Converting Al-Qadim and Oriental Adventures creatures

[GrayLinnorm]

...and...



I'd say monstrous humanoid works for both. Do we need the shapechanger subtype? Even the lesser version is a "disabled shapechanger", so I wonder if it could have the shapechanger subtype too.

I wouldn't give the lesser segarran the shapechanger subtype. They didn't transform under their own power (and not all transformed voluntarily) and they don't have any shapechanging ability.

 

[freyar]

Rather than have an advancement section for these beasties, maybe we could allow them to be created from 5th or higher level fighter.

Hmm. Sounds like I'm pushing this back towards a template. But maybe a Prestige Class (for any worshipers of Ragarra with a BAB of X) could do the job.

I think the lesser segarrans are not quite sophisticated enough (in design, not in Int ) to be templates and especially not PrCs.

As the abilities of the beastie improve as the cleric goes up in levels (wings at 16th level) I wonder if a Prestige Class might be a better way to handle this.

A PrC is an interesting idea for the greater, but the problem I see is that most of the transformation seems to happen right at the beginning.

The 9 hit dice is a bit confusing. It would make mewonder if the Greater Segarran is created from a 9th level cleric, but lower down the text, we get told that they are created from 12th level clerics. So what happens to the other 3 hit dice? I thought the +18 was hit points Is the +18 actually another 18 hit dice? If it is 18 hit dice, then I'd say that the stats were for an 18th level cleric.

I'm guessing that the 9HD (rather than 12) is an artifact of older edition monster design.

I think this should somehow feature in the conversion. If the segarran can open some sort of doorway to Ragarra this ability should return. Alternatively we could offer it as an advancement option (especially if this monster got turned into a Prestige Class).

I'd make this a flavor issue or maybe a variant lesser segarran.

Perhaps the Organization section of the Greater Segarran should include an escort of Lesser Segarran.

At least as an option, yes, I love this idea.

Looks like killing a segarran and using spells to bring them back from the dead would make them human. But as they go into this process willingly, I'm not sure they would want that to happen.

I think the idea is that breaking the "curse" is a way to attack them, not anything they would actually want to happen.

This is looking more and more like it should be a PrC to me.

Standard spellcasting rules allow a cleric (or any other spellcaster) to cast lower level spells in spell slots, so I'd say that a 13th level cleric (who gets 7th level spells in 3rd edition) should be able to use the 7th level slots for 6th level spells.

Yeah, this is an interesting point. There's the difficulty I mentioned above, but I could possibly see the greater segarran as a PrC rather than template.

Would the tail affect flanking (i.e. can't be flanked)?

Normally it's things like extra eyes (ability to process more information) that makes a difference with flanking, not having an extra body part or attack.

Should we swap the bat wings for dragon-like wings (to make them more reptillian)? If there is nothing in the blurb of Ruined Kingdoms that associates Ragarra with bats, I say we should make the swap.

I could see a swap, but the bat wings on a croc are nice and creepy.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

 

[freyar]

Unless we want to add something about lesser segarrans getting change shape when Ragarra returns, I'd say the lesser ones are done.

 

[Shade]

Let's move on to the greater segarrans.

So...template or prestige class?

 

[demiurge1138]

I like the idea of prestige class. We haven't done many (any?) of those.

 

[Shade]

Prestige class it is!

Let's start with prereqs...

In addition to the loss of her most powerful spell, a priestess of Ragarra must have a Wisdom of 17 and be at least 12th level to complete the exhausting ceremony that transforms her into a greater segarran.

In return for such power, the priestess must swear to undertake a difficult quest or perform a dangerous service for her goddess. Those few who disappoint Ragarra are punished with a painful demise and suffer an eternity of undeath. More details about the cult of Ragnarra can be found in Chapter Three of the Campaign Guide.

Prequisites:
Race: Human (I'd be fine with extending this to humanoids)
Gender: Female
Wisdom: 17
Patron Deity: Ragarra
Spells: Able to cast 6th-level or higher divine spells.
Special: Must swear to undertake a difficult quest or perform a dangerous service for Ragarra.

 

[freyar]

I like the prereqs, though I think I'd go with humanoids in general.

5 or 10 level PrC?

 

[demiurge1138]

Humanoids I think. And 5 level should be good.

 

[Shade]

Once transformed, they retain their original human form. Furthermore, they can also assume a towering reptilian shape at will, with the transformation taking but a single round. This reptilian form depends on the personality or whim of the priestess, but usually includes at least the head and tail of a giant crocodile, At 16th level, a greater segarran's reptile form can also include a pair of giant bat wings, permitting her to fly at a rate of 18.

Reptilian form at 1st-level, wings at 5th?

Combat: While in human form, Ragarra's chosen fight using the tactics, magical items, and weapons of priests, though their supernatural strength lends them a +6 bonus on damage.

+2 (or even +4) bonus to Str at 1st, 3rd, and 5th levels?

They never wear armor, though they may use magical Items (such as a ring of protection) to enhance their Armor Class.

Class limitation?

All greater segarrans have 20% magic resistance.

That equates to CR+5, so how about spell resistance equals total HD + 5?

Although they retain most of their priest spells from before the transformation, greater segarrans cannot memorize the highest level spells to which they are normally allowed (for instance, a 13th-level priestess, while a greater segarran, cannot memorize or cast her 6th-level spells).

Should she actually sacrifice top level spells, or should we just slow spellcasting progression?

In her reptilian form, a greater segarran can attack with her massive jaws (3d6 points of damage) and swipe up to 3 opponents standing beside or behind her with her powerful tail (2d10 points of damage). At 16th level, a segarran's bat wings can also be used for two wing buffets instead of flight, each inflicting 2d6 points of damage. All victims of a tail swipe or wing buffet must save vs. paralyzation or be stunned for 1-4 rounds.

Abilities gained at same level as the physical form? Or maybe give tail slap at 1st level, but hold off tail sweep until 3rd?