Casimir Liber
Adventurer
I like the mechanics too, and would like to see it used. How about making a Derro chaos shaman instead with this? (need some muscle for a derro encounter 
)
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5E: Fifth Edition Monster Variants Inspired by Fourth Edition Sources
- Thread starter Cleon
- Start date
Cleon
Hero
I like the mechanics too, and would like to see it used. How about making a Derro chaos shaman instead with this? (need some muscle for a derro encounter
Fine by me, except for the name. Derro spellcasters are usually called Savants not Sages.
The Derro Savant in the 4E Monster Manual 3 seems a suitable model, although there's already 5E versions of the Derro Savant in Mordenkainen's Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse as well as Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes and Out of the Abyss.
What Challenge Rating would you be aiming at?
All the official Fifth Edition Derro Savants are CR 3, but the Fourth Edition Derro Savant is a Level 16 Controller, which is a bit stronger.
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Thinking of something meaty.....with the bolt of chaos (laughs fiendishly). So modelled a little on abjurer statblock and savant. CR 9 maybe (?) idea is warping/supporting spells as well. Would have done more now but going to sleep now...more later
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Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Just read the 4e savant - cool abilities - Mind Scourge/Window to Madness/Strength of Madness all good - last would be good as bonus action to add STR for a turn to an ally
Cleon
Hero
For a 5E "Chaos Savant" based on the 4E Derro Savant I was thinking we'd give it Bolt of Chaos INSTEAD of Mind Scourge not both abilities.
Don't care for the first draft having Multiattack with Bolt of Chaos. Would rather it be one target like Mind Scourge.
If you want it to have a multitarget option, how about a Recharge After Short Rest or Recharge 6 ability called, say, Storm of Chaos that makes three Bolt of Chaos attacks against different targets or perhaps creates an AoE that has a Bolt of Chaos type effect on every target within it?
Such a chaos storm ability could be instead of the original Savant's Window of Madness or in addition to it.
Cleon
Hero
Derro Chaos Savant
Small humanoid (derro), chaotic evil
Armor Class ## (type)
Hit Points ## (#d6 + ##)
Speed ## ft.
Saving Throws Stat +#
Skills Stealth +#, Skill +#
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception ##
Languages Dwarvish, Undercommon
Challenge # (### XP) Proficiency Bonus +#
Magic Resistance. The derro has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the derro has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Special Trait. ???.
Actions
Multiattack. The ??? makes ??? attacks: ??? with its ??? and ??? with its ???.
Attack. Melee Weapon Attack: +# to hit, reach # ft., one target. Hit: # (#d# + #) ??? damage.
Attack. Ranged Weapon Attack: +# to hit, range ##/## ft., one target. Hit: # (#d# + #) ??? damage.
Bolt of Chaos. Ranged Spell Attack: +# to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) [?] damage of a random type (roll d4: 1=necrotic, 2=poison, 3=cold, 4=lightning) and the target must make a DC ## Constitution saving throw. If they fail, the target suffers a special effect that depends on the bolt's damage type:
Action (#/day). ???.
???.
Action (Recharge 5-6 | Recharges After a Short/Long Rest). ???.
???.
Bonus Actions
Bonus. ???.
???.
Reactions
Reaction. ???.
???.
Legendary Actions
The [NAME] can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The [NAME] regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Action (Costs # Actions). ???.
???.
Description
???.
???.
Subsection. ???.
???.
Subsection. ???.
???.
(Inspired by the Derro Savant in 4th Edition's Monster Manual 3 (2010).)
Small humanoid (derro), chaotic evil
Armor Class ## (type)
Hit Points ## (#d6 + ##)
Speed ## ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## (+–#) | ## (+–#) | ## (+–#) | ## (+–#) | ## (+–#) | ## (+–#) |
Saving Throws Stat +#
Skills Stealth +#, Skill +#
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception ##
Languages Dwarvish, Undercommon
Challenge # (### XP) Proficiency Bonus +#
Magic Resistance. The derro has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the derro has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Special Trait. ???.
Actions
Multiattack. The ??? makes ??? attacks: ??? with its ??? and ??? with its ???.
Attack. Melee Weapon Attack: +# to hit, reach # ft., one target. Hit: # (#d# + #) ??? damage.
Attack. Ranged Weapon Attack: +# to hit, range ##/## ft., one target. Hit: # (#d# + #) ??? damage.
Bolt of Chaos. Ranged Spell Attack: +# to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) [?] damage of a random type (roll d4: 1=necrotic, 2=poison, 3=cold, 4=lightning) and the target must make a DC ## Constitution saving throw. If they fail, the target suffers a special effect that depends on the bolt's damage type:
- Necrotic Damage: Target can't regain hit points until the start of the gnoll beast shaman's next turn.
- Poison Damage: Target is poisoned until the start of the shaman's next turn.
- Cold Damage: Target's speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of the shaman's next turn.
- Lightning Damage: Target can't take reactions until the start of the target's next turn.
Action (#/day). ???.
???.
Action (Recharge 5-6 | Recharges After a Short/Long Rest). ???.
???.
Bonus Actions
Bonus. ???.
???.
Reactions
Reaction. ???.
???.
Legendary Actions
The [NAME] can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The [NAME] regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Action (Costs # Actions). ???.
???.
Description
???.
???.
Subsection. ???.
???.
Subsection. ???.
???.
(Inspired by the Derro Savant in 4th Edition's Monster Manual 3 (2010).)
Cleon
Hero
Oh and don't forget we've got the Fomorian Butcher and Fomorian Ghost Shaman to finish too.
The latter just needs a Description.
Oh and I've updated the Gnoll Beast Shaman and marked it as Completed in the 4E Conversion Index.
Is the D&D Beyond version ready to go yet?
The latter just needs a Description.
Oh and I've updated the Gnoll Beast Shaman and marked it as Completed in the 4E Conversion Index.
Is the D&D Beyond version ready to go yet?
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Cleon
Hero
Okay, Howl From the Grave is missing the save DCs and the summoned hyenas plus the formatting is a bit different from the Gnoll Beast Shaman version.
Secondly, the Jaws of Ruination doesn't match the Enworld version. In that, the hyena must start within 30 feet of the shaman, while in the D&D Beyond version it can originate from anywhere.
Thirdly, Summon Spectral Pack produces six spectral hyenas not four.
Finally Hunting Cry is missing the 3rd to 7th paragraphs (from "If a pack member loses consciousness" to Predatory Senses).
I thought the idea was it was going to be a new type of Savant rather than a conversion of the 4E version?
I'm not feeling terribly inspired at the moment. Maybe later.
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
OK - wrote this as description for fomorian ghost shaman:
A fomorian ghost shaman can be distinguished from its kindred by its aura of ghostly eyes that hover around its head and torso, warping and obscuring its countenance. It also commonly wears a necklace of skulls, signifying its kinship and command over the dead.
Pact with the Dead. Fomorian ghost shamen gain considerable powers to influence the minds or drain life of opponents and command ghosts to do their bidding. Shrouded in darkness, they fight with their ranged powers behind their kindred. The exact nature of the pacts they have forged and who with is unknown.
A fomorian ghost shaman can be distinguished from its kindred by its aura of ghostly eyes that hover around its head and torso, warping and obscuring its countenance. It also commonly wears a necklace of skulls, signifying its kinship and command over the dead.
Pact with the Dead. Fomorian ghost shamen gain considerable powers to influence the minds or drain life of opponents and command ghosts to do their bidding. Shrouded in darkness, they fight with their ranged powers behind their kindred. The exact nature of the pacts they have forged and who with is unknown.
Cleon
Hero
Hmm… I think we could trim out the "from it kindred," especially as it's got "kinship" in the next sentence, and rephrase the "also commonly."
Huh, you've got a "kindred" in the next paragraph too!
Does it really need the "is unknown" last sentence?
So how about…
A fomorian ghost shaman can be distinguished by the aura of ghostly eyes that hover around its head and torso, warping and obscuring its appearance. It traditionally wears a necklace of skulls, signifying its kinship with death.
Pact with the Dead. Fomorian ghost shamen command ghosts to do their bidding, allowing them to warp the minds of opponents or drain their lives. Shrouded in darkness, they fight with ranged powers behind their allies.
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Cleon
Hero
Okie-dokey, let's have a look-see.
Hmm, type/alignment and Speed is fine.
The HP/HD might be up for review later but I'm OK with it for the time being.
As for the Armor Class, I think you'd better mention the fiendish blessing in the (brackets) since leather armor plus DEX 14 is only AC 13.
A Monsters of the Multiverse Derro Savant has Stealth proficiency but no Perception in Skills. Also, WIS 11 and Prof. Bonus. +4 would give it passive Perception 14 not 15.
As for the Abilities…
I'd be inclined to give it Strength 9 like the 3E and 3E Savant. Not sure about making the CON higher than the DEX. The 3E and 5E Derro have it the other way around with DEX better than CON, and they're like that in AD&D too with Derro being noted for being "one of the most dexterous of humanoid races (averaging 15-18)" in the Monstrous Manual (1993).
Savants also tend towards genius level intelligence in earlier editions, so INT 12 seems a bit miserly.
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Cleon
Hero
That looks fine, except the lack of a linespace before the Curse of the Evil Eye looks a bit clunky.
I've added the Description to the Enworld Fomorian Ghost Shaman and I think we can consider that the finished version.
Well, unless I immediately spot something wrong with it!
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
Cleon
Hero
Dang it, I missed that there's also a line break missing from before the "(Inspired by…" credit.
There's a minor inconsistency between the second paragraphs of Darksoul Mist and Curse of the Evil Eye. The first has the initial Em-Space of the Enworld version, the second lacks it (e.g. " The transformed creature" with space vs. "The transformed creature" without an emspace). There's also no emspace before Pact with the Dead.
Either cut out the leftover emspace in " The cube of darkness" or add emspaces at the start of the other two paragraphs.
It doesn't matter to me which you go for, so long as it's the same for all three of them.
Also, the "4-6)." in the Darksoul Mist (Recharges 4-6) is missing its boldness.
Casimir Liber
Adventurer
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