Converting monsters from Imagine Magazine

[freyar]

Using a heavy warhorse as a base, the skeleton has Str 18, Dex 15, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 1 with 4HD. Give it DR 5/magic or silver (could go magic and silver). A fair start?

 

[Shade]

Looks good to me.

So...

Skeletal Heavy Warhorse
Large Undead
Hit Dice: 4d12 (26 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 13 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +2 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+10
Attack: Hoof +5 melee (1d6+4)
Full Attack: 2 hooves +5 melee (1d6+4) and bite +0 melee (1d4+2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 60 ft., damage reduction 5/magic and silver, immunity to cold, unnatural aura
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +4
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 15, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 1
Skills: -
Feats: Improved Initiative (B)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral

Unnatural Aura (Su): Animals, whether wild or domesticated, can sense the unnatural presence of a headless horseman's mount at a distance of 30 feet. They do not willingly approach nearer than that and panic if forced to do so; they remain panicked as long as they are within that range.

 

[freyar]

I think that's "Darkvision 60ft," actually.

Should we go the route of CR - and fold its CR into the horseman? Otherwise, I think it looks good. Maybe just call it a "Horseman's Mount" or something to distinguish it from a usual skeleton?

 

[demiurge1138]

CR - sounds right. It's part of the horseman, essentially.

Demiurge out.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

For the mount, do we want it to rejuvenate each day after destruction? Or should the horseman be able to call a replacement in some manner? Obviously, the horseman shouldn't be without a mount for long if it is a recurring villain.

 

[freyar]

I'd say call a replacement mount. Maybe it could take a day, but I don't have too much of an opinion about the time.

 

[demiurge1138]

Call a replacement mount in a ceremony that takes a minute, once per day at most.

Demiurge out.

 

[Shade]

How's this?

Mount: Upon arising as an undead, the headless horseman is granted a special mount (see below). Should the mount be destroyed, 24 hours later the headless horseman can create another mount through a special ceremony that requires one minute and the skeletal remains of a heavy warhorse.

Other than that, I think we're finished, unless we want to create a sample headless horseman.

 

[demiurge1138]

Let's make a sample. 5th level fighter, same as a ghost?

Demiurge out.

 

[freyar]

That all sounds fair to me. I'd work on the sample, but I'm wiped...