Bone Naga Question (from MM II)

[palin]

The Bone Naga's poison discription has left me a little baffled. It states on page 36 of MM II the following:

Posion (Ex): A bone naga delivers its poison vi successuul bite or sting attacks. The poison from its bit (Fortitude save DC 17) has the same initial and secondary damage (1d4 points of Strength damage). The poison from its sting (Fortitude save DC 17) is more virulent; its initial damage is 1d4 points of Constitution drain; and the secondary damage is 1d4 points of Constitution damage.

What exactly does this mean:

1) That the bite poison deals 1d4 Str init and an additional 1d4 Str secondary (this is what I think) or that is deals only 1d4 Str (a possible interpretation).

and ...

2) What's the differnce between Constitution drain and Constitution damage? Is drain considered permanent and damage considered temporary?

 

[dkilgo]

The Bone Naga's poison discription has left me a little baffled. It states on page 36 of MM II the following:

Posion (Ex): A bone naga delivers its poison vi successuul bite or sting attacks. The poison from its bit (Fortitude save DC 17) has the same initial and secondary damage (1d4 points of Strength damage). The poison from its sting (Fortitude save DC 17) is more virulent; its initial damage is 1d4 points of Constitution drain; and the secondary damage is 1d4 points of Constitution damage.

What exactly does this mean:

1) That the bite poison deals 1d4 Str init and an additional 1d4 Str secondary (this is what I think) or that is deals only 1d4 Str (a possible interpretation).

and ...

2) What's the differnce between Constitution drain and Constitution damage? Is drain considered permanent and damage considered temporary?

I would have to say that you are correct in thinking that the STR damage has an initial and secondary damage. I would like to believe that the answer to your second question is that it is just a typo.

 

[palin]

Actually it isn't a typo.

It looks like (DMG pg 83; bottom right)...

Ability Drain == permanent

Ability Damage == temporary

Heh ... I ended up answering my own question.

 

[Ran]

palin is right, the poison fom the bite deals 1d4 Str/ 1d4 Str, and the one from sting deeals 1d4 Con (permanent loss)/1d4 Con

 

[kreynolds]

What palin and Ran said.