Converting Al-Qadim creatures

[Cleon]

You guys have convinced me to keep the Str at 17. Let's drop the Wis to 13, slightly less than their "betters". We can always give 'em a racial bonus on Listen and/or Spot checks to keep 'em good guardians.

Strength 17 and Wisdom 13 are fine by me.

I'd rather give them plain old Alertness than a racial bonus though.

I take it to be +8, but I could be wrong. We can clarify that in our own writeup.

Since the original's were impossible to turn I fancied another 4 levels, for +6 turn resistance in total.

Skills: 18
Listen 9, Spot 9?

Feats: 3

The skills are fine.

Alertness, Blind-Fight, Reckless Offense for the feats?

I fancied Reckless Offense because "they attack in a mindless fury", but we could use Weapon Focus (slam) if you don't like it.

DR 5/bludgeoning or slashing?

I'd go for DR 10, since the original version was immune to piercing. DR5 isn't much better than a regular skeleton.

Crypt servants who engage in combat call to other crypt servants in the tomb. Despite the quiet nature of the creature’s voice, all the crypt servants in a tomb respond in 1d6 rounds.

Special ability or flavor text?

Special Ability. Something like:

Call of the Crypt (Su): As a swift action, a crypt servant can whisper a message to all other crypt servants in the tomb, who will respond to the alarm within a few rounds. This functions like the whispering wind spell.

 

[freyar]

This is looking pretty good. DR 10 feels a bit high for the CR, but I'll go with it since it's just bludgeoning or slashing. I like those feats.

 

[Shade]

Special Ability. Something like:

Call of the Crypt (Su): As a swift action, a crypt servant can whisper a message to all other crypt servants in the tomb, who will respond to the alarm within a few rounds. This functions like the whispering wind spell.

I like it, but think we need to quantify the response time. Maybe 1d4+1 rounds?

All the rest looks good.

Updated.

Organization: Solitary, guard detail (2-12), or crypt corps (4-20 plus 1 crypt thing)?

Challenge Rating: 3? (Same as equal HD crypt thing)

Treasure: None? Or factor in the value of what they are guarding?

A crypt servant is about the height and weight of a human?

Crypt servants speak any languages they knew in life (usually Common)?

 

[GrayLinnorm]

Treasure: factor in what they are guarding.

 

[Cleon]

I like it, but think we need to quantify the response time. Maybe 1d4+1 rounds?

What about the original's 1d6 rounds?

Organization: Solitary, guard detail (2-12), or crypt corps (4-20 plus 1 crypt thing)?

I'd prefer something a bit less military sounding, such as:

Organization: Solitary, watch detail (2-8), or retinue (5-20 plus 1 crypt thing)

Challenge Rating: 3? (Same as equal HD crypt thing)Treasure: None? Or factor in the value of what they are guarding?

Challenge Rating 3 and no treasure of their own, but may be guarding their master's.

A crypt servant is about the height and weight of a human?

Crypt servants speak any languages they knew in life (usually Common)?

Since they're dessicated, I'd say half their living weight, like the SRD Mummy.

Languages as in life is fine.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Ready to convert this?

Create Crypt Servant
7th level Wizard or Priest spell (necromantic)
Range: Touch
Casting Time: 1 turn
Components: V, S
Area of Effect: 1 corpse
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: None

This spell animates a corpse as a crypt servant. The corpse must be in reasonably good condition; many are prepared in advance of their master.s death. The spell must be cast in the tomb the creature is to serve. A successful dispel magic ends the crypt servant’s animation, and the reverse of the create crypt thing spell, destroy crypt thing, will also annihilate a crypt servant if it fails a saving throw vs. death magic.

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

Ready to convert this?

We could, but I was expecting you to go for something simpler:

A crypt servant can be created with a create undead spell of caster level 13th or higher. The spell must be cast within the tomb where the crypt servant is to serve.

 

[Shade]

Simpler? Moi?

Yeah, that should suffice. Updated.

Many crypt servants are provided with weapons of some sort; they attack with their fists if they are not.

Suggested sample weapon(s) for the attack lines? Maybe a scimitar and shortbow?

 

[Cleon]

Simpler? Moi?

Yeah, that should suffice. Updated.

Suggested sample weapon(s) for the attack lines? Maybe a scimitar and shortbow?

I prefer something that's good 2-handed, like a falchion, heavy mace or greataxe.

 

[Shade]

Falchion it is!

Shortbow OK for a ranged weapon?