5E: Fifth Edition Monsters Inspired by Third Edition Sources

Cleon · Nov 9, 2023

Casimir Liber said:
I like the idea of rapier/dagger as two weapon-attack (1 each + bonus dagger)

So you mean:

Multiattack. The thrall makes two melee attacks: one with its rapier and one with its dagger.

Bonus Actions

Stab. The thrall makes one melee attack with its dagger.

Alternatively, we could keep closer to the original design and let the Thrall mix-and-match its Multiattack however it likes, we could jazz it up even further by letting it make a ranged attack as a Bonus Action as well as a melee attack.

e.g.:

Multiattack. The thrall makes two attacks. It can use its rapier or a dagger for either attack.

Bonus Actions

Lethal Legerdemain. The thrall makes one melee or ranged attack with a dagger.

Casimir Liber · Nov 9, 2023

the latter

Cleon · Nov 9, 2023

Casimir Liber said:
the latter

Updated Thrall of Pazuzu Working Draft.

Casimir Liber · Dec 13, 2023

What did you have in mind with Tempt Aerial Creature

Something like:
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The thrall targets one aerial creature she can see within 30 feet of them and who can see her. The target must succeed at a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed until the start of their next turn. A charmed target uses their reaction, if available, to move up to their speed to a location chosen by the thrall, then either makes a melee attack against a target of the thrall’s choice or falls prone (thrall’s choice). On a successful save, the creature is immune to the thrall's Tempting for the next 24 hours.
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I also wanted this (as it can only do one bonus action/round, shouldn't increase CR as it is probably on a par with Lethal Legerdemain)
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Noxious Cough (Recharge 3-6). Melee Weapon Attack: The thrall coughs a cloud of noxious air on one opponent within 5 feet, who must succeed on a DC 12 CON save or be poisoned for one minute. They can save at the end of their turn in combat.

Cleon · Dec 13, 2023

Casimir Liber said:
What did you have in mind with Tempt Aerial Creature

Something like:
-------------------------------------------
The thrall targets one aerial creature she can see within 30 feet of them and who can see her. The target must succeed at a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed until the start of their next turn. A charmed target uses their reaction, if available, to move up to their speed to a location chosen by the thrall, then either makes a melee attack against a target of the thrall’s choice or falls prone (thrall’s choice). On a successful save, the creature is immune to the thrall's Tempting for the next 24 hours.
----------------------------------------------

I'd basically have it work just like charm monster since that's what the original's charm avian did.

We'll need a clear definition of "Aerial Creature" and I'm wondering about further restricting it by Challenge Rating or Intelligence.

Casimir Liber said:
I also wanted this (as it can only do one bonus action/round, shouldn't increase CR as it is probably on a par with Lethal Legerdemain)
-------------------------------------
Noxious Cough (Recharge 3-6). Melee Weapon Attack: The thrall coughs a cloud of noxious air on one opponent within 5 feet, who must succeed on a DC 12 CON save or be poisoned for one minute. They can save at the end of their turn in combat.

That wasn't in the original prestige class so I'm not sure about it, although I guess it's OK.

Prefer "noxious spores" over "noxious air", partially as a homage to the spore attack of a Vrock but mostly so it's not just attacking an enemy with halitosis.

Would also make the Recharge less than 3-6. A Vrock's Spores are only Recharge 6.

Cleon · Dec 13, 2023

The original thrall of pazuzu could also transform into a swarm of locusts. Will we be keeping that ability?

Casimir Liber · Dec 14, 2023

Ok - Noxious cough --> Noxious spores (recharge 5-6)

I think "charm" is less interesting gameplay-wise for players and GMs but can live with it. Amenable to a restriction. Did you have a CR in mind? Intelligence 8 maximum maybe?

ooo...forgot about transforming into a swarm of locusts...yeah like that idea.

Cleon · Dec 17, 2023

Casimir Liber said:
Ok - Noxious cough --> Noxious spores (recharge 5-6)

Okay, there's still some mechanical errors in the current version.

For a start, it's not a Melee Weapon Attack since it doesn't involve a to hit roll.

The "They can save at the end of their turn in combat" does not follow standard phrasing and omits what the possible results of these saves are.

Finally, 5 feet feels a little short for the range. I'd be OK with 10 feet or 15 feet.

Also, a Vrock's Spores are neutralized by holy water, so I'm tempted to have the thrall's spores suffer the same weakness.

If we follow existing precedents, it'd be something like:

Noxious Spores (Recharge 5-6). The thrall coughs a cloud of toxic spores at a creature within [5? 10? 15?] feet. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. [Emptying a vial of holy water on the target also ends the effect on it.?]

Casimir Liber · Dec 17, 2023

15 ft and yes to the holy water

Cleon · Dec 18, 2023

Casimir Liber said:
15 ft and yes to the holy water

Updated Thrall of Pazuzu Working Draft.

Got some ideas for the "charm aerial creatures" and locust swarm abilities but they'll have to wait.

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