Converting monsters from First Edition modules

[Shade]

Suggested Feats:
Wing Sergeant - Ability Focus (screech) (B), Flyby Attack, Weapon Focus (bite or claw)
Flight Leader - Ability Focus (screech) (B), Flyby Attack, Precise Shot
Swarm Leader - Ability Focus (screech) (B), Flyby Attack, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot

Suggested Skill Ranks:
Wing Sergeant - Climb (6), Hide (6), Intimidate (6), Listen (6), Move Silently (6), Search (6), Spot (6), Tumble (6), Surival (6)
Flight Leader - Bluff (8), Climb (8), Hide (8), Intimidate (8), Listen (8), Move Silently (8), Search (8), Spot (8), Tumble (8), Surival (8)
Swarm Leader - Bluff (12), Climb (12), Hide (12), Intimidate (12), Listen (12), Move Silently (12), Search (12), Spot (12), Tumble (12), Surival (12)

Bluff could be replaced by Knowledge (the planes) or Escape Artist for the leaders.

Suggest CR:
Wing Sergeant - 2
Flight Leader - 3
Swarm Leader - 5

 

[BOZ]

here's a section from the module that i missed - want to convert her too?


Yesorkh Pahyeh

The ba'atun leader Yesorkh Pahyeh, is an "albino" with a black colouration. She is a 9th level magic user who has the power of possession once per week (cf. magic jar spell - PHB p81). Using this power, Yesorkh is able to possess the body of any creature within 1" which fails its saving throw vs. Spells (wisdom bonuses apply).

Yesorkh is able to cast spells as long as the possessed creature has a humanoid form. Any special abilities of the possessed creature are usable by Yesorkh. She cannot call upon the exact memories of the creature, though certain things will be known to her.

Any affected creature remains possessed until Yesorkh returns to her own body or possesses another creature. When returning to her own body, Yesorkh's life-essence can be seen in the form of a shadow-like figure which moves at 48" (even through solid matter) and cannot be harmed. Yesorkh can he driven from her victim by an exorcism spell or by the casting of a remove curse spell by a cleric of 8th level or higher.

When abandoned by Yesorkh, her victim will collapse in a state of shock for 1-10 turns.

While Possessing Lachlan (cloud giant):

AC 2; MV 15"; HD 12+7; hp 74; #AT 1; D 6-36; SA/SD hurl boulders for 2-24, only surprised on a 1, levitate; Int Genius; AL LE; Size L (19'); xp 4000 (for driving Yesorkh from Lachlan's body); THACO 9; MM(44).

Clothing/protection: Robes; jewelled headband (value - 10000 gp) with matching earrings (value - 6000 gp the pair).

Spells Memorised
(C=casting time, R= range, D= duration)

First level: charm person (C Is; R 12"), magic missile x2 (C Is; R 15"), ventriloquism (C 1s; R 6"; D 11 r)

Second level: darkness 15' radius (C 2s; R 9"; D 19r), invisibility (C 2s; D Special), mirror image (C 2s; D 18r)

Third level: haste (C 3s; R 6"; D 12r), lightning bolt (C 3s; R 13"), protection from normal missiles (C 3s; D 9t)

Fourth level: dimension door (C 1s; D Special), minor globe of invulnerability (C 4s; D 9r)

Fifth level: monster summoning III (C 5s; R 5"; D 13r)

Special attacks: ice shards and cold ray (see Ba'atun - Pull-out Sheet II), wall of ice (as 9th level magic user, once per day)

Languages: Ba'atun, common

Note: Yesorkh will leave Lachlan's body when it is reduced to 25 or less hit points.

In Ba'atun Form:

AC -2; MV 12"/24"; HD 9; hp 53; #AT 3; D 3-8/3-6/3-6; SA/SD Spells etc.; Int Genius; AL LE; Size M; xp 2836; THACO 10.

Clothing/protection: cloak of protection +2; amulet of shielding (same as brooch of shielding - 31 charges); ring of fire resistance.

Spells/special attacks/languages: as above.

 

[BOZ]

Ice Shards (Su?): These ba’atun can fire shards of ice from their hands, once per day, up to 5 feet away. These shards cause 2d8 points of cold damage to a single target (Reflex save DC X for half).

Web Stones (Ex?): Ba’atun flight leaders carry special sling stones that create webs, as the spell, upon hitting a creature or surface. These webs stick to whatever they hit, and everything within a 5-foot-diameter area for 3 minutes, and require no anchor points to stick to.
(Need a note that flight leaders carry 3 of these.)

Cold Ray (Su?): Ba’atun swarm leaders can create a ray of cold, once per day. The ray is a cone 50 feet long and 20 wide at the base, and causes 3d8 points of cold damage to all creatures within it (Reflex save DC X for half).

Not sure how to write this one up:

A swarm leader usually carries 1-3 ice javelins, which are considered to be +2 weapons for purposes of creatures hit only by magical weapons, and which do 1d6 points of damage against small creatures and 1d8 against large. In addition, a successful hit causes the weapon to explode in a volley of icy splinters which inflict an extra 2d8 points of damage to all within 10 feet of the blast (make a saving throw vs. Breath for half damage; creatures wearing magical armour take half or no damage).

something to the effect of:

Ice Javelins (Ex?): Ba’atun swarm leaders carry javelins which explode in a volley of icy splinters upon impact. All creatures within 10 feet of the blast suffer 2d8 points of cold damage (Reflex save DC X for half). These javelins are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

 

[Shade]

Yes, let's convert Yesorkh Pahyeh.

Ice Shards (Su?): These ba’atun can fire shards of ice from their hands, once per day, up to 5 feet away. These shards cause 2d8 points of cold damage to a single target (Reflex save DC X for half).

Looks good. I'd go with Su.

Web Stones (Ex?): Ba’atun flight leaders carry special sling stones that create webs, as the spell, upon hitting a creature or surface. These webs stick to whatever they hit, and everything within a 5-foot-diameter area for 3 minutes, and require no anchor points to stick to.
(Need a note that flight leaders carry 3 of these.)

Since this is simply a function of their equipment, I don't think an Ex/Su/Sp designator is necessary. Is there a save DC (the web spell has one)?

Cold Ray (Su?): Ba’atun swarm leaders can create a ray of cold, once per day. The ray is a cone 50 feet long and 20 wide at the base, and causes 3d8 points of cold damage to all creatures within it (Reflex save DC X for half).

Hmmm...maybe we should rename this ability to Cold Beam or something to avoid confusion with ray attacks.

Ice Javelins (Ex?): Ba’atun swarm leaders carry javelins which explode in a volley of icy splinters upon impact. All creatures within 10 feet of the blast suffer 2d8 points of cold damage (Reflex save DC X for half). These javelins are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

I'd once again lose the Ex designator. Also, I'd add "in addition to dealing javelin damage to any creature struck, all creatures within..."

 

[BOZ]

Yes, let's convert Yesorkh Pahyeh.

ok.

The ba'atun leader Yesorkh Pahyeh, is an "albino" with a black colouration. She is a 9th level magic user…

should we just slap 9 levels of wizard (I’d say wizard and not sorcerer) onto a basic ba’atun? Or onto a swarm leader, since she has the powers of one?

…who has the power of possession once per week (cf. magic jar spell - PHB p81). Using this power, Yesorkh is able to possess the body of any creature within 1" which fails its saving throw vs. Spells (wisdom bonuses apply).

Yesorkh is able to cast spells as long as the possessed creature has a humanoid form. Any special abilities of the possessed creature are usable by Yesorkh. She cannot call upon the exact memories of the creature, though certain things will be known to her.

Any affected creature remains possessed until Yesorkh returns to her own body or possesses another creature. When returning to her own body, Yesorkh's life-essence can be seen in the form of a shadow-like figure which moves at 48" (even through solid matter) and cannot be harmed. Yesorkh can he driven from her victim by an exorcism spell or by the casting of a remove curse spell by a cleric of 8th level or higher.

When abandoned by Yesorkh, her victim will collapse in a state of shock for 1-10 turns.

this is her main attack, works like the magic jar spell. Could be a spell-like ability, but maybe we want to make it a supernatural power.

Spells Memorised
(C=casting time, R= range, D= duration)

First level: charm person (C Is; R 12"), magic missile x2 (C Is; R 15"), ventriloquism (C 1s; R 6"; D 11 r)

Second level: darkness 15' radius (C 2s; R 9"; D 19r), invisibility (C 2s; D Special), mirror image (C 2s; D 18r)

Third level: haste (C 3s; R 6"; D 12r), lightning bolt (C 3s; R 13"), protection from normal missiles (C 3s; D 9t)

Fourth level: dimension door (C 1s; D Special), minor globe of invulnerability (C 4s; D 9r)

Fifth level: monster summoning III (C 5s; R 5"; D 13r)

of course, this will for the basis for her spellbook. We can fill in as needed.

Special attacks: ice shards and cold ray (see Ba'atun - Pull-out Sheet II), wall of ice (as 9th level magic user, once per day)

see, I told you! Also has wall of ice as a spell-like ability?

Languages: Ba'atun, common

Note: Yesorkh will leave Lachlan's body when it is reduced to 25 or less hit points.

In Ba'atun Form:

AC -2; MV 12"/24"; HD 9; hp 53; #AT 3; D 3-8/3-6/3-6; SA/SD Spells etc.; Int Genius; AL LE; Size M; xp 2836; THACO 10.

Clothing/protection: cloak of protection +2; amulet of shielding (same as brooch of shielding - 31 charges); ring of fire resistance.

Spells/special attacks/languages: as above.

more info to work in there somewhere. more from me tomorrow. If I get a chance, I’ll look through the module for more info about her and the ba’atun.

 

[Shade]

should we just slap 9 levels of wizard (I’d say wizard and not sorcerer) onto a basic ba’atun? Or onto a swarm leader, since she has the powers of one?

I'm with you on wizard onto swarm leader.

this is her main attack, works like the magic jar spell. Could be a spell-like ability, but maybe we want to make it a supernatural power.

Hmmm...what did we do for the visage?

of course, this will for the basis for her spellbook. We can fill in as needed.

Agreed.

see, I told you! Also has wall of ice as a spell-like ability?

You sure did tell us.

more info to work in there somewhere. more from me tomorrow. If I get a chance, I’ll look through the module for more info about her and the ba’atun.

Sounds good.

 

[BOZ]

don't want this thread to collect dust forever...

how's this for a stat block?

Ba'atun, Yesorkh Pahyeh
Medium Outsider (Evil, Lawful, Native)
Hit Dice: 7d8+35 plus 9d4+45 (133 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30 ft (6 squares), fly 60 ft (average)
AC: 19 (+4 Dex, +5 natural) touch 14, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+16 (BAB for 9th-level wizard is +4)
Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d6+5) or ice javelin +15 ranged (1d6+5 plus ice splinters)
Full Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d6+5) and 2 claws +11 melee (1d4+2) or ice
javelin +15 ranged (1d6+5 plus ice splinters)
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5 ft
Special Attacks: Cold beam, ice shards, possession, screech, spells, wall of ice
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft, resistance to cold 5, vulnerability to fire
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +15
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 19, Con 20, Int 20, Wis 18, Cha 19
Skills: Bluff +13, Climb +13, Escape Artist +11, Hide +14, Intimidate +18, Knowledge (the planes) +12, Listen +16, Move Silently +12, Search +16, Spot +16, Tumble +14, Survival +14 (plus 84 more?)
Feats: Ability Focus (screech) (B), Flyby Attack, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot (PLUS 4 more? Plus scribe scroll and one bonus metamagic)

Environment: Cold mountains
Organization: Solitary, or retinue (32 ba’atun plus 4 wing sergeants plus 2 flight leaders plus 1 swarm leader)
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: Standard (plus cloak of protection +2; amulet of shielding (same as brooch of shielding - 31 charges); ring of fire resistance)
Alignment: Always lawful evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +X

 

[Shade]

Looking good so far.

It looks like the standard for denoting a monster with class levels is (see the sample lich):

Yesorkh Pahyeh, 9th-Level Ba'atun Wizard

Additional Skills: Definitely maxed-out Spellcraft and Concentration, also Knowlege (arcana).

Feats: Shouldn't she get 3 more feats, plus one wizard bonus feat and Scribe Scroll? I'd suggest Empower Spell for the bonus wizard feat, and for the others Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, and either Spell Focus (Evocation) or Improved Counterspell.

She is entitled to a familiar...should we give her one? I'd vote no.

 

[BOZ]

Looking good so far.

It looks like the standard for denoting a monster with class levels is (see the sample lich):

Yesorkh Pahyeh, 9th-Level Ba'atun Wizard

i know about that. the problem is, the name i need to input when i post these monsters is both what will show up on the monster index as well as the monster's individual page. i don't know any other way to put "Orc, 1st level warrior" on there, other than to state it in the text.

Additional Skills: Definitely maxed-out Spellcraft and Concentration, also Knowlege (arcana).

Feats: Shouldn't she get 3 more feats, plus one wizard bonus feat and Scribe Scroll? I'd suggest Empower Spell for the bonus wizard feat, and for the others Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, and either Spell Focus (Evocation) or Improved Counterspell.

i wasn't sure if she would get one as a 1st level character, or if that was covered under the first monster HD.

She is entitled to a familiar...should we give her one? I'd vote no.

i concur.

otherwise her stats look fine? i'd like to try to finish the ba'atun over the weekend so we can move on to something else.

 

[Shade]

i know about that. the problem is, the name i need to input when i post these monsters is both what will show up on the monster index as well as the monster's individual page. i don't know any other way to put "Orc, 1st level warrior" on there, other than to state it in the text.

No problem. Stating it in the text should be sufficient.

i wasn't sure if she would get one as a 1st level character, or if that was covered under the first monster HD.

I used to second-guess myself on this all the time. Here's the relevant info:

Feat Acquisition and Ability Score Increases: A monster’s total Hit Dice, not its ECL, govern its acquisition of feats and ability score increases. For example, a 1st-level minotaur barbarian has a total of 7 HD. It has three feats (for its 1st, 3rd, and 6th HD). When it gains 2nd level as a barbarian, it becomes a creature of 8 Hit Dice and improves one ability score by 1 point. When it adds its 3rd level of barbarian, the minotaur becomes a creature of 9 Hit Dice and gains its fourth feat.

otherwise her stats look fine? i'd like to try to finish the ba'atun over the weekend so we can move on to something else.

She's a beauty.