GITP Monster Competition Chat Thread II

[Bhu]

I was thinking more light hearted and fluffy...

[BisectedBrioche]

I was thinking more light hearted and fluffy...

Watership Down?

[Owrtho]

Well, seems the contest is almost over, so I wondered if someone could try to peach the shiny.

Thank you,
Owrtho

[Bhu]

Well, seems the contest is almost over, so I wondered if someone could try to peach the shiny.

Thank you,
Owrtho

I had a few moments to peek and these were my intitial thoughts:

The base speed as listed wont work within the system. Try making it 0’ or 5’


Doohickey: The Shiny has no ranks in hide ad a +4 Size modifier to add to the base of 7, -4 from dex. This means it has a Hide result of 7. Just about anyone can see that.

Gleam (and following abilities): Save DC’s are generally 10 plus half Hit Dice plus appropriate ability modifier.

It’s so Shiny: Instead of doubling the DC you may wish to increase it by +1 for each time the opponent has ‘owned’ the Shiny in the past.

[Owrtho]

The base speed as listed wont work within the system. Try making it 0’ or 5’

Well, it's supposed to be very slow, but I wanted it to be noted that it is not completely immobile. I suppose I could just make it an extraordinary ability (not sure how 'extraordinary' it would be)
Move (Ex): By using at least 60 move actions (split up among any number of turns with any number of other abilities used between), a shiny can move 5" (1 square).
Not sure how much better that looks...

Doohickey: The Shiny has no ranks in hide ad a +4 Size modifier to add to the base of 7, -4 from dex. This means it has a Hide result of 7. Just about anyone can see that.

Well, I never said it hid well (nor does it want to). Might make it 15 though.

Gleam (and following abilities): Save DC’s are generally 10 plus half Hit Dice plus appropriate ability modifier.

I choose DCs that I figured would be appropriate. Also, I'll note that it gains Charisma every time it gains HD, thus meaning that if I factored HD into the save it would be like counting it again. As such I figured most of the saves would be better off just having a higher base and not counting it. Though I may look over them again.

It’s so Shiny: Instead of doubling the DC you may wish to increase it by +1 for each time the opponent has ‘owned’ the Shiny in the past.

This sounds like a good idea, though I think it would be better to make it
+2 and have it be by number of days they "owned" it (rounded down, with each time they gain possession of it counting as a minimum of one day, multiple times of gaining possession of it in one day count individually).

Owrtho

[Debihuman]

I guess I don't "get" the shiny. It seems like it should be a construct rather than Fey as it doesn't have the standard fey traits.

If a creature has no Str score, it should be immoble and unable to move. This means that speed should be 0 feet (immobile) unless it is carried.

Debby

[Owrtho]

I guess I don't "get" the shiny. It seems like it should be a construct rather than Fey as it doesn't have the standard fey traits.

Construct Type:

Spoiler

Show

A construct is an animated object or artificially constructed creature.

Features: A construct has the following features.

• 10-sided Hit Dice.
  
• Base attack bonus equal to 3/4 total Hit Dice (as cleric).
  
• No good saving throws.
  
• Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die, if the construct has an Intelligence score. However, most constructs are mindless and gain no skill points or feats.

Traits: A construct possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).

• No Constitution score.
  
• Low-light vision.
  
• Darkvision out to 60 feet.
  
• Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects).
  
• Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and necromancy effects.
  
• Cannot heal damage on their own, but often can be repaired by exposing them to a certain kind of effect (see the creature’s description for details) or through the use of the Craft Construct feat. A construct with the fast healing special quality still benefits from that quality.
  
• Not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain.
  
• Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
  
• Not at risk of death from massive damage. Immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less.
  
• Since it was never alive, a construct cannot be raised or resurrected.
  
• Because its body is a mass of unliving matter, a construct is hard to destroy. It gains bonus hit points based on size, as shown on the following table.
  
  {table=head]Construct Size|Bonus Hit Points
  Fine|—
  Diminutive|—
  Tiny|—
  Small|10
  Medium|20
  Large|30
  Huge|40
  Gargantuan|60
  Colossal|80[/table]
  
• Proficient with its natural weapons only, unless generally humanoid in form, in which case proficient with any weapon mentioned in its entry.
  
• Proficient with no armor.
  
• Constructs do not eat, sleep, or breathe.

Fey Type:

Spoiler

Show

A fey is a creature with supernatural abilities and connections to nature or to some other force or place. Fey are usually human-shaped.

Features: A fey has the following features.

• 6-sided Hit Dice.
  
• Base attack bonus equal to 1/2 total Hit Dice (as wizard).
  
• Good Reflex and Will saves.
  
• Skill points equal to (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die.

Traits: A fey possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).

• Low-light vision.
  
• Proficient with all simple weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry.
  
• Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) that it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Fey not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Fey are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
  
• Fey eat, sleep, and breathe.

Now then, the shiny has much more in common with fey than construct.

• It is not artificially created but a living creature (even if it looks and pretends otherwise). It is tied to the natural aspect of creatures to be attracted to shiny things.
• It has a d6 hit die (not a d10)
• It lacks a BAB which fits neither
• It has good Reflex and Will saves
• It has 6 + int mod skill points
• It has a Con score.
• It has Low-light vision
• It lacks dark vision
• It has no immunities
• It can be raised and resurrected
• Its body is constructed of living matter
• It can't attack or use weapons which fits neither
• It is not proficient with armor
• It does eat sleep and breath

As can be seen, it is much closer to fey than construct. Also I figured fey is more appropriate as I consider it something of a trickster due to how it acts (pretending to be an item so it can leach of your vital energy).

If a creature has no Str score, it should be immobile and unable to move. This means that speed should be 0 feet (immobile) unless it is carried.

According to SRD, a creature that has no strength can't exert physical force. It is still able to move. It is if it lacks Dex that it can't move. The shiny does not lack Dex.

Owrtho

[Debihuman]

okay. I'm still not sure I'm getting it but I see where I erred: A creature with no Strength score can’t exert force, usually because it has no physical body or because it doesn’t move. The creature automatically fails Strength checks. If the creature can attack, it applies its Dexterity modifier to its base attack bonus instead of a Strength modifier.

As for which die you use, that's immaterial to the discussion. Type of die based on Creature Type not the other way around. Giving them 1/60 of a move speed is nearly immobile. There's so little difference between that and a speed of 0that it's only for argument's sake.

The skills you gave them seem to indicate that they can play musical instruments even though they "appear to be random small irresistibly shiny metal objects." I don't begin to understand that. They can sing and perform comedy but you didn't give them any languages and apparently they can't eat food because of their Feed ability.

I'm not saying that they can't be fey; I'm just saying that I don't get them.

Debby

[Owrtho]

Well, I suppose I can put a speed of 0 and just note they are capable of movement but very slow. As for the perform skills, the shiny can't actually perform itself, but is capable of enhancing the performance of its host by an amount based on the relevant perform skill. As for eating, they do so by using their feed ability. Even if it isn't a normal manner it still is eating.

When I fist went to make them I debated between using the fey, construct, or magical beast type. I figured that the fey type fit best in the end though.

Owrtho

[Debihuman]

Normally, if a creature can't use the Perform skill, then it simply shouldn't have it. However, even if the shineys can't use the perform skills themselves, they can provide a bonus to someone else's perform skill as expert assistance provided that they have at least 5 ranks in the skill.
[See Rules Compendium page 10]. You should note this explicitly in the text.

Now, it is starting to coalesce into a creature that makes a bit more sense.

Debby

[Owrtho]

Yes, after I saw you mention it in your post I checked and saw I had forgotten to make note that they can't use the skills themselves and added it to the Host ability. As for the minimum 5 ranks, I had not realized that and had I, I would likely have added a few more points to intelligence to given them the points needed to reach that with most of them and/or noted that they could only do this with perform skills that have at least 5 ranks in (as they can improve them when they gain HD from they're Shininess ability. As it is though the contest seems to have already ended, and as the shiny functions well as it is, I would rather not modify the post. Thank you for that information though and I will keep it in mind for after the contest.

Owrtho

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Hey all, I'm thinking of expanding the base of those who enter by offering a Newbie category to the votes. That way we don't have new folks intimidated by the incredible level of skill and thought put into these in general.

How think you?

[Owrtho]

Might help bring newer people in. I'd say its worth a try at least. The question though would be how to decide who fits into the category. I take it this would show up for the next competition if you decide to do it?

Owrtho

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Might help bring newer people in. I'd say its worth a try at least. The question though would be how to decide who fits into the category. I take it this would show up for the next competition if you decide to do it?

Owrtho

Next competition, and it'd be decided by them never having entered before. Next contest they enter they are no longer an official newbie.

[BisectedBrioche]

So it works like the best newcomer award for the iron avatarist contest then?

[The Vorpal Tribble]

So it works like the best newcomer award for the iron avatarist contest then?

Yeah, basically.

[Bhu]

I like it.

Just dont make Templates the theme. I been waiting a looong time for that one...

[The Vorpal Tribble]

I like it.

Just dont make Templates the theme. I been waiting a looong time for that one...

Eh?

bumbumbumbumbumBUMMMMMMMM

[Bhu]

If the new contest is newbs only for a turn I'm hoping templates isnt the theme. Been waiting so long to do one of those.

[BisectedBrioche]

I think he meant that there will be a seperate award for the best entry by a user that hasn't taken part in a previous contest, not that it would only be open to new users.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Oh, no, it's not 'only' for newbies. What Bisected said.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Updated the list of entries. We're getting quite a collection.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Winner announced. New contest posted. Rawr.

[Bhu]

If we do a traditional Dragon does it have to have all the age categories, etc."

[The Vorpal Tribble]

If we do a traditional Dragon does it have to have all the age categories, etc."

Yeeeeup

[DracoDei]

There is screen stretch on the main thread. I think it is the image code.

DragonCon starts friday, but if I can I am probably going to be completing the Neutral Neutral Funky Disco Dragons I created to be the polar opposites of the Beige Dragons.

[BisectedBrioche]

I was thinking of making a draconic insect, but I'm worried I'll only end up making a dragonfly pun...hang on...I think I can make it work...

[Joxer t' Mighty]

Heyas, saw this contest when The Vorpal Tribble was looking for a dragon pic.

I'm going a different way with my entry I think

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Whoops, hey Bisected, I put the wrong link in the banner code. Fixed it now on the main page so you can get the right code.

[The Neoclassic]

I like this new contest. I ought to enter. I was just thinking up an epic-level, semi-divine dragon ruler...

Sir Shadow: I admit that at first glance I thought "Snap Dragon? Just sort of dragon/turtle combo? Booooring." Then I actually looked at it. Excellent. I like all the snarky comments, and Astute Assumptions is a great feature. It feel like it really fits, and adds some great flavor, but it has a nice & straightforward combat effect too! The only thing I'm a bit hesitant about is the ridiculous difference between Intelligence and Wisdom. I get that you want them to be very perceptive but not particularly intelligent or great critical analysts, but I think Int 10-14 and Wis 24-30 might be a bit better. Just a quick thought though; I can't wait to see this finished!