Converting Al-Qadim and Oriental Adventures creatures

[Shade]

Let's figure out some ability scores...

Int is Low (5-7). Ghosts generally have high Charisma (the template grants +4), and this creatures seems very Cha-based. Dex should yield a +2 bonus to achieve the converted AC (discounting the deflection bonus gained when manifested). Str seems average.

So maybe Str 10, Dex 14, Con -, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 15?

 

[freyar]

If these are variant ghosts, shouldn't they be incorporeal and have Str -?

 

[Shade]

If these are variant ghosts, shouldn't they be incorporeal and have Str -?

Nope. Ghosts have a Str score, and are only incorporeal on the Material Plane. On the Ethereal Plane they are corporeal and use their Str modifier for attacks and damage.

 

[freyar]

How weird. I thought the incorporeal subtype includes a line saying no Str score. Ok then. The abilities look fine.

 

[Shade]

How weird. I thought the incorporeal subtype includes a line saying no Str score. Ok then. The abilities look fine.

It does. Ghosts simply have a score because they aren't incorporeal if faced on the Ethereal Plane. I know, it's odd.

Added to Homebrews, using the sample ghost as a "role model" for figuring out how to list the Material vs. Ethereal in the stat block.

 

[freyar]

Looking good! Any other special abilities before moving on?

 

[Shade]

The sundel bolong is an evil spirit visible only to male characters.

Invisibility to females?

Lone males are this spirit’s typical victims. It appears to them, perhaps stepping out from behind a tree or rock, and beckons, wordlessly promising gratuitous, earthly delights. Characters who choose not to follow of their own will must save versus spells or be charmed into doing so anyway. If the charm fails, then the character sees the hole in the woman, and realizes its supernatural character; he must then save versus wands or be struck by fear.

Charm, followed by frightful presence on a successful save?

Should the charm be similar to the rusalka's beguiling song again?

 

[demiurge1138]

The beguiling song seems like a safe bet.

Invisibility to females might be interesting, but could also be interpreted as "they only appear to males". I like invisibility to females, though.

 

[freyar]

I also like invisibility to females. And the rest looks good, too.

 

[Shade]

How are these?

Beckoning (Su): A sundel bolong can attempt to charm creatures by promising gratuitous, earthly delights. The sundel bolong targets a single male creature it can see within x feet. This is a mind-affecting ability, and the creature must be able to see the sundel bolong for it to take effect. The targeted creature must make a DC x Will saving throw. If the save is successful, the creature must succeed on a second DC Will save or be panicked(?) for x rounds.

If the initial save fails, the creature is utterly beguiled and moves toward the sundel bolong, taking the most direct route available. If that path leads into a dangerous area (such as very deep or fast-moving water) the beguiled creature gets a second saving throw. A beguiled creature may take no actions other than defending himself. A beguiled victim who moves within 5 feet of the sundel bolong must make a DC x Will saving throw or be charmed as per charm monster cast by an 8th-level sorcerer. Success means that the character is freed from the beguilement, but immediately sees the sundel bolong for what she truly is, and must on a DC x Will save or be panicked(?) for x rounds. The beguiling effect continues so long as the sundel bolong beckons. A sundel bolong does not need to continue to beckon to keep a victim charmed.

Invisibility to Females (Su): A sundel bolong can only be seen by male creatures. This ability is constant, allowing a sundel bolong to remain invisible even when attacking. This ability is inherent and not subject to the invisibility purge spell. This invisibility extends to creatures with no gender (such as constructs or oozes).