Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Shade]

So...

Psychic Pandemonium (Sp): At will, a mapmaker can unleash a psionic attack delivers a massive assault on the thought pathways of a single target within 60 feet. The victim takes 6d10 points of damage and is confused for 2d4+1 rounds. A DC X Will save negates both the damage and the confusion effect. The save DC is Charisma-based, and includes a +3 racial bonus. This ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell.

-or-

Psychic Pandemonium (Sp): At will, a mapmaker can unleash a psionic attack delivers a massive assault on the thought pathways of a single target within 60 feet. The victim takes 3d10 points of damage and is confused for 2d4+1 rounds. A DC X Will save halves the damage and negates the confusion effect. The save DC is Charisma-based, and includes a +3 racial bonus. This ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell.

 

[Cleon]

So...

Psychic Pandemonium (Sp): At will, a mapmaker can unleash a psionic attack delivers a massive assault on the thought pathways of a single target within 60 feet. The victim takes 6d10 points of damage and is confused for 2d4+1 rounds. A DC X Will save negates both the damage and the confusion effect. The save DC is Charisma-based, and includes a +3 racial bonus. This ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell.

-or-

Psychic Pandemonium (Sp): At will, a mapmaker can unleash a psionic attack delivers a massive assault on the thought pathways of a single target within 60 feet. The victim takes 3d10 points of damage and is confused for 2d4+1 rounds. A DC X Will save halves the damage and negates the confusion effect. The save DC is Charisma-based, and includes a +3 racial bonus. This ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell.

I guess either of those would do, although I'd still be tempted to trim the damage a bit for the save negates version to around 4d10. That works out about the same average damage as 3d10 save for half damage if the target has a 50% chance of saving.

 

[freyar]

Let's go with the save for half option. Makes it sort of like a breath weapon.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Shall we return to the "scintillating frill" now?

A mapmaker’s primary attack is accomplished by spreading its wings. This causes its entire body to turn metallic and glow with darting, scintillating colors. Any creature within 12” viewing the mapmaker in this state must make a saving throw vs. paralyzation a -2 on the die. Creatures getting a 4 or less on the die (before modification) turn schizoid until a Heal, Restoration, Limited wish or Wish is used. The paralyzation lasts for the number on the die plus 5 rounds.

NOTE: Magical devices will not negate or prevent this effect.

Upthread, the majority seemed to favor keeping insanity/paralysis.

Should this work a bit like a gaze attack?

Edit: I think I found a precedent to build upon.

Hypnotic Wings (Su): Any creature viewing the unfurled wings of a slake moth is paralyzed for 1d4 rounds unless he makes a successful DC 19 Will save. Creatures can avoid viewing the wings as they would a gaze attack, but due to the shimmering colors, the chance of not having to make a saving throw is only 30% rather than the usual 50%. Viewing the wings through mirrors avoids their hypnotic powers. The save DC is Charisma-based.

 

[demiurge1138]

So, paralysis initially, and when the paralysis duration ends, save or be confused?

 

[Shade]

Scintillating Frill (Su): Any creature viewing the darting, scintillating colors within a mapmaker's extended frill is paralyzed for 1d4 rounds unless it makes a successful DC x Will save. A creature that fails its save must make another DC x Will save after the paralysis duration expires. A creature failing this save is permanently confused (as the confusion spell). Creatures can avoid viewing the frill as they would a gaze attack, but due to the shimmering colors, the chance of not having to make a saving throw is only 30% rather than the usual 50%. Viewing the frill through mirrors avoids its powers. The save DCs are Charisma-based.



I don't think we need to explicitly list the spells that remove t
the effect, as heal, for example, clearly mentions that it removes confusion.

 

[demiurge1138]

I don't like the carry-over of the slake moth pervasiveness of the gaze. Hell, I don't like those slake moth stats, period. The ones in the book were beings of nigh-godlike power, and they get statted as a CR 9!

Sorry for the quick rant.

 

[Shade]

No arguments here...I was underwhelmed by the slake-moth stats as well.

IIRC, they did right by the weaver, though.

Revising...

Scintillating Frill (Su): Any creature viewing the darting, scintillating colors within a mapmaker's extended frill is paralyzed for 1d4 rounds unless it makes a successful DC x Will save. A creature that fails its save must make another DC x Will save after the paralysis duration expires. A creature failing this save is permanently confused (as the confusion spell). Creatures can avoid viewing the frill as they would a gaze attack. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

 

[freyar]

That should work.

 

[Cleon]

Scintillating Frill (Su): Any creature viewing the darting, scintillating colors within a mapmaker's extended frill is paralyzed for 1d4 rounds unless it makes a successful DC x Will save. A creature that fails its save must make another DC x Will save after the paralysis duration expires. A creature failing this save is permanently confused (as the confusion spell). Creatures can avoid viewing the frill as they would a gaze attack. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

I like this version, although I can't help feeling we should be giving this power a range. The original writeup says "Any creature within 12” viewing the mapmaker in this state", which translates to a 120 feet radius in 3E.