Converting "generic setting" second edition monsters

[demiurge1138]

Compared to the other ability scores, it does seem sorta low.

 

[Shade]

Bump to 26? Or even 30?

 

[demiurge1138]

I think 26 is reasonable. It's already unkillable, so...

 

[freyar]

Con 26 sounds good to me, as well.

How did we want to deal with killing it? Crazy regeneration or just DM fiat?

 

[demiurge1138]

Crazy regeneration, only way to kill it is to bring it to equivalent of -10 and use a wish, like a tarrasque. Since it's weaker than the tarrasque, we may want a limited wish to do the job, and create the rumor that specific bloodlines and weapons can deal lethal damage to the beast.

 

[freyar]

I think limited wish, wish, and miracle. I also agree that there should be something in the flavor text about specific weapons or bloodlines dealing lethal damage. That leaves a good McGuffin way out...

 

[Shade]

Like so?

Regeneration (Ex): No form of attack deals lethal damage to the questing beast. The questing beast regenerates even if it fails a saving throw against a disintegrate spell or a death effect. If the questing beast fails its save against a spell or effect that would kill it instantly (such as those mentioned above), the spell or effect instead deals nonlethal damage equal to the creature’s full normal hit points +10 (or 145 hp). The questing beast is immune to effects that produce incurable or bleeding wounds, such as mummy rot, a sword with the wounding special ability, or a clay golem’s cursed wound ability.

The questing beast can be slain only by raising its nonlethal damage total to its full normal hit points +10 (or 145 hit points) and using a limited wish, wish or miracle spell to keep it dead. Legends claim that specific bloodlines and weapons can also deal lethal damage to the beast. If the questing beast loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 1d6 minutes (the detached piece dies and decays normally). The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.

 

[freyar]

Looks good to me if everyone else likes it.

 

[demiurge1138]

I say it looks good.

 

[Shade]

What amount for the regeneration?

Because Pellinore’s men used a pack of hounds to track down the giant, the beasts’ favorite prey are dogs, which it swallows whole and which sometimes remain alive in the beasts’ stomach for years.

Improved grab/swallow whole (Small or smaller creatures)?

Once per day, it breathes a cloud of poison gas which does 5d8 damage. Those who save versus poison will suffer half damage.

Model after green dragon's breath weapon?

The strange creature has the head and neck of a serpent, the body of a leopard, the haunches of a lion and the feet of a hart. Its name comes from the great noise it emits from its belly, a barking like "thirty couple hounds questing".

Give it pounce and rake like leopards and lions?

Extended reach with bite?

+4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks (like snakes)?

Deer have a +2 racial bonus on Hide checks. Lions have a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks. Leopards have a +8 racial bonus on Jump checks and a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. Leopards have a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks (the latter due to Climb speed). Maybe find a middle ground with a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Hide, Jump, and Move Silently checks? I'm guessing the feet of a hart would make climbing difficult.

Mimicry ability limited to the sound of a pack of hounds?