Converting Greyhawk monsters

[Shade]

Updated.

Does the environment work?

CR 1 for the spawn? They're tougher than a CR 1/2 stirge (and I've never seen a CR 3/4, 5/8, 9/10, or the like).

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Does the environment work?

CR 1 for the spawn? They're tougher than a CR 1/2 stirge (and I've never seen a CR 3/4, 5/8, 9/10, or the like).

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

Does the environment work?

CR 1 for the spawn? They're tougher than a CR 1/2 stirge (and I've never seen a CR 3/4, 5/8, 9/10, or the like).

I don't see how they're tougher foes, at least in a physical sense.

Stirges can fly at 40 ft. and drain blood at 1d4 per round as a standard action. The Spawn moves at a 10 ft. speed and can only drain 1d4 Con once per day as a full round action. Further, the Stirge has better AC (16 vs 13), much better attack (+7 touch vs +2 melee) and arguably superior saves.

The Gibberspawn doesn't have any Hide skill, so it's trivial to spot and kill one as it ssllloooowwwwlllllyyyyyy crawls towards its opponents.

Basically, the only thing they have going for them is their Empathic Suggestion, so it's all down to what CR you think that's worth.

Physically, they're a CR 1/3 at best, but being able to use suggestion on their host at will makes them a worthwhile threat. The SRD Nixie is CR 1 and can charm person (DC 15) three opponents simultaneously, that's a lot more useful in a fight than the gibberspawn's ability.

So I'm backing CR 1/2 for them.

EDIT: The Psionic Handbook's CR 1 Puppeteer seems more similar to a Gibberspawn than a Nixie, but it can dominate its host, not merely suggest to it. Furthermore, it has 3/day psionic charm and a great Armour Class (AC 20).

 

[Shade]

Basically, the only thing they have going for them is their Empathic Suggestion, so it's all down to what CR you think that's worth.

...and DR 5/bludgeoning
...and immunity to crits and flanking and other benefits of being amorphous

However, since you pointed out their crummy mobility and less frequent blood loss, I'll concede they're even with the stirge (CR 1/2).

 

[Cleon]

...and DR 5/bludgeoning
...and immunity to crits and flanking and other benefits of being amorphous

However, since you pointed out their crummy mobility and less frequent blood loss, I'll concede they're even with the stirge (CR 1/2).

Well, we could drop the Damage Reduction. The original gibberspawn doesn't have it. Neither does the AD&D Gibbering Mouther or Greater Gibbering Mouther have resistance to non-bludgeoning weapons. For that matter, I wonder why WotC gave it DR/bludgeoning, it seems a poor fit to an amorphous, boneless monster - what aspect of its gelatinous mass with a single vulnerable organ would make it sensitive to blunt trauma?

 

[freyar]

Maybe they got it backwards and meant DR slashing & piercing? I wouldn't put it past them. Actually, didn't the gibbering mouther get a fix in the Draconomicon? I can't remember if they changed the DR...

Anyway, I'd be happy to drop the DR on the gibberspawn too and just give it CR 1/2.

As for the monarchy, I was thinking the 12 would be spread through the small village, not on every inhabitant. But either way works.

 

[Shade]

Well, we could drop the Damage Reduction. The original gibberspawn doesn't have it. Neither does the AD&D Gibbering Mouther or Greater Gibbering Mouther have resistance to non-bludgeoning weapons. For that matter, I wonder why WotC gave it DR/bludgeoning, it seems a poor fit to an amorphous, boneless monster - what aspect of its gelatinous mass with a single vulnerable organ would make it sensitive to blunt trauma?

I'm guessing all the lips and eyeballs.

 

[Cleon]

Maybe they got it backwards and meant DR slashing & piercing? I wouldn't put it past them. Actually, didn't the gibbering mouther get a fix in the Draconomicon? I can't remember if they changed the DR...

Couldn't find a Gibbering Mouther update in the Draconomicon. That book does have the Squamous Spewer, which is more-or-less a draconic version of a Mouther.

That beastie doesn't have DR, I might note.

Anyway, I'd be happy to drop the DR on the gibberspawn too and just give it CR 1/2.

As for the monarchy, I was thinking the 12 would be spread through the small village, not on every inhabitant. But either way works.

I'll agree to that.

 

[Cleon]

I'm guessing all the lips and eyeballs.

I'd think it more likely they don't like having their teeth smashed in.

 

[freyar]

Back to the greater mouther?

Don't have time to get deeply into skills and feats right this minute, but I'd like to spare something for diplomatic/social stuff, as they are "god-kings" of a sort.