Converting Epic Level Creatures

[Shade]

U:
10-80 gems: 90%
5-30 jewelry: 80%
Maps or Magic Items: 1 of each magic excluding potions & scrolls: 70%

So a straight translation would probably look like no coins, triple goods, and probably quintuple items.

[demiurge1138]

...where does it keep them, though? I assume that this means that thunderbirds have lairs?

[freyar]

Tucked into its feathers of course!

Well, it does have a special rebirthing place, but I was thinking of items that it could use itself. Rings, a cloak, something like that. Or it could wear a bandolier. We could go with no treasure
if you have a strong feeling, but, if a dragon can use magic items, why can't the Thunder Bird?

[Shade]

Updated with flavor text.

If we want to let it use items (which makes sense, considering its vast horde and keen intellect), we shoudl shift some skill ranks to Use Magic Device. I'd recommend simply dropping Knowledge (geography) and transferring all those ranks to UMD.

I can't really picture it wearing a cape, but I could see it with rings and maybe a belt or bandolier, as freyar suggested.

Thoughts?

[freyar]

UMD is fine if we want it to use spell-trigger items; I wasn't necessarily suggesting that, though I can see it.

No idea what the gp value of this treasure should be. But maybe a ring of freedom of movement would be good. If it can afford it, a ring of spell turning would be nice, but I could see a pair of friend shielding rings (one for it, one for someone else). Maybe something like a rod of security or negation. Some kind of amulet? Something to help it banish creatures would be great, but I can't think of what would be good for that.

[demiurge1138]

Yeah! Use Magic Device!

[Shade]

Updated with UMD ranks and a few other suggestions above.

A giant eagle (L) weighs 500 pounds.
Giant owls have no listed weight.
Thunderbirds have no listed weight.
The phoenix has no listed weight.

Go with 500 pounds?

For languages, freyar suggested Auran, Common, Celestial, Draconic, Sylvan? Look good?

For CR, it's about on par with the CR 31 dream larva. Does that sound reasonable?

[demiurge1138]

The languages and CR sound reasonable.

[Shade]

Updated.

I like the idea of a ring of freedom of movement. How about also giving it an epic ring of ironskin (grants damage reduction 15/adamantine)?

Other suggestions:

bracers of armor +8
amulet of mighty fists +5 (so it can overcome DR/magic)
gem of seeing

[freyar]

I like the gem of seeing. How much of this stuff can it "afford"? Here's my priority order: ring of freedom of movement, gem of seeing, amulet of mighty fists, epic ring of ironskin, bracers of armor. If we're going with UMD, we should load it with some staves and wands, though they can be less expensive perhaps.

[Shade]

I can't find NPC wealth for epic levels, but a 31st-level starting PC gets 4,900,000 gp worth of gear.

An EL 31 encounter has an average value of 227,000 gp.

At EL 31, "No coins; triple goods; quintuple items" would equate to:
12d10 gems, 21d6 art, 5d4 medium magic items, 5d3 major magic items, plus more than 42 additional random major items!

Costs for the items above:
ring of freedom of movement = 40,000 gp
epic ring of ironskin = 400,000 gp
bracers of armor +8 = 64,000 gp
amulet of mighty fists +5 (so it can overcome DR/magic) = 150,000 gp
gem of seeing = 75,000 gp

The only other monster with gear I could find in a similar CR range, the CR 26 sample worm that walks carries the following gear: Scrolls of fireball (10th-level caster), greater teleport, acid fog, incendiary cloud, time stop, wail of the banshee, Bigby's clenched fist, horrid wilting, maze, summon monster IX; potions of cure serious wounds, alter self, haste, fly. Other magic gear: amulet of natural armor +2, bracers of armor +8, ring of protection +3, +4 staff, rod of absorption, gloves of Dexterity +4, headband of intellect +6, pink Ioun stone, wings of flying.

[freyar]

I hope that's 42 additional random minor items instead of major ones.

Ok, without looking up the worm-that-walks's gear prices, I think we can afford all we have so far and some. What if we say those 5 things and an assortment of wands and scrolls? We could add an Ioun stone, I guess, but that might be a tiny bit corny-looking.

[Shade]

Updated.

Let's skip scrolls, as I can't get past the image of a massive, thundercloud-surrounded hawk attempting to unroll one with its talons.

Wands, rods, and staves are a bit more believable. Do we want to list these items, or just state that it carries xdx random wands, rods, and staves?

[freyar]

Let's do xdx. 1d4 major wands, rods, & staves, 2d4 medium, and assorted minor? Do those numbers sound right?

[Shade]

Rather than saying "assorted minor", how about 1d6? It needn't carry it's whole hoard (or even a portion of it), so no sense bogging it down.

[freyar]

Go 2d6 or 3d6 while we're at it, and I think we're ok.

[Shade]

Updated. Finished?

[freyar]

Unless anyone else thinks of something, I'm happy with it.

[demiurge1138]

Check and check. I think we're done here.

[Shade]

Synergy time! Here's the guy the bauh-yin serve....

Black Leopard
Greater Spirit
Frequency: Unique
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: -1
Move: 12"/24"
Hit Dice: 25 (110 hit points)
% in Lair: Nil
Treasure Type: Nil
No. of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attack: 1-10 (claws), 1-12 (bite)
Special Attacks: see below
Special Defenses: see below
Magic Resistance: 50%
Intelligence: Godlike
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Size: L
Psionic Ability: None

Bauhei, the Black Leopard, is one of the old spirits who dates back to the ancient times before the Celestial Bureaucracy, before the time of the Nine Immortals. It is said that he ruled the broad waters of the Fenghsintzu River in a wise but powerful way, ruling from strength, as it was intended in those ancient, savage days.

With the triumph of the Celestial Bureaucracy, the Black Leopard lost much of his power, but remains a greater spirit whose name still commands respect and inspires fear. The Black Leopard appears either as a huge, well-muscled man with the head of a black leopard, or as a great black cat.

While the Black Leopard himself is "Unaligned and Free" (neutral and chaotic) in nature, his followers in Kara-Tur have often erred in their worship. At one point Black Leopard was held captive by his own priests, who in turn became corrupt on the power he granted them. The Shou Lung hero Tan Chin broke that power, and though his triumph weakened the Black Leopard, Bauhei was pleased because it also destroyed those who used his power to false ends.

The Black Leopard is still remembered among the common people of Fenghsintzu as a champion for the oppressed and one who resists the power of others. A large and growing secret society in his name is flourishing in the lands of T'u Lung, and though he lends aid as he sees fit, he does not meddle in the affairs of mortals as much as he once did with the priests.

Black Leopard creates awe in all who view him that are less than 4th level (no saving throw). In addition, Black Leopard has the following powers; shape change (to any other cat or catlike creature, at will); giant size, at will; teleport without error up to three times a day. He may also cast spells like a 10th level shukenja.

Black Leopard is one of the old spirits, worshipped long ago, but now remembered as little more than a folk tale, usually in a bad light, thanks to his former priests. He cares little for mortals but has a passing interest in the secret society that takes his name. He will be roused to action by those using his name in vain or using his old temples for evil activities.

Originally appeared in OA5 - Mad Monkey vs. the Dragon Claw (1988).