Converting monsters from Imagine Magazine

[Shade]

The question is do we use something like this...

Alternate Form (Su): A phasm can assume any form of Large size or smaller as a standard action. A phasm can remain in its alternate form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form.

Or something more like this...

Alternate Form (Su): A bralani can shift between its humanoid and whirlwind forms as a standard action. In humanoid form, it cannot fly or use its whirlwind blast, but it can use its spell-like abilities and its weapons. In whirlwind form, it can fly, make slam attacks and whirlwind blast attacks, and use spell-like abilities.

A bralani remains in one form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does the bralani revert to any particular form when killed. A true seeing spell, however, reveals both forms simultaneously.

In other words...limited or (mostly) limitless shapechanging ability?

 

[freyar]

Well, the original write-up looks mostly limitless, though giving special effects to some of the forms is easier with the bralani-like version. I think I'm tempted to go with the limited version, but it's not as satisfying.

 

[Shade]

Does this look OK?

Alternate Form (Su): A kapre can take the form of a cat, dog, boar, raven, or a headless, mutiliated corpse. A kapre can shift between its fey and other forms as a standard action. In animal forms, it cannot use its rend ability, but it can use its other special abilities. In corpse form, it retains all abilities and gains frightful presence.

A kapre remains in one form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does the kapre revert to any particular form when killed. A true seeing spell, however, reveals both forms simultaneously.

Note for "fowl", the closest thing I could find in the SRD was a raven.

 

[freyar]

Looks pretty good. Why don't we say it takes the form of a "fowl" but mention that the fowl should use the physical stats, etc, of a raven. In addition, we should probably mention that the animal forms have fiery eyes and exhale a harmless blue-green fire. Maybe:

Alternate Form (Su): A kapre can take the form of a cat, dog, boar, snow-white fowl, or a headless, mutiliated corpse. A kapre can shift between its fey and other forms as a standard action. In animal forms, it cannot use its rend ability, but it can use its other special abilities. The animal's eyes appear fiery red, and the animal exhales a harmless blue-green fire and smoke. In corpse form, it retains all abilities and gains frightful presence.

A kapre remains in one form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does the kapre revert to any particular form when killed. A true seeing spell, however, reveals both forms simultaneously.

 

[Shade]

Updated Homebrews with a section on the kapre.

How's it looking?

 

[freyar]

I guess we just need to fill in the Xs!

 

[Shade]

I guess we just need to fill in the Xs!

Suggestions?

 

[Shade]

The only X's I'm spotting are...

An agta is 10-12 feet tall and weighs x pounds. Skin coloration varies from light brown to coal black.

A 10-foot ogre weighs 650 pounds, while a 12-foot fire giant weighs 7,000 pounds.

Frightful Presence (Su): In its headless corpse form, a kapre can unsettle foes with its mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever the kapre moves, attacks, or charges. Creatures within a radius of X feet are subject to the effect if they have fewer HD than the kapre. A potentially affected creature that succeeds on a DC 14 Will save remains immune to that kapre's frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failure, creatures with 4 or less HD become panicked for 5d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 5d6 rounds. Agtas, kapres, and other similar fey ignore the frightful presence of other kapres.

60 feet?

 

[freyar]

Wow, fire giants are heavy! Let's go with 700 lb maybe?

60 ft is good.

 

[Shade]

Next!

Batibat (Demon)
Freq: Very rare
# App: 1
AC: 4
Move: 12"
HD: 6
% in Lair: 80%
Treasure type: R
# Att: 2
Dmg/Att: 2-12
SA: ride
SD: none
MR: standard
Int: low-average
Alignment: Chaotic neutral
Size: L (8-10 ft.)
Psionics: nil
Level/XP Value: Agta: V/475 + 6/hp

The Batibat is a relative of the Agta and Pugot, but does not have their shapechanging abilities. It is a dark-skinned humanoid, 8-10 ft. tall and broad enough to fill a doorway as it enters. The only magical ability it possesses is the ability to ride a sleeping victim in the same manner as a Night Hag, although it will only do this under great provocation. In the one story where this occurs, the Batibat attacks members of a family which owns a large post--all that remains of its home tree, which it still inhabits. It is not known what happens to the souls of those ridden to death by a Batibat.

From Imagine Magazine #25 (1985)