Converting prehistoric creatures
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
Cleon
Legend
Afraid not.
Mechanically, the Swallow Whole has "xdx bludgeoning and x acid".
Our Nereis conversion did 1d4 crushing plus 1 acid but was Medium sized.
Increasing that to Huge suggests 1d8+9 plus 4 acid.
That seems about right for a CR4 monster, although I don't object to increasing it to 1d8+13 or 2d6+9 for the bludgeoning or 6 points of acid damage.
Methinks the description and flavour could do with some work...
A long thick worm erupts from the sand, presenting a blank, roughly spherical head covered with short spines. An eversible proboscis extends from the head, seeking prey.
There should be a comma after "long". Also, how can the viewer tell it's "long" when only its head is sticking out of the sand? Also, the proboscis would be the first thing you see, since the worm shoots it out at prey.
An ottoia is a carnivorous primitive worm found mostly burrowing in sandy reef bottoms.
Wouldn't "primitive carnivorous" be better, I also feel "mostly burrowing" is clumsily phrased.
An ottoia lies in ambush, waiting to detect approaching prey via tremsorsense. It generally fights with only his its head exposed, gaining both cover and the benefit of its armored head.
Apart from the "it" generally fights with "his" and the "tremsorsense" typo I think the wording could do with more polish as well as more info on how it actually fights.
How's this:
A long proboscis erupts from the concealed burrow of a massive worm as thick as a barrel. The worm's blank, roughly spherical head is covered with short spines. Its eversible proboscis quests about in search of prey.
A ottoia is a primitive carnivorous worm that lives in burrows in the sea floor. They are mostly found in sandy reef bottoms.
The body of an ottoia is 2 to 3 feet in diameter and 30 to 50 feet in length, weighing about 5,000 pounds.
COMBAT
A giant ottoia lies in ambush, waiting to detect approaching prey via tremsorsense. It attacks as soon as a creature small enough to swallow whole come within its reach. An ottoia generally fights with only its head exposed, gaining both cover and the benefit of its armored head.
Shade
Monster Junkie
All good. Updated.
Anomalocaris
FREQUENCY Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-2
ARMOR CLASS: 4
MOVEMENT SW 18
HIT DICE: 12
THAC0: 9
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d8 (x2)/2d8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
SIZE: G (80’ long)
MORALE: Fearless (20)
XP VALUE: 6,000
Anomalocaris, the “odd shrimp”, is the largest of the creatures in the Burgess Shale, so I felt justified in making it the biggest monster on the list. Superficially, it resembles a giant squid with curved walrus tusks. Closer examination, however, shows that the .tusks. are really tentacular appendages with additional grasping arms on them, while the tail fins are far longer and broader than a squid's. Anomalocaris is a strong swimmer that aggressively chases its prey.
When attacking, Anomalocaris seizes its prey with its grasping appendages, doing 1d8 points of constriction damage with each, then shoves it into the round mouth (2d8 points of biting damage). This creature follows the swallowing rules above. This is another case where a swallowed victim won’t have to worry much about taking half damage from the attacks of would-be rescuers, because he won’t last long. It.s not a matter of digestive juices dissolving him, either. If he does not break free right away (a Strength check made at -2 or a Fitness roll at -10), he will discover to his dismay that Anomalocaris has row upon row of crushing teeth, extending all the way through the front end of the creature,s gut! Simply put, this means that the swallowed PC will take 2d8 points of biting damage for the next three turns. Then, and only then, will he be exposed to the monster’s digestive juices (1d8 points of damage per turn).
Damaging Anomalocaris won't be easy, either. The entire animal has a tough hide that, in BUGHUNTERS terms, removes two damage points and one lethality rating from each attack. Remember, too, the difficulty of using certain weapons on a opponent that is always in the water. Everyone fighting the creature may well wind up in the water, no matter how the fight begins, as Anomalocaris is more than powerful enough to flip over a small boat, even one large enough to hold an entire infantry squad or typical AD&D adventuring party.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #204 (1994).
Anomalocaris
FREQUENCY Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-2
ARMOR CLASS: 4
MOVEMENT SW 18
HIT DICE: 12
THAC0: 9
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d8 (x2)/2d8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
SIZE: G (80’ long)
MORALE: Fearless (20)
XP VALUE: 6,000
Anomalocaris, the “odd shrimp”, is the largest of the creatures in the Burgess Shale, so I felt justified in making it the biggest monster on the list. Superficially, it resembles a giant squid with curved walrus tusks. Closer examination, however, shows that the .tusks. are really tentacular appendages with additional grasping arms on them, while the tail fins are far longer and broader than a squid's. Anomalocaris is a strong swimmer that aggressively chases its prey.
When attacking, Anomalocaris seizes its prey with its grasping appendages, doing 1d8 points of constriction damage with each, then shoves it into the round mouth (2d8 points of biting damage). This creature follows the swallowing rules above. This is another case where a swallowed victim won’t have to worry much about taking half damage from the attacks of would-be rescuers, because he won’t last long. It.s not a matter of digestive juices dissolving him, either. If he does not break free right away (a Strength check made at -2 or a Fitness roll at -10), he will discover to his dismay that Anomalocaris has row upon row of crushing teeth, extending all the way through the front end of the creature,s gut! Simply put, this means that the swallowed PC will take 2d8 points of biting damage for the next three turns. Then, and only then, will he be exposed to the monster’s digestive juices (1d8 points of damage per turn).
Damaging Anomalocaris won't be easy, either. The entire animal has a tough hide that, in BUGHUNTERS terms, removes two damage points and one lethality rating from each attack. Remember, too, the difficulty of using certain weapons on a opponent that is always in the water. Everyone fighting the creature may well wind up in the water, no matter how the fight begins, as Anomalocaris is more than powerful enough to flip over a small boat, even one large enough to hold an entire infantry squad or typical AD&D adventuring party.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #204 (1994).
Cleon
Legend
Isn't there already a conversion of this somewhere on enworld we can look to for inspiration?
Anyhow, the original's 80 ft. length matches 3E's Colossal size, but I'd rather make them Gargantuan, since that's a better fit to the original's 12 Hit Dice.
Rather than a "drawn out" Swallow Whole it looks more like a regular swallow whole that does a lot of crushing/slashing/piercing damage.
Statwise, I'm thinking a Purple Worm might be a useful comparison for the ability scores.
The BUGHUNTER version's tough hide suggests DR X/— and some level of fortification.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Cleon
Legend
What about fortification for the BUGHUNTER's lethality reduction?
I think I'll rough something out.
Cleon
Legend
The Ottoia still has "waiting to detect approaching prey via tremsorsense" in tactics.
Oh, and I should have started the description with "An ottoia is a primitive carnivorous worm", not "a ottoia".
Its special abilities seem to have gotten screwed up, they should be:
Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Armored head, darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., vermin traits
I think I'll start a working draft for the Strange Shrimp.
Oh, and I should have started the description with "An ottoia is a primitive carnivorous worm", not "a ottoia".
Its special abilities seem to have gotten screwed up, they should be:
Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Armored head, darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., vermin traits
I think I'll start a working draft for the Strange Shrimp.
Cleon
Legend
Anomalocaris Working Draft
Anomalocaris
Gargantuan Vermin (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 12d8+84 (138 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: Swim 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (-4 size, +10 natural), touch 6, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+33
Attack: Tentacle +17 melee (2d6+12)
Full Attack: 2 tentacles +17 melee (2d6+12) and bite +12 melee (3d8+6)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., damage reduction X/—, fortification, vermin traits
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +4, Will +4
Abilities: Str 35, Dex 10, Con 25, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 6
Skills: Swim +20
Feats: —
Environment: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 8?
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 13-24 HD (Gargantuan); 25-48 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: —
Description.
Stuff.
The body of an anomalocaris is 40 to 80 feet in length, they weigh between 20 and 150 tons or more.
COMBAT
Grab! Crunch! Crunch!! Crunch!!!
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an anomalocaris must hit with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can attempt to swallow the foe the following round.
Swallow Whole (Ex): An anomalocaris can try to swallow a grabbed opponent two size categories smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, the opponent is masticated by the multiple rows of teeth lining the anomalocaris's gizzard, taking 3d8+18 points of bludgeoning/slashing/piercing damage plus 8 points of acid damage per round. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 15). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Huge anomalocaris's interior can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium, 32 Small, 128 Tiny, or 512 Diminutive or smaller opponents.
Skills: An anomalocarishas 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.
Anomalocaris
Gargantuan Vermin (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 12d8+84 (138 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: Swim 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (-4 size, +10 natural), touch 6, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+33
Attack: Tentacle +17 melee (2d6+12)
Full Attack: 2 tentacles +17 melee (2d6+12) and bite +12 melee (3d8+6)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., damage reduction X/—, fortification, vermin traits
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +4, Will +4
Abilities: Str 35, Dex 10, Con 25, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 6
Skills: Swim +20
Feats: —
Environment: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 8?
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 13-24 HD (Gargantuan); 25-48 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: —
Description.
Stuff.
The body of an anomalocaris is 40 to 80 feet in length, they weigh between 20 and 150 tons or more.
COMBAT
Grab! Crunch! Crunch!! Crunch!!!
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an anomalocaris must hit with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can attempt to swallow the foe the following round.
Swallow Whole (Ex): An anomalocaris can try to swallow a grabbed opponent two size categories smaller than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, the opponent is masticated by the multiple rows of teeth lining the anomalocaris's gizzard, taking 3d8+18 points of bludgeoning/slashing/piercing damage plus 8 points of acid damage per round. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 15). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Huge anomalocaris's interior can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium, 32 Small, 128 Tiny, or 512 Diminutive or smaller opponents.
Skills: An anomalocarishas 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.
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