GITP Monster Competition Chat Thread III

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Good deal. Ok, been busy, but going over the entries. Feeling like crap, so will finish them up after I've taken a short siesta.

In the meanwhile, if anyone would like to also go over a creation of mine, I'd be most appreciative. I'm entering it in our sister PrC competition.

The Goodwife


Edit: Aww, c'mon Glyphstone, you just totally wrecked the alphabetical thing we've had going on

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Ok, last crunch look-overs. Will get to fluff after dinner.

Gingerbread Men

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Full Attack: 2 Claw +7(+9 Raging) (1d6+2, 1d6+4 Raging, +fire), 1 Bite +5 (+7 Raging)

Claw +7 melee and bite +5 melee

Saves: Fort +5 (+7 Raging)

Fort +6

Aloysius, The Ebony Tsar

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First suggestion would be to look at other entries and do as they are done, or look in the monster manual. If the format is altered it's probably not correct. Dunno where the squigglies and weird commas and the like come from.

<Size> Medium <Type> Monstrous Humanoid

<Size> and <type? are just there to tell you where to put the specific size and type. It'd merely say 'Medium Monstrous Humanoid' and nothing else.

Hit Dice: 15d8(+30) ~= 97

Hit Dice: 15d8+30 (97 hp)

Speed: 50 feet per round (10 squares)

Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)

Base Attack/Grapple: +17/+17*

A Monstrous Humanoid has full BAB. Therefore is base attack should be equal to it's HD, in this case 15.

Should be +15/+17

Full Attack: Carving Knife attacks, +17/+12,/+7 (1d6+2)

Full Attack: Carving Knife +17/+12/+7 melee (1d6+2)

Also surprised you didn't give it weapon finesse as a bonus feat. That'd bump that up nicely.

Saves: Fort +14, Ref +27, Will +18

Base saves for a 15th level monstrous humanoid is +5/+9/+9

With feats and ability modifiers added it would be as so.
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +19, Will +15

Is there anything else I didn't notice that bumps them up?

Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Flickering Darkness, Christmas King

Need to add all the abilities I'm about to go over up here.

Description/background/characteristics

This also doesn't need to be there. It's just a marker saying 'put them here'. Also, there is no mention of what language it speaks, if any.

A distorted version of Awaken is cast on what was to be the family's roast lunch. It gains sentience (as per the Awaken spell) and insanity (as per Gift of Insanity).

This is very creepy and flavorful (ba dum ching!). Perhaps you should say the items become awakened constructs, or perhaps aberrations. As is, the spell would turn them into plants.

A DC: 20 Will Save negates the curse, or it can be lifted by any spell designed to remove curses.

What's the save DC based on?

This spell functions exactly like a Tiefling's racial Darkness ability, save that it also leaves incredibly persistent (even in the face of magic) soot stains on the walls, ceiling, and floor of wherever it is cast.

Even such spells as Prestidigitation used to clean it is thwarted?

Aloysius', The Ebony Tsar's, most terrible ability, reserved for those whose houses are true traversties, is the creation of a Coalem, a coal golem. All the presents in the house (and, if there aren't enough presents, all the furniture) are transformed into coal. After the presents have been unwrapped and the disappointment is at its peak, the coal begins to move of its own accord, cmoing together to form an enormous Coalem.

Typos boldened. Just run the thing through a spellchecker and you should be good.

Coalem

Hit Dice: 20d10+40 = 150HP

20d10+30 (140 hp)

Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+30

Grapple would be +33.

+15 BAB, +14 Str, +4 Size mod

Attack: Slam +27 mêlée (3d10 +20)

+28 melee (3d10+14)

Immune to Mind-Affecting, Immune to Poison

Just add 'Construct Traits' and it'll cover that.

Saves: Fort +12, Ref +3, Will +15 (immune to mind-affecting)

+6/+6/+6 base for a 20th hd construct.

With stats the final saves should be:
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +7

This gas forces everyone within a 50' radius to take a Fortitude Save against poisoning (DC 25).

Need to make mention what the save DC is based on.

Challenge Rating: 14

This guy is around a 17 I'm thinking. He's pretty much untouchable. The Spell resistance alone is a little absurd. A 30th level caster would have to roll a 20. SR is normally around 10 + CR. A SR 30 tops.

The damage reduction is almost as bad. DR 20 is incredibly tough. Certainly should go no higher than that pre-epic.

[DracoDei]

Vorpal Tribble: Having participated in the paired PrC contest, I think that this month the "No reserving posts" rule should have an exception: Reserving a post directly after your partner's should be HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. It makes comparisons of the pairs MUCH easier.



Everyone else: I am available for partnering, but have no ideas (yet). PM me if interested.

[unosarta]

Vorpal Tribble: Having participated in the paired PrC contest, I think that this month the "No reserving posts" rule should have an exception: Reserving a post directly after your partner's should be HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. It makes comparisons of the pairs MUCH easier.

I agree whole heartedly. I am pretty much done with my monster, but my partner still has a bit to do.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

That sounds reasonable. I'll adjust the rules. Go for it.

[BisectedBrioche]

Does this mean there's nothing wrong with the crunch on the Nicks?

[LOTRfan]

Don't think so, Bisector.

Unosarta, the image doesn't come up. Shouldn't it have the (Psionic) subtype, if it can manifest powers?

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Does this mean there's nothing wrong with the crunch on the Nicks?

Yup, it was totally clean

[unosarta]

Don't think so, Bisector.

Unosarta, the image doesn't come up. Shouldn't it have the (Psionic) subtype, if it can manifest powers?

Yeah, the image URL was linked from the wave document I was using, and now I don't know the URL for the orginal image.

Adding in the Psionic subtype now.

[LOTRfan]

I like your monster, by the way. Diminutive mastermind.

Are the hosts going to be of the giant type?

[unosarta]

I like your monster, by the way. Diminutive mastermind.

Are the hosts going to be of the giant type?

They are giant moles that live underground.

So... no?

[LOTRfan]

They are giant moles that live underground.

So... no?

Oh, sorry. I was just asking because giants have the glaringly low will saves. Still, giant moles = awesome. You and your partner's idea was pretty cool.

[unosarta]

Oh, sorry. I was just asking because giants have the glaringly low will saves. Still, giant moles = awesome. You and your partner's idea was pretty cool.

Oh. Well, the save for Touch of Possession is intentionally high, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[strawberryman]

Damn. Me and Draken are working on a pair of Psionic monsters ourselves, looks like you beat us to the punch.

[Melayl]

Ok, last crunch look-overs. Will get to fluff after dinner.

Gingerbread Men

Claw +7 melee and bite +5 melee


Fort +6

Oops. Fixed.

[unosarta]

Damn. Me and Draken are working on a pair of Psionic monsters ourselves, looks like you beat us to the punch.

Its probably fine. We were going more for the "inner struggle"/"inner conflict" aspect, as compared to the "conflict of minds" thing.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Felpine Shambler
This fellow is pretty cool. With current theme seems a little cheesy with its eeeevil ability to make gloom of unhappiness, and grows poisoned berries and hand grenades. Its very fun though. Tree Travel is a great ability. You don't just disappear, no, a tree appears. Can just imagine filling that tree full of something... like slavering creatures or carved all over with explosive runes, and then switching places with it. Kaboom!

I can also imagine it more serious, putting into a Fimbulvinter style campaign. Its not just gloom it spreads, but is a literal foreshadow of the eternal darkness that will one day cover all.

Dryad of the Sanguine Holly
While I like what you've done here, and the name is pretty awesome, this is like a dryad dons a belt of gender changing and introduces a succubus to their ironwood.
None of the abilities are really unique, but you've put a new face on them. Its a case of the fluff making the monster.
Despite my negative comments, I'd like to add this to my Dying Ember campaign. There is even a forest devoted to fey creatures, called the Red Dew. Humans and fae signed a treaty. Where the red dew drips from the branches you have entered their wood. You enter at your own risk and if you die it is your own fault. Can imagine these gals like at the most northern and southern edges where the forests turns to frigid evergreens.

Chanukah Chorror
Is so bad, in a politically incorrect way. It's awesome
I only catch most of the jokes in a vague way however, as only really knew one Hebrewish gal, but its enough to make me snicker. She was my landlady, came from a mixed background so like wore a star of david, a cross and buddha on a necklace. She was crazy. Occasionally would crack a yiddish joke about her mother.

Anyways, can see this as a joke entry, if not a creepy one with that head. Not sure how it'd fit in most games as a serious creature however with current fluff, but perhaps tweak it a little to fit the creation of some evil religion to counteract the holy golems.

Christmas Goose
This is definitely an under-rated entry, though the goose christmas card is so 80's and definitely doesn't help it any

The honk and flaming bite is dangerously humorous, especially if you think upon it being raised by some kind of magical farmer. The horror however seems more in the fact it's an intelligent creature being force-fed to be eaten by other intelligent creatures.

If prepare to be eaten it definitely needs to become a Feastfleshed Creature.

Insanity Claws
This fellow is basically what its name says. Evil, weird little elves. This needs some fluff rewrite to really make it useful in a serious campaign, but the fey proclivity to give gifts and deadly mischief has strong possibilities.

Grinch
This is a very interesting take on the classic Grinch. Basically giving it the powers he had while his heart was large, but its still evil-inclined. The abilities match with the song very well, and manage to be interesting and unique to boot. It's kind of like a furry male hag with oafish giant ways.

I'd probably use one as some sort of follower of an evil nature deity or spirit requiring sacrifice and blood. Lichens and mistletoe sprouts from the fur, giving it the green tinge, and the rot of their hearts manifests physically, visible only about the teeth, but inside they teem with vermin. Could go very dark with it.

Goat of Sacrificial Horror
This is very humorous and dark at the same time. Very evil. Evilly evil.

"...to prevent an evil spirit of punishment from entering the surrounding hamlets and committing unspeakable evil."

Just that evil. Yet when I read it I am reminded of that old kid's board game 'Hey Pa, There's A Goat On the Roof!'. There is literally a tourist trap spot around here where there is a ramp going to the business' roof and real goats roam about up there. So this is actually pretty realistic since they like elevated places. Creepy however in thinking how they could be waiting up there, ready to pounce and eat my soul while staring at me with those soulless goat eyes.

[BisectedBrioche]

Yup, it was totally clean

I suppose I have Debi to thank for that.

[The Glyphstone]

Felpine Shambler
This fellow is pretty cool. With current theme seems a little cheesy with its eeeevil ability to make gloom of unhappiness, and grows poisoned berries and hand grenades. Its very fun though. Tree Travel is a great ability. You don't just disappear, no, a tree appears. Can just imagine filling that tree full of something... like slavering creatures or carved all over with explosive runes, and then switching places with it. Kaboom!

I can also imagine it more serious, putting into a Fimbulvinter style campaign. Its not just gloom it spreads, but is a literal foreshadow of the eternal darkness that will one day cover all.

Somehow, I hadn't even considered the use of Tree Travel offensively for anything other than 'you're over there? Well, now I am too, hah!" Pre-prepared 'trap trees' would be excellent.

Dryad of the Sanguine Holly
While I like what you've done here, and the name is pretty awesome, this is like a dryad dons a belt of gender changing and introduces a succubus to their ironwood.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0269.html

[Mulletmanalive]

Does it have to be the prey that is specifically foused on defence?

The marker between predator and prey is often immunity to the defences of the target...

Or, as long as the prey is MORE defensive, it it ok for the predator to be basically immune to the prey's abilities?

[unosarta]

Dryad of the Sanguine Holly
While I like what you've done here, and the name is pretty awesome, this is like a dryad dons a belt of gender changing and introduces a succubus to their ironwood.
None of the abilities are really unique, but you've put a new face on them. Its a case of the fluff making the monster.

I guess I can see what you are saying, but a lot of monster variations are defined by their fluff and not their abilities. This is actually a more tame example. For instance, although it may not seem like a lot of abilities have changed, that is probably only because the base dryad had so few abilities to begin with. It could cast spells and... die if it got too far from its tree. I don't really think you should blame a variant monster for its parents problems. Also, although the base abilities are fairly similar, there are some key differences. Notably, the combat style. Dryads as they are do not really have a very defined combat style, mostly because they have so few abilities. The dryad of the sanguine holly functions best when it grapples an opponent and drinks their blood. That is a very defined difference from the original, who had almost no grappling capability at all. The ability to kiss an opponent and drink their blood is also important because of its intrinsic value for the theme of the competition, Christmas. It is a tradition to lay holly around, and kiss underneath it (probably from its days as a fertility festival, where holly was an important symbol of life and rebirth). The Dryad of the Sanguine Holly takes those principles and subverts them, going from life to death, rebirth to destruction, and a kiss that brought love, to a kiss that stole from it. These are important to facilitate the fact that the monster is in fact a horror, who brings terror to those who face it. Also, the original dryad had some spell-like abilities; a spell or two was added to give it a more "bloody" feel.

Those are some pretty major changes from the original, not even counting the fluff.

Despite my negative comments, I'd like to add this to my Dying Ember campaign. There is even a forest devoted to fey creatures, called the Red Dew. Humans and fae signed a treaty. Where the red dew drips from the branches you have entered their wood. You enter at your own risk and if you die it is your own fault. Can imagine these gals like at the most northern and southern edges where the forests turns to frigid evergreens.

I would love that. I could see the evergreen forests, the trees strong and hale, and every so often, a woman wearing all red dances through, her eyes locked on yours, her skin slicing through the clean air. She dances into the grove, and her smile almost seems to beckon you...

[The Glyphstone]

For that matter, you could make similar criticisms of the Felpine Shambler. If I had made it a deciduous tree instead of a conifer, it'd basically be 'Treant, but Bigger, Meaner, and EEEEVIL'.

[unosarta]

For that matter, you could make similar criticisms of the Felpine Shambler. If I had made it a deciduous tree instead of a conifer, it'd basically be 'Treant, but Bigger, Meaner, and EEEEVIL'.

That just makes me think of a Barksinger + Everflowerer combo made of Dryads of the Sanguine Holly and Felpine Shamblers.

[The Glyphstone]

That just makes me think of a Barksinger + Everflowerer combo made of Dryads of the Sanguine Holly and Felpine Shamblers.

The horror, the horror...

[unosarta]

The horror, the horror...

As the red haired beauty slowly kissed the cragged and anciently scarred face of the tree that stood before her, blood slowly seeped down her face, reaching her chin and falling off, onto the cold and dry snow. The gashes that lined the tree healed over, and his limbs started moving again. She looked back as a single man stood before them, his terrified face and trembling limbs twitching, as if seeking flight. His dead comrades lay before him, their lifeblood staining the snow and spreading out over the ice.

She glided forward, her hands lightly caressing his face. His eyes tried to follow her, but as she moved behind his back, he found his body immobile in fear. Her long tongue lightly played on his ear, and he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He looked down, and saw a tree limb puncturing his lower abdomen. She knelt down, and caught the first drop of blood as it left the already decaying wound on her finger, and drew in a long, gasping breath as she started to feed.

[The Glyphstone]

It's somewhat synergistic too. One of them feeds on blood, the other on flesh, so they wouldn't be competing for prey either.

[LOTRfan]

Goat of Sacrificial Horror
This is very humorous and dark at the same time. Very evil. Evilly evil.

"...to prevent an evil spirit of punishment from entering the surrounding hamlets and committing unspeakable evil."

Just that evil. Yet when I read it I am reminded of that old kid's board game 'Hey Pa, There's A Goat On the Roof!'. There is literally a tourist trap spot around here where there is a ramp going to the business' roof and real goats roam about up there. So this is actually pretty realistic since they like elevated places. Creepy however in thinking how they could be waiting up there, ready to pounce and eat my soul while staring at me with those soulless goat eyes.

Awesome.

Where can I find this 'Hey Pa, There's a Goat on the Roof!' board game? I've never heard of it.

EDIT: Never mind, found it.

[Admiral Squish]

Grinch
This is a very interesting take on the classic Grinch. Basically giving it the powers he had while his heart was large, but its still evil-inclined. The abilities match with the song very well, and manage to be interesting and unique to boot. It's kind of like a furry male hag with oafish giant ways.

I'd probably use one as some sort of follower of an evil nature deity or spirit requiring sacrifice and blood. Lichens and mistletoe sprouts from the fur, giving it the green tinge, and the rot of their hearts manifests physically, visible only about the teeth, but inside they teem with vermin. Could go very dark with it.

You know, that was an angle I really didn't think about when I was creating, but now that you say it it makes perfect sense. He's literally rotten to the core. The exterior looks perfectly normal, but underneath he;s foul and tainted. Since the mouth is the only part you can see into, that's where you notice the vermin festering within.

[unosarta]

It's somewhat synergistic too. One of them feeds on blood, the other on flesh, so they wouldn't be competing for prey either.

Good point.

In other news, I still can't find that dang picture.

[Melayl]

Just a quick question:

As I'm going through the stat block of my draft entry, I'm noticing that many creatures (particularly animals) have many more skill points than their Hit Die, Type, stats, and racial bonuses would give them.

Can someone explain this to me, please? Can we just give creatures more skill points and/or unexplained bonuses as we desire?