Creature Catalog new 3.5 conversions

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Special Conversion Thread: Finishing off the oozes

Arucha
Medium Ooze (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 4d10+16 (38 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 5 ft. (1 square)
Armor Class: 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5
Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d4+2 plus paralysis)
Full Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d4+2 plus paralysis)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. (10 ft. with slam)
Special Attacks: Adhesive, create spawn, engulf, explosive acid, paralysis
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., damage reduction 5/magic, immunity to cold, ooze traits, reclaim life, spell resistance 20, vulnerability to fire
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +1
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 10, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 15
Skills: Spot +10
Feats: Blind-Fight, Skill Focus (Spot)
Environment: Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo
Organization: Solitary or sea (10-1000)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: See text
Alignment: Always chaotic neutral
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Medium); 9-13 HD (Large); 14-17 HD (Huge); 18-30 HD (Gargantuan); 31+ (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: -

A formless blob of rotting, yellow flesh ambles forward slowly. Hundreds of tiny red parasites crawl along the ooze's surface, greedily slurping up excreted fluid. A trail of glistening slime is left in the creature's wake.

Aruchai are extraplanar oozes native to the Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo. Rumored to have been created by chaotic gods for their own amusement, these creatures have retained a semblance of sentience and spend their entire existences attempting to escape Limbo.

Various names have been attributed to aruchai, including "fleische kleckse", "blobs of flesh", and "sea of flesh." The latter label can be attributed to their ability to meld and flow together into Aruchai-Kamoit — a massive arucha that resembles a sea of writhing flesh.

Aruchai endlessly wander Limbo, searching for creatures to take their place. They never stop moving, merely slowing down at times to absorb food.

Aruchai of Huge size or larger are formed when numerous smaller aruchai merge. These massive seas of flesh are known as Aruchai-Kamoit. As a composite of several aruchai, an aruchai-kamoit must create a number of spawn before it may use its reclaim life ability. A Huge aruchai-kamoit must create 10 spawn, a Gargantuan aruchai-kamoit must spawn 100, and a Colossal aruchai-kamoit must create 1,000 spawn. Upon creating this amount of spawn, a successful use of the reclaim life ability returns an equal number of aruchai to their past lives.

An arucha is usually about 4 feet in diameter and a thickness of about 10 inches. A typical specimen weighs about 200 pounds.

COMBAT

Aruchai reach out with shapeless "fingers" to slam opponents and attempt to render them paralyzed.

Adhesive (Ex): An arucha exudes a sticky slime that holds fast any creature or item touching it. It automatically grapples any creature it hits with its slam attack. Opponents so grappled cannot get free while the ooze is alive. The ooze makes one additional slam attack each round against any creature stuck to it.

A weapon that strikes an arucha sticks fast unless the wielder makes a DC 20 Reflex save. A successful DC 20 Strength check is needed to pry it off. The save and check DCs are both Constitution-based and include a +4 racial bonus.

The adhesive can be weakened by alcohol, but even in such a case the ooze gets a +4 bonus on grapple checks (for a total bonus of +9). The substance breaks down 5 rounds after the ooze dies.

Create Spawn (Su): The corpse of a living creature slain by an arucha begins to rapidly decompose into a sac of flesh and goo. If not restored to life within 24 hours, the corpse arises as a free-willed arucha. A gentle repose spell has no effect, but dispel chaos cast upon the corpse prevents the transformation (but does not restore the victim to life). During this 24 hour period, the arucha lies dormant.

Engulf (Ex): Although it moves slowly, an arucha can simply mow down Medium or smaller creatures as a standard action. It cannot make a slam attack during a round in which it engulfs. The arucha merely has to move over the opponents, affecting as many as it can cover. Opponents can make opportunity attacks against the arucha, but if they do so they are not entitled to a saving throw. Those who do not attempt attacks of opportunity must succeed on a DC 18 Reflex save or be engulfed; on a success, they are pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the arucha moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to the arucha's paralysis and acid, and are considered to be grappled and trapped within its body. The save DC is Strength-based and includes a +4 racial bonus.

Explosive Acid (Ex): Any wooden or metallic object or creature that remains in full-round contact with an arucha's adhesive takes 5 points of acid damage per round from the adhesive. Objects reduced to 0 hp explode as a flask of alchemical acid, dealing 1d6 points of acid damage to any creature or object in the same space and 1 hp to adjacent creatures or objects. An arucha's acid has no effect on stone.

Paralysis (Ex): An aruchai secretes an anesthetizing slime. A target hit by an aruchai's melee or engulf attack must succeed on a DC 16Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 3d6 rounds. The aruchai can automatically engulf a paralyzed opponent. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Reclaim Life (Su): When an arucha successfully creates spawn (see above), it is immediately transferred to the home plane of its victim and is restored to the creature it was prior to becoming an arucha (if the original creature type is not known, the DM may either choose a creature or determine one randomly). The creature's alignment becomes Chaotic Neutral if it isn't already. Nothing short of a wish or miracle may restore the creature's original alignment.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #47 (1981).

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Special Conversion Thread: Finishing off giants and their kin

Birch Tree Spirit
Medium Fey
Hit Dice: 5d6 (17 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: Fly 10 ft. (2 squares)(perfect)
Armor Class: 19 (+6 Dex, +3 deflection), touch 19, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/-
Attack: Touch +8 melee (touch of insanity)
Full Attack: Touch +8 melee (touch of insanity)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Touch of insanity
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/magic or silver, gaseous form, hierophobia, immunity to magic, low-light vision, wood bond
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +4
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 22, Con 10, Int 5, Wis 11, Cha 17
Skills: Hide +14, Move Silently +14, Spot +8
Feats: Ability Focus (touch of insanity), Great Fortitude, Weapon Finesse (B)
Environment: Any forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral, often evil
Advancement: 6-15 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: -

An amorphous white cloud billows between the trees. A faint smell of new, green wood accompanies its passage.

Birch tree spirits are amorphous fey that are bound to wooden objects or trees. They fear druids and other wielders of natural magic, who often bind them into service as guardians.

A birch tree spirit is 5 to 6 feet in diameter and weightless.

Birch tree spirits cannot speak, but understand Sylvan and Druidic.

Combat

Birch tree spirits form cloudy pseudopods with which to touch enemies. The touch of a birch tree spirit can drive a creature insane.

Gaseous Form (Ex): A birch tree spirit's insubstantial form grants it immunity to critical hits. A birch tree spirit cannot run, but it can fly (slowly), and it is subject to winds. It cannot wear armor, manipulate solid objects, or enter water or other liquids. It can pass through small holes or narrow openings--even mere cracks. It also can occupy squares occupied by enemies.

Hierophobia (Ex): As part of the ritual that summons a birch tree spirit and binds it into its tree, it is infused with an unnatural fear of anyone who can wield natural magic. Birch tree sprits fear druids, rangers and clerics with the Plant domain. However, they have no special ability to detect natural magic and only show their fear when a spellcaster does something that draws attention to their ability. After a birch tree spirit becomes aware of a spellcaster with such spells they immediately retreat into their bonded tree or wooden object.

Immunity to Magic (Ex): A birch tree spirit is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance, except as follows. When the birch tree spirit has retreated into its bonded object, it takes 1d4 points of damage per caster level from a warp wood spell. Birch tree spirits may be bound into service by a druid or cleric with the Plant domain using command plants or control plants.

Touch of Insanity (Su): A victim touched by a birch tree spirit must succeed on a DC 17 Will save or become permanently insane (as the insanity spell). The victim develops a white, leaf-shaped mark upon his or her forehead. In addition to the usual means of curing the insanity spell, remove curse or similar magic removes both the insanity and the mark. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Wood Bond (Su): Each birch tree spirit is mystically bound to a single tree or wooden object. It must never stray more than 10 feet from it. Any who do become ill and die within 4d6 hours. A birch tree spirit's bonded object or tree does not radiate magic.

A birch tree spirit can retreat into its bonded object by simply moving into the same space. While within its bonded object, a birch tree spirit loses its damage reduction and Dexterity bonus to AC, but gains hardness 5 and vulnerability to fire (+50% damage).

Originally appeared in Imagine Magazine #17 (1984).

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Dinosaur, Camptosaurus
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 3d8+9 (22 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 50 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +4 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+9
Attack: Tail slap +0 melee* (1d6+1)
Full Attack: Tail slap +0 melee* (1d6+1)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Stampede
Special Qualities: Keen scent, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +0
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 1, Wis 9, Cha 4
Skills: Jump +11, Listen +4, Spot +4
Feats: Alertness, Run
Environment: Warm and temperate forests and hills
Organization: Pair or herd (6-36)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 4-9 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: -


This thin bipedal creature has a long tail, and S-shaped neck attached to a long head with a parrot-like beak.

Camptosaurs are particularly stupid and skittish herbivorous dinosaurs.

A camptosaurus is usually around 20 feet long, with about a third of that being tail. They are brightly colored, with stripes and wattles being used by the males to attract mates. This, combined with their dull minds, might have led them to extinction if not for two things-they are quite fast, and their sense of smell is incredibly acute. They have been known to live in herds amongst brachiosaurs or camarasaurs: the sauropod’s long necks and keen eyes and the camptosaur’s sensitive noses compliment one another and keep the herds aware of most dangers.

COMBAT

Camptosaurs always flee from combat, but they will lash out with their tails if cornered or knocked down.

*A camptosaurus's tail slap is treated as a secondary attack and adds only half the camptosaurus's Strength bonus to the damage roll.

Keen Scent (Ex): A camptosaurus can detect creature through scent up to 60 feet away.

Stampede (Ex): A frightened herd of camptosaurs flees as a group from a perceived danger, literally running over creatures in their path. Large or smaller creatures caught in a camptosaur stampede take 1d12 points of damage for every five camptosaurs in the herd (Reflex DC 14 halves). The save DC is Strength-based.

Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989).

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Converting prehistoric animals

Dinosaur, Iguanodon
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 6d8+24 (51 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (-2 size, +8 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+19
Attack: Thumb-spike +9 melee (2d6+7)
Full Attack: 2 thumb-spikes +9 melee (2d6+7)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Trample 2d8+10
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +5
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 10, Con 19, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Listen +7, Spot +8
Feats: Alertness, Iron Will, Run
Environment: Warm forests and plains
Organization: Herd (3-18)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 7-12 HD (Huge), 13-18 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -

This large creature is a quadruped, but looks capable of walking on its hind legs. Its head is large, broad and beaked, and its tail is tall and straight. Most noticeable are its hands, with their prehensile fifth finger, mitten like middle fingers and a thumb with a massive spike on the nail.

The iguanodon is an adaptable and common herbivorous dinosaur.

Most iguanodons are around 30 feet in length and weigh 7,000 pounds, although they do get bigger. They live in herds and are extraordinarily fecund for a creature of its size- one female can have as many as 10 young in one brood, and the young are sexually mature by age 3. This is fortunate for the species, as many predators attack them.

COMBAT

Iguanodons are not aggressive, but are more than capable of using their thumb-spikes to defend themselves. If badly injured, they flee, often over their opponent.

Trample (Ex): An iguanodon can literally run over any creatures in its way that are of Large or smaller size. Creatures trampled must make a Reflex save (DC 20 half) or take 2d8+10 damage. The save DC is Strength-based.

Originally appeared in Monster Manual (1977).

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Converting prehistoric animals

Dinosaur, Temnodontosaurus
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 10d8+40 (90 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: Swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (-2 size, +3 Dex, +5 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+21
Attack: Bite +11 melee (4d4+9)
Full Attack: Bite +11 melee (4d4+9)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Qualities: Hold breath, low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +6
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 17, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 9
Skills: Listen +9, Spot +21, Swim +15
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Environment: Warm aquatic
Organization: Solitary, pair or pod (5-20)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 11-20 HD (Huge), 21-30 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -

This massive beast resembles a reptilian porpoise, only on a grander scale. Its long beak is lined with sharp conical teeth, and its four fins are well-muscled .Most notable are its eyes, which are the size of dinner plates.

Temnodontosaurus is among the largest of the icthyosaurs, a family of fish-like reptiles.

The average temnodontosaurus is 30 feet long. They are fast and intelligent creatures, with a well-developed social system. They have remarkably keen eyesight due to the size of the eye- proportionately, the largest in the animal kingdom. Temnodontosaurs, like all icthyosaurs, never leave the water; unlike other aquatic reptiles, icthyosaurs give birth to their offspring alive. Temnodontosaurs feed on fish, squid and ammonites, and are harmless to humanoids, despite their size and strength, unless they are attacked first.

COMBAT

Temnodontosaurs are mobile opponents, darting in and out of their foes reach in order to deliver sharp, powerful bites.

Hold Breath (Ex): A temnodontosaurus can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 6x its Constitution score.

Skills: A temnodontosaurus receives a +8 racial bonus to all Spot checks. A temnodontosaurus has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform a special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix (1989).

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A human garbed in resplendent chainmail and expensive jewelry approaches. As he draws nearer, the stench of an open grave follows, and it becomes clear that he is a walking corpse. He draws a finely-wrought blade.

A king-wight is the undead remains of a powerful evil monarch who has voluntarily entered undeath to eternally rule his kingdom.

As undead monarchs, king-wights amass vast treasure hoards, which they enjoy flaunting and using to tempt the living into its barrow. King-wights always have a retinue of wight slaves, and maintain these numbers through such lures.

A king-wight speaks any languages it knew in life.

Creating A King-Wight

"King-wight" is an acquired template that can be added to any humanoid or monstrous humanoid creature (referred to hereafter as the "base creature"). A king-wight uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead (augmented humanoid or monstrous humanoid). Do not recalculate base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.

Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.

Armor Class: The base creature’s natural armor bonus improves by +6.

Attack: A king-wight retains all the attacks of the base creature and also gains a slam attack if it didn’t already have one. If the base creature can use weapons, the king-wight retains this ability. A creature with natural weapons retains those natural weapons. A king-wight fighting without weapons uses either its slam attack or its primary natural weapon (if it has any). A king-wight armed with a weapon uses its slam or a weapon, as it desires.

Full Attack: A king-wight fighting without weapons uses either its slam attack (see above) or its natural weapons (if it has any). If armed with a weapon, it usually uses the weapon as its primary attack along with a slam or other natural weapon as a natural secondary attack.

Damage: King-wights have slam attacks. If the base creature does not have this attack form, use the appropriate damage value from the table below according to the king-wight's size. Creatures that have other kinds of natural weapons retain their old damage values or use the appropriate value from the table below, whichever is better.

Size / Damage
Fine / 1
Diminutive / 1d2
Tiny / 1d3
Small / 1d4
Medium / 1d6
Large / 1d8
Huge / 2d6
Gargantuan / 2d8
Colossal / 4d6

Special Attacks: A king-wight retains all special attacks of the base creature and gains the special attacks described below. The DC of the saving throw for any of its special attacks is equal to 10 + ½ king-wight's HD + king-wight's Cha modifier.

Contingent Earthquake (Sp): 4d4 rounds after a king-wight is destroyed, a contingent earthquake spell (caster level 14th) is triggered. The effect is centered upon the king-wight's corpse.

Create Spawn (Su): Any humanoid slain by a king-wight becomes a wight in 1d4 rounds. Spawn are under the command of the king-wight that created them and remain enslaved until its death. They do not possess any of the abilities they had in life.

At any given time a king-wight may have enslaved spawn totaling no more than twice its own Hit Dice; any spawn it creates that would exceed this limit are created as free-willed wights. A wight that is enslaved may create and enslave spawn of its own, so a king-wight can control a number of lesser wights in this fashion. A king-wight may voluntarily free an enslaved spawn in order to enslave a new spawn, but once freed, a spawn cannot be enslaved again.

Energy Drain (Su): Living creatures hit by a king-wight's slam attack (or any other natural weapon the king-wight might possess) gain two negative levels. For each negative level bestowed, the king-wight gains 5 temporary hit points. A king-wight can use its energy drain ability once per round.

Fear Aura (Su): King-wights are shrouded in a dreadful aura of death and evil. Creatures of less than 5 HD in a 60-foot radius that look at the king-wight must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by a fear spell from a sorcerer of the king-wight's level. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same king-wight's aura for 24 hours.

Spell-Like Abilities: At will--confusion, spectral force; 1/day--greater teleport, word of recall. Caster level is equal to the king-wight's Hit Dice. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Special Qualities: A king-wight retains all special qualities of the base creature and gains the special qualities described below.

Damage Reduction (Su): A king-wight has damage reduction 10/silver and magic. A king-wight's natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Immunities (Ex): King-wights have immunity to cold, electricity, polymorph (though they can use polymorph effects on themselves), and mind-affecting attacks.

Turn Resistance (Ex): A king-wight has +4 turn resistance.

Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex +4, Int +6, Wis +4, Cha +4. As an undead creature, a king-wight has no Constitution score.

Skills: King-wights have a +8 racial bonus on Move Silently checks. Otherwise same as the base creature.

Environment: Any, usually same as base creature.
Organization: Solitary, court (king-wight plus 2-12 wights), or barrow (king-wight plus 4-32 wights).
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
Treasure: Double standard.
Alignment: Always lawful evil.
Advancement: By character class.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +6.

Sample King-Wight

King-Wight, 10th-Level Human Fighter
Medium Undead (Augmented Humanoid)
Hit Dice: 10d12 (65 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 20 ft. in chainmail (4 squares); base speed 30 ft.
Armor Class: 25 (+1 Dex, +8 chainmail, +6 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+13
Attack: +2 longsword +19 melee (1d8+7/19-20) or slam +15 melee (1d6+3 plus energy drain)
Full Attack: +2 longsword +19/+14 melee (1d8+7/19-20) and slam +10 melee (1d6+3 plus energy drain)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Contingent earthquake, create spawn, energy drain (DC 16), fear aura (DC 16), spell-like abilities (CL 10th, DC 11 + spell level)
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/silver and magic, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to cold, electricity, polymorph, and mind-affecting attacks, +4 turn resistance, undead traits
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +3
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 12
Skills: Climb +14, Intimidate +14, Jump +14, Move Silently +7, Ride +12 (includes -4 armor check penalty)
Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Improved Sunder, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Ride-by Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword)
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, court (king-wight plus 2-12 wights), or barrow (king-wight plus 4-32 wights)
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: Double standard (includes +3 chainmail and +2 longsword)
Alignment: Always lawful evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +6

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #198 (1993).

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Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

Daddy Longlegs, Monstrous
Huge Vermin
Hit Dice: 2d8+2 (11 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 14 (-2 size, +4 Dex, +2 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 10
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+9
Attack: Bite -1 melee (1d6)
Full Attack: Bite -1 melee (1d6)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid spray
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., long-legged, narrow berth, tremorsense 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 19, Con 12, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +12, Hide +0, Jump +18
Feats: —
Environment: Any land and underground
Organization: Solitary or nest (2-15)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: 1/10 coins, 50% goods, 50% items
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 3-5 HD (Huge), 6-9 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -

This creature resembles a large brown spider, with a five-foot-diameter body atop nearly 20-foot-long legs. It has only a single pair of eyes in the center of its head.

The opiliones, or harvestman, as it is more commonly called, is one of several creatures known as daddy longlegs. Although it is an arachnid, it is not a true spider.

A harvestman's second pair of legs are longer than the rest, and are used as a sensory device (and the source of their tremorsense).

Harvestmen are omnivores, feeding mostly upon plant matter, fungi, or smaller insects. They also are known to feed upon carcasses and the leavings of other creatures. Harvestman generally have no fixed lair, but they will guard a nest when a female lays her eggs.

A monstrous daddy longleg's body is only 5 feet in diameter, but its legs are almost 20 feet long. Most have a brown coloration, but some diurnal species have vivid patterns in yellow, green and black mottled red and black.

Combat

Harvestmen are ambush hunters.

Acid Spray (Ex): When attacked or disturbed, the creature can release a 40-foot cone of acidic vapor once per round. Those within the cone must succeed on a DC 12 Fortitude save or take 1d4+1points of acid damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Long-Legged (Ex): Since a daddy longlegs is mostly long, thin legs, its space/reach is much larger than its actual body. As a result, it is difficult to to attack the creature. Any melee or ranged attack directed at a daddy longlegs has a 20% miss chance. Even a true seeing effect is useless for determining where and how to strike the creature.

Narrow Berth (Ex): Due to its long legs and small body, a daddy longlegs is treated as being one size smaller than it actually is for the purposes of squeezing (see page 149 of the Player’s Handbook for the rules for squeezing).

Tremorsense (Ex): A monstrous daddy longlegs can detect and pinpoint any creature or object within 60 feet in contact with the ground.

Skills: Monstrous daddy longlegs have a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks, a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks, and a +10 racial bonus on Jump checks. A monstrous daddy longlegs can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. Monstrous daddy longlegs use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher.

Daddy Longlegs Spider

The pholcidae, or vibrating spider, is also known as the daddy longlegs spider. This web-spinning spider is carnivorous, and is even known to invade the webs of other spiders and slay their occupants.

A daddy longlegs spider shares most of the same statistics as the harvestman above, but lacks the acid spray and gains the following additional abilities.

Spinning Concealment (Ex): A daddy longlegs spider can extrude a strand of webbing and hang from it as a standard action. As a full-round action, the daddy longlegs can begin to spin very quickly on its thread. When spinning, the daddy longlegs gains a +12 bonus to Hide checks and total concealment (50% miss chance). Even a true seeing effect is useless for determining where and how to strike the creature. The daddy longlegs can maintain its spinning by using a full-round action.

Web (Ex): A daddy longlegs spider can throw a web up to eight times per day. This is similar to an attack with a net but has a maximum range of 100 feet, with a range increment of 20 feet, and is effective against targets up to two size categories larger than the spider. The web anchors the target in place, allowing no movement.

An entangled creature can escape with a successful DC 22 Escape Artist check or burst the web with a successful DC 22 Strength check. The check DCs are Strength-based and includes a +4 racial bonus. The web has 12 hit points and hardness 0, and takes double damage from fire.

A daddy longlegs spider can create sheets of sticky webbing up to 20 feet square. It usually positions these sheets to snare flying creatures but can also try to trap prey on the ground. Approaching creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Spot check to notice a web; otherwise they stumble into it and become trapped as though by a successful web attack (including the maddening webs effect). Each 5-foot-square section has 12 hit points and damage reduction 5/-.

A daddy longlegs spider can move across its own sheet web at its climb speed and can determine the exact location of any creature touching the web.

Skills: In addition to the skills above, daddy longlegs spider has a +8 racial bonus on Spot checks.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #67 (1982).

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Converting prehistoric animals

Dinosaur, Paleoscincus
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 9d8+78 (112 hp)
Initiative: -2
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 22 (-2 size, -2 Dex, +16 natural), touch 6, flat-footed 22
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+21
Attack: Tail slam +12 melee (2d6+10)
Full Attack: Tail slam +12 melee (2d6+10)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/-, low-light vision, scent, spiny defense
Saves: Fort +16, Ref +4, Will +5
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 7, Con 26, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 8
Skills: Listen +8, Spot +8
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (tail slam)
Environment: Warm plains and hills
Organization: Solitary or battalion (2-4)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 10-18 HD (Huge), 19-27 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -

This wide creature is covered with a variety of bony plates, scutes, nodes and spikes. Its narrow, beaked head is likewise protected, and its side is studded with wide spines running the length of its body and down to its tail.

Paleoscincus is a type of ankylosaur- a family of ornithischians marked by heavy body armor.

A paleoscincus is about 20 feet long and nearly 6 feet wide, and has a formidable line of defense in the form of spines, plates and other bony protrusions. This is fortunate, as they are also slow and stupid. They are inoffensive creatures unless provoked, in which case they become very dangerous.

COMBAT

If attacked, paleoscincuses turn their bodies so to keep a wall of spines and armored nodes between their attacker and their soft flesh, while making sweeping attacks with their spine-lined tails. Most predators give up after a few passes of failed attacks and bloody wounds to the mouth.

Spiny Defense (Ex): Any creature that hits a paleoscincus in melee with a natural or handheld weapon (but not a reach weapon) takes 3d4+7 points of damage from its many spines.

Originally appeared in Monster Manual (1977).

[Shade]

Special Conversion Thread: Finishing off giants and their kin

Troll, Skovtrolde
Large Giant
Hit Dice: 8d8+48 (84 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +5 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+16
Attack: Claw +11 melee (1d6+6) or longbow +7 ranged (2d6/x3)
Full Attack: 2 claws +11 melee (1d6+6) and bite +6 melee (1d6+3) longbow +7/+2 ranged (2d6/x3) or +5/+5/+0 with Rapid Shot
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Rend 2d6+9
Special Qualities: Darkvision 90 ft., low-light vision, regeneration 5, scent
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +4, Will +3
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 14, Con 23, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 6
Skills: Hide +4*, Listen +6, Move Silently +8, Spot +6
Feats: Alertness, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot
Environment: Cold or temperate forests
Organization: Solitary, gang (2–4), or tribe (5-20)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +5

This tall, gangly humanoid stands nearly 9 feet tall. Its dark-green skin is covered with brown blotches, while its thick, ropy hair resembles dark vines. It carries a crude longbow.

Skovtroldes are forest-dwelling trolls. Their natural coloration provides camouflage within their home environements.

A typical adult skovtrolde stands 9 feet tall and weighs 500 pounds. Females are slightly larger than males. A skovtrolde's rubbery hide is usually dark green with brown splotches. The hair is usually a dark green or earthy brown.

Skovtroldes speak Giant.

Combat

Skovtroldes are slightly smarter than the average troll, and as such use better tactics. They use their natural camouflage to their advantange, and employ crude longbows to attack at range before enemies close into melee range.

Rend (Ex): If a skovtrolde hits with both claw attacks, it latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an additional 2d6+9 points of damage.

Regeneration (Ex): Fire and acid deal normal damage to a skovtrolde. If a skovtrolde loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.

Skills: *Skovtroldes have a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks when in cold or temperate forest environments. This bonus on Hide checks increases to +8 when the skovtrolde is immobile.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #158 (1990).

[Shade]

Special Conversion Thread: Finishing off giants and their kin

Murdakus
Colossal Dragon
Hit Dice: 18d12+198 (315 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 50 ft. (poor)
Armor Class: 27 (–8 size, +25 natural), touch 2, flat-footed 27
Base Attack/Grapple: +18/+52
Attack: Bite +28 melee (3d10+18 plus 2d8 fire)
Full Attack: 2 bites +28 melee (3d10+18 plus 2d8 fire) and 2 claws +26 melee (2d6+9 plus 2d8 fire) and tail-blade +26 melee (4d6+27 plus 2d8 fire/18–20x3 plus sever limb)
Space/Reach: 40 ft./40 ft. (45 ft. with tail)
Special Attacks: Augmented critical, breath weapon, death frenzy, sever limb
Special Qualities: Darkvision 120 ft., healed by fire, immunity to mind-affecting spells and abilities, paralysis, poison, and sleep, inefficient metabolism, limited regeneration 15, low-light vision, +4 racial bonus on saves vs. cold, scent
Saves: Fort +22, Ref +11, Will +12
Abilities: Str 47, Dex 10, Con 33, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 15
Skills: Jump +22, Listen +22, Spot +22, Survival +22
Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Hover, Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Power Attack, Snatch
Environment: Any land or underground
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 18
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 19+ HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: -

This abominable behemoth vaguely resembles a dragon. A triple row of spines sprout from the base of its thick neck, proceed down its back between its pair of leathery wings, and down its long prehensile tail, culminating in a scythelike stinger. Its six powerful legs end in thick claws, but its most fearsome feature is its double face. Each side of its horned head sports its own pair of eyes and a set of saurian jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth.

The first murdaki were created by the Bonehart during the Greyhawk wars. After the first specimens succumbed to fatal comas, the Bonehart improved upon their creations, infusing an ability to metabolize heat. As a side effect, the murdaki developed immunity to mind-affecting controls, and rebelled against their creators, then disappeared into the wilderness.

Iuz demanded that the creation process for the murdaki be destroyed, so no new murdaki have been created. It is doubtful that the creatures can breed true, so the remaining members are likely doomed to extinction.

A murdakus is 50 feet long with a 45-foot tail and weighs 70 tons.

Murdaki speak rudimentary Draconic.

Combat

A murdakus is an engine of destruction, wreaking great havoc in melee against multiple opponents. If foes are not within melee range, a murdakus unleashes deadly breath weapons from each of its jaws.

Augmented Critical (Ex): A murdakus's tail-blade threatens a critical hit on a natural attack roll of 18–20, dealing triple damage on a successful critical hit and possibly severing a limb or head (see sever limb, below).

Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, as a standard action, a murdakus can breathe either with one head or with both heads simultaneously. The breath weapon is a 120-foot line of intense heat that deals 12d8 points of fire damage (Reflex DC 30 half). Each beam must be directed in a different trajectory, no greater than 90 degrees apart due to the structure of the heads. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Death Frenzy (Ex): If an attack reduces a murdakus to less than 1 hit point, the murdakus flies into a frenzy on its next action before falling unconscious (or dying). The murdakus doubles its natural attacks for the round. At the end of its round, it takes an additional 3d8 points of damage.

Healed by Fire (Ex): An attack that deals fire damage breaks heals 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the murdakus to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points.

Heat (Su): During any round that the murdakus may regenerate (that is, any round in which it may use its breath weapon), any creature that touches the murdakus, including with a touch or natural weapon attack, must make a DC 30 Reflex save or take 2d8 points of fire damage. The natural attacks of a murdakus also deal this fire damage. Any creature grappled by the murdakus automatically takes 2d8 points of damage per round with no save. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Inefficient Metabolism (Ex): The inefficient metabolism of a murdakus limits its activity. After 1d3 days of activity, the murdakus is exhausted until it can rest for 2d4 weeks. Any fire based attack dealing more than 20 points of damage negates the exhausted condition for 1d3 days.

Limited Regeneration (Ex): Acid and negative energy deal normal damage to a murdakus. If a murdakus loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump. During any round in which its breath weapon is unavailable, a murdakus may not regenerate damage.

Sever Limb (Ex): The tail blade of a murdakus is extremely sharp, capable of severing limbs or heads on a successful critical hit. The victim must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC equal to 10 + damage dealt) or lose an extremity. Randomly determine which extremity is severed based on the creature's number of limbs and heads (for example, a d6 for a typical humanoid, with a 1 and 2 severing an arm, a 3 and 4 severing a leg, a 5 beheading the opponent, and reroll a 6). A severed leg imposes a -4 penalty on Reflex saves, Dexterity checks, and Dexterity-based skill checks, and reduces the victim's land speed by 10 feet. A victim who loses all its legs falls prone and its land speed is reduced to 5 feet. A severed arm imposes a -4 penalty on attack rolls, Strength checks, Climb checks, and Swim checks, and makes it impossible for the subject to use objects or cast spells with somatic components unless it has a remaining hand free. The victim also loses the ability to wield a weapon two-handed (unless it has at least two arms left). A severed head kills most creatures instantly. Some creatures, such as many aberrations and all oozes, have no heads. Others, such as golems and undead creatures other than vampires, are not affected by the loss of their heads.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #270 (2000).

[Shade]

Converting monsters from Dragon magazine (Part Two)

Jade Fish
Tiny Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 3d10+3 (19 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Swim 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex), touch 14, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/-7
Attack: Bite +3 melee (1d4-2)
Full Attack: Bite +3 melee (1d4-2)
Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Water stream
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spell resistance 8, water symbiosis
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +4
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 15
Skills: Diplomacy +10, Gather Information +10, Knowledge (local) +12, Sense Motive +3, Swim +12
Feats: Negotiator, Iron Will
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 3-6 HD (Tiny); 7-9 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment: -

This beautiful fish has a sleek body covered in deep green scales. Its wide, bright green eyes flicker with intelligence.

Jade fish possess the ability to magically create water. While this is a great boon for the jade fish, which can essentially create its own habitat, it also makes the creatures extremely coveted by other beings. Jade fish can be found nearly anywhere, even in the most arid deserts, where they are particularly prized by other residents.

Jade fish willingly share their self-created domains with other creatures, and often patrol the pool to ensure that harmony is maintained among its residents. Although they do eat smaller creatures, they require little sustenance, and thus their predations are limited.

Jade fish enjoy observing the world around them, and as such, are great sources of local information. Jade fish are predisposed to friendly conversation, often taking the time to learn local dialects. If asked politely and offered a gift, a jade fish will gladly answer questions pertaining to the area in which it resides. Although they do not covet valuables, they regard such gifts as tokens of honor, and thus do not part with them easily and often amass sizable treasure hoards in their pools.

Legends claim that the jade fish were created by a rain goddess as a gift to her worshipers. Regardless of their origins, jade fish enjoy a position of admiration and awe among most other creatures.

A jade fish is up to 2 feet long and weighs 5-10 pounds. Scale coloration darkens with age, ranging from brilliant emerald on hatchlings to amost black on the eldest fish. Jade fish can live for centuries, and some are rumored to be over 1,000 years old.

Jade fish speak Common and one or more local languages.

COMBAT

Jade fish dislike combat, but if threatened defend themselves. Its preferred attack is to spit a powerful stream of water at adversaries, often trying to knock the target into a nearby pool in an attempt to drown it. Although they generally feed on smaller fish and animals, jade fish will devour any living creature that drowns in their pool.

Water Stream (Su): A jade fish can continually produce water. It can create up to 1 gallon per round. Alternatively, as a standard action, a jade fish can create a tremendously powerful 5-foot line of water. Any creature in the area of the line takes 1d10 points of damage (Reflex DC 12 negates). A creature failing the saving throw must succeed on a Strength check (DC 10 + damage dealt) or be knocked prone by the force of the blast. For each 5 points by which a target fails the check, it is pushed back 5 feet. The jade fish attempts to knock opponents into pools it creates with its water jet. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Water Symbiosis (Su): The water created by a jade fish is attuned to its creator. If a jade fish becomes injured, any water it has created turns cloudy. This grants any creatures within the jade fish's pool concealment. The cloudiness dissipates once the jade fish is fully healed.

Skills: Jade fish have a +4 racial bonus on Knowledge (local) checks. A jade fish has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

Originally appeared in GR2 - Dungeons of Mystery (1992).

[Shade]

Converting Creatures from Other Campaign Settings

Silver Spider
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 4d10+12 (34 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 18 (-1 size, +3 Dex, +6 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+11
Attack: Foreleg +6 melee (1d6+3)
Full Attack: 2 forelegs +6 melee (1d6+3) and bite +1 melee (1d2+1 plus silver toxin)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Silver toxin, silver web
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, tremorsense 60 ft.
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 1, Wis 13, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +11, Hide +3*, Listen +3, Move Silently +3*, Spot +14
Feats: Ability Focus (silver toxin), Alertness
Environment: Any land or underground
Organization: Solitary or nest (2-4)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: 1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items plus webbing and forelegs (see text)
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5-10 HD (Large), 11-15 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -

A man-sized spider with a reflective, silvery hide ambles forth on thin, sleek legs. Its abdomen is bulbous, and its forelegs seem almost bladelike.

Silver spiders were created several centuries ago by Charonti wizards to serve as guardians and hunters. Silver spiders were tasked with subduing trespassers and transgressors with their potent venom, then wrapping captives in silvery weapon and transported to a designated holding cell. The Charonti are long gone, but some of the silver spiders yet remain, capturing victims who are left to await jailors who will never come.

A silver spider's webbing can be wound and corded into a dubrable, thin wire. Several strands can be braided into a cable stronger than rope. Silver spider webbing is often used to create jewelery. With a DC 15 Heal check, a silver spider's forelegs can be carefully removed. These can be used as improvised weapons that deal damage as a shortsword. With a successful DC 15 Craft check, the forelegs can be affixed to a hilt, functioning as a standard shortsword. In either case, the weapon is treated as silver for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction (and does not impose the standard penalty –1 penalty on damage rolls for alchemical silver weapons).

A silver spider is 9 feet long and weighs 100 pounds.

Silver spiders do not speak, but understand Charonti.

COMBAT

A silver spider attempts to bite opponents as quickly as possible. Once the venom takes effect, the spider wraps the victim in its webbing, then carries the unfortunate foe to a designated storage area and abandons it there.

A silver spider's natural attacks are treated as silver weapons for the purposes of overcoming damage reduction.

Arcane Sight (Su): Silver spiders continuously use arcane sight as the spell (caster level 4th).

Silver Toxin (Ex): A victim bitten by a silver spider must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude save or find its skin transformed into the same silvery matter as the spider. The victim is slowed (as the spell) for 1d10 rounds, but gains a +8 bonus to its natural armor. At the end of this duration, the creature is fully encased.

Once fully encased, the creature retains the natural armor bonus and is considered unconscious and needs no air or sustenance. It remains in this state for 24 hours, after which its skin reverts back to normal and it receives natural healing as if it had slept for an entire night. The victim's hair and eyes retain the silvery sheen permanently, and nothing short of a limited wish, wish, or miracle can restore their original appearance.

The transformation process can be slowed or halted before the creature is completely encased by a delay poison, neutralize poison, or similar magic. The save DC is Constitution-based. Creatures with immunity to poison are unaffected, and creatures resistant to poison receive their normal bonus on their saving throws.

Silver Web (Ex): A silver spider can throw a web up to eight times per day. This is similar to an attack with a net but has a maximum range of 50 feet, with a range increment of 10 feet, and is effective against targets up to one size category larger than the spider. The web anchors the target in place, allowing no movement.

An entangled creature can escape with a successful DC 19 Escape Artist check or burst the web with a successful DC 19 Strength check. The check DCs are Strength-based and include a +4 racial bonus. The web has 15 hit points and hardness 10, and takes double damage from fire.

A silver spider can create sheets of sticky webbing up to 30 feet square. It usually positions these sheets to snare flying creatures but can also try to trap prey on the ground. Approaching creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Spot check to notice a web; otherwise they stumble into it and become trapped as though by a successful web attack. Each 5-foot-square section has 15 hit points and damage reduction 5/-.

A silver spider can move across its own sheet web at its climb speed and can determine the exact location of any creature touching the web.

Tremorsense (Ex): A silver spider can detect and pinpoint any creature or object within 60 feet in contact with the ground, or within any range in contact with the spider’s webs.

Skills: Silver spiders have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks. A silver spider can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. Silver spiders use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. *Silver spiders have a +8 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks when using their webs.

Originally appeared in Jakandor, Land of Legend (1998).

[Shade]

Converting prehistoric animals

Dinosaur, Dacentrurus
Huge Animal
Hit Dice: 9d8+54 (94 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (-2 size, -1 Dex, +10 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+24
Attack: Tail spike +17 melee (3d6+15/19-20/x4)
Full Attack: Tail spike +17 melee (3d6+15/19-20/x4)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Augmented critical
Special Qualities: Fortification, low-light vision, scent, spiny defense
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +5, Will +6
Abilities: Str 31, Dex 9, Con 23, Int 1, Wis 13, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +9, Spot +9
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (tail spike)
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary, pair or herd (4-7)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 10-18 HD (Huge), 19-27 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -

This strange quadruped has a horizontal body with small bony plates on its back up to its hind legs. From this point leading down to the tail, it has long, sharp spikes. Its head is small and horse-like, and its pebbly skin is marked with stripes.

Dacentrurusis one of the more primitive stegosaurs, whose descendants include stegosaurus and kentrosaurus.

A dacentrurus is about 15 feet long and weighs up to three tons. They are docile herbivores, browsing through jungles and scrub forests in small herds. If provoked, however, they are deadly, lashing out with their spiked tails.

COMBAT

If threatened, a dacentrurus will assume a defensive position, always keeping its tail facing its enemies. If badly outnumbered or surrounded, it flees, as it is both weaker and faster than its larger kin.

Augmented Critical (Ex): The spikes on the tail of a dacentrurus are keen and as sharp as picks. They threaten a critical hit on a 19-20 and deal x4 damage on a successful critical hit.

Fortification (Ex): The bony plates on the neck and shoulders of a dacentrurus help to protect its spine from injury. Any critical hit or sneak attack made against the dacentrurus has a 10% chance of failing, dealing only normal damage.

Spiny Defense (Ex): Any creature that hits a dacentrurus in melee using a handheld or natural weapon (but not a reach weapon) must succeed on a DC 13 Reflex save or take 1d6+6 points of damage from the creature’s broad spines. The save DC is Dexterity-based.

Originally appeared in Monster Manual II (1983).

[Shade]

Converting monsters from Dungeon Magazine

Ice Serpent
Gargantuan Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 17d10+51 (144 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Armor Class: 19 (-4 size, +3 Dex, +10 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +17/+40
Attack: Bite +24 melee (2d6+11)
Full Attack: Bite +24 melee (2d6+11) and tail lash +22 melee (3d4+16)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 2d6+16, fling, improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +13, Will +6
Abilities: Str 33, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 8
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +19, Hide +20*, Listen +7, Move Silently +5, Spot +7, Swim +19
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Endurance, Multiattack (B), Power Attack, Skill Focus (Hide), Stealthy
Environment: Any cold land
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 9
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral, often evil
Advancement: 18-33 HD (Gargantuan); 34-41 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: -

This massive serpent is almost fifty feet long. It is covered in white fur, and its eyes are a cool blue.

Ice serpents are immense constrictor snakes found in arctic climes. They hunt anything smaller than themselves.

Ice serpent fur is highly valued for its warmth and waterproof qualities, and is often fashioned into cold-weather clothing. Such fur can fetch up to 40 gp per square yard.

An ice serpent is 45 feet long and 1 foot in diameter. It weighs 20,000 pounds.

COMBAT

Ice serpents use their natural camouflage to great effect, lying motionless in the snow until the best opportunity to strike.

Constrict (Ex): On a successful grapple check, an ice serpent deals 2d6+16 points of damage.

Fling (Ex): As a standard action, an ice serpent may make a single powerful blow with its tail. If it hits a corporeal opponent smaller than itself with its tail lash, its opponent must succeed on a Reflex save (DC = damage dealt) or be knocked flying in a direction of the serpent's choice and fall prone. The opponent is moved 10 feet plus an additional 5 feet for each 5 points by which it fails the save. The serpent can only push the opponent in a straight line, and the opponent can’t move closer to the serpent than the square it started in. If an obstacle prevents the completion of the opponent’s move, the opponent and the obstacle each take 1d6 points of damage, and the opponent stops in the space adjacent to the obstacle.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an ice serpent must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.

Skills: Ice serpents have a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. An ice serpent can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. An ice serpent has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

*An ice serpent's Hide bonus improves to +12 in snowy environments.

Originally appeared in Dungeon Magazine #27 (1991).

[Shade]

Converting prehistoric animals

Dinosaur, Kentrosaurus
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 9d8+39 (76 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +8 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+17
Attack: Tail spike +12 melee (2d6+10/19-20/x4)
Full Attack: Tail spike +12 melee (2d6+10/19-20/x4)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Augmented critical, reflexive attack
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, spiny defense
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +5, Will +4
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 9, Con 19, Int 1, Wis 13, Cha 4
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +11
Feats: Ability Focus (spiny defense), Alertness, Great Fortitude, Run
Environment: Warm forests
Organization: Solitary, pair or herd (4-7)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 7-12 HD (Large), 13-18 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -

This strange quadruped has a horizontal body with long sharp spikes running along its back. A large spike just from each of its shoulders and four tip its tail. Its head is small and horse-like, and its pebbly skin is marked with stripes.

The kentrosaurus is a stegosaur, one of a family of unusual herbivores with powerful and sharp defenses

A kentrosaurus is about 15 feet long and weighs up to three tons, the same size as its relative dacentrus. They are docile herbivores, browsing through jungles and scrub forests in small herds. If provoked, however, they are deadly, lashing out with their spiked tails and shoulder spines.

COMBAT

If threatened, a kentrosaurus will assume a defensive position, always keeping its tail facing its enemies. If their offspring are threatened, the adults of a herd will form a protective circle around their young, tails out.

Augmented Critical (Ex): The spikes on the tail of a kentrosaurus are keen and as sharp as picks. They threaten a critical hit on a 19-20 and deal x4damage on a successful critical hit.

Reflexive Attack (Ex): Once per round, a kentrosaurus may make an immediate melee attack with its shoulder spine against any creature that damages it in melee. Attack bonus +7, damage 1d8+3.

Spiny Defense (Ex): Any creature that hits a kentrosaurus in melee using a handheld or natural weapon (but not a reach weapon) must succeed on a DC 15 Reflex save or take 1d6+7 points of damage from the creature’s broad spines. The save DC is Dexterity-based.

Originally appeared in Monster Manual II (1983).