COMPETITION: Design an Epic Monster
- Thread starter Upper_Krust
- Start date
Upper_Krust
Hero
Hiya mate! 
It'll be interesting to find out when I stat them.
Not in 4E.
Khisanth the Ancient said:
It'll be interesting to find out when I stat them.
Khisanth the Ancient said:
Not in 4E.
Khisanth the Ancient
Explorer
Abomination: Putron (Lord of Rot)
{Appearance varies depending on the viewer, and will look different to different party members}
The Putron is an abomination of deities of death or time, spawned in foul pits as a weapon in their quest to spread death across the worlds. The first putron was descended from the goddess Hel, and the type is believed to derive its half-beautiful/half-dead appearance from that progenitor goddess.
A putron appears as an exceptionally tall (of heroic or godlike stature) humanoid. It is generally perceived to be of the same species and the opposite sex of the viewer by any humanoid looking upon it; it is also seen simultaneously as of unbearable beauty and perfect physical form, and as a rotting, plague-ridden corpse, strobing between both appearances quicker than the eye can recall - this is highly disturbing to those seeing it, and the putron can focus this otherwise unconscious effect, tailoring the visions to the viewer's fears to inflict severe mental damage. Its horrible appearance generally includes some other frightful feature as well - tentacles of living darkness, crab-claws extending from broken pustules of plague, etc. A putron stands around 7 feet tall. Other details of its appearance vary depending on the viewer.
Putrons are generally quite insane, their living (if very alien) brains spending half their time in a dead husk. Almost mindlessly mad, they are useful to their divine masters and progenitors only as weapons of destruction and terror, but they are very good at this indeed.
3.5E Stats:
Putron
Size/Type: Medium Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 28d8 + 196 (322 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 34 (+6 Dex, +14 natural, +4 divine), touch 20, flat-footed 28
Base Attack/Grapple: +28/+37
Attack: Claw +43 melee (4d6+9 and 3d6 negative energy/19-20)
Full Attack: 2 claws +43 melee (4d6+9 and 3d6 negative energy/19-20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, spell-like abilities, talons of the grave, terror
Special Qualities: Divine bonus, DR 10/epic, immune to poison, mindsearing aura, resistance to acid 10 and cold 10, slippery rot, SR 42, time mastery
Saves: Fort +27, Ref +26, Will +26
Abilities: Str 28, Dex 19, Con 25, Int 3, Wis 23, Cha 22
Skills: Escape Artist +45, Jump +49, Listen +39, Spot +39
Feats: Ability Focus (breath weapon), Alertness, Improved Critical (claw), Improved Natural Attack, Weapon Focus (claw)
Epic Feats: Epic Prowess (x2), Sixth Sense, Supreme Natural Attack
Environment:
Organization: Solitary or apocalypse force (1-4 plus 2-12 mohrgs and 10-40 ghasts)
Challenge Rating: 21???
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral evil or chaotic evil
Breath Weapon (Su): Three times per day, a putron can breathe a 30-foot cone of corrosive and decay-promoting vapors, dealing 3d10 acid and 3d10 negative energy damage and 1d3 Constitution damage; Fortitude DC 31 halves.
Talons of the Grave (Su): A putron's claw attack deals 3d6 additional negative energy damage, which is multiplied on a critical hit.
Terror (Su): Three times per day, a putron can concentrate the disturbing effect of its ever-shifting appearance (and mindsearing aura) into a blast of madness and shattering terror. This is a ray (140-foot range [1/2 putron's HD], ranged touch +36) that deals 1d4+1 Wisdom damage, and causes the target to make a Will save (DC 30) or be frightened for 2d6 rounds. This is a mind-affecting fear effect; the save DC is Charisma-based.
Divine Bonus (Ex): Putrons are effectively quasi-deities and as such
add a +4 divine bonus to: armor class; attack rolls; checks (ability checks,
caster level checks, skill checks, turning checks); difficulty class (for any
special abilities, spell-like abilities, spells); initiative; saving throws and
spell resistance.
Mindsearing Aura (Ex): Any creature within 140 feet [1/2 putron's Hit Dice] of a putron must make a Will save (DC 30) each round or be shaken for 1d4+1 rounds. A creature can be affected by an individual putron's mindsearing aura only once per 24 hours.
Slippery Rot (Ex): A putron gains a +10 bonus to Escape Artist checks, and is immune to web spells or effects, tanglefoot bags, a mimic's adhesion ability, and similar effects that restrain by means of adhesion.
Time Mastery (Ex): Putrons have a limited degree of control over time.
1. A putron always acts first; if facing another being which has this ability (such as from the divine ability Perfect Initiative) both roll initiative normally to determine which acts first, but both act before any beings without this ability.
2. Once per day, a putron can take two rounds worth of actions in a single round.
3. A putron is immune to temporal stasis and spell-like or supernatural effects based on it, such as a phane's stasis touch.
4E Stats:
Putron Level 21 Elite Brute
Medium immortal humanoid XP 6400
Initiative 16 Senses Perception +14, darkvision
HP 490; bloodied 245
AC 35, Fortitude 36, Reflex 36, Will 33
Immune poison; Resist 10 acid, 10 cold
Saving Throws +2
Speed 12
Action Points 1
Claw (Standard; at-will; basic attack)
+24 vs. AC; 2d6+7 damage.
Talons of Graverot (Standard; at-will)
+24 vs. AC; 3d6+8 necrotic damage.
Rotting Breath (Standard; recharge 4 5 6)
Close Blast 6; +22 vs. Fortitude; 4d8+7 necrotic damage and 10 ongoing necrotic damage.
Mindsear {fear} (Minor; at-will)
Range 20; +22 vs. Will; 1d8+7 psychic damage, 2d6+7 if used against a target slowed by Death's Terror.
Death's Terror {fear} (Standard; recharge 5 6)
Range 20; +22 vs. Will; 4d10+7 psychic damage, and the target is slowed (save ends).
Time Mastery (Move; encounter)
All recharge 5 6 or recharge 4 5 6 abilities immediately recharge.
Slippery Rot (Immediate reaction; when first bloodied)
The putron shifts 3 spaces and gains a +1 bonus to AC and Reflex defenses for the rest of the encounter.
Str 23 (+16) Dex 22 (+16) Wis 23 (+16)
Con 25 (+17) Int 3 (+6) Cha 22 (+16)
Languages none
---
Yes, Phanes are already Time-themed; but it's kind of necessary for the history I want them to have, and it ties in well with their primary Death aspect anyway.
Does this look good? Does anyone want to see more Abominations?
{Appearance varies depending on the viewer, and will look different to different party members}
The Putron is an abomination of deities of death or time, spawned in foul pits as a weapon in their quest to spread death across the worlds. The first putron was descended from the goddess Hel, and the type is believed to derive its half-beautiful/half-dead appearance from that progenitor goddess.
A putron appears as an exceptionally tall (of heroic or godlike stature) humanoid. It is generally perceived to be of the same species and the opposite sex of the viewer by any humanoid looking upon it; it is also seen simultaneously as of unbearable beauty and perfect physical form, and as a rotting, plague-ridden corpse, strobing between both appearances quicker than the eye can recall - this is highly disturbing to those seeing it, and the putron can focus this otherwise unconscious effect, tailoring the visions to the viewer's fears to inflict severe mental damage. Its horrible appearance generally includes some other frightful feature as well - tentacles of living darkness, crab-claws extending from broken pustules of plague, etc. A putron stands around 7 feet tall. Other details of its appearance vary depending on the viewer.
Putrons are generally quite insane, their living (if very alien) brains spending half their time in a dead husk. Almost mindlessly mad, they are useful to their divine masters and progenitors only as weapons of destruction and terror, but they are very good at this indeed.
3.5E Stats:
Putron
Size/Type: Medium Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 28d8 + 196 (322 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 34 (+6 Dex, +14 natural, +4 divine), touch 20, flat-footed 28
Base Attack/Grapple: +28/+37
Attack: Claw +43 melee (4d6+9 and 3d6 negative energy/19-20)
Full Attack: 2 claws +43 melee (4d6+9 and 3d6 negative energy/19-20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, spell-like abilities, talons of the grave, terror
Special Qualities: Divine bonus, DR 10/epic, immune to poison, mindsearing aura, resistance to acid 10 and cold 10, slippery rot, SR 42, time mastery
Saves: Fort +27, Ref +26, Will +26
Abilities: Str 28, Dex 19, Con 25, Int 3, Wis 23, Cha 22
Skills: Escape Artist +45, Jump +49, Listen +39, Spot +39
Feats: Ability Focus (breath weapon), Alertness, Improved Critical (claw), Improved Natural Attack, Weapon Focus (claw)
Epic Feats: Epic Prowess (x2), Sixth Sense, Supreme Natural Attack
Environment:
Organization: Solitary or apocalypse force (1-4 plus 2-12 mohrgs and 10-40 ghasts)
Challenge Rating: 21???
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral evil or chaotic evil
Breath Weapon (Su): Three times per day, a putron can breathe a 30-foot cone of corrosive and decay-promoting vapors, dealing 3d10 acid and 3d10 negative energy damage and 1d3 Constitution damage; Fortitude DC 31 halves.
Talons of the Grave (Su): A putron's claw attack deals 3d6 additional negative energy damage, which is multiplied on a critical hit.
Terror (Su): Three times per day, a putron can concentrate the disturbing effect of its ever-shifting appearance (and mindsearing aura) into a blast of madness and shattering terror. This is a ray (140-foot range [1/2 putron's HD], ranged touch +36) that deals 1d4+1 Wisdom damage, and causes the target to make a Will save (DC 30) or be frightened for 2d6 rounds. This is a mind-affecting fear effect; the save DC is Charisma-based.
Divine Bonus (Ex): Putrons are effectively quasi-deities and as such
add a +4 divine bonus to: armor class; attack rolls; checks (ability checks,
caster level checks, skill checks, turning checks); difficulty class (for any
special abilities, spell-like abilities, spells); initiative; saving throws and
spell resistance.
Mindsearing Aura (Ex): Any creature within 140 feet [1/2 putron's Hit Dice] of a putron must make a Will save (DC 30) each round or be shaken for 1d4+1 rounds. A creature can be affected by an individual putron's mindsearing aura only once per 24 hours.
Slippery Rot (Ex): A putron gains a +10 bonus to Escape Artist checks, and is immune to web spells or effects, tanglefoot bags, a mimic's adhesion ability, and similar effects that restrain by means of adhesion.
Time Mastery (Ex): Putrons have a limited degree of control over time.
1. A putron always acts first; if facing another being which has this ability (such as from the divine ability Perfect Initiative) both roll initiative normally to determine which acts first, but both act before any beings without this ability.
2. Once per day, a putron can take two rounds worth of actions in a single round.
3. A putron is immune to temporal stasis and spell-like or supernatural effects based on it, such as a phane's stasis touch.
4E Stats:
Putron Level 21 Elite Brute
Medium immortal humanoid XP 6400
Initiative 16 Senses Perception +14, darkvision
HP 490; bloodied 245
AC 35, Fortitude 36, Reflex 36, Will 33
Immune poison; Resist 10 acid, 10 cold
Saving Throws +2
Speed 12
Action Points 1
Claw (Standard; at-will; basic attack)
+24 vs. AC; 2d6+7 damage.
Talons of Graverot (Standard; at-will)
+24 vs. AC; 3d6+8 necrotic damage.
Rotting Breath (Standard; recharge 4 5 6)
Close Blast 6; +22 vs. Fortitude; 4d8+7 necrotic damage and 10 ongoing necrotic damage.
Mindsear {fear} (Minor; at-will)
Range 20; +22 vs. Will; 1d8+7 psychic damage, 2d6+7 if used against a target slowed by Death's Terror.
Death's Terror {fear} (Standard; recharge 5 6)
Range 20; +22 vs. Will; 4d10+7 psychic damage, and the target is slowed (save ends).
Time Mastery (Move; encounter)
All recharge 5 6 or recharge 4 5 6 abilities immediately recharge.
Slippery Rot (Immediate reaction; when first bloodied)
The putron shifts 3 spaces and gains a +1 bonus to AC and Reflex defenses for the rest of the encounter.
Str 23 (+16) Dex 22 (+16) Wis 23 (+16)
Con 25 (+17) Int 3 (+6) Cha 22 (+16)
Languages none
---
Yes, Phanes are already Time-themed; but it's kind of necessary for the history I want them to have, and it ties in well with their primary Death aspect anyway.
Does this look good? Does anyone want to see more Abominations?
Last edited:
Upper_Krust
Hero
Not bad, I have been thinking about including my Monster Design Parameters at the back of the Vampire Bestiary, just as a helpful guide for building all types of critters.
Upper_Krust
Hero
Hey all!
An interesting idea struck me with regards the print version of the Epic Bestiary: Volume One.
According to RPGNow/Drivethru, any print version needs to be divisible by either 4 (B&W) or 6 (Colour) pages. Now, thats nothing new for publishers. However, they are also saying that they need a blank page at the end of any book. Which means the 96 page Epic Bestiary would have to have a 97th (blank) page. Thus it won't meet the divisible by 4 (for B&W) criteria.
So what I am proposing, is to add all the Monster Contest winners to the back of the Epic Bestiary in an Appendix. Technically there were 16 winning entries, although one of those has had to withdraw because of a potential technical problem suggested by its creator.
Some of those entries are pretty big (dragons and so forth), and my guess is it could expand the book to 119 pages...then the blank page would be the 120th.
The big question at this juncture would of course be, will these new monsters be illustrated? I'd certainly like them to be, but it will probably require me to pull the proverbial finger out.
Any thoughts on this?
I have hated myself for never finishing Godsend and letting the competition winners down. This would be my way of, at least in part, making some small amends.
An interesting idea struck me with regards the print version of the Epic Bestiary: Volume One.
According to RPGNow/Drivethru, any print version needs to be divisible by either 4 (B&W) or 6 (Colour) pages. Now, thats nothing new for publishers. However, they are also saying that they need a blank page at the end of any book. Which means the 96 page Epic Bestiary would have to have a 97th (blank) page. Thus it won't meet the divisible by 4 (for B&W) criteria.
So what I am proposing, is to add all the Monster Contest winners to the back of the Epic Bestiary in an Appendix. Technically there were 16 winning entries, although one of those has had to withdraw because of a potential technical problem suggested by its creator.
Some of those entries are pretty big (dragons and so forth), and my guess is it could expand the book to 119 pages...then the blank page would be the 120th.
The big question at this juncture would of course be, will these new monsters be illustrated? I'd certainly like them to be, but it will probably require me to pull the proverbial finger out.
Any thoughts on this?
I have hated myself for never finishing Godsend and letting the competition winners down. This would be my way of, at least in part, making some small amends.
I wouldn't mind, certainly. Art is largely irrelevant for the Hungry Void, but the two dragons could certainly use some. It's certainly no dealbreaker though- it's not like there aren't plenty of monsters in monster books that don't get illustrations. And I was careful to give them detailed descriptions.
And I was careful to give them detailed descriptions.Upper_Krust
Hero
Hey guys!
I'm thinking I'd really like a softcover version of the Bestiary and a hardcover version of Ascension and one of each for the Vampire Bestiary (just to test them out).
Thats one thing thats really annoying me about the Vampire Bestiary at the moment. As of next weekend it looks like I'll have all the text and maybe about one illustration per entry (fingers crossed). However (and its a massive however) sometimes an entry will have 7-8 different stat blocks and in some cases representing wildly different monsters. I hate monsters with no illustrations. Its okay if its something people are familiar with (say cannibals, or a wolf or whatever). But to be honest SO MANY really need their own individual illustrations. Its really bugging me, because 4E promotes a stat block explosion.
I mean I know my art is journeyman at best, but I think one of my illustrations is a thousand times better than no illustration.
Belzamus said:That would be awesome, especially since my print Bestiary is falling apart from overuse. Could use a replacement.
I'm thinking I'd really like a softcover version of the Bestiary and a hardcover version of Ascension and one of each for the Vampire Bestiary (just to test them out).
paradox42 said:
Thats one thing thats really annoying me about the Vampire Bestiary at the moment. As of next weekend it looks like I'll have all the text and maybe about one illustration per entry (fingers crossed). However (and its a massive however) sometimes an entry will have 7-8 different stat blocks and in some cases representing wildly different monsters. I hate monsters with no illustrations. Its okay if its something people are familiar with (say cannibals, or a wolf or whatever). But to be honest SO MANY really need their own individual illustrations. Its really bugging me, because 4E promotes a stat block explosion.
I mean I know my art is journeyman at best, but I think one of my illustrations is a thousand times better than no illustration.
Any chance of getting a excerpt from this vampire bestiary on your website? I'm kinda interested in both the 4E and 3E aspects of the vampire templates I keep hearing about. Perhaps there is one you're fond of that you don't mind introducing to us as a teaser.
I remember the teasers being the biggest reason I became interested in the Epic Bestiary in the first place. Imagine my surprise (after lukewarm epic campaigns) when I came across the AMILICTLI (Immortality) online.
It changed my perspective on epic gaming forever.
Currently I'm playing a multiclass 60 HD Abashakt (demon) that has the paragon and pseudonatural templates (the former he was born with as part of his background the latter he obtained as a story award when he was abducted by far realm divinities and subjected to experimentation).
Additionally he has the lich, mummified creature, and vampire templates as a result of various divine abilities and being an unarmed combat specialist has traded in all four artifacts. This doesn't technically break the rules since "by the book" you can't obtain an undead template if you already have one...but...
...it says nothing about obtaining multiple templates simultaneously. And of course there was that section in "Slayer's Guide to Undead" about hybrid undead that I loved so much.
Anyway, I'm babbling, but you get the point I'm sure. The Epic Bestiary made "Epic (yay)." *waves little white flag* more "EPIC!!! (WE ROCK!!!)" *flexes imaginary nutronium powered muscles*
I remember the teasers being the biggest reason I became interested in the Epic Bestiary in the first place. Imagine my surprise (after lukewarm epic campaigns) when I came across the AMILICTLI (Immortality) online.
It changed my perspective on epic gaming forever.
Currently I'm playing a multiclass 60 HD Abashakt (demon) that has the paragon and pseudonatural templates (the former he was born with as part of his background the latter he obtained as a story award when he was abducted by far realm divinities and subjected to experimentation).
Additionally he has the lich, mummified creature, and vampire templates as a result of various divine abilities and being an unarmed combat specialist has traded in all four artifacts. This doesn't technically break the rules since "by the book" you can't obtain an undead template if you already have one...but...
...it says nothing about obtaining multiple templates simultaneously. And of course there was that section in "Slayer's Guide to Undead" about hybrid undead that I loved so much.
Anyway, I'm babbling, but you get the point I'm sure. The Epic Bestiary made "Epic (yay)." *waves little white flag* more "EPIC!!! (WE ROCK!!!)" *flexes imaginary nutronium powered muscles*
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