Special Conversion Thread: Plants

[Cleon]

I'd just make the save DC Str-based or Cha-based (making it DC 38 or 30).

I like this, and making it Ex allows for Str-based easier.

Eh? I think I'd rather keep it with the entangle ability, since the soul snaring ability is already rather bloated.

Adding the soul-trapping to the entangle is fine by me.

 

[freyar]

So something like this?

Entangle (Ex): As a free action, the Tree of Wailing Souls may animate its roots (which reach out to a 300 ft radius around the tree). The effect lasts until the tree dies or decides to end it (also a free action). The ability is similar to entangle (save DC 38 or to break free). A creature that dies while entangled is affected by the Tree's Soul Snaring ability (see below). Something about sundering roots?

 

[Cleon]

So something like this?

Entangle (Ex): As a free action, the Tree of Wailing Souls may animate its roots (which reach out to a 300 ft radius around the tree). The effect lasts until the tree dies or decides to end it (also a free action). The ability is similar to entangle (save DC 38 or to break free). A creature that dies while entangled is affected by the Tree's Soul Snaring ability (see below). Something about sundering roots?

I'd include Escape Artist and Strength checks to escape, like with a web or net. How about:

An entangled creature can escape with a DC Y Escape Artist check or a DC Y Strength check. The roots can also be cut through with sunder attacks (AC Z and Z hit points per 5 foot square). A creature can not be entangled if all the squares in its space have had their roots cut through. The severed roots in a cleared square regrow in X days.

 

[freyar]

Escape Artist and Str checks are included in the entangle description, right (I even mentioned breaking free in the DC bit)? The real question is if you want to change from the entangle description. I do like what you have about sundering the roots.

 

[Cleon]

Escape Artist and Str checks are included in the entangle description, right (I even mentioned breaking free in the DC bit)? The real question is if you want to change from the entangle description. I do like what you have about sundering the roots.

I'd rather spell it out, "save DC 38 or to break free" is a bit confusing. Besides, I don't want the DM looking up entangle spell and using that spell's set DC20 for the Str or Escape Artist check.

 

[freyar]

So just get rid of the bit how it's like the entangle spell?

 

[Cleon]

So just get rid of the bit how it's like the entangle spell?

Yes, it does seem to be superfluous.

Entangle (Ex): As a free action, the Tree of Wailing Souls may animate its roots (which reach out to a 300 ft radius around the tree). Creatures in a square occupied by the roots will be entangled unless they succeed at a DC 38 Reflex save. The effect lasts until the tree dies or decides to end it (also a free action). A creature that dies while entangled is affected by the Tree's Soul Snaring ability (see below). An entangled creature can escape with a DC X Escape Artist check or a DC X Strength check. The roots can also be cut through with sunder attacks (AC Y and Z hit points per 5 foot square). A creature can not be entangled if all the squares in its space have had their roots cut through. The severed roots in a cleared square regrow in XX days.

 

[Shade]

Lookin' good. Make the DCs with Str-based, with the usual +4 racial bonus on the Str check to break it?

 

[Cleon]

Lookin' good. Make the DCs with Str-based, with the usual +4 racial bonus on the Str check to break it?

I'm OK with that, although I'm not sure that a +4 bonus is "usual" - there isn't an "Entangle" special ability in the SRD, after all. For comparison, the entangle of a tanglefoot bag has its Str DC +2 higher, while a net is +5.

Entangle (Ex): As a free action, the Tree of Wailing Souls may animate its roots (which reach out to a 300 ft radius around the tree). Creatures in a square occupied by the roots will be entangled unless they succeed at a DC 38 Reflex save. The effect lasts until the tree dies or decides to end it (also a free action). A creature that dies while entangled is affected by the Tree's Soul Snaring ability (see below). An entangled creature can escape with a DC 38 Escape Artist check or a DC 42 Strength check. The roots can also be cut through with sunder attacks (AC X and Y hit points per 5 foot square). A creature can not be entangled if all the squares in its space have had their roots cut through. The severed roots in a cleared square regrow in Z days. The check DCs are Strength-based, and the Strength check DC includes a +4 racial bonus.

We still need an AC, hit points, and a regrowth time.

 

[freyar]

Let's let it regrow in 1 day.

How about AC = 10+1/2 natural, as you'd have for swallowed whole? That's AC 20. That's probably ok at this CR. And maybe 50 total hp, as wood is supposed to have 10 per inch of thickness.