Converting monsters from Imagine Magazine

[freyar]

Updated. Finished?

Yup.

 

[Shade]

In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day...

Undead Parrot

The leader of the zombies -- dressed in a faded blue coat and a torn tricorne hat -- has the remains of a parrot riding on one shoulder. This unnatural bird will launch itself into the attack as soon as it is able.

1 undead parrot: AC 8; MV 0"; HD 1-1; hp 6; #AT 1; D 1-2/round; SA Leap 3"; SD Cannot be turned, needs magical or silver weapons to hit, immune to electrical attacks; Int Non; AL N; Size S; xp 15; THAC0 2-; special monster

This ex-parrot cannot fly or move itself about properly. It attacks by leaping at a victim and attaching itself with its claws (should it miss, it falls to the grounf and is stunned for 1 melee round while it re-orientates for the next attack). Once attached, it tears at its victim with its beak, automatically causing 1-2 points of damage.

Originally appeared in Imagine Magazine #26 (1985)

 

[Shade]

Since there are no parrot stats, maybe start with raven stats?

 

[demiurge1138]

Sounds reasonable. Attach seems like the primary mechanic here.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

Should the leap be a supernatural ability, or simply a very high racial bonus on Jump checks?

Should the beak attack be a special ability?

 

[freyar]

Looks good so far!

I'd say that the beak attack should be part of attach. Each round it's attached, it does 1d2 damage (or maybe we should put the Str penalty there).

Let's just give it a racial bonus to Jump checks.

Maybe keep the DR to 1 or 2?

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Does the bite mechanic within attach look OK?

Challenge Rating: 1/2?

Advancement: None?

 

[freyar]

Those suggestions sound good, and I think it's done with that.

Edit: or should we include a write-up of undead parrots as familiars?

 

[Shade]

Hmm...since it's mindless, I'm thinking "no" for familar. Thoughts?

 

[freyar]

Oh, yeah, right.