These pictures are begging for stats

[Shade]

The Earthquake Dragons Who Embody Planetary Catastrophe

I think we should create stats for at least the first one as a group project.

[freyar]

Those are great! I can think of a good project for those, too.

If you check a picture lower down, the first one seems to have a sonic breath weapon.

[Shade]

Indeed!

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Shade

The Earthquake Dragons Who Embody Planetary Catastrophe

I think we should create stats for at least the first one as a group project.

Well I'm game. There are fifty five of these Earthquake Dragons on the ArtOrder blogsite they originated from, so I wouldn't fancy converting all of them, but wouldn't mind doing a few. The tree-backed dragon is number 27 in ArtOrder's line up, credited to one Michael Jaecks.

So, first thing's first, what shall we call it.

The Forest Earthquake Dragon?

Next up, just to save out sanity, I propose it doesn't have age categories like a true dragon, and we should just stat up one version. It may even be a unique (?) creature, such as the Tarrasque.

Colossal Dragon (Earth) seems pretty obvious, but what of the rest of the stats...

EDIT: Come to think of it, the Tarrasque may be a good model. All that shrubbery growing out of the beast's back suggests it may spend long periods buried in the ground, until trees sprout out of its shoulders, then once every few centuries its bursts up and wreaks havoc.

So shall we take the SRD Tarrasque as a baseline and start modifying it? Say, give it a burrow speed, drop some of the immunities / hyperhealing, modify its attacks (maybe dropping the big T's Augmented Critical), add the ability to produce Earthquakes and tweak the ability scores.

Oh, and am I wrong in wanting the "Trees" to actually be prehensile limbs, used to snatch up prey too puny for its mighty claws.

[Nookie]

So shall we take the SRD Tarrasque as a baseline and start modifying it? Say, give it a burrow speed, drop some of the immunities / hyperhealing, modify its attacks (maybe dropping the big T's Augmented Critical), add the ability to produce Earthquakes and tweak the ability scores.

Or These things can be along the same lines as the tarrasque. Wasent the tarrasque its self rumored to have been made by the elmental princes. These monsters seem to be verry elemental in nature. These creatures could ust me more examples of a species of primal engines of destruction. Each withh similar traits but Its on uniqunes.

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Nookie

Or These things can be along the same lines as the tarrasque. Wasent the tarrasque its self rumored to have been made by the elmental princes. These monsters seem to be verry elemental in nature. These creatures could ust me more examples of a species of primal engines of destruction. Each withh similar traits but Its on uniqunes.

Yes, that's more or less what I was aiming for. A unique or one-per-world primal monstrosity.

Shall we start on a conversion?

Type & size seems pretty obviously Colossal Dragon (Earth).

Let's say 48 hit dice, same as the Tarrasque.

Now, what about ability scores?

A Tarrasque is Str 45, Dex 16, Con 35, Int 3, Wis 14, Cha 14.

A Colossal sized Great Wyrm Red Dragon is Str 45, Dex 10, Con 31, Int 26, Wis 27, Cha 26.

So, Str 45 seems right. I'd fancy averaging the Dex and Con to Dex 13, Con 33.

The mental abilities are trickier. Is this thing supersmart, an instinctive raging brute, or something in between? Regardless of its Int score, I fancy giving it a high Wisdom and Charisma, somewhere in the 20s.

The White Dragon is the dumbest SRD Chromatic, and a Great Wyrm White has Int 18, Wis 19, Cha 18. So, how about giving it a White's Wisdom, a Red's Charisma and average the White and Tarrasque's Intelligence?

Hold on, that would give it four odd-numbered stats. I'll bump the Wisdom up to 20.

That gives us Str 45, Dex 13, Con 33, Int 10, Wis 20, Cha 26

Does that seem about right?

[Nookie]

Hm those stats seem reasonable. Stats Might Slightly varry from critter to critter. what about other "In common" traits. I can see each haveing SR of some sort. Immunity to some types of energy. (Fire?, Acid?, Electricity?) ALso damage reduction to boot probably in the line of the tarrasque.

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Nookie

Hm those stats seem reasonable. Stats Might Slightly varry from critter to critter. what about other "In common" traits. I can see each haveing SR of some sort. Immunity to some types of energy. (Fire?, Acid?, Electricity?) ALso damage reduction to boot probably in the line of the tarrasque.

Well I'd be fine with spell resistance 32 (same as the Tarrasque and a Great Wyrm Red Dragon) plus immunity to fire, poison, disease, energy drain and ability damage like the tarrasque, plus a true dragon's immunity to paralysis and sleep effects.

I'd throw in the Tarrasque's 15/epic damage resistance, but I would leave out the Tarrasque's regeneration and carapace. Wouldn't want to make it mean, after all.

It should also have a true dragon's 60 foot Blindsense, Frightful Presence and Keen Senses as well.

[Shade]

I'd drop the immunity to fire (since trees tend to burn), and go with immunity to sonic (since the pictured breath weapon appears sonic).

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Shade

I'd drop the immunity to fire (since trees tend to burn), and go with immunity to sonic (since the pictured breath weapon appears sonic).

Sounds good, I'd add immunity to earth attacks.

I'm also wondering about giving it Tremorsense instead of or as well as Blindsense, since I imagine it spends most of its time underground, sleeping and occasionally causing earthquakes.

Anyhow, I think we've got enough to start statting it up. I'll do a write-up as my next post and edit it as we decide on changes.

Now, should it have any spells or SLAs? I fancy going mostly Supernatural powers.

[Cleon]

Earthquake Dragon, Forest
Colossal Dragon (Earth)
Hit Dice: 48d12+35 (62 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: ft. ( squares), burrow ft.
Armor Class: (-8 size, +1 Dex, + natural), touch , flat-footed
Base Attack/Grapple: +48/+73
Attack: Claw + melee ()
Full Attack: bite + melee (4d8+17) and 2 claws + melee (4d6+8) and 2 trees + melee (2d8+8) and tail slap + melee (4d6+25)
Space/Reach: 30 ft./ 20 ft. (30 ft. with bite, 40 ft. with trees)
Special Attacks: breath weapon, crush 4d8+25, earthquake, frightful presence, shockwave, tail sweep 2d8+25
Special Qualities: Blindsense 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft., damage resistance 15/epic, keen senses, immunities (ability damage, disease, earth effects, energy drain, paralysis, poison, sleep and sonic damage), tremorsense 60 ft., scent, spell resistance 32
Saves: Fort +, Ref +, Will +
Abilities: Str 45, Dex 13, Con 33, Int 10, Wis 20, Cha 26
Skills: 408 (51 times 8)
Feats: 17 (7 regular plus 10 epic)
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating:
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement:
Level Adjustment: —

Description



Combat


Breath Weapon (Su): As a standard action, a forest earthquake dragon can breathe a 120 foot cone of destructive resonance which does 24d10 sonic damage, halved with a successful DC45 Reflex save. Once the dragon breathes, it can not breathe again until 1d4 rounds later.

The save DC is Constitution-based.

Earthquake (Su): Once a day a forest earthquake dragon can create a devastating earthquake. This has effects similar to an earthquake spell, but it affects a 240 ft. spread within a range of 1360 feet, does twice the damage of the spell (200 hit points to structures, or 16d6 to creatures hit by a collapse) and the Reflex DCs to avoid its effects is 42. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Note that despite its similarity to an earthquake spell this is a supernatural effect, not a spell-like ability.

Frightful Presence (Su): A forest earthquake dragon can unsettle creatures with its sheer terrifying presence. Whenever the dragon attacks, charges or roars all creatures within 360 feet of a forest earthquake dragon that have less Hit Dice than the dragon must make a Will save against DC42. Those Save DC is Charisma-based. Those that succeed are immune to the dragon's frightful presence for 24 hours, those that fail are panicked for 4d6 rounds if they have 4 or fewer Hit Dice, or shaken for 4d6 rounds if they have 5 or more Hit Dice. Other dragons are immune to Frightful Presence.

The save DC is Charisma-based.

Shockwave (Su): By slamming part of its body upon the ground a forest earthquake dragon can produce a 40 ft. spread of devastating vibrations that does 10d6 sonic damage, or 20d6 against brittle or crystalline objects. The Shockwave's spread can extend from an intersection anywhere in the space occupied by the dragon. The Shockwave also causes creatures to be stunned for 1 round and deafened for 4d6 rounds. A creature in the area of the Shockwave can negate the stunning and halve both the damage and the duration of the deafness with a successful DC42 Fortitude save. Any creature struck by a Shockwave while standing on the same ground as the Earthquake Dragon must also make a DC42 Reflex save or fall prone.

A forest earthquake dragon produces a Shockwave with a move action, during which time it can move normally using its land or burrow speed. It can produce the shockwave at any point on its journey.

Three times per day, a forest earthquake dragon can produce a Shockwave as a free action. It can make a regular move-action Shockwave to produce two Shockwaves in the same round.

The save DC is Charisma-based.

Tail-Sweep (Ex): 2d8+25 damage within a 40 foot semicircle from any intersection on the edge of the forest earthquake dragon's space. Reflex DC45 for half damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Skills

[Cleon]

OK, how about these for its primary supernatural attacks? The Shockwave is a modified greater shout, by the way.

I'm a bit worried that the DC of its Earthquake power is a bit high, especially the Reflex check to avoid being fatally crushed by a crevice. But then it is supposed to be a personification of a natural cataclysm.

Breath Weapon (Su): As a standard action, a forest earthquake dragon can breathe a 120 foot cone of destructive resonance which does 24d10 sonic damage, halved with a successful DC45 Reflex save. Once the dragon breathes, it can not breathe again until 1d4 rounds later.

The save DC is Constitution-based.

Earthquake (Su): Once a day a forest earthquake dragon can create a devastating earthquake. This has effects similar to an earthquake spell, but it affects a 240 ft. spread within a range of 1360 feet, does twice the damage of the spell (200 hit points to structures, or 16d6 to creatures hit by a collapse) and the Reflex DCs to avoid its effects is 42. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Note that despite its similarity to an earthquake spell this is a supernatural effect, not a spell-like ability.

Shockwave (Su): By slamming part of its body upon the ground a forest earthquake dragon can produce a 40 ft. spread of devastating vibrations that does 10d6 sonic damage, or 20d6 against brittle or crystalline objects. The Shockwave's spread can extend from an intersection anywhere in the space occupied by the dragon. The Shockwave also causes creatures to be stunned for 1 round and deafened for 4d6 rounds. A creature in the area of the Shockwave can negate the stunning and halve both the damage and the duration of the deafness with a successful DC42 Fortitude save. Any creature struck by a Shockwave while standing on the same ground as the Earthquake Dragon must also make a DC42 Reflex save or fall prone.

A forest earthquake dragon produces a Shockwave with a move action, during which time it can move normally using its land or burrow speed. It can produce the shockwave at any point on its journey.

Three times per day, a forest earthquake dragon can produce a Shockwave as a free action. It can make a regular move-action Shockwave to produce two Shockwaves in the same round.

The save DC is Charisma-based.

[Nookie]

Okeidokey.. That looks great. I wouldent mind these crittes haveing a unique sort of defence mechanisim. Like the Tarrasques reflectiv carapace. Also sense it unique shold it have a Name?

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Nookie

Okeidokey.. That looks great. I wouldent mind these crittes haveing a unique sort of defence mechanisim. Like the Tarrasques reflectiv carapace. Also sense it unique shold it have a Name?

OK, I'll stick them in the rough stats.

As to a unique defence mechanism, I'm not sure what to do. They've already got immunity to the penalties of all Earth-based effects so they can summon an earthquake around themselves without harm. Maybe give them an Elemental's immunities since they are personifications of Earthquakes? That doesn't sound very "unique" though.

[Shade]

Originally Posted by Nookie

Okeidokey.. That looks great. I wouldent mind these crittes haveing a unique sort of defence mechanisim. Like the Tarrasques reflectiv carapace. Also sense it unique shold it have a Name?

It might be fun to call them all simply "The Earthquake Dragon", sowing confusion among the world as nature strikes back. Just when you think you've stopped it...there are more.

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Shade

It might be fun to call them all simply "The Earthquake Dragon", sowing confusion among the world as nature strikes back. Just when you think you've stopped it...there are more.

How about there's a legend they're all the same immortal Earthquake Dragon which changes its form every once in a while. If you "kill" the Forest Earthquake Dragon, it just reincarnates with different attributes...

[Shade]

Nature can be so cruel.

[Nookie]

Heh i like the reincarnation thing. Maybe make a small article about how its stats chance when it reinecarnates. Also how long between rez cycles. GM judgment call or XDX Months?

[Cleon]

Originally Posted by Nookie

Heh i like the reincarnation thing. Maybe make a small article about how its stats chance when it reinecarnates.

Well I was thinking if we stat up the other Earthquake Dragons then it would just randomly reincarnate as one of them, maybe the same as its previous body, and each form has different Supernatural abilities, e.g.:

Sandstorm Earthquake Dragon - Blasts all away before it.
Magma Earthquake Dragon - creates Volcanic Eruptions.
Avalanche Earthquake Dragon - Tears along just above the ground, crushing everything beneath it.
Firestorm Earthquake Dragon - Radiates infernal heat as it flies overhead, consuming whole forests.

Hmm, what other natural Cataclysms are there? Tidal waves are an obvious one, or massive releases of poisonous subterranean vapours or mudslides, giving us.

Tsunami Earthquake Dragon (I prefer this one but this one with the flippers would do to)
Miasma Earthquake Dragon (plenty of the dragons look rather unwholesome, such as this one with the sickly-coloured wings, this nasty looking fellow or this one with the green glow).

Speaking of green glows, maybe we need a Radioactive Earthquake Dragon

Oh, and there's also the possibility of a Mudslide Earthquake Dragon but
I can't see any of the ArtOrder pictures that would be a good fit.

Originally Posted by Nookie

Also how long between rez cycles. GM judgment call or XDX Months?

As for time period, I was thinking DMs discretion. It may come back within days or millenia, or when awakened by the powerful ritual the PCs are supposed to stop the bad guys casting!

[Clifford]

Hey why did this thread stop?