Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Shade]

The Metal Master in Lost Empires of Faerûn has some magnetism-based powers, if we decided to include any:

Detect Metal (Ex): A metalmaster automatically sense the presence of any metal (minimum 1 pound) within 60 feet. The exact location is not revealed, but the metalmaster can take a move action to note the direction in which the metal lies. When it comes within 5 feet of metal, the creature knows its location.

Magnetism (Su): A metalmaster can create magical fields of magnetic energy. Once per round as a free action, it can create one of the following effects (caster level 12th). The save DCs for these abilities are Charisma-based, and its magnetism has an effective Strength score of 25.

A metalmaster's magnetism affects only metallic creatures, creatures wearing metal armor, or creatures carrying metal weapons or shields. Creatures carrying metal objects can simply drop them to avoid the effect. The metalmaster's magnetism affects the dropped objects just as it would any other unattended items.

Each of these abilities functions continuously until the metalmaster's next turn unless otherwise noted. Any creature that enters the area of the magnetism is subject to its effects.

Attraction (Su): All metallic creatures and objects within 60 feet of the metalmaster are entangled and dragged closer to it. This ability functions like a bull rush (check modifier +11), except that it does not provoke attacks of opportunity, and targets that lose the opposed check move towards the metalmaster instead of away from it. The metalmaster does not move if it loses the opposed Strength check.

Metal Storm (Su): A metalmaster can turn the shards of metal clinging to its body into a whirling storm of razors. This effect reduces its natural armor bonus by 4, but each other creature within 20 feet takes 4d6 points of slashing damage (Reflex DC 20 half). This effect lasts for 12 rounds.

Repelling Aura (Su): All metallic creatures and objects within 60 feet of the metalmaster are pushed backward. This ability functions like attraction (see above), except that the affected creatures are not entangled, and they move away from the metalmaster rather than toward it. While using this ability, the metalmaster gains a +8 deflection bonus to AC against attacks by weapons that have metal components.

 

[Cleon]

Hmm, tricky.

Neither Outsider or Construct feel quite right to me.

Aberration (Extraplanar)?

I'd give it Detect Metal, but none of Metal Master's other abilities fit with the described abilities.

Some kind of life-sensing ability is indicated by "The two feelers are sensors which detect the magnetic auras of living creatures", but I'd probably just treat that as Blindsight.

Maybe make it Blind since there's no mention of eyes?

It can ingest metal objects, which suggests some kind of "Eat Metal" power.

The attacks appear to be a Whirlwind Attack like 10 ft. radius circle with its buzz-discs and some kind of slam/crush with its rear cylinder.

 

[Shade]

Blind and blindsight make sense.

They remind me quite a bit of anaxims from the ELH, which are constructs.

 

[Cleon]

Blind and blindsight make sense.

They remind me quite a bit of anaxims from the ELH, which are constructs.

Well if we do make them Constructs they should certainly be Living Constructs.

While they could be Constructs I can see them being Aberrations, Outsiders or even Elementals just as easily.

They're just too ill-defined for me to get a handle on.

If they just had an intelligence score given it'd help narrow it down!

 

[Shade]

On further thought, I think outsider is the best fit. They remind me a bit of xorn, and are "from another universe"...which could just as easily be "from another plane".

I think they should have some Intelligence. We could base their scores between an average and elder xorn (where they fit HD-wise).

 

[Shade]

Here's a mockup to determine feasability...

Harrow
Large Outsider (Extraplanar, Earth?)
Hit Dice: 9d8+27 (67 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), burrow 20 ft.?
Armor Class: 23 (-1 size, +14 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 23
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+18
Attack: Razor-disc +13 melee (3d4+5)
Full Attack: Razor-disc +13 melee (3d4+5) and slam +8 melee (4d4+2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: "Eat metal", "whirlwind attack"
Special Qualities: Blind, blindsight 60 ft., detect metal, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to paralysis and mind-influencing spells and ability, resistance to cold x, spell resistance CR+11
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +6
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10
Skills: 8 at 12 ranks
Feats: 4
Environment: Elemental Plane of Earth?
Organization: Solitary or x
Challenge Rating: x
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: x
Level Adjustment: x

 

[Cleon]

On further thought, I think outsider is the best fit. They remind me a bit of xorn, and are "from another universe"...which could just as easily be "from another plane".

I think they should have some Intelligence. We could base their scores between an average and elder xorn (where they fit HD-wise).

That's a bit too smart for me, I was thinking more Semi- to Low intelligence (i.e. Int 2-7). There isn't anything to indicate they're sapient language-using creatures.

 

[Shade]

That's a bit too smart for me, I was thinking more Semi- to Low intelligence (i.e. Int 2-7). There isn't anything to indicate they're sapient language-using creatures.

There isn't anything to indicate they aren't!

That's the problem with these tiny, single-encounter stat blocks...not much to go on. Of course, it lets our imagination run wild, so that's a plus.

I'm fine lowering the Int a bit to differentiate the xorn. How about the middle of your range (Int 5)?

 

[Cleon]

There isn't anything to indicate they aren't!

That's the problem with these tiny, single-encounter stat blocks...not much to go on. Of course, it lets our imagination run wild, so that's a plus.

I'm fine lowering the Int a bit to differentiate the xorn. How about the middle of your range (Int 5)?

I'll meet you partway with Int 6.

 

[Shade]

Deal! Added to Homebrews.

It feeds by absorbing the magnetic auras of dying creatures and by ingesting iron and steel directly into its central body.

The former sounds a lot like death knell, which adds temporary hit points and a +2 bonus to Strength. Perhaps we should have the metal consumption add something different? Maybe a short-term boost to natural armor and actual healing?