Converting monsters from Imagine Magazine

[freyar]

A nice start. I'd agree with frightful presence, yes. I think they should get a bump to some abilities, maybe +4 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Int, +2 Cha? Or is that a bit much? I could go as low as +2 Str, +2 Int.

Should the mount be a special quality?

 

[Shade]

I'm thinking a template should be applied to its mount when it is converted. Should it be able to create/call a new mount?

The mount basically gains the undead type, DR/magic or silver, immunity to cold, and probably the turn resistance of the horseman.

Looking at ability score modifiers for "similar" undead templates:

Death Knight: Str +4, Wis +2, Cha +2
Dread Warrior: Str +4, Int -6 (minimum 3), Cha -4 (minimum 3).
Gravewight: Str +4, Dex +2, Wis +2, Cha +4
Huecuva: Str +2, Int -6, Wis +2, Cha +2
JuJu Zombie: Str +4, Dex +2, Int -4 (minimum 1), Cha +2
Swordwraith: No modifiers.

 

[freyar]

I think it should be able to call or create a mount. It is a horseman after all!

Ok, what I suggested isn't too far off, if the gravewight isn't grossly overpowered. What about Str +4, Int +2, Cha +2?

 

[demiurge1138]

Gravewight bonuses sound right. I'd say make the headless horseman's DR be silver and magic, as opposed to just magic. Call mount sounds right, but I think the mount itself could be represented by a skeleton horse with better DR

Demiurge out.

 

[freyar]

I'd agree with all that. I think the mount should also have some version of unnatural aura, like a spectre.

 

[demiurge1138]

I'd say the headless horseman itself should have the aura, myself.

Demiurge out.

 

[RavinRay]

Just an interjection at this point. Since all the Philippine monsters have been converted, I'll do a PDF of all of them using public domain fonts and art to give it an Asian feel, along with sidebars on the real-world myths of each of them; then I'll send it to the CC.

 

[freyar]

I'd say the headless horseman itself should have the aura, myself.

Demiurge out.

See, I'd go for the mount because it's the noise of the hoof-beats that causes fear in animals.

They are normally encountered on roadways, heralded by the sound of approaching horses that will cause fear in all creatures of animal intelligence.

We can ask Shade for a tie-breaker.

RavinRay, that PDF sounds like it'll be nice. Thanks!

 

[Shade]

Why not give the unnatural aura to both? If I had to choose one, I'd go with the horseman, though, since its the lack of a head that makes it so very unnerving, IMHO.

Added to Homebrews.

Just an interjection at this point. Since all the Philippine monsters have been converted, I'll do a PDF of all of them using public domain fonts and art to give it an Asian feel, along with sidebars on the real-world myths of each of them; then I'll send it to the CC.

Very cool! Weren't there some more Philippine monsters in an early Dragon Magazine article? If so, we might want to work on those and combine them all.

 

[freyar]

Ok, I thought the frightful presence was the headless bit. Sure, let's give unnatural aura to both.

Let's give it +8 to Ride checks.

Do you think CR +2 or +3?