Converting monsters from Dungeon Magazine

[Shade]

I think magical beast should be fine.

Let's figure out ability scores:

"Semi-intelligent", taken literally, is Int 2-4.

Ape (L): Str 21, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Girallon (L): Str 22, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Legendary Ape (M): Str 30, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 17, Cha 11

 

[freyar]

Since this thing is sort of 2D, should we tone down the physical abilities a little? Maybe Str 19, Dex 18, Con 12?

As an aside, that girallon doesn't have the normal average array!

 

[Shade]

That sounds fine. Why the Dex boost, though?

 

[freyar]

Well, it's very thin, so shouldn't it be flexible? Mostly just compensating a little.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

 

[freyar]

Claw damage should include paralysis with a Fort save DC (Con-based). Might want to give it Ability Focus (paralysis). Also:

2D Healing (Su): An epadrazzil has fast healing 2 while within its painting (or on its home plane).

I could see taking out the home plane from that if we want to say that the fast healing is a property of the magic in the painting.

 

[Shade]

Looks good.

Any hit from the creature paralyzes its victim unless a successful saving throw vs. paralysis is made. Any victim hit by both attacks is grasped, picked up, and carried into the painting to remain in stasis until released. The victim can be released by a dispel magic spell, a rod of cancellation, or by destroying the painting. The latter results in the release of the epadrazzil from its bondage; it then returns to its own plane.

Entrapment (Ex?): It an epadrazzil hits the same opponent with both claw attacks in a single round, it may immediately make a grapple check as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If the check succeeds, the victim is carried into the painting and is placed in a state of suspended animation. This functions as the temporal stasis spell, except the victim can also be released by destroying the painting.

 

[freyar]

I think this is good, but it should probably be Su.

 

[Shade]

I think this is good, but it should probably be Su.

Good point.

How do we want to handle the painting?

 

[Shade]

To do so, the magic-user must create a special painting (AC 9; hp 20; half damage from weapon type) in the room whose contents the magic-user wishes the creature to guard. The painting must be an exact mirror image of the room. The epadrazzil is confined to this painting unless its services are required. Any creature other than the epadrazzil's master that tampers with the contents of the room summons the creature from the painting.

The victim can be released by a dispel magic spell, a rod of cancellation, or by destroying the painting. The latter results in the release of the epadrazzil from its bondage; it then returns to its own plane.

All attacks on the creature while it is in the painting only damage the painting--not the epadrazzil.

The epadrazzil continues to attack the intruders until it is slain or until the room is cleared.

Painting: The epadrazzil is bound to a special painting created as part of the ritual used to call it. The painting is an exact mirror image of the room in which it hangs. Should any creature other than the spellcaster who bound the epadrazzil (or anyone he commands it to allow enter?) enter the room, the epadrazzil immediately appears and attacks. The epadrazzil retreats into the painting once the room is cleared of any unauthorized creatures.

The painting has X hit points and hardness X. While within the painting, the epadrazzil cannot be harmed. If the painting is destroyed, the epadrazzil returns to its home plane and does not return.

------------------

Should the epadrazzil be able to only partially leave the painting, and thereby gain cover?