Converting Creatures from Other Campaign Settings

[Shade]

Hmmm...I'm not so sure about Wis. While I realize it would help with all the Will saves, that's usually for madness-inducing monsters. This guy is more of a vitality sapper, so maybe Str? Or just plain ol' negative energy damage?

 

[Cleon]

Hmmm...I'm not so sure about Wis. While I realize it would help with all the Will saves, that's usually for madness-inducing monsters. This guy is more of a vitality sapper, so maybe Str? Or just plain ol' negative energy damage?

Contrariwise, they induce homicidal mania in their host so they are madness-inducing monsters. So I was thinking their touch could cause an instantaneous feeling of murderous rage which corrodes the victim's will.

 

[Shade]

That does make sense.

Regardless of the type of ability damage we use, I think it should only deal a single point, so as not too discourage that attack mode over its merge n' rage.

 

[Cleon]

That does make sense.

Regardless of the type of ability damage we use, I think it should only deal a single point, so as not too discourage that attack mode over its merge n' rage.

Well it can't feed by using its touch attach, and there's that whole "get into a host or die" thing, so they're already pretty encouraged to merge 'n rage!

1d2 or 1d3 Wisdom damage would suit me better.

 

[freyar]

Make it 1d2 Wis as a compromise.

 

[Cleon]

Make it 1d2 Wis as a compromise.

That'd be alright by me.

 

[Shade]

Fair enough. Updated.

Organization: Solitary or x

Challenge Rating: 6-7? Despite having less HD, it is at least as deadly (if not deadlier) than a CR 6 will-o'-wisp.

Advancement: None? Will an Advancement screw with its death drain growth and splitting?

 

[Cleon]

Fair enough. Updated.

We seem to be missing a couple of things:

If it’s unable to make such a transfer within 5 rounds of its host’s death, the death shade dies. During this time of transfer, it can be attacked with normal weapons or spells.

Firstly, we've forgotten to put a time limit on its survival outside a host. I'd suggest adding another SQ:

Dependency on Host (Ex): A death shade dies can only survive outside a host for a number of rounds equal to half its Constitution.

Secondly, the "During this time of transfer, it can be attacked with normal weapons or spells" suggests that it isn't Incorporeal.

Organization: Solitary or x

Just solitary methinks.

Challenge Rating: 6-7? Despite having less HD, it is at least as deadly (if not deadlier) than a CR 6 will-o'-wisp.

Well their CR is more a function of whatever unfortunate they're possessing than their own lethality. CR 5 feels enough to me.

Advancement: None? Will an Advancement screw with its death drain growth and splitting?

I'm fine with no advancement.

 

[Cleon]

Oh, and do we want to do something with:

Persons and objects capable of viewing invisible creatures see the death shade as a gray mist which centers on the host’s eyes

 

[Shade]

Firstly, we've forgotten to put a time limit on its survival outside a host. I'd suggest adding another SQ:

Dependency on Host (Ex): A death shade dies can only survive outside a host for a number of rounds equal to half its Constitution.

That seems reasonable.

Secondly, the "During this time of transfer, it can be attacked with normal weapons or spells" suggests that it isn't Incorporeal.

Rather than add extra complications to this already-loaded creature, I'd recommend we just omit that bit.

Just solitary methinks.

Sounds good. They have no reason to organize.

Well their CR is more a function of whatever unfortunate they're possessing than their own lethality. CR 5 feels enough to me.

The Wis damage alone makes 'em deadlier than a will-o'-wisp, though. I'm sure the wisp is over-CR'ed, but I'm not comfortable dropping these things below 'em.

I'm fine with no advancement.

Sounds good.

Oh, and do we want to do something with:

Sure...but what?