Converting monsters from First Edition modules
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demiurge1138
Inventor of Super-Toast
Looks done to me, too!
Demiurge out.
Demiurge out.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Life-Bane Duplicates
A duplicate created by Nuala's power of life-bane (see PSVII) is a magical entity which can parasitically tap the vitality of a single victim (no saving throw). This tapping cannot be halted until the duplicate is destroyed, or the victim dies from the strain, giving the duplicate the powers of the victim.
In appearance, voice and so on, a duplicate is indistinguishable from the original, and even has copies of the victim's clothing and equipment. Although a duplicate would be capable of fooling even the closest associates of the victim under normal circumstances, a truesight spell or similar magic would reveal it as an impostor, and a detect magic spell will reveal a magical aura.
Powers of Duplicates
Duplicates exist only as long as their individual victims live and they can continue to sap energy from them. During this time, duplicates can utilise all of the powers and abilities available to their individual victims... and more!
Duplicated Powers
With the exception of additional powers (see below), all of the attributes of a duplicate (including ability scores and bonuses, hit points, combat abilities, special abilities and so on) are identical to those of its victim before he or she was affected by Nuala's magic.
When the link is first established with a spell-using victim, the duplicate gains "copies" of the spells which the victim has memorised at the time and can cast them in the same manner. Although a duplicate's spells are used up in the normal way when it casts them, it cannot relearn spells of its own accord. Instead, the spells it has available are determined by which ones the victim memorises. Each time that its victim relearns spells or memorises new ones, the duplicate's list of available spells becomes the same as the victim's.
Although the duplicate has the same list of spells as its victim, the casting of a given spell by the duplicate does not affect the character's ability to use it. Similarly, if the character casts a spell this does not deprive the duplicate of it.
Duplicated Equipment
In addition to taking on the physical form of its victim, a duplicate also acquires temporary "copies" of all his or her personal equipment. This includes clothing, armour, weapons, magical items, horses or other animals, but not, of course, any human or demi-human henchmen or hirelings.
This equipment is identical in appearance to the originals, and can be used by the duplicate in the same way. It is not real in the ordinary sense and exists only because of the duplicate's life-draining. Only the duplicate concerned may use it, and it vanishes if the duplicate is destroyed. Acquisition or loss of equipment by the victim or duplicate do not affect the equipment possessed by the other -- nor do damage or other changes (including using up the charges of magical items).
Additional Powers
In addition to simply copying characters' original abilities, the accelerated rate at which duplicates use their victims' energies means that, in some respects, they are more powerful than the victims were originally. The extra abilities of duplicates are listed below:
Killing Duplicates
When a duplicate is "killed" (reduced to 0 hit points or below), it and all of its duplicated equipment vanish in a brilliant flash of light, leaving behind not a single trace.
Originally appeared in I8 – Ravager of Time.
A duplicate created by Nuala's power of life-bane (see PSVII) is a magical entity which can parasitically tap the vitality of a single victim (no saving throw). This tapping cannot be halted until the duplicate is destroyed, or the victim dies from the strain, giving the duplicate the powers of the victim.
In appearance, voice and so on, a duplicate is indistinguishable from the original, and even has copies of the victim's clothing and equipment. Although a duplicate would be capable of fooling even the closest associates of the victim under normal circumstances, a truesight spell or similar magic would reveal it as an impostor, and a detect magic spell will reveal a magical aura.
Powers of Duplicates
Duplicates exist only as long as their individual victims live and they can continue to sap energy from them. During this time, duplicates can utilise all of the powers and abilities available to their individual victims... and more!
Duplicated Powers
With the exception of additional powers (see below), all of the attributes of a duplicate (including ability scores and bonuses, hit points, combat abilities, special abilities and so on) are identical to those of its victim before he or she was affected by Nuala's magic.
When the link is first established with a spell-using victim, the duplicate gains "copies" of the spells which the victim has memorised at the time and can cast them in the same manner. Although a duplicate's spells are used up in the normal way when it casts them, it cannot relearn spells of its own accord. Instead, the spells it has available are determined by which ones the victim memorises. Each time that its victim relearns spells or memorises new ones, the duplicate's list of available spells becomes the same as the victim's.
Although the duplicate has the same list of spells as its victim, the casting of a given spell by the duplicate does not affect the character's ability to use it. Similarly, if the character casts a spell this does not deprive the duplicate of it.
Duplicated Equipment
In addition to taking on the physical form of its victim, a duplicate also acquires temporary "copies" of all his or her personal equipment. This includes clothing, armour, weapons, magical items, horses or other animals, but not, of course, any human or demi-human henchmen or hirelings.
This equipment is identical in appearance to the originals, and can be used by the duplicate in the same way. It is not real in the ordinary sense and exists only because of the duplicate's life-draining. Only the duplicate concerned may use it, and it vanishes if the duplicate is destroyed. Acquisition or loss of equipment by the victim or duplicate do not affect the equipment possessed by the other -- nor do damage or other changes (including using up the charges of magical items).
Additional Powers
In addition to simply copying characters' original abilities, the accelerated rate at which duplicates use their victims' energies means that, in some respects, they are more powerful than the victims were originally. The extra abilities of duplicates are listed below:
- Regeneration: Duplicates regenerate lost hit points at a rate of 2 per round after injury, so long as they remain above zero hit points.
- Movement: Duplicates can move at a rate 3" greater than the victim.
- Reaction Speed: Duplicates have a bonus of 1 on all initiative rolls.
- Melee Attacks: In melee, a duplicate has 1 attack per round more than its victim had.
- Magical Immunity: Duplicates are immune to mind-affecting magic, such as sleep, char, and hold spells.
Killing Duplicates
When a duplicate is "killed" (reduced to 0 hit points or below), it and all of its duplicated equipment vanish in a brilliant flash of light, leaving behind not a single trace.
Originally appeared in I8 – Ravager of Time.
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
Strange: I wonder if these were just invented as replacement doppelgangers or something.
Obviously templates, I guess. Looks like they are exactly the same as the base creature but gain fast healing 2, speed boost (not sure how much 3" corresponds to), +1 initiative, immunity to mind-affecting, maybe some sort of haste (for the extra attack).
How do you want to handle the spellcasting bit?
Should these be telepathically controlled by their creator or something?
Obviously templates, I guess. Looks like they are exactly the same as the base creature but gain fast healing 2, speed boost (not sure how much 3" corresponds to), +1 initiative, immunity to mind-affecting, maybe some sort of haste (for the extra attack).
How do you want to handle the spellcasting bit?
Should these be telepathically controlled by their creator or something?
Shade
Monster Junkie
Probably. Based on the subject matter of the module, I'm guessing they are from a different timestream.
That all sounds about right. 3" equals 30 feet.
I'd say that there spells known/spells per day are the same as the duplicated victim's at the beginning of a day.
We might want to bug Echohawk for more details from the module.
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