Converting Monsters from Dungeon Magazine

[freyar]

Which ability do you want to tackle next? I feel like we already sketched out the windblast, but it's not in homebrews.

 

[Cleon]

Which ability do you want to tackle next? I feel like we already sketched out the windblast, but it's not in homebrews.

That doesn't ring any bells, but we've done creatures with similar powers.

 

[freyar]

We had this:

To me, the searing windblast (or fiery gale) seems like a fireball plus knockdown (overrun).

and you suggested some bludgeoning damage added to the mix.

 

[Shade]

That's more of a very light penciling, rather than "sketched out".

 

[Cleon]

That's more of a very light penciling, rather than "sketched out".

Well, maybe a charcoal rendering.

The windblast doesn't knock victims over, it blows them up. (Lifts them repeatedly into the air and prevents them acting for the round). I'm thinking we should have two saving throws - an initial Ref save for half damage, and if that fails, another roll (Fort save? or maybe Strength check?) to prevent "lift off".

 

[freyar]

Maybe it's a study of the subject, in preparation for the actual painting.

As for lifting people up, I'm not sure how that really stops them from doing anything at all. Surely you should be able to cast a stilled, silent spell, at least if you make a Concentration check; the conditions don't sound that bad. So how do we draw the line? Besides, if it lifts them up into the air, and, say, dazes them, shouldn't they fall over when they land?

 

[Shade]

Maybe it's a study of the subject, in preparation for the actual painting.

As for lifting people up, I'm not sure how that really stops them from doing anything at all. Surely you should be able to cast a stilled, silent spell, at least if you make a Concentration check; the conditions don't sound that bad. So how do we draw the line? Besides, if it lifts them up into the air, and, say, dazes them, shouldn't they fall over when they land?

Good point. I think I'd rather have it throw them to an adjacent space, and maybe require a Balance check/Reflex save to avoid falling prone.

 

[Cleon]

Good point. I think I'd rather have it throw them to an adjacent space, and maybe require a Balance check/Reflex save to avoid falling prone.

Well I doubt they're incapacitated just because they're lifted off the ground. Presumably they get such a battering from the winds it stuns them, and/or they're spun around so fast they are dazed with dizziness.

The Wind effects in the SRD Weather & Environment section include a lot of effects that knock people prone, and the "Blown Away" effect uses a Fort save.

I have no objection in principle to there being a Balance/Reflex save to avoid being knocked prone, but wouldn't that make it three checks - one for half damage, one for the round of stun/daze and one to remain standing? That seems too many.

 

[freyar]

Why not combine the stun/daze and prone save into a single Fort save?

 

[Cleon]

Why not combine the stun/daze and prone save into a single Fort save?

No objection to that, one follows the other pretty naturally.