Converting First Edition monsters from DRAGON magazine

[Shade]

Some comments...

Average maneuverability sounds right.

For its manufactured weapon, how about a longspear? That way it has reach, but still can use its bite attack up close.

Attack: Slam +7 melee (1d8+5) or weapon +7 melee (X+5)

Skills: How about Appraise 3, Intimidate 3, Listen 2, Spot 2?

Feat: I think Multiattack gives them the greatest benefit.

Domains: Strength, War, and Protection (bodyguard aspect)?

 

[BOZ]

the picture shows them using what is probably a longsword, or a scimitar. but i could see longspear.

 

[Shade]

Scimitar is cool, too. I just thought it would be refreshing to give a critter something other than a longsword, greatsword, or greataxe for a change.

 

[BOZ]

i know, that's why i'd like to keep the longspear.

 

[Shade]

Great!

 

[Shade]

Just in case the krolli wraps up during the convert-a-thon, I'd like to once again take a moment to request the Great Wyrm from Creature Catalog II (Dragon #94).

 

[BOZ]

LOL we'll see... when i'm at home with time on my hands, i'll probably look it up.

(BTW, change in plans, she is only working friday and saturday now... less free time for me, but i should still be around quite a bit.)

 

[BOZ]

Krolli thoughts…

As is common for 1E references, there is no environment listed. Suggest something based on “Remote, less traveled parts of the world, away from humans, are inhabited by Krolli, a strong race of warm-blooded flying reptilians.” Perhaps mountainous regions? Or they live in tree-tops? Or marshes?
Or we could just make it easy on ourselves and go with “Any land.”

CR… 1? Or ½?

Weight… 250? 275? 300? 325?

+2 bonus to Listen and Spot? +4? +6?

Besides that, I think we need an LA, and then we’ll be just about ready to write up the As Characters section. here’s a little bit of that so far:

• Size Medium.
• Darkvision out to 60 feet.
• Racial Hit Dice: A krolli begins with two levels of monstrous humanoid, which provide 2d8 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +2, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +0, Ref +3, and Will +3.
• Racial Skills: A krolli's monstrous humanoid levels give it skill points equal to 5 x (2 + Int modifier). Its class skills are Appraise, Intimidate, Listen, and Spot.
• Racial Feats: A krolli’s monstrous humanoid levels give it one feat.
• +1 natural armor bonus.

 

[Shade]

Temperate or warm lands.

CR 2, possibly 3. Its got 2 HD, spell resistance, blindsense, scent, and can fly. A bugbear is CR 2, with 3 HD and scent, but has worse ability scores. I'm leaning towards 3.

Weight… 300.

+2 bonus to Listen and Spot.

LA:
+1 for flight
+1 for natural armor
+1 for spell resistance
+1 for scent
+1 for unbalanced stats
------------------------
+5

 

[BOZ]

LA that high? wow.

Edit: actually, thinking about some of that stuff, +5 does kind of make sense.