Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Cleon]

I don't really have a strong opinion one way or the other about the "tubular speed", but what's the logic behind it? If it's because it can propel itself from more surfaces, then a climb speed would seem a better fit. If it is because of water jets or somesuch, wouldn't any creature in the tube gain a swifter speed? If its supernatural, then it would need to become a magical beast.

Well the original Lankhmar version clearly states "Movement: 12 in coral, Sw 3" but neglected to explain the mechanism as to why it moves quickly through coral (which I presume to mean moving through the tube-complex of a giant coral reef rather than burrowing, since there's no mention of a burrow speed). Regardless, it infers that the coral worm is specially adapted for slithering quickly through its coral tubes.

If I were to hazard a guess, the "slug like" coral beast has a specialized mollusc-style foot that goes all around its body, so when it's in a tube it can simultaneously push against the walls and ceiling as well as the floor to move itself along. When in normal terrain (e.g. outside the reef) it can only push against whatever surface it's lying on and is reduced to the speed of an ordinary giant snail.

 

[Shade]

If I were to hazard a guess, the "slug like" coral beast has a specialized mollusc-style foot that goes all around its body, so when it's in a tube it can simultaneously push against the walls and ceiling as well as the floor to move itself along. When in normal terrain (e.g. outside the reef) it can only push against whatever surface it's lying on and is reduced to the speed of an ordinary giant snail.

In that case, I'd vote to either make it a climb speed or just drop the "coral speed" entirely. It just feels really odd and tacked-on, an obvious artifact of an older system.

 

[freyar]

In that case, I'd vote to either make it a climb speed or just drop the "coral speed" entirely. It just feels really odd and tacked-on, an obvious artifact of an older system.

My vote is to make it a climb speed.

As for the arrow slit, are you allowed to stab through one? Maybe with a squeezing penalty or something. Anyway, what if they take an AoO? Then they shouldn't get the AC bonus from the tube. I'm not sure how to resolve this, though I see your point to some extent.

 

[Cleon]

In that case, I'd vote to either make it a climb speed or just drop the "coral speed" entirely. It just feels really odd and tacked-on, an obvious artifact of an older system.

Well, why don't we agree to differ and do a "Coral Worm" based on the Monstrous Compendium Appendix while I whip up an Obviously Superior Cleon Special™ based on the original Lankhmar version?

 

[Shade]

Well, why don't we agree to differ and do a "Coral Worm" based on the Monstrous Compendium Appendix while I whip up an Obviously Superior Cleon Special™ based on the original Lankhmar version?

Sounds like a plan. Let's finish our Obviously Inferior and Not Special ™ version.

 

[Cleon]

Sounds like a plan. Let's finish our Obviously Inferior and Not Special ™ version.

Agreed!

 

[freyar]

Sure. Tell you what, I'll also compromise on the armored tube. Let me suggest the following revisions:

Armored Tube (Ex): Coral worms build tubes by cementing together shards of coral. The tube is covered with razor-sharp ridges on the outside but pearly smooth inside. When fighting, a coral worm typically lunges from the mouth of its tube to its full reach of 10 ft, returning to the tube's interior at the end of its attack. When not attacking, the coral worm gains cover (+4 to AC and +2 to Reflex saves) from the tube; however, the worm does not gain this cover during its attack action (for example, if its attack is interrupted by an Attack of Opportunity). In addition, the razor-sharp exterior gives the worm a spiny defense (see below). A coral worm can withdraw entirely inside its armored tube to gain the benefits of full cover. The tube has hardness 7 and 25 hit points (50 for a Gargantuan worm, 100 for a Colossal worm).

That makes the bonus from the tube not too overpowering, and it's probably complicated enough even for Cleon. Are we putting in the Climb speed for the tubular business?

 

[Cleon]

Sure. Tell you what, I'll also compromise on the armored tube. Let me suggest the following revisions:

Armored Tube (Ex): Coral worms build tubes by cementing together shards of coral. The tube is covered with razor-sharp ridges on the outside but pearly smooth inside. When fighting, a coral worm typically lunges from the mouth of its tube to its full reach of 10 ft, returning to the tube's interior at the end of its attack. When not attacking, the coral worm gains cover (+4 to AC and +2 to Reflex saves) from the tube; however, the worm does not gain this cover during its attack action (for example, if its attack is interrupted by an Attack of Opportunity). In addition, the razor-sharp exterior gives the worm a spiny defense (see below). A coral worm can withdraw entirely inside its armored tube to gain the benefits of full cover. The tube has hardness 7 and 25 hit points (50 for a Gargantuan worm, 100 for a Colossal worm).

That makes the bonus from the tube not too overpowering, and it's probably complicated enough even for Cleon. Are we putting in the Climb speed for the tubular business?

Where's the complications? It seems perfectly straightforward to me.

I like the "the worm does not gain this cover during its attack action" bit, I might steal it...

 

[freyar]

Whew, glad that's done!

 

[Cleon]

Whew, glad that's done!

So, assuming Shade's OK with that, are we about done with this critter?

Haven't got around to doing much work on my Cleon Special™ version yet.