Converting Epic Level Creatures

[Shade]

How about Str 30, Dex 41, Con 46, Int 21, Wis 33, Cha 29?

 

[demiurge1138]

Those ability scores appeal to me.

 

[freyar]

These all look fine by me, too. I'm also fine with lightning as a breath weapon (rather than some version of SLA). If so, is 300 yd = 900 ft reasonable, or should we restrict to 150 ft (the low end of the range)?

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

I don't think 900 feet is unrealistic for an epic creature.

SD: Never surprised

It is never surprised because of the warning that its superb senses give the creature.

Improved uncanny dodge and/or improved evasion?

MR: 32%

What an odd number. That falls between CR+7 and CR+8. I'd lean toward the latter.

When it is ready to attack, its wings beat together and thunder sounds.

Some sort of deafening clap or other ability?

This creature is never invoked. It always comes of its own will and does not leave until the battle is done.

Some sort of "unsummonable" ability? Note that not even gates or epic spells can call it?

It has been known to die in several battles against powerful beings, only to appear again years later to confront another evil.

Rejuvenation/rebirth ability?

 

[freyar]

Improved uncanny dodge and/or improved evasion?

Both, I think. It should also have good Spot and Listen.

What an odd number. That falls between CR+7 and CR+8. I'd lean toward the latter.

Go with CR+8.

Some sort of deafening clap or other ability?

Was thinking the same thing myself. We could upgrade greater shout for this.

Some sort of "unsummonable" ability? Note that not even gates or epic spells can call it?

Sure. But maybe it should also have some way to know when nasty evil beings are summoned places, too.

Rejuvenation/rebirth ability?

Yes.

Rebirth (Su): One year after the Thunder Bird is killed, it is reborn at full maturity and in perfect health, and it goes to the aid of beseiged cultures as is its norm. The Thunder Bird is always reborn in the same location, though no one has ever discovered the place.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Do we want to borrow any of this from the lesser thunderbirds in Sandstorm?

• talon attacks
• immunity to electricity and sonic
• resistance to acid 10 and fire 10
• Spell-Like Abilities: At will--call lightning (DC 16), fog cloud, shout (DC 17); 3/day--call lightning storm (DC 18), greater shout (DC 21), sandstorm, solid fog; 1/day--earthquake (DC 21). Caster level 15th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

We might also want to incorporate some of this which I found on Wikipedia:

"Clouds are pulled together by its wingbeats, the sound of thunder made by its wings clapping, sheet lightning the light flashing from its eyes when it blinks, and individual lightning bolts made by the glowing snakes that it carries around with it. In masks, it is depicted as many-colored, with two curling horns, and, often, teeth within its beak."

"The singular Thunderbird (as the Nuu-chah-nulth thought of him) was said to reside on the top of a mountain, and was the servant of the Great Spirit. The Thunderbird only flew about to carry messages from one spirit to another. It was also told that the thunderbird controlled rainfall."

 

[demiurge1138]

I like the idea of controlling weather, through control weather and winds spells, but think that SLAs that do electricity and sonic damage will be redundant. I do like talon attacks and electricity/sonic immunity, though. Not sure about the other elemental resistances, although it would make sense for a critter of these epic proportions.

 

[freyar]

Definitely talons, immunities, and resistance as above (maybe even stronger resistance). I agree that the electric and sonic SLAs are a bit redundant, but we should add some other weather/druidic type ones. Borrowing from what we did for the sea titan, why not whirlwind and storm of vengeance, maybe SNA IX and/or Mass Cure Critical?

 

[Shade]

Hmmm...I'd almost rather see a supernatural ability for creating storms, along the lines of "Clouds are pulled together by its wingbeats, the sound of thunder made by its wings clapping".

I can see most of those except summon nature's ally, as I get more of a "I stand alone" vibe for this guy.

Just brainstorming here, but maybe would could pilfer some things from the storm elementals...

Thunder and Lightning (Su): Once per minute as a full-round action, a storm elemental can emit a blast of thunder coupled with a bolt of lightning. The thunder deals sonic damage (see chart) to all creatures within 60 feet of the storm elemental. A Fortitude save halves this damage. The lightning is a 120-foot-long line that deals electricity damage (see table). A Reflex save halves this damage. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

Electrical and Sonic Healing (Ex): Storm elementals take no damage from electricity and sonic attacks. Instead, any electricity attack (such as shocking grasp or lightning bolt) or sonic attack (such as sound burst) used against a storm elemental heals 1 point of damage for every 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. The storm elemental can't heal hit points by attacking itself.

 

[freyar]

Well, rather than the SLAs, I can see the Thunder part of Thunder & Lightning. Maybe add that it creates a storm of vengeance if it Thunders for 3 rounds in a row or something? I think the breath weapon would account for the lightning, though. I like electric and sonic healing.