Converting "generic setting" second edition monsters

Shade · Dec 2, 2005

Interesting. We'll probably want to include the talisman in the writeup.

BOZ · Dec 2, 2005

yep. scanned through the module up til about page 50 yesterday looking for info on Abomminy... will continue that over the weekend as time permits (not likely to do that today).

Shade · Dec 2, 2005

A-bomb of D-rink has many layers, not unlike an onion...or an ogre.

BOZ · Dec 5, 2005

well, didn't see a name for the dimension...

BOZ · Dec 9, 2005

Shade said:
Interesting. We'll probably want to include the talisman in the writeup.

finally got around to scanning this!

Amulet of the Abomination: The derro power Diirinka crafted this jewel for Brassbeard Moradinson, the dwarf who murdered his uncle Irontooth to get the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords (see Chapter 1). The amulet is about the size of a walnut and consists of a single piece of clear crystal cut into the likeness of a dwarf's head; however, the piece has no curves, so only angles and facets define the head's contours. The crystalline material looks and feels something like diamond. It is tougher, but less bright.

The amulet has no pin or chain; it has to be carried in a pouch or tucked into the user's clothing.

By clutching the amulet and concentrating, the user can summon the Abomination of Diirinka from its extraplanar home to any place the user can see - distance is not a factor. The Abomination usually appears in 1 round, but if the creature has previously been slain outside its home, it will not appear until it has recovered (see creature description on page 189).

Once the Abomination appears, the wielder can command the Abomination to perform any action the user desires, provided that action is within the creature's capabilities (which include return to its home dimension). Control lasts 1 turn and can be exercised at any range so long as the Abomination stays within sight. If the creature passes out of the viewer's sight it tends to follow its last instruction to the best of its ability. Once the control's duration runs out, however, the creature becomes uncontrolled and usually charges off in search of dwarven prey. An uncontrolled Abomination generally remains on the plane where it has been summoned until it slays and consumes several dwarves (usually 2d4) or for 1d4 months, whichever takes less time, then returns to its home dimension.

The Abomination's Magic Resistance does not apply to attempts to control it via the amulet, but each time someone uses the amulet to control the Abomination its power fades somewhat and the creature gains a saving throw to resist the effect. The saving throw starts at 21 the first time the amulet is used, and falls by 1 with every subsequent use; there is never a saving throw, vs. the summoning effect, but each summoning counts as a use.

Roll the saving throw each time the amulet wielder uses the control power, not each time the wielder issues the Abomination a command. For example, Tairdo invokes the command power and orders the Abomination to attack the party, Tairdo can command the creature for 1 turn (provided it failed its saving throw), but if Tairdo keeps the creature busy for 30 minutes, he must use the command power three times. The creature never gains any bonus to the saving throw. Magical effects that block mental control, such as protection from evil, block the amulet wielder's control, but usually also hedge out the Abomination.

If the amulet lies unused for a century, a its power regenerates and the creature's base saving throw vs. the command effect rises to 21 again.

The amulet cannot be destroyed except by a blow from a weapon of +3 or better enchantment, or a wish.
XP Value: Nil * GP Value: 10,000

Shade · Dec 9, 2005

BOZ said:
Amulet of the Abomination: The derro power Diirinka crafted this jewel for Brassbeard Moradinson, the dwarf who murdered his uncle Irontooth to get the Axe of the Dwarvish Lords (see Chapter 1). The amulet is about the size of a walnut and consists of a single piece of clear crystal cut into the likeness of a dwarf's head; however, the piece has no curves, so only angles and facets define the head's contours. The crystalline material looks and feels something like diamond. It is tougher, but less bright.

We can probably retain all of this.

BOZ said:
The amulet has no pin or chain; it has to be carried in a pouch or tucked into the user's clothing.

And this.

BOZ said:
By clutching the amulet and concentrating, the user can summon the Abomination of Diirinka from its extraplanar home to any place the user can see - distance is not a factor. The Abomination usually appears in 1 round, but if the creature has previously been slain outside its home, it will not appear until it has recovered (see creature description on page 189).

As a full-round (?) action, the bearer of the amulet can summon the Abomination. However, if the creature has recently been slain outside its home plane, it will not appear until it has recovered (see rejuvenation, above).

BOZ said:
Once the Abomination appears, the wielder can command the Abomination to perform any action the user desires, provided that action is within the creature's capabilities (which include return to its home dimension). Control lasts 1 turn and can be exercised at any range so long as the Abomination stays within sight. If the creature passes out of the viewer's sight it tends to follow its last instruction to the best of its ability. Once the control's duration runs out, however, the creature becomes uncontrolled and usually charges off in search of dwarven prey. An uncontrolled Abomination generally remains on the plane where it has been summoned until it slays and consumes several dwarves (usually 2d4) or for 1d4 months, whichever takes less time, then returns to its home dimension.

Control lasts 10 minutes, or stick with the usual hour for summoned creatures? Keep the rest?

BOZ said:
The Abomination's Magic Resistance does not apply to attempts to control it via the amulet, but each time someone uses the amulet to control the Abomination its power fades somewhat and the creature gains a saving throw to resist the effect. The saving throw starts at 21 the first time the amulet is used, and falls by 1 with every subsequent use; there is never a saving throw, vs. the summoning effect, but each summoning counts as a use.

Hmmm...

Once summoned, the Abomination can resist control with a successful DC X Will save. The DC decreases by 1 for each successive attempt. It may only save once per control period (10 minutes).

BOZ said:
Roll the saving throw each time the amulet wielder uses the control power, not each time the wielder issues the Abomination a command. For example, Tairdo invokes the command power and orders the Abomination to attack the party, Tairdo can command the creature for 1 turn (provided it failed its saving throw), but if Tairdo keeps the creature busy for 30 minutes, he must use the command power three times. The creature never gains any bonus to the saving throw. Magical effects that block mental control, such as protection from evil, block the amulet wielder's control, but usually also hedge out the Abomination.

Do we want to use that last sentence?

BOZ said:
If the amulet lies unused for a century, a its power regenerates and the creature's base saving throw vs. the command effect rises to 21 again.

After a century of disuse, the amulet returns to full power, and the save DC for the effect resets to X.

BOZ said:
The amulet cannot be destroyed except by a blow from a weapon of +3 or better enchantment, or a wish.
XP Value: Nil * GP Value: 10,000

This is WAY too easy. How about an epic good-aligned weapon forged by dwarves and a wish or miracle cast by a dwarven spellcaster?

Mortis · Dec 9, 2005

Shade said:
This is WAY too easy. How about an epic good-aligned weapon forged by dwarves and a wish or miracle cast by a dwarven spellcaster?

Should that be 'and' or 'or'?

If it's 'and' it may be too HARD.

Regards
Mortis

Shade · Dec 9, 2005

That would be an "or".

BOZ · Dec 9, 2005

Shade said:
As a full-round (?) action, the bearer of the amulet can summon the Abomination. However, if the creature has recently been slain outside its home plane, it will not appear until it has recovered (see rejuvenation, above).

if this works as a full-round action, does that mean the Abom appears at the end of the summoner's turn and can act immediately? if so, i think maybe it's better as a standard action, and the Abom appears the following round and can act on the summoner's turn. just clarify how that works for me.

Shade said:
Control lasts 10 minutes, or stick with the usual hour for summoned creatures? Keep the rest?

we are dealing with an artifact, so i call this a special case. 10 minutes is generous (but hardly out of the question). i know in AD&D 1 turn = 10 rounds, but i forget whether 2E rounds were 1 minute or not.

Shade said:
Once summoned, the Abomination can resist control with a successful DC X Will save. The DC decreases by 1 for each successive attempt. It may only save once per control period (10 minutes).

good start - we can work on that.

Shade said:
Do we want to use that last sentence?

are there any 3.5 effects that hedge something out? does protection from evil or magic circle do anything like that? consecrate, anything?

Shade said:
After a century of disuse, the amulet returns to full power, and the save DC for the effect resets to X.

you got it.

Shade said:
This is WAY too easy. How about an epic good-aligned weapon forged by dwarves and a wish or miracle cast by a dwarven spellcaster?

what you said below, and yes.

Shade · Dec 9, 2005

BOZ said:
if this works as a full-round action, does that mean the Abom appears at the end of the summoner's turn and can act immediately? if so, i think maybe it's better as a standard action, and the Abom appears the following round and can act on the summoner's turn. just clarify how that works for me.

Actually, I should have said "one round" like the summon monster spells. This would require it to wait until the next round to complete the summoning.

BOZ said:
we are dealing with an artifact, so i call this a special case. 10 minutes is generous (but hardly out of the question). i know in AD&D 1 turn = 10 rounds, but i forget whether 2E rounds were 1 minute or not.

Yep, still 10 minutes.