Converting monsters from Dragon magazine (Part Two)

[Shade]

Part Two.

Original thread closed due to exceeding 1,000 post count.

 

[Shade]

Let's get this one out of the way while centaurs are still fresh in our mind.

CENTAUR, SEA
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVE: //24"
HIT DICE: 5
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: See below
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 weapon
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon type
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Spells
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Spells
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 5%
INTELLIGENCE: Average to exceptional
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic good
SIZE: L (12-15' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: V/245 + 5/hp

These aquatic creatures appear to be a cross between a triton and a hippocampus. They are found in any area where either of the other two creatures might be found.

Sea centaurs usually gather in small, nomadic families, but occasionally may be found amongst a group of tritons. Tritons feel superior to the sea centaurs because of the latter's lesser abilities (e.g., lower magic resistance, lack of psionic ability, etc.); tritons sometimes use sea centaurs as mounts if the latter are agreeable.

For the most part, sea centaurs have no treasure (except for an occasional piece of jewelry), although 10% of them have acquired tritons' magic conch shells. When used by sea centaurs, these shells summon 2-8 hippocampi; they can also be used to send messages underwater within a halfmile radius.

There is a 10% chance that any sea centaur has the ability to cast spells as a 1st-4th level druid. All sea centaurs speak triton and hippocampus, and 25% of them also speak common. They say little about the deity they worship, but it is assumed to be the same one as worshiped by the tritons (i.e., Triton).

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #116 (1986).

 

[Shade]

Compare to 2e standard centaur stats...

CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate forest
FREQUENCY: Rare
ORGANIZATION: Tribal
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Omnivorous
INTELLIGENCE: Low to average (5-10)
TREASURE: M, Q (D, I, T)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral or chaotic good
NO. APPEARING: 1-8
ARMOR CLASS: 5 (4)
MOVEMENT: 18
HIT DICE: 4
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-6 and weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L(8'-9' tall)
MORALE: Elite (13-14)
XP VALUE: 175
Centaur leader 270
Centaur priest 420

Centaur: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 11, +3 natural
Hippocampus: Str 16, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 8, +3 natural
Triton: Str 12, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 11, +6 natural

Average to Exceptional translates to Int 8-16.

AC = 15 with no armor suggested.

How about: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 11, +4 natural (to go with +2 Dex and -1 size)?

 

[RavinRay]

Would it be feasible to adapt the tauric template to the triton and hippocampus (Stormwrack, not Arms and Equipment Guide) to come up with sea centaur? It gets the Str, Dex and Con of the hippocampus and the Int, Wis and Cha of the triton.

 

[Shade]

The template would give it Str 16, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 11 and +6 natural armor.

Or Str +6, Dex +4, Con +6, Int +2, Wis +2.

Compared with typical centaur's Str +8, Dexterity +4, Constitution +4, Intelligence -2, Wisdom +2.

So basically it would trade some Str and Con for greater Wisdom. I could live with that.

 

[freyar]

Sounds fine to me. Monstrous humanoid (aquatic), btw?

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

I went with the standard triton weapons (trident and heavy crossbow).

Skills: 24
Hippocampus has Listen and Spot
Triton has Craft (any one), Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Ride, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival

Feats: 2
Hippocampus has Alertness, Iron Will
Triton has Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack

Organization:: Solitary, family (2–3), or x (x plus x tritons)
Tritons are Company (2–5), squad (6–11), or band (20–80)

Challenge Rating: 4? (Standard 4HD centaur is CR 3)

For the most part, sea centaurs have no treasure (except for an occasional piece of jewelry), although 10% of them have acquired tritons' magic conch shells. When used by sea centaurs, these shells summon 2-8 hippocampi; they can also be used to send messages underwater within a halfmile radius.

Treasure: No coins; standard goods (jewelry only); standard items?

Tritons no longer have these conch shells. We could make them, though.

There is a 10% chance that any sea centaur has the ability to cast spells as a 1st-4th level druid.

Favored class: druid?

A sea centaur is 12 to 15 feet long and weighs about x pounds.

 

[freyar]

For skills, let's go with Listen, Spot, and Survival at 8 ranks (we can siphon some off if you want).

Feats: I'd stick with the hippocampus ones, Alertness & Iron Will.

The rest sounds good. I don't see a real need for the conch shells. No good idea for the weight at the moment.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Let's just go with 2,400 pounds (slightly heavier than a standard centaur).

Anyone know the domains for Triton (the god, not the creature)?

Bonus Languages: Draconic, Elven (for aquatic elves), Sahuagin?

 

[freyar]

No idea about the domains, though Water is an obvious one. The bonus languages look good.