Converting Maztica and Horde monsters

[demiurge1138]

The only thing I'm finding for "maca" is a plant. Maca is probably short for macahuitl, an obsidian-edged club used in lieu of a sword in pre-ironworking Central and South America. They appear in MMIV as two-handed martial weapons that do 1d10 x2 bludgeoning and piercing damage, although that should probably be bludgeoning and slashing.

Which sucks.

I say make them the equivalent of a greatsword, which is how they were used. 2 handed, martial, 2d6 19-20x2.

Demiurge out.

 

[Shade]

In the Maztica campaign setting, they're essentially obsidian battleaxes.

 

[freyar]

Hmmm.

At the Very Intelligent level, they begin to use their weapons, including long obsidian knives (1-3), macas (1-8) and slings (1-4). When using macas, the bacars use shields, raising their Armor Class to 4. When using slings or knives, they do not use shields, but they wield two knives at the same time.

Looks like we can't go the two-handed route if we want to give them shields. What do you think? Treat them as battleaxes (1-handed, 1d8 damage) or greataxes/greatswords?

 

[demiurge1138]

Battleaxes. It's entirely possible, based on the info I've seen, that Maztica used "maca" for a one handed macauhuitl and macauhuitl for a two-handed one.

 

[freyar]

Just looked at the Maztica CS this morning, and (sadly) there is no 2-handed version. I suppose we could add them, though.

 

[Shade]

So for the attack lines battleaxe, dagger, and sling?

In the flavor text, mention the maca is an obsidian weapon similar to a battleaxe?

 

[freyar]

Sounds good to me.

Skills: Listen 3, Spot 3?
Feats: Alertness, Power Attack?

 

[demiurge1138]

Feats and skills seem reasonable.

 

[freyar]

Ok, then.

CR: 3?
Treasure: None (except the queen, see text)?
Environment: Any forest
Organization: Solitary, Troop (2-8), or Colony (20-50 plus queen)
Alignment: Always neutral.
Advancement: 4-6 HD (Large), 7-9 HD (Huge)?
300 lb? Speak Sylvan?

 

[Shade]

Most of that looks good.

I think CR 3 may be too high, as they don't have many powerful abilities. They feel more like CR 2 to me.

Enviroment of "any tropical" probably translates to "Any warm land".

Type A Treasure includes 1,000-3,000 Copper, 200-2,000 Silver, 1,000-6,000 Gold, 300-1,800 Platinum or Electrum, 10-40 Gems, 2-12 Art Objects, and Any 3 Magical Items.