Converting monsters from Dragon magazine (Part Two)

[Shade]

Hmmm...probably need to tailor those more towards Limbo. Suggestions?

 

[freyar]

The normal coat is short and gray, but these dogs have a limited polymorph ability that allows them to alter the color, length, and quality of the fur to suit local conditions: long and thick in cold weather, short in hot weather, waterproof light in swampy territory, and so on, while its color may be any shade or combination of white, brown, red, black, or gray. Coat alteration takes one turn. The smell of szarkel is pleasant, rather like scented wood. Unlike normal dogs, szarkel can close their nostrils and swim comfortably underwater, remaining active beneath the surface for up to three rounds at a time.

Upthread:

The only things that szarkel have that the other one doesn't is fur that changes color and thickness (racial bonus to Hide checks and to Fort saves to endure extreme temperatures?) and hold breath.

I like demiurge's suggestions, and we can drop the kaougrim's astral tracking and mindflight. Is that a fair tradeoff?

 

[demiurge1138]

I think it's a fair tradeoff. We might want to lower its CR compared to the githyank dog, though.

 

[Shade]

That does seem fair. Maybe alter the astral tracking to apply to Limbo?

Astral Tracking (Su): A szarkel can attempt to track normally even through the ever-changing chaos of Limbo (base DC 20).

 

[freyar]

Maybe Chaotic Tracking?

 

[Shade]

Sounds good.

How are these?

Coat Alteration (Su): As a full-round action, a szarkel may alter the color, length, and quality of its fur to better adapt to its environment. Doing so grants it a +x racial bonus to Hide checks for as long as it remains within the same type of environment. Additionally, it grants the szarkel a +x racial bonus on Fortitude saves to endure extreme temperatures.

Hold Breath (Ex): A szarkel can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 3 x its Constitution score before it risks drowning.

 

[freyar]

Looks good! +2 or +4 on the coat alteration bonuses?

 

[demiurge1138]

+4 for both Hide and Fortitude bonuses.

 

[RavinRay]

The szarkel's ability to adapt is reminiscent of but inferior to a slaad's Limbo adaptability, so it looks good.

 

[Shade]

Updated.