Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Cleon]

In that case, all we need is a DC before I can update the draft. What do you think? Start at DC 20?

I was thinking the standard fallback of 15, but would consider 20.

Come to think of it, perhaps it should be a Fort save instead of Will?

 

[freyar]

As an undead with no Con, these are immune to effects that require Fort saves (unless Draconic Slaughter affects objects ). And I don't want to explain a bunch of exceptions for this, since this template is complicated enough. But DC 15 works for me.

Updated.

Ready for background and flavor text?

 

[Cleon]

As an undead with no Con, these are immune to effects that require Fort saves (unless Draconic Slaughter affects objects ). And I don't want to explain a bunch of exceptions for this, since this template is complicated enough. But DC 15 works for me.

How do you think those dragonslaying swords work?

Ready for background and flavor text?

Sure, I'm OK considering the background text.

Although I'll run my eye over what we have so far first...

Favored Enemy appears to be missing a favored enemy in its final sentence, I suggest:

Favored Enemy (Dragon) (Ex): Undead dragon slayers have dragons as favored enemies, as per the ranger class ability. The bonus is equal to the maximum bonus achieved by a ranger of the dragon slayer's HD. An undead dragon slayers' favored enemy (dragon) ability does not stack with any other favored enemy ability.

Smite Enemy has some of the original Smite Evil paladin text still in it. I suggest:

Smite Dragon (Su): Once per day, an undead dragon slayer may attempt to smite a dragon with one normal melee attack. The slayer adds its Charisma bonus (if any) to its attack roll and deals 1 extra point of damage per HD. If the undead dragon slayer accidentally smites a non-dragon, the smite has no effect, but the ability is still used up for that day.

 

[freyar]

Good catches! Updated.

So, the red text in the flavor section is just a copy-paste from the original monster, and we need to edit that. I think the second paragraph could be cut, actually, since we just wrote up the Draconic Slaughter SQ.

 

[Cleon]

Good catches! Updated.

So, the red text in the flavor section is just a copy-paste from the original monster, and we need to edit that. I think the second paragraph could be cut, actually, since we just wrote up the Draconic Slaughter SQ.

We can definitely drop the second paragraph.

I think we ought to have some vague references to dragon slaying cults in there somewhere, but I don't fancy making it that elaborate.

The template itself is complicated enough.

 

[freyar]

OK, what we have from the original is

Most undead dragon slayers are called back from the grave by necromantic magic. Though it retains its own mind and agenda, it must obey the commands of the summoner – at least until its task is complete or it somehow wins its freedom. A small number af dragon slayers actually will themselves back from the dead. These individuals have the utmost faith in their cause, an undying hatred of dragons, and a supernatural strength of will. No matter which type of undead dragon slayer is encountered, all seek to destroy dragons and those who would offer aid to them. An undead dragon slayer might be found in the company of skeleton warriors or dracoliches.

Let's see. Here's my first attempt, but I'm sure you'll have some good ideas.

While some undead dragon slayers rise from the dead through the sheer force of their burning hatred of dragonkind, most are heros of dragon-fighting cults given a semblance of life through necromancy. They are all united in their desire to see all dragons --- and those who would aid dragons --- dead. Undead dragon slayers will keep company with any others who are seek to kill dragons, and they are often accompanied by skeleton warriors as help in their endeavors. Almost perversely, undead dragon slayers can sometimes be found in the presence of dracoliches or other undead dragons; as undead, a dracolich doesn't arouse the slayer's ire, and territorial dracoliches can use undead dragon slayers to drive other dragons out of their territories.

 

[Cleon]

OK, what we have from the original is

Let's see. Here's my first attempt, but I'm sure you'll have some good ideas.

While some undead dragon slayers rise from the dead through the sheer force of their burning hatred of dragonkind, most are heros of dragon-fighting cults given a semblance of life through necromancy. They are all united in their desire to see all dragons --- and those who would aid dragons --- dead. Undead dragon slayers will keep company with any others who are seek to kill dragons, and they are often accompanied by skeleton warriors as help in their endeavors. Almost perversely, undead dragon slayers can sometimes be found in the presence of dracoliches or other undead dragons; as undead, a dracolich doesn't arouse the slayer's ire, and territorial dracoliches can use undead dragon slayers to drive other dragons out of their territories.

Hmm, we can probably polish that up a bit and maybe separate it into more paragraphs for easier reading.

Also:

territorial dracoliches can use undead dragon slayers to drive other dragons out of their territories.

I thought we were going to have the undead dragon slayers use the undead dragons as their slaves, not the other way round?

 

[freyar]

I honestly don't remember what we were doing with the dracoliches, other than to note that the undead dragon slayers see them as undead, rather than dragons.

Do you have any suggestions for polishing?

 

[Cleon]

I honestly don't remember what we were doing with the dracoliches, other than to note that the undead dragon slayers see them as undead, rather than dragons.

Do you have any suggestions for polishing?

Let's see...

A horrifying undead humanoid, little more than a skeleton held together by rotting flesh. Lifeless eyes peer from the sockets of its skull-like face. Its weapons and armor glow with a supernatural light and are decorated with a dragon-scale design and images of dragons or draconic body parts bearing appalling wounds.

Undead dragon slayers are creatures animated by an unquenchable urge to kill dragons. Most are created by evil dragon-fighting cults, but a few have dragged themselves back from the dead through their undying hatred of dragonkind. Those undead dragon slayers created by necromantic rites must obey the spellcasters who ushered them into unlife.

These undead are at least as intelligent and powerful as they were in life and have additional supernatural powers tuned to slaughtering dragons. Killing dragons gives an undead dragon slayer the energy to maintain its unnatural existence, and they fall back into death if this energy runs out (as detailed in their Draconic Slaughter).

Undead dragon slayers tend to hunt in well-coordinated teams with other undead, the better to overcome their powerful dragon prey. As well as other undead dragon slayers, they often fight alongside skeletal warriors; often the reanimated "lesser heroes" of a dragon-fighting cult. Ironically, they also associate with undead dragons, as their lust to kill only applies to living dragons. Some undead dragon slayers derive perverse amusement from turning a dragon they have slain into a dracolich or zombie and using this undead slave to slay that dragon's kin.

A typical undead dragon slayer stands 6 to 7 feet tall and weighs about 250 pounds. They can speak whatever languages they knew in life, which usually includes Common and Draconic.

 

[freyar]

Excellent! Updated.

Fancy anything in particular for the sample?