alignment: Always neutral

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Looks more like "always neutral" water to me ;)

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Originally Posted by Goumindong

Looks more like "always neutral" water to me ;)

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Axiomatic wellspring newts? They create very...orderly water, if you can imagine such a thing.

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Originally Posted by bosssmiley

Axiomatic wellspring newts? They create very...orderly water, if you can imagine such a thing.

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Would that imply ice?

Always Neutral.
...
Always Newt-ral.

On a more relavent (and less cheesy) topic, there is just a thing as axiomatic water. I belive it's either in the Planar Handbook or Manuel of the Planes. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

In short though:
Holy Water: Fortified with Positives!
Unholy Water: aka. Hell's Toilet Water
Axiomatic Water: No isotopes here!
Anarchic Water: Boston Tea Party, anyone?

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Originally Posted by Tarkahn

On a more relavent (and less cheesy) topic, there is just a thing as axiomatic water. I belive it's either in the Planar Handbook or Manuel of the Planes. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

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I think there was something like that in an issue of Dragon. I even know which issue I'm thinking of. Let's see if I have it handy...

2 min. later (Handy indeed)...

Eh, it was "Axiomatic Draught" from issue #331 that I was thinking of. Drink it and get a bonus to saves against abilities of creatures with the Chaotic subtype.

Anyway, it doesn't look like it's in Manual of the Planes, either. I've never read Planar Handbook, and I'm sure I read an official version of the stuff somewhere.

Well, we know it's out there, right?

Spell Compendum has spells that allow you to create the stuff, so I'm sure it exists.. somewhere

Arms & Equipment Guide is what you're looking for, in the Adventuring Gear table on p. 22. "Water, Lawful/Chaotic". Yeah, I know it's 3.0. I love my A&EG anyway... mmm, all the fabulous toys...

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Originally Posted by Phasm

Yeah, I know it's 3.0. I love my A&EG anyway... mmm, all the fabulous toys...

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Eh, most of it's compatible with minimal to no conversion anyway. :)

Eh, giving this a bump (after a bit of a clean-up) to show that I do in fact make beneficial beasts. So there :smallwink:

I like this. It would definitely make a good familiar, especially for a True Neutral wizard or wizard/druid.

I like it. I expect three more such creatures on my desk by thursday or your out of here. Oh, and bring me pictures of Spider-man!

Fun!

I see loads of familiar potential:

Saves vs poison?
Purify food and drink?
Drink any water? (Course these two it covers on it's own)
Climb checks?
Amphibious?

I like. Might tend to be bred as a defense against poisoning wells in castles and/or desert areas. If one gets all the local clerics together and has them cast purify food and drink on the well or fills it up with a Decanter of Endless water (or an itenerant Giraffe-a-pump ) is that enough to "jump start" the process so the Wellspring Newt(s) will accept the well/cistern as home or would the load of sub-par water coming in eventually cause them to decide to leave?