Converting First Edition monsters from DRAGON magazine

[Shade]

I'm fine with in order received (tybor first).

 

[BOZ]

OK, will do.

 

[GrayLinnorm]

Thanks! I wouldn't mind seeing the necroton converted either.

 

[BOZ]

one at a time. should be able to start it tonight or tomorrow (we'll see).

 

[BOZ]

or, right now!

Tybor
Created by Jeff Brandt

FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVE: 48”
HIT DICE: 10
% IN LAIR: 20%
TREASURE TYPE: I, S, T
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8/2-8/3-18
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 50%
INTELLIGENCE: Genius
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M (6-7’ tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

The tybor are a race of flightless birds that, when running at maximum speed, seem to “float” above the ground without touching it. Males are never encountered, and females are always solitary.
The tybor attacks physically with its two claws and a beak slash. Its magically sharp beak is +3 to hit. However, it prefers to use its spell-casting ability in combat (or to avoid combat) whenever possible. Tybor are able to employ magic-user spells at the 20th level of ability. They can use nine 1st-level spells, eight 2nd-level spells, seven of the 3rd level, six of the 4th, five of the 5th, four of the 6th, three of the 7th, two of the 8th, and one of the 9th level during any given day. (Spells should be determined randomly by the DM for each individual creature.) In addition to these spells, the tybor can cast both Haste and Slow spells (no saving throw for either type) four times a day.
It is rumored that the feathers of the tybor are magical in nature, but only if plucked from a live creature. (DMs are encouraged to make some of the feathers small magical tokens; for instance, a feather might grant the owner the ability to use a Haste spell 3 times a week without the aging side-effect. But not all feathers from a single bird should be magical.)
The tybor have their own language, but never use it in communication with other creatures. They know the tongues of all birds and flying reptiles, and have a limited form of telepathy whereby they can communicate with most humanoids.
If the tybor is encountered in her lair, there is a 60% chance there will be 1-3 eggs (worth 7,000 gp apiece on the open market) in the nest. The tybor will let no one near the eggs, defending the nest until death.
The tybor has a purple crown and tail. The majority of the body feathers are orange with a sprinkling of green. The head is blue with red around the edges and a bridge of green above the beak.

 

[BOZ]

some preliminary stats for the tybor:

Tybor
Medium Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 10d10+X (X hp)
Initiative: +X
Speed: 120 ft (24 squares)
Armor Class: 20 (+X Dex, +X natural), touch X, flat-footed X
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+X
Attack: Claw +X melee (2d4+17)
Full Attack: 2 claws +X melee (2d4+X) and beak slash +X melee (3d6+X)
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5 ft
Special Attacks: spells
Special Qualities: darkvision 60 ft, low-light vision, spell resistance X, telepathy X ft
Saves: Fort +X, Ref +X, Will +X
Abilities: Str X, Dex X, Con X, Int 18, Wis X, Cha X
Skills:
Feats:

Environment:
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: 10% coins; 50% goods; standard items
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 11-20 HD (Medium); 21-30 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: +X?


A tybor is 6-7 feet tall, and weighs about X pounds.

Tybors speak their own language

COMBAT


Originally found in Dragon Magazine #61 ("Dragon's Bestiary," May 1982, Jeff Brandt).



We have a spellcasting birdie! Very interesting. do we want to have it as a wizard or sorcerer?

 

[Shade]

Fun! I'd go with sorcerer...it's hard to lug around a spellbook and turn the pages when you're a flightless bird.

 

[GrayLinnorm]

I'm glad you like my picks! Looking at this guy we should probably add:

Spell-Like Abilities: 4x/day: haste, slow (DC X). Caster level 20th? The save DCs are charisma based.

 

[BOZ]

that's about right. let's get into the other stuff that makes this guy up.

first of all, how about its environment? the text doesn't state anything clearly (but 1E critters often did not). what sort of environment would flightless birds be found in? ostriches and such?

breaking it down:

"The tybor are a race of flightless birds that, when running at maximum speed, seem to “float” above the ground without touching it."

is there any use for this other than unusual flavor text?

"The tybor attacks physically with its two claws and a beak slash. Its magically sharp beak is +3 to hit."

for that +3 to hit, that would be similar to, say, a unicorn's horn right?

"However, it prefers to use its spell-casting ability in combat (or to avoid combat) whenever possible. Tybor are able to employ magic-user spells at the 20th level of ability. They can use nine 1st-level spells, eight 2nd-level spells, seven of the 3rd level, six of the 4th, five of the 5th, four of the 6th, three of the 7th, two of the 8th, and one of the 9th level during any given day. (Spells should be determined randomly by the DM for each individual creature.)"

fairly clearly arcane spellcasting, as a 20th-level caster, and as we agreed on above should be a sorcerer.

"In addition to these spells, the tybor can cast both Haste and Slow spells (no saving throw for either type) four times a day."

covered by what GrayLinnorm said.

"It is rumored that the feathers of the tybor are magical in nature, but only if plucked from a live creature. (DMs are encouraged to make some of the feathers small magical tokens; for instance, a feather might grant the owner the ability to use a Haste spell 3 times a week without the aging side-effect. But not all feathers from a single bird should be magical.)"

sort of a magic item then?

"The tybor have their own language, but never use it in communication with other creatures. They know the tongues of all birds and flying reptiles, and have a limited form of telepathy whereby they can communicate with most humanoids."

what bird/reptile langauges should we know about?

 

[Shade]

first of all, how about its environment? the text doesn't state anything clearly (but 1E critters often did not). what sort of environment would flightless birds be found in? ostriches and such?

Temperate and warm plains seems likely.

"The tybor are a race of flightless birds that, when running at maximum speed, seem to “float” above the ground without touching it."

is there any use for this other than unusual flavor text?

It would help if the surface were hot, sharp, etc. It might be worthy of an ability.

"The tybor attacks physically with its two claws and a beak slash. Its magically sharp beak is +3 to hit."

for that +3 to hit, that would be similar to, say, a unicorn's horn right?

Good call.

"However, it prefers to use its spell-casting ability in combat (or to avoid combat) whenever possible. Tybor are able to employ magic-user spells at the 20th level of ability. They can use nine 1st-level spells, eight 2nd-level spells, seven of the 3rd level, six of the 4th, five of the 5th, four of the 6th, three of the 7th, two of the 8th, and one of the 9th level during any given day. (Spells should be determined randomly by the DM for each individual creature.)"

fairly clearly arcane spellcasting, as a 20th-level caster, and as we agreed on above should be a sorcerer.

"In addition to these spells, the tybor can cast both Haste and Slow spells (no saving throw for either type) four times a day."

covered by what GrayLinnorm said.

True all that.

"It is rumored that the feathers of the tybor are magical in nature, but only if plucked from a live creature. (DMs are encouraged to make some of the feathers small magical tokens; for instance, a feather might grant the owner the ability to use a Haste spell 3 times a week without the aging side-effect. But not all feathers from a single bird should be magical.)"

sort of a magic item then?

Yep, sounds like a "sidebar".

"The tybor have their own language, but never use it in communication with other creatures. They know the tongues of all birds and flying reptiles, and have a limited form of telepathy whereby they can communicate with most humanoids."

what bird/reptile langauges should we know about?

Probably Auran, possibly Draconic, speak with animals limited to birds and reptiles, telepathy X feet.