From the dark side of nature...

I've never liked the standard D&D mindset wherein hundreds of different races exist, many suitable only to be killed by PC's. I'm using, instead, a small niche of core races, with the - rare - monster I use unique, some kind of abberration. Things are currently focusing on the Fey - specifically those that have been locked behind a veil for millenia as part of an ancient pact. The PC's are just starting to confront their first "monsters," unseelie fey twisted and warped by such time away from their homes. I'll probably update this semi-regularly as they deal with more and more, but here's the first!

Edit: I should probably note that the creatures aren't quite core D&D. I use Wound/Vitality, with armor as DR and a class (or monster HD) based Defense bonus, so thinks will be slightly different. Also, all attacks use Dexterity to hit, so if you wonder why the attack bonuses look off...

Corrupted Boomasoh

Boomasoh (Corrupted)

Medium-size Fey
Hit Dice: 7d6+7 (31 vp, 12 wp)
Initiative: +8 (Dex, Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (poor), swim 30 ft.
Defense: 21 (+4 Dex, +7 defense)
Attacks: 2 claws +7 melee or bite +7 melee, grapple +5 melee
Damage: Claws 1d4+2 or bite 1d4+1
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Vicious Bite
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., DR 5/cold iron, fast healing 3, low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +9, Will +6
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 19, Con 12, Int 9, Wis 13, Cha 4
Skills: Balance +9, Climb +16, Escape Artist +12, Hide +13, Jump +6, Listen +4, Move Silently +13, Spot +4, Survival +4, Swim +12, Tumble +8
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Fly-by Attack

A boomasoh is the spirit - similar to a dryad - of a Banyan tree, in rainforests. Generally fairly small, they look like a sort of spidery humanoid. This one, however, is dark, and exudes a stench of death. Full of sharp edges and with pinpoint red eyes, it is both larger than typical boomasoh's and more combat-capable, with a double row of wicked sharp teeth.

Combat:
In combat, the creature generally tries to grapple his opponents, taking advantage of his vicious bite while they are immobilized. It's a quick, wiry thing, and it has no qualms about running away to fight again later.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use the ability, the boomasoh must hit a creature of equal or smaller size with both claws. 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 it's vicious bite may come into play.
Vicious Bite (Ex): The boomasoh's bite attack is treated as having Improved Critical (bite). Furthermore, if it scores a critical hit with the bite attack while the target is held, the defender must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die.

So - whad'ya think?

Okay for the most part. I like the description But I'm not sure I like the Sudden Death effect for what is merely an extraordinary ability. Something like that should be spell-like or supernatural.

The phrase "it's vicious bite may come into play" in the Improved Grab is odd. Not sure what that means, since it can bite anyway.

Perhaps make it an Evil sub-type? Dunno.

DR 5 for a 7 HD Fae is kinda wimpy. But it's got good natural armor and fast healing, so that's probably okay.

It looks like you've mixed v3 with v3.5, having the Survival skill but the other v3 stats. If it was v3.5 I'd probably recommend allowing it to take 10 on Climb checks even when threatened.

Hope that helps...

robjh said:

Okay for the most part. I like the description But I'm not sure I like the Sudden Death effect for what is merely an extraordinary ability. Something like that should be spell-like or supernatural. The phrase "it's vicious bite may come into play" in the Improved Grab is odd. Not sure what that means, since it can bite anyway.

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Good point - it was my initial reaction - but it boils down to, I don't want it going away in an anti-magic field. It has nothing to do with magic; this thing will, quite literally, bite your head off. Which is why I've noted that in the Improved Grab description - though the increased crit chance of the bite is always active, the death effect only occurs when it's grappled something.

robjh said:

Perhaps make it an Evil sub-type? Dunno.

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I don't use alignment, so not an issue - but, in a game that did, yeah, that'd be appropriate.

robjh said:

DR 5 for a 7 HD Fae is kinda wimpy. But it's got good natural armor and fast healing, so that's probably okay.

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3.5 rules for the DR - so only cold iron gets through it, anyway. And, yeah, the fast healing seems to make up for it. (Ran the beastie last night.)

robjh said:

It looks like you've mixed v3 with v3.5, having the Survival skill but the other v3 stats. If it was v3.5 I'd probably recommend allowing it to take 10 on Climb checks even when threatened.

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Aside from the reach entry (which was just a mistake on my part - still not used to 3.5 notation,) what was 3.0? I've got some house rules, but I'm mainly running a 3.5, so if I've got something backwards, it'd be good to find out what.

robjh said:

Hope that helps...

Click to expand...

It does. Thanks!

Can't see any bad number but I can't help but think that if it gained something from drink it's victims blood would be extremely cool.