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Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
Cleon
Legend
They look done to me.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Archerfish, Giant
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Tropical/large freshwater lakes
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 90%: 1-3 adults; 10%: 5-20 young
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVEMENT: SW 20
HIT DICE: 3 + 3
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 2-8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Water jet, swallows whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L (9’ long)
MORALE: Steady (11)
XP VALUE: 420
The giant archerfish is a silvery creature with heavy jaws, giving it a squared-off look when seen head on. This is due to two powerfully muscled water bladders, one on either side of the head. Behind the head, the body narrows quickly to a streamlined shape with a powerful tail.
The water bladders can generate a water jet once per three rounds, fired from the fish’s mouth, with a range of 30’. Used by a full-grown specimen, the jet can knock a human from the deck of a ship or out of a ship’s rigging. A target is treated as AC 5 regardless of actual armor class, A free-standing victim is knocked backward by the force of the jet; for every 20 lbs. less than 200 lbs. he weighs, he is forced back 1’, and any victim under 200 lbs. must make a dexterity check on 4d6 to remain standing (the point is moot for a victim hurled from a ship). If the victim is grasping a support or is braced, he must make a strength roll on 3d6 to avoid being, knocked back. A saving throw vs. paralysis must be made to continue grasping any hand-held item. An attack roll of 20 indicates that the victim is stunned for 1-3 rounds by the force of the jet.
Once a victim is in the water, he is subject to a bite attack similar to a shark’s, On a natural roll of 20, the archerfish will swallow whole any victim the size of a halfling or gnome. A swallowed character can cut his way out if he inflicts enough damage to the AC 10 interior of the fish to slay it, but he can do so only if he has a dagger or knife in hand. Meanwhile, the character suffers 1 hp damage per round due to digestive acids, and he has no air to breathe. It should also be noted that, once in the water, a victim loses all armor-class bonuses due to dexterity unless he is wearing a ring of free action or similar magical item, and shields cannot be used.
These fish seldom come together except to spawn. Eggs are laid on the sea bottom and fertilized there. Those eggs not devoured by other predators hatch in 3-4 weeks. The young remain together in a school, ranging from 5-20 individuals, until they reach the length of about 3’; then they separate. Young archerfish have these statistics: AC 7; MV 18; HD 1+1; THAC0 19; #AT 1; Dmg 1-3; SA none effective; SZ 1-3.; XP 35.
The water jet is usable upon hatching. These fish cruise near the surface and track prey by sight, following long enough to orient on course and speed. Then they break the surface in a jump and squirt their jets to bring down large insects, birds, and small water-dwelling animals. The school of young is cooperative in this hunting style until the individuals reach adulthood, when the victims rarely provide enough food for the entire school (hence the break-up). The water jets of young giant archerfish do not endanger characters, and they cannot swallow characters whole, though they could consume sprites or brownies.
These fish are not territorial and travel to any place they can take down prey. They eat people only if such are available. In a pinch, giant archerfish are known to scavenge the bottoms of their shallow seas or large lakes.
Giant archerfish have no interest in treasure, though an occasional item may be found in the stomach of a slain fish. They themselves are not good to eat, nor do they have any body parts known to have practical use (except as bait to catch other fish). Nor is there any use for them as components for any known spells.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #165 (1991).
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Tropical/large freshwater lakes
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 90%: 1-3 adults; 10%: 5-20 young
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVEMENT: SW 20
HIT DICE: 3 + 3
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 2-8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Water jet, swallows whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L (9’ long)
MORALE: Steady (11)
XP VALUE: 420
The giant archerfish is a silvery creature with heavy jaws, giving it a squared-off look when seen head on. This is due to two powerfully muscled water bladders, one on either side of the head. Behind the head, the body narrows quickly to a streamlined shape with a powerful tail.
The water bladders can generate a water jet once per three rounds, fired from the fish’s mouth, with a range of 30’. Used by a full-grown specimen, the jet can knock a human from the deck of a ship or out of a ship’s rigging. A target is treated as AC 5 regardless of actual armor class, A free-standing victim is knocked backward by the force of the jet; for every 20 lbs. less than 200 lbs. he weighs, he is forced back 1’, and any victim under 200 lbs. must make a dexterity check on 4d6 to remain standing (the point is moot for a victim hurled from a ship). If the victim is grasping a support or is braced, he must make a strength roll on 3d6 to avoid being, knocked back. A saving throw vs. paralysis must be made to continue grasping any hand-held item. An attack roll of 20 indicates that the victim is stunned for 1-3 rounds by the force of the jet.
Once a victim is in the water, he is subject to a bite attack similar to a shark’s, On a natural roll of 20, the archerfish will swallow whole any victim the size of a halfling or gnome. A swallowed character can cut his way out if he inflicts enough damage to the AC 10 interior of the fish to slay it, but he can do so only if he has a dagger or knife in hand. Meanwhile, the character suffers 1 hp damage per round due to digestive acids, and he has no air to breathe. It should also be noted that, once in the water, a victim loses all armor-class bonuses due to dexterity unless he is wearing a ring of free action or similar magical item, and shields cannot be used.
These fish seldom come together except to spawn. Eggs are laid on the sea bottom and fertilized there. Those eggs not devoured by other predators hatch in 3-4 weeks. The young remain together in a school, ranging from 5-20 individuals, until they reach the length of about 3’; then they separate. Young archerfish have these statistics: AC 7; MV 18; HD 1+1; THAC0 19; #AT 1; Dmg 1-3; SA none effective; SZ 1-3.; XP 35.
The water jet is usable upon hatching. These fish cruise near the surface and track prey by sight, following long enough to orient on course and speed. Then they break the surface in a jump and squirt their jets to bring down large insects, birds, and small water-dwelling animals. The school of young is cooperative in this hunting style until the individuals reach adulthood, when the victims rarely provide enough food for the entire school (hence the break-up). The water jets of young giant archerfish do not endanger characters, and they cannot swallow characters whole, though they could consume sprites or brownies.
These fish are not territorial and travel to any place they can take down prey. They eat people only if such are available. In a pinch, giant archerfish are known to scavenge the bottoms of their shallow seas or large lakes.
Giant archerfish have no interest in treasure, though an occasional item may be found in the stomach of a slain fish. They themselves are not good to eat, nor do they have any body parts known to have practical use (except as bait to catch other fish). Nor is there any use for them as components for any known spells.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #165 (1991).
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
Well, bite with imp grab and swallow whole. A water jet might be inspired by a decanter of endless water (we did some other fish that used one function of the decanter, but I don't recall if it had the jet -- a jade fish maybe?).
Do we want to have an underbar for the young?
Do we want to have an underbar for the young?
Shade
Monster Junkie
Good memory!
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.
We also use a variation here...
Water Jet (Su): As a standard action, an avenging spirit can create a tremendously powerful 30-foot line of water. Any creature in the area of the line takes 2d6 points of damage (Reflex DC 21 negates). A creature failing the saving throw must succeed on a Strength check or a Balance check (DC 10 + damage dealt) or be knocked prone by the force of the blast. The save DC is Charisma-based.
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.
We also use a variation here...
Water Jet (Su): As a standard action, an avenging spirit can create a tremendously powerful 30-foot line of water. Any creature in the area of the line takes 2d6 points of damage (Reflex DC 21 negates). A creature failing the saving throw must succeed on a Strength check or a Balance check (DC 10 + damage dealt) or be knocked prone by the force of the blast. The save DC is Charisma-based.
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
The avenging spirit version is just about perfect, except the archer fish (as written) doesn't deal damage. Want to add some, though? And switch to Con-based on the DC.
Maybe we should do basics, first. Animal, 3HD. Looks like good Con, and Str is probably decent. Everything else is probably pretty standard for a Large animal.
Maybe we should do basics, first. Animal, 3HD. Looks like good Con, and Str is probably decent. Everything else is probably pretty standard for a Large animal.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Damselfish: Str 17, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Clownfish: Str 9, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 1, Wis 11, Cha 10
Anglerfish: Str 20, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 2
Put it somewhere between Damselfish and Anglerfish, with a slight boost to Con?
Maybe Str 18, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 1, Wis 11, Cha 2?
Clownfish: Str 9, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 1, Wis 11, Cha 10
Anglerfish: Str 20, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 2
Put it somewhere between Damselfish and Anglerfish, with a slight boost to Con?
Maybe Str 18, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 1, Wis 11, Cha 2?
