Converting Forgotten Realms monsters

[Shade]

I can't really see a benefit for a swarm of these. We could probably just downsize the 3' stingray for this one, drop poison, and add the special bladder as flavor text.

Bloatfish
Tiny Animal (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 1/4d8 (1 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: Swim 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (+2 size, +4 Dex, +1 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-11
Attack: Sting +4 melee (1d3-3)
Full Attack: Sting +4 melee (1d3-3)
Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Low-light vision
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +1
Abilities: Str 4, Dex 19, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 4
Skills: Hide +3 (+7), Listen +3, Spot +3, Swim +5
Feats: Weapon Finesse
Environment: Cold aquatic
Organization: Solitary, pair, or school (10-40)
Challenge Rating: 1/8?
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 1 HD (Tiny)
Level Adjustment: -

A bloatfish's body is 1 to 2 feet across and weighs about x to x pounds.

COMBAT

Skills: A bloatfish 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. *When it is lying still along the seafloor, a bloatfish has a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks.

 

[Cleon]

I can't really see a benefit for a swarm of these. We could probably just downsize the 3' stingray for this one, drop poison, and add the special bladder as flavor text.

If it resembles a manta ray, why would it have a sting? Mantas don't have stings. If I remember correctly, they can only slap with their "wings" or slam with their bodies.

The original doesn't have any attacks, but I don't mind giving it some token offensive ability.

I'd prefer a slam attack though.

 

[Shade]

Sounds good. Added to Homebrews.

 

[Cleon]

Sounds good. Added to Homebrews.

Its attack should be +6 (+0 BAB +2 size +4 Finesse) with its +4 Dex bonus.

Although I don't really like Dex 18 for them. Something called a "bloatfish" is unlikely to be agile.

I'd be quite satisfied with Dex 15.

The Advancement seems a bit iffy, how about 1 HD (Small)?

The rest seems fine.

 

[freyar]

Looks good enough to me, too, and I can go for Cleon's suggested changes. Can't forget the fresh-water bladder in the flavor text, though.

 

[Cleon]

Looks good enough to me, too, and I can go for Cleon's suggested changes. Can't forget the fresh-water bladder in the flavor text, though.

Yes, make it equivalent to a full waterskin?

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Once we determine its weight, I believe we're finished.

 

[freyar]

I'd go with 15-45 lb. I get that by scaling a 25 ft long manta ray weighing 5100 lb down to 1 ft long (but assuming that the thickness doesn't shrink by that same factor) and getting 8 lb, then increasing by a bit to include a full water pouch. If Cleon agrees well enough, then we're ok.

 

[Cleon]

I'd go with 15-45 lb. I get that by scaling a 25 ft long manta ray weighing 5100 lb down to 1 ft long (but assuming that the thickness doesn't shrink by that same factor) and getting 8 lb, then increasing by a bit to include a full water pouch. If Cleon agrees well enough, then we're ok.

15 pounds is fine by me. Much of it will be the fresh water in its "pouch".

I can't help wondering what purpose the fresh water serves. Is it buoyancy? Do the young breathe freshwater and develop internally?

 

[Shade]

15 pounds is fine by me. Much of it will be the fresh water in its "pouch".

15 pounds it is!

I can't help wondering what purpose the fresh water serves. Is it buoyancy? Do the young breathe freshwater and develop internally?

I think it's more of a "game mechanics first" design at play here. They wanted a critter that would serve as a waterskin, plain and simple.

If you want to develop some of the rest into flavor text, I'm not opposed.