Converting First Edition monsters from DRAGON magazine

[Knight Otu]

well not you, your conversion. is there any reason you gave a big kitty a trip attack?

I'm sure there is, but that was two years ago. Gotta look for the flavor text...

 

[Knight Otu]

That would be these portions, originally (ok, only the second one, as that's the version I have).

Cantobeles prefer to spring upon opponents, knocking them flat and raking and biting before the victim can rise to defend itself.
...
Cantobeles prefer to spring upon opponents, knocking them flat and raking and biting before the victim can rise to protect itself. When a cantobele attempts to knock an opponent off its feet, the victim must roll a successful Dexterity check with a -4 penalty to maintain balance. If the check fails, the victim falls, and the cantobele attacks with a +4 bonus with each of its attacks.

 

[BOZ]

the "knocking them flat" part may be debatable, but it sounds more like the good ol' pounce/improved grab/rake routine.

BTW, your custom title seems to have changed.

 

[Knight Otu]

the "knocking them flat" part may be debatable, but it sounds more like the good ol' pounce/improved grab/rake routine.

I wanted to note something to that respect, too, but forgot. The knocking down, though, still sounds like trip.

BTW, your custom title seems to have changed.

Yep, Brother Shatterstone worked some big and exhausting magic for us LEW Judges.

 

[Shade]

I'd give 'em the following:

Sound Imitation (Ex): A cantobele can mimic any voice or sound it has heard, anytime it likes. Listeners must succeed on a Will save to detect the ruse. The save DC is X-based.

Spell-like Abilities: At will--detect thoughts; 2/day--ice storm; 1/day--misdirection. Caster level Xth. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Tongues (Su): A cantobele can speak with any creature that has a language, as though using a tongues spell (caster level Xth). This ability is always active.

Immune to dazzling - I don't think they are immune to blindness, per se, only from bright light, which usually results in dazzling now.

Bonus on Balance checks?

Climb speed equal to land speed. It says so.

 

[BOZ]

They have 110-foot infravision and eyes that filter out glare. Cantobeles are never blinded or dazzled by snow or bright lights. Their second eyelid continually filters out the intense light to protect their eyes.

you sure?

 

[Shade]

Yep. That seems to indicate that blindness from bright-light, but not from something like the blindness spell or acid being shot in its eyes. However, I'm not opposed to simplifying it to simply immune to blindness.

 

[BOZ]

we might have done something like this before.

Immunity to Blinding (Ex): A gohlbrorn has an inner eyelid that filters light brighter than candlelight, preventing it from being blinded by magical or natural light.

 

[Shade]

Those who forget the past...

Nice recall!

 

[BOZ]

Sound Imitation (Ex): A cantobele can mimic any voice or sound it has heard, anytime it likes. Listeners must succeed on a Will save to detect the ruse. The save DC is X-based.

not sure why it needs this one?

and a few more bits:

Hiding in underbrush, it employs its voice in combination with its innate ability of ESP (90 yard range) and tongues.
(I think that if tongues is going to be constant, detect thoughts should too.)

When a cantobele attempts to knock an opponent off its feet, the victim must roll a successful Dexterity check with a -4 penalty to maintain balance. If the check fails, the victim falls, and the cantobele attacks with a +4 bonus with each of its attacks.
(maybe this is where Knight Otu got the idea that it should make Trip attacks. Close, but maybe it should be something else?)

Their claws and six-legged gait make them sure-footed on the slickest ice, in deep snow, or on tree boughs. Spells such as grease and fumble have no effect on them. They can climb any surface, except sheer walls and cliffs, at their normal movement rate. Sheer surfaces reduce their movement by one-half.
(something similar to spider climb, but maybe as an Ex ability?)