Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cleon" data-source="post: 8482312" data-attributes="member: 57383">Oh, thought of something else!I guess the 40 ft. Climb is because the original could "Climb as a 10th level thief" but thieves in AD&D like 5E didn't have an actual Climb speed, they were just skilled at "Climbing" (i.e. they had double proficiency in Athletics in 5E terms).Incidentally, I've already given it Double Prof in both Athletics (Str) and Performance (Cha) so it's got +5 in its skills across the board.How about giving them some perks from the <a href="https://www.5esrd.com/classes/rogue/rogue-archetypes/acrobat/" target="_blank">Acrobat Rogue Archetype</a> and dropping the Climb speed?Speed 50 ft.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Acrobatic Moves. Non-magical difficult terrain does not cost a shadow dancer extra movement.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Second-Story Work. Climbing does not cost a shadow dancer extra movement. In addition, when a shadow dancer make a running jump, the distance it covers increases by a number of feet equal to its Dexterity modifier.</li> </ul>Hmm, I think we can combine those and simplify it a bit:Elegant Acrobat. Climbing and non-magical difficult terrain does not cost a shadow dancer extra movement. In addition, when a shadow dancer make a running jump, the distance it covers increases by 5 feet.I was tempted to toss in the <a href="https://www.5esrd.com/classes/rogue/rogue-archetypes/dancer/" target="_blank">Dancer Rogue Archetype</a> but decided that was going too far!Let's see, <a href="https://www.enworld.org/attachments/shadowdancer3-png.148209/" target="_blank">Version 3</a> has this for a Description:Of Fiendish origin, shadow dancers are from an unknown plane of evil. When dormant, they take the form of a 12-foot high ebon statue of a tall lithe humanoid with delicate vaguely hawklike features and an unearthly dark beauty. When struck by moonlight they become active; their facial features become more demonic with fanged moths and glowing red eyes, and their hands are armed with sharp claws. Once active, they seek to shed the blood of sentient, preferably human-like creature. They move rapidly with a elegant, skipping gait, and enjoy dancing and cavorting in the night air when not hunting for prey.Regarding The Pool of the Black One.I was thinking the beings in that story resemble the Dancers in some aspects:a) they are inhumanly tall (the "Iron Shadows" were presumably the same height as the men they used to be).b) the are demonic or demon-like creatures of some kind, not cursed humans.c) they capture humans to sacrifice in their circular "sanctum" for some dark purpose. The Iron Shadows just attacked.It's more behaviour than biology.The strongest match to Shadows in the Moonlight is the "turning into statues" deal.Anyhow, here goes my stab at a Description:Inhumanly tall and slim creatures of fiendish origin, an inactive shadow dancer is indistinguishable from a ebon statue of unearthly dark beauty. These "12 foot tall statues" move when touched by moonlight, walking with an elegant skipping gait as if they were dancing. Active shadow dancers become demonic-looking; their hawk-like face reveal flame-red eyes and a fanged mouth, and their hands are armed with sharp claws. Blood Under the Moon. Shadow dancers are always based in a demonic shrine dedicated to some Dark Lord of the lower planes whom they serve. When frozen in statue form they are nigh-indestructible. When animated by moonlight they set out to shed humanoid blood for their master. Shadow dancers prefer to capture living victims to kill in their lair, which will have some ghastly device for this purpose, such as a manacle-equipped altar to their lord. Once their unholy sacrifice is complete, the ebon fiends celebrate by dancing and exulting in the moonlit night. (Originally appeared in White Dwarf Magazine #18 (Apr/May 1980) as part of "The Halls of Tizun Thane" by Albie Fiore.)I think that covers everything we need.</blockquote>

Verification