GITP Monster Competition Chat Thread III

[Morph Bark]

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+2


+8 melee
(BAB 6 + Size mod +1 + Str mod +1)


Not Constitution modifier? I know it doesn't have one, but saying it gets a +4 bonus or so would help it out. Just not sure Charisma really comes into it, the effect being a physical property of the plant.


I'd add to that: This stacks with the bonus granted by Improved Grapple.


Strength or Escape Artist


What defines 'viable'? Have some more questions once I know that.


All in all this is a really cool, if somewhat situational creature. Knotting and Vine web get my thumb's up for pretty unique abilities, and Vulnerability to Force isn't very often seen either.

Forgot the size modifier on the attack, thanks for catching that.

The "Strength of Escape Artist" was a d'oh moment, since "of" means "or" in my native tongue.

A viable body would be the kind of plant the hollow haunter belongs to. Like the pumpkin (or other quashes) example given in the fluff text. I'm not sure how to word that better... in an awkward and unique case like this, my capability for wording things right takes a confusing turn.

If you have more questions, I'd be glad to answer them.


EDIT: Forgot to comment on the Con/Cha thing... I thought Cha might work better since it is due to the ghostly essence part that it gets that effect. I'll specify that in the ability.

[Debihuman]

Bloodsplitter -- I just noticed that the attack lines seem off. Are both attacks primary attacks? If not, you only list the creature's primary attack in the Attack line. Normally, secondary attacks remain secondary even if they are used as primary attack. Because the creature has 2 attacks it doesn't get 1+1/2 Str damage.

Debby

[SlaadLord]

Vorpal, would you terribly mind giving me a public review?

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Vorpal, would you terribly mind giving me a public review?

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Frightful Presence (Ex): Whenever a Llwynof moves, attacks or uses its Germinate ability, all creatures within 30 feet with less than 6 Hit Dice that witness the event must succeed on a Will Save (DC 16) or become shaken for 5d6 rounds. A creature that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to that same horrorvine's frightful presence for 24 hours.

Just need to add: The save DC is Charisma-based with +2 bonus from Ability Focus.

Emotive Subversion (Su): Whenever a morale effect meant to provide a morale bonus is used within 150 feet of a living Llwynof, it instead applies a morale penalty unless the user succeeds at a Charisma check (DC 14).

As above, minus +2 bonus bit.


Very, very interesting creature. The abilities are great and will truly mess with a group who think 'ah ha, I will cast against the fear!'. Gehenna should be crawling with jungles of fiendish version that have to be cut back as they invade on cities and prisons and such. Can also imagine some dictator keeping one in a pot to see how it reacts and thus how much he is intimidating his opponents.

I might just use these in a game of mine if you don't mind...

[fangthane]

I just took a look and I agree with Tribble as far as emotive subversion being an absolute gem of a trait. Hose the clerics a bit without really affecting bards much at all. :)

And here I thought I had a pretty nifty plant specced out.

[The Glyphstone]

I guess since it has to be requested, your thoughts on my submission VT?

[unosarta]

Bloodsplitter -- I just noticed that the attack lines seem off. Are both attacks primary attacks? If not, you only list the creature's primary attack in the Attack line. Normally, secondary attacks remain secondary even if they are used as primary attack. Because the creature has 2 attacks it doesn't get 1+1/2 Str damage.

Debby

No, only the bite is. Really? Huh, I never knew that.
I will change it.

[SlaadLord]

I might just use these in a game of mine if you don't mind...

I'd be honored. Other changes made.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

I guess since it has to be requested, your thoughts on my submission VT?

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Suggestions:

Hit Dice: 9d8+45 (81 HP)

4.5 x 9 + 45 = 85 HP

Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+19

Grapple would be 15 unless I missed another modifier somewhere:
BAB 6 + Str mod 5 + Tendril hooks 4 = 15

Attack: Slam +12 melee (1d8+5)
Full Attack: Slam +12 melee (1d8+5)

(1d8+7)
Since it only has a single attack, its slam deals 1 1/2 str mod.

Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Constrict, Tendril Hooks, Drag Beneath
Special Qualities: Plant Traits, Tremorsense 100ft. Immunities, earth glide

Nitpick, but alphabetically is standard.

Environment: Temperate

Environment: Any temperate land

Creatures aboveground may attempt to start digging the buried creature free. Eight total full-round actions from Medium creatures can partly expose the graveroot and its victim, enough that line of effect is granted to both, though the graveroot has improved cover from any attackers other than its victim.

This I'm wondering about, with earth glide it can disappear for a thousand feet if it wants. What keeps it so near the surface?


Aside from that, it's certainly a deadly enough creature, though it seems a pretty one trick pony. Assuming they survive the first round, its pretty unlikely either will be able to harm the other. It'll hide underground, and if it comes back out pretty much any 8th leveler will take it out.

It's sort of like a ghost, but can pull you into the wall. Once you know its waiting in the wall, you can take precautions.

I'm thinking either lower the HD and CR, or give it something to spice it up.

[The Glyphstone]

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Suggestions:

4.5 x 9 + 45 = 85 HP

Werps.

Grapple would be 15 unless I missed another modifier somewhere:
BAB 6 + Str mod 5 + Tendril hooks 4 = 15

It had the Improved Grapple feat at one point, I must have deleted it. I'll crank up the Tendril Hooks bonus to +8 then, since it's intended grapple mod is to be matched against lvl8 characters.

(1d8+7)
Since it only has a single attack, its slam deals 1 1/2 str mod.

Werps werps.

Nitpick, but alphabetically is standard.

Environment: Any temperate land

Noted.

This I'm wondering about, with earth glide it can disappear for a thousand feet if it wants. What keeps it so near the surface?

Mainly, because if it could move while dragging, the ability would be instant death for whoever got grappled. I was thinking a justification that it temporarily loses Earth Glide while 'granting' it to another creature, but I don't know how far that'd fly.

Aside from that, it's certainly a deadly enough creature, though it seems a pretty one trick pony. Assuming they survive the first round, its pretty unlikely either will be able to harm the other. It'll hide underground, and if it comes back out pretty much any 8th leveler will take it out.

It's sort of like a ghost, but can pull you into the wall. Once you know its waiting in the wall, you can take precautions.

I'm thinking either lower the HD and CR, or give it something to spice it up.
Well, it's really hard to actually attack because of being underground, and note that it can strike at people while still buried and drag them underneath. Any 8th leveler can kill it if they manage to catch it aboveground and prevent it from retreating, but until they do manage to figure out a way to uproot it, it can just keep constantly harrassing them from 5ft. underground with its total cover until it gets a meal, gets bored, or their readied actions do enough damage to drive it away.

[UserShadow7989]

I think this is my first time entering a Monster Competition. I just couldn't resist the theme, since I love the vicious plant style horror movie deal. I ended up making a creature ala Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Doubt I'll fair well, but it was fun to do.

I'm pretty sure I messed something up here, though. In the stat block, I was trying to note that the Tentacle attack has a reach of 40 ft. while the monster's bite only has the normal 10 ft. reach. I don't think I wrote it right, but don't know how else to convey it.

If I could get a public review, it'd make my day. Monsters have always been my worst homebrew (though I guess living servants are alright), so I'm looking for ways to improve.

[The Dark Fiddler]

If I could get a public review, it'd make my day. Monsters have always been my worst homebrew (though I guess living servants are alright), so I'm looking for ways to improve.

The story that goes with it creeps me out and I hate you for it.

[UserShadow7989]

The story that goes with it creeps me out and I hate you for it.

Yeah, I figured that a Halloween contest entry deserves a creepy story. Actually, scary would be better, but since I can't pull that off (especially without making the story longer then the rest of the entry), I settled for that.

Edit: Corrected a whole slew of spelling errors. Should I add a change log at the end under a spoiler tag?

Edit 2: Added a new plot hook.

Edit 3: More typo's, and fixed a line under improved grab that mentioned a non-existent 'constrict' to refer to 'reel in' instead.

Edit 4: Question: When requesting a review, do you have to specify a person you wish to receive it from, or can you just say "Anyone who wants to review this, please do"?

Edit 5: I guess I have to request it from someone in specific. Vorpal Tribble, can you give me some advice? Point out all the horrendous flaws so I can correct them?

[Debihuman]

I hate to withdraw from this contest before I've even started. Unfortunately, my mother has been hospitalized for some time now and her long-term prognosis is rather grim. I'll continue to critique the contests as much as possible but my time here will be limited.

Thanks,
Debby

[unosarta]

I hate to withdraw from this contest before I've even started. Unfortunately, my mother has been hospitalized for some time now and her long-term prognosis is rather grim. I'll continue to critique the contests as much as possible but my time here will be limited.

Thanks,
Debby

I hope your mother gets better!

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Same here. Do what needs to be done, Debi. Hope she makes a comeback.

[LOTRfan]

I'm so sorry, Debi. I hope she recovers.

[UserShadow7989]

I hope your mother recovers fully, Debi. Best of luck.

[Morph Bark]

Ouch, that's rough.

Hope things will fare better for her soon enough.

[UserShadow7989]

Vorpal Tribble, I was wondering if you could give me a public review of my Rebirth Cauldron. I'm sorry for the late request, but I didn't want to double post or be a bother.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Vorpal Tribble, I was wondering if you could give me a public review of my Rebirth Cauldron. I'm sorry for the late request, but I didn't want to double post or be a bother.

Gimme a day or two and I'll have that to ya.

[UserShadow7989]

Gimme a day or two and I'll have that to ya.

Thanks, sorry for the trouble.

[Debihuman]

Thanks for support from everyone. I do appreciate it.

Good gaming!

Debby

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Vorpal Tribble, I was wondering if you could give me a public review of my Rebirth Cauldron. I'm sorry for the late request, but I didn't want to double post or be a bother.

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Bite +11 melee (2d6+6)

Secondary attacks deal only half damage, so 2d6+3.

It understands Silvan and Druidic.

Sylvan

When a non-Plant creature is within 150 ft. of the rebirth cauldron and not within a grapple or enemy creature's threatened square, it must make a will save (DC 21) each round or be forced to move half their movement rate towards the rebirth cauldron.

What stat is the save based off of?

Usually scent-based abilities are fortitude, at which point the Aramoa save would be DC 25 (10 + half HD 8 + con mod 5 + ability focus 2)

Either way, need to add this to the end: The save DCs are <ability> based.

That way anyone advancing it will know how to scale it up.

The creature has a sort of link between itself and the rebirth cauldron. It always knows where the rebirth cauldron is, its condition, and what it wants them to do. The rebirth cauldron can communicate telepathically with the creature, and can send commands over the link.

What is the limit to this link? Can it work over planar boundaries?

When the rebirth cauldron or the creature is killed, the link between the two is permanently broken. The link's permanent destruction, such as through death or other means, deals 1d3 intelligence drain and returns the creature's alignment to normal. Abilities lost from the alignment change are returned, and the creature regains its own will and old personality. However, all other changes remain in place.

That is... very interesting. I'm just wondering about someone enslaving this flower to resurrect anyone they wish and then killing the flower. Certainly an interesting plot hook.


I like this fellow here, as it has much more potential than a yellow musk creeper, but I want to hear more about its reasons for ruling the world. It is reasonably intelligent, so it'd probably have its servants build it a strong hold or some such. It's so slow I doubt it'd ever put itself in position to be surrounded, which means hiding or blockading itself.

Just think it needs a bit more fluff about its intentions and strategies. Being a plant, would probably be quite different than us meat creatures.

[The Dark Fiddler]

I hate to withdraw from this contest before I've even started. Unfortunately, my mother has been hospitalized for some time now and her long-term prognosis is rather grim. I'll continue to critique the contests as much as possible but my time here will be limited.

Thanks,
Debby

Sorry I'm a bit late with this, but I wish you and your mother the best of luck.

[UserShadow7989]

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Secondary attacks deal only half damage, so 2d6+3.


Sylvan


What stat is the save based off of?

Usually scent-based abilities are fortitude, at which point the Aramoa save would be DC 25 (10 + half HD 8 + con mod 5 + ability focus 2)

Either way, need to add this to the end: The save DCs are <ability> based.

That way anyone advancing it will know how to scale it up.


What is the limit to this link? Can it work over planar boundaries?


That is... very interesting. I'm just wondering about someone enslaving this flower to resurrect anyone they wish and then killing the flower. Certainly an interesting plot hook.


I like this fellow here, as it has much more potential than a yellow musk creeper, but I want to hear more about its reasons for ruling the world. It is reasonably intelligent, so it'd probably have its servants build it a strong hold or some such. It's so slow I doubt it'd ever put itself in position to be surrounded, which means hiding or blockading itself.

Just think it needs a bit more fluff about its intentions and strategies. Being a plant, would probably be quite different than us meat creatures.

Thank you. I've fixed the crunch/spelling, expanded upon the fluff, and added a new plot hook based on that idea. Of course, anyone attempting to enslave a rebirth cauldron for that purpose needs to be really careful, since all the soldiers will be loyal to the flower before them until they kill it.

[Bhu]

Mass hugs for Debbies!

[GreatWyrmGold]

Would someone (if a specific person is required, I'd like to ask The Vorpal Tribble) mind reviewing my deathroses, please?

EDIT:

I hate to withdraw from this contest before I've even started. Unfortunately, my mother has been hospitalized for some time now and her long-term prognosis is rather grim. I'll continue to critique the contests as much as possible but my time here will be limited.

Thanks,
Debby

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope the doctors were just being pessimistic and that your mother will get better, and I'd be fine with you not critiquing at all-or even visiting this website at all, if it gets in the way. Family first, gaming later.

[Debihuman]

Thanks again for all the good wishes for my mom. Being able to help other people with their monsters has been a good diversion for me during this time and I will continue to do so as my time allows.

Debby

[Sir Shadow]

Aye, hope all goes well debi :(

Even though I'm not done with the fluff, I wouldn't mind someone looking over the crunch of the Great Pumpkin. That for the most part should be done.