Converting Al-Qadim creatures

[Number 6]

Looking rather good!

We can do the usual Common for the main entry, with an underbar for Midani in Al-Qadim settings.

We need to add Martial Training to the stat block... it's in the details, though.

Small change needed in the Al-Qadim underbar:
"In the Al-Qadim campaign setting, many stone maidens speak Midani rather than Common."

...most nasnas understand Midani rather than Common.

 

[Number 6]

I don't want to rush anyone who is still chewing over stuff... but that's about it, isn't it? Just flavor text left, correct?

 

[Cleon]

Regarding Skills:
For skills should we just put four ranks in Balance and a single rank in Jump... or do we want to be a little more focused on Jump?

If we give them a hefty enough racial bonus in Jump I don't think we need to give them any ranks in Jump - especially considering they add their impressive Strength bonus to the stat.

Regarding Organization:
It's not very important, but should a smaller group of nasnas (perhaps 3-10 of them) be called a Squad?

If you like.

Regarding CR:
Is it safe to say these things are about a 3?

It'd likely be safer to wait until we've finished statting them up before assigning them a CR, but their high strength, DR and terrifying scream ability certainly make them effective against low-level foes.

Regarding the text, specifically on speaking a language:

The original text (with the reference to half of the necessary amount of vocal chords) works fine, but we should add that the nasnas "understands Midani perfectly (or whatever language its creator typically speaks)".

I would like to keep that, how about putting "A nasnas is born with the ability to speak one language known to its creator, typically Common" in the description.

 

[Cleon]

I'm fine upping the Wisdom to 10 and giving them a +4 racial to Balance, Listen and Spot.

The skill point assignation is OK, or we could stick a point in Balance and give it 2 ranks in both sensory skills if we wanted them to have "evened out" Listen & Spot modifiers. Don't mind either way.

 

[Number 6]

The skill point assignation is OK, or we could stick a point in Balance and give it 2 ranks in both sensory skills if we wanted them to have "evened out" Listen & Spot modifiers. Don't mind either way.

Nothing wrong with pulling back one rank from Listen and moving it to Balance from what I can tell. Seems reasonable.

 

[freyar]

Well, you guys have this well in hand.

On CR: this looks like CR 2 to me, and maybe slightly a glass cannon.

 

[Cleon]

Do we want to include details of how to create a Nasnas in the 3E version or just have a "these creatures are created by evil spellcasters, to whom they are slavishly loyal" and leave out the sordid details?

The only numbers we have left are weight and LA.

I'd think they'd be around human weight, maybe on the light end - they are only half the man they could be!

150 pounds?

As for LA, perhaps a "cohort only" LA? Since they have negligible free will they don't seem suitable for PCs, but they could be followers.

 

[Cleon]

The other thing they're missing is a Tactics entry.

Perhaps something like:

Nasnas are aggressive fighters. They rush in close to their foes to use their terrifying scream power, then lay about them with their weapons. Showing no fear of death, they fight with fanatical dedication, only retreating from combat if ordered to by their master.

 

[freyar]

Those suggestions look good to me!

 

[Number 6]

I hit my players with the nasnas we've got so far... and while my players use 7th/8th level-characters the nasnas worked out fine. At least they did outside from the fact that I kept forgetting to use their screams as a Free action. Damn!

Do we want to include details of how to create a Nasnas in the 3E version or just have a "these creatures are created by evil spellcasters, to whom they are slavishly loyal" and leave out the sordid details?

I think it's worth the effort.

The original write-up mentioned that the spellcaster makes a potion... but that was back in the day when "potion" wasn't exclusively used as a game term. Should we make it a Potion (and therefore require Brew Potion) or make it an Elixir (which would need Craft Wondrous Item)... do we want the prerequisites to be Brew Potion and Craft Wondrous Item?


Moderate conjuration (creation); CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item; Summon Monster V; Price 1,125 gp.

Nasnas with higher Hit Dice would simply need a higher level spell and therefore price... of course, based on the CR of such nasnas, the CL might be higher than 11th or 13th.

Moderate conjuration (creation); CL 11th; Craft Wondrous Item; Summon Monster VI; Price 1,600 gp.

Moderate conjuration (creation); CL 13th; Craft Wondrous Item; Summon Monster VII; Price 2,275 gp.


I had figured that such a potion or elixir would be necromatic, but simply can't think of a spell that might cover the generalities of the nasnas.

I might just go review a few of the spells and things from the Book of Vile Darkness for ideas.