Converting monsters from Dragon magazine

[Cleon]

Updated.

With the reduced Int score, we'll need to drop one skill. I'd recommend Knowledge (arcana). Any objections?

I was thinking Knowledge (the planes). Doesn't it only start exploring the planes once its matured into a Greater Well Spirit?

It doesn't bother me much either way, so I won't object if you keep it (arcane).

 

[Cleon]

An ability, similar to feed.

I agree.

The only real question is how much treasure it needs to advance a HD:

- A proportion of the treasure value of its CR (double standard treasure?)

- Treasure with a gp value equal to a proportion of the xp value it would need to gain a level?

 

[Shade]

The original text suggested 5,000 gp per current hit die, which seems like it would still work rather well. Thus, 30,000 to reach 7 HD, 35,000 more to reach 8 HD, and so forth.

 

[freyar]

The original text suggested 5,000 gp per current hit die, which seems like it would still work rather well. Thus, 30,000 to reach 7 HD, 35,000 more to reach 8 HD, and so forth.

That works well enough for me.

 

[Cleon]

The original text suggested 5,000 gp per current hit die, which seems like it would still work rather well. Thus, 30,000 to reach 7 HD, 35,000 more to reach 8 HD, and so forth.

Not so sure about it myself, it seems an awful lot compared to the "Treasure Values per Encounter Table". Bear in mind AD&D creatures often had much more gp value in treasure than 3E ones, since the rules did not favour the purchase of magical items.

Look at how the progression goes Treasure EL-wise.

To reach 7HD requires 30000 gp = ~EL 17 Treasure. [36000gp]
To reach 8HD requires 35000 gp = ~EL 17 Treasure. [36000gp]
To reach 9HD requires 40000 gp = ~EL 18 Treasure. [47000gp]
To reach 10HD requires 45000 gp = ~EL 18 Treasure. [47000gp]
To reach 11HD requires 50000 gp = ~EL 19 Treasure. [61000gp]
To reach 12HD requires 55000 gp = ~EL 19 Treasure. [61000gp]
To reach 13HD requires 60000 gp = ~EL 19 Treasure. [61000gp]

I'd rather go for something like treasure EL = current HD+3, e.g.:

To reach 7HD requires EL 9 Treasure. [4500gp]
To reach 8HD requires EL 10 Treasure. [5800gp]
To reach 9HD requires EL 11 Treasure. [7500gp]
To reach 10HD requires EL 12 Treasure. [9800gp]
To reach 11HD requires EL 13 Treasure. [13000gp]
To reach 12HD requires EL 14 Treasure. [17000gp]
To reach 13HD requires EL 15 Treasure. [22000gp]

 

[demiurge1138]

Cleon's suggestion seems much more reasonable, considering the avaliability of treasure.

 

[Shade]

Alright, although I fear that's a bit complicated.

Regardless, here's a stab at the ability...

Consume Treasure (Su): A well spirit advances in Hit Dice by consuming treasure. The type (coins, goods, or items) makes no difference, only the gold piece value of the treasure. When a well spirit acquires treasure appropriate for an encounter level equal to its current Hit Dice + 3, it gains 1 Hit Die, and its Strength, Constitution, and natural armor increase by +1. Its attack bonus and saves improve as normal for an elemental of its Hit Dice, and it gains skill points, feats, and ability score improvements normally.

A well spirit that reaches 13 Hit Dice through consuming treasure immediately becomes a greater well spirit upon completion of the act.


I know the original did not actually consume the treasure, but if we let it simply hoard the treasure, their hoards will quickly grow way out of control.

 

[Cleon]

Alright, although I fear that's a bit complicated.

Regardless, here's a stab at the ability...

Consume Treasure (Su): A well spirit advances in Hit Dice by consuming treasure. The type (coins, goods, or items) makes no difference, only the gold piece value of the treasure. When a well spirit acquires treasure appropriate for an encounter level equal to its current Hit Dice + 3, it gains 1 Hit Die, and its Strength, Constitution, and natural armor increase by +1. Its attack bonus and saves improve as normal for an elemental of its Hit Dice, and it gains skill points, feats, and ability score improvements normally.

A well spirit that reaches 13 Hit Dice through consuming treasure immediately becomes a greater well spirit upon completion of the act.


I know the original did not actually consume the treasure, but if we let it simply hoard the treasure, their hoards will quickly grow way out of control.

Yes, they should definitely consume the treasure to grow. I don't agree with the increase to abilities and NA, because A) I'd prefer they follow the usual 'abilities go up in steps of 2" rules, and B) a 12 HD lesser well spirit would get Str 23, Con 21 and NA +13 - more than a greater's Str 21, Con 17 and NA +10. I'd rather trim cut the progression to, say +2 Str and +1 NA per 3 Hit Dice, e.g.:

Consume Treasure (Su): A well spirit advances in Hit Dice by consuming treasure. The type (coins, goods, or items) makes no difference, only the gold piece value of the treasure. When a well spirit acquires treasure appropriate for an encounter level equal to its current Hit Dice + 3, it gains 1 Hit Die. For every 3 Hit Dice it advances through consuming treasure the lesser well spirit's Strength increases by +2 and its natural armor increases by +1. Its attack bonus and saves improve as normal for an elemental of its Hit Dice, and it gains skill points, feats, and ability score improvements normally.

A well spirit that reaches 13 Hit Dice through consuming treasure immediately becomes a greater well spirit upon completion of the act.
​

That way the lesser well spirit maxes out at 12 HD with the same Strength and Armour Class as a greater well spirit (its NA is one less than a Greater but it's still Large so has a size penalty that's a point lower, so it evens out to the same AC).

 

[freyar]

This is fine.

 

[Shade]

No arguments here. That was just a straight copy of the barghest's feed ability.

Updated.

Challenge Rating: x

Lesser well spirits are x feet tall and weigh up to x pounds.