Banshee...

[the Jester]

The banshee appears in the Tome of Horrors, under Groaning Spirit.

Whatever happened to the "no duplication" clause?

 

[Sir Edgar]

I'd make my own Banshee if I were you. That Banshee was clearly pumped up to provide more high-level encounters in Monster Manual 2. Doesn't it have a Challenge Rating of 20 or something like that? Geez.

 

[Crothian]

CR 17. Permanent Charisma drain, Death Wail, lots of fun

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Whatever happened to the "no duplication" clause?

I don't know if there was a "clause," per se, but I know Necromancer and WotC worked together to try not to duplicate stuff in each others' books. However, NG has acknowledged there has been overlap in some cases for a variety of reasons, mostly because such a project is tough to coordinate. Besides, at least the effort was made to not duplicate critters.

By the way, the Ghost Template from the first Monster Manual should've obviated the need for a separate "Banshee" entry anyway. I though that was the point of that Template.

 

[Sir Edgar]

A Banshee is not the same as a Ghost-- it has its own flavor and setting.

The banshee is a female ("ban") fairy ("shee" or "sidhe") who cries when one of the old families of Celtic lineage is about to pass. Each banshee has an adopted family and will follow and watch over the descendants wherever they go (even across oceans). In fact, according to tradition, the banshee can only cry for five major Irish families: the O'Neills, the O'Briens, the O'Connors, the O'Gradys, and the Kavanaghs.

When she is sad, she appears like an apparition of silvery hair wearing a grey cloak and bearing red eyes from crying. At other times, she is a young girl with red hair dressed in green (Irish fashion). Alternatively, some say the banshee has three different appearances each representing Celtic goddesses of war and death, namely Badhbh, Macha, and Mor-Rioghain.

Not all ghosts wail like a banshee. Nor does every ghosts specifically have to do any of the things mentioned above.

Why not suggest we only have a general "monster" template while we're at it?

 

[ColonelHardisson]

There's no need to be snide. The Ghost Template provides the tools with which to make all manner of spirits. Getting hung up on the term "ghost" is counterproductive. The Template is there to give mechanics; the background can be fleshed out by the individual DM.

EDIT: Take a look at the Ghost Template. It provides a number of abilities that can be mixed and matched to provide maximum customization. Including Frightful Moan and Horrific Appearance, which would work well for the Banshee. Most of what Sir Edgar lists the Banshee as doing is background material, and he could write up the stats and post his version in the Creature Catalog forum. Still, the Banshee is in the MM2, and the Groaning Spirit is in the ToH for those who are interested. And, of course, there is the Ghost Template, which works well also, since it's so customizable.

 

[Sir Edgar]

I'll look forward to your Book of Templates when it comes out, Colonel Hardisson.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I'll look forward to your Book of Templates when it comes out, Colonel Hardisson.

I really don't see why you feel the need to be hostile. It's just a game. I'm trying to discuss the matter, not get into a pissing match. I was sincere that you should write up your version of the Banshee and post it in the Creature Catalog forum or at Blacksway's site. That's what they're for.

Morrus really needs to get rid of the rolleyes smiley.

 

[Sir Edgar]

Morrus really needs to get rid of the rolleyes smiley.

LOL

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Here is the Home Brews forum of this site, run by Scott Greene, who did the Tome of Horrors:

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=28

It's a good place to post one's own versions of monsters, and to get feedback on them. Erica, who assists Scott, has done a lot of work on Celtic critters.