Converting Monsters from Polyhedron Magazine

[Cleon]

The basic Plantman looks fine to me. So it's only the flavour to finalize and then on to the Chief.

Although there is one thing I've been wondering about, in light of Wizards naming policy shouldn't we be calling them Plantfolk now.

Plantfolk sounds a bit rustic to me, what about the more urbane members of the vegetative community? Perhaps we should call them Plantpersons, just to be on the safe side.

 

[freyar]

I'd kind of assumed these would become plantfolk. They seemed rustic enough to me...

 

[Shade]

Updated with name change and flavor text.

 

[Cleon]

I'd kind of assumed these would become plantfolk. They seemed rustic enough to me...

Well my version are going to remain Plantmen, proud of their asexual masculinity.

(EDIT: or is it masculine asexuality?)

Updated with name change and flavor text.

The Will save should be +2 instead of 1 (+0 from 1st level Warrior, +2 from Wis 14), and the Strength doesn't work out - if its Str 13 with +2 racial adjustment the final score should be Str 15.

The rest of it looks fine.

 

[Shade]

Good catches!

The Str scores are actually correct...the error lies in the "as characters" section. Way upthread we decided to drop the racial bonus to Strength after switching to the standard array.

Updated.

Moving on to the chiefs...

We know that they have 10 HD. Do we want to stat them up as unique 10-HD plant creatures, or as plantfolk with 10 levels in some character class?

 

[freyar]

I get a "distinct monster" kind of vibe from the chiefs.

 

[Cleon]

Good catches!

The Str scores are actually correct...the error lies in the "as characters" section. Way upthread we decided to drop the racial bonus to Strength after switching to the standard array.

Updated.

Moving on to the chiefs...

We know that they have 10 HD. Do we want to stat them up as unique 10-HD plant creatures, or as plantfolk with 10 levels in some character class?

In my version I've statted Chiefs as 10-HD Plant creatures, so just for the sake of having an alternative take I'd quite like a character-class version. (I've statted up one of those up too, but as a 'Plantman Hero' not a 'Regular Chief').

So, 10th level warrior, fighter or ranger? Or maybe split the difference and have the "Shady Plantchief" a 5-HD Large Plant with five levels of fighter or ranger?

 

[Shade]

I get a "distinct monster" kind of vibe from the chiefs.

I think I'm leaning that way too.

In my version I've statted Chiefs as 10-HD Plant creatures, so just for the sake of having an alternative take I'd quite like a character-class version. (I've statted up one of those up too, but as a 'Plantman Hero' not a 'Regular Chief').

So, 10th level warrior, fighter or ranger? Or maybe split the difference and have the "Shady Plantchief" a 5-HD Large Plant with five levels of fighter or ranger?

I'll take a look at what you've got, and go from there.

I'll leave the "alternate to your alternate" up to you.

 

[Cleon]

I think I'm leaning that way too.

I'll take a look at what you've got, and go from there.

I'll leave the "alternate to your alternate" up to you.

I was leaving off posting my alternative until you've finished yours, so as to not warp your interpretation (so the alternative will be more alternative, so I can pinch ideas from it ). I can PM what I've got so far to you if you like.

As far as I can see, the most important issue regarding the Plant-Chief is the Spores attack, and I've already posted two takes on that - 'Spores like Poison' and 'Spores like Disease' - see posts #724 in #728.

 

[Shade]

Fair enough! We can compare end results.

For the spores, I think I'd look to the vrock for inspiration...

Spores (Ex): A vrock can release masses of spores from its body once every 3 rounds as a free action. The spores automatically deal 1d8 points of damage to all creatures adjacent to the vrock. They then penetrate the skin and grow, dealing an additional 1d4 points of damage each round for 10 rounds. At the end of this time, the victim is covered with a tangle of viny growths. (The vines are harmless and wither away in 1d4 days.) A delay poison spell stops the spores’ growth for its duration. Bless, neutralize poison, or remove disease kills the spores, as does sprinkling the victim with a vial of holy water.

Chiefs can also attack with spores; victims must make a saving throw vs. poison or be paralyzed, dying in 5d4 minutes unless treated by a cure disease spell. Victims who die in this manner are reborn 1d4+20 hours later as plantmen with 6 HD. These individuals become the chief's bodyguards.

I think the vrock's model works fairly well, except I'd drop bless and holy water (as the plantman isn't inherently evil). I agree with adding a Heal check. I'm not fond of the limitations by creature types (other than for the "create spawn" portion).