Converting Monsters from Polyhedron Magazine

[Cleon]

Small Monstrous Humanoid looks an apt fit to me, too.

There doesn't seem to be much to these creatures. Their 3+1 Hit Dice and 1-4/1-4/1-6 claw/claw/bite suggest they're got respectable Strength and Constitution scores despite being Small, maybe 12-13?

Their high AC and flight suggests a good Dexterity too - 16-17 or so?

For their mental stats we haven't got anything to go on apart from mention that their language is complicated. That suggests they can't be that dim, so maybe average human intelligence?

How about Str 13, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 7 ?

 

[freyar]

Those abilities appeal to me.

 

[Cleon]

Those abilities appeal to me.

+4 natural armour to match the original's AC 2?

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

The Hagertral has a forked tongue that it uses to "smell" with, much like that of a snake.

Give 'em scent, like snakes?

Its body resembles a human's but instead of hands and feet it has paws with long retractable claws.

Maybe a racial bonus on Climb checks, due to the claws and their mountain home?

 

[Cleon]

Added to Homebrews.

Give 'em scent, like snakes?

Maybe a racial bonus on Climb checks, due to the claws and their mountain home?

Those both sound fine ideas.

Since their hands and feet both have retractile claws, which pair do they attack with - most likely it depend on whether they're walking or flying? (e.g. hands on the ground, feet in the air)

We could also give them rake attacks for when they're grappling opponents, since they've got four sets of claws.

 

[Shade]

If you want to stick with the spirit of the original (and I'll bet you do ), they won't have rake attacks:

When engaging in combat, the Hagertral will use its mouth and hand claws (it will not use the claws on its feet to attack with, as these are reserved for carrying things when flying).

 

[Cleon]

If you want to stick with the spirit of the original (and I'll bet you do ), they won't have rake attacks:

Excellent point! Better scrub the rakes then.

They've got really good treasure (C, T) for 3 HD monsters that gather in groups of 1-6, and they leave it lying about on mountain peaks - what shall we do with that?

At the very least I'd like to mention magic weapons in the "items" entry, since it notes they use any magic weapons they possess.

 

[Shade]

How about: Standard coins, standard goods, double items (mostly weapons)?

We'll need maneuverability for their flight. Average? Good?

They feed primarily on mountain fowl, so they'll need to either be decent fliers or good at stealth.

Skills: 12 ranks
Hide, Listen, Move Silently Spot?

Wanna give 'em a racial bonus on any or all of those four?

Feats: 2
Multiattack, Stealthy?

 

[freyar]

This all looks good!

I'd go with good maneuverability and a modest racial bonus on all four skills. Say +2?

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Environment: Any mountains?

Organization: Solitary, family (mated pair plus 2 noncombatant young), or x (3-8)

Challenge Rating: 2?

Alignment: Usually neutral?

Advancement: 4-6 HD (Small)?

Level Adjustment: +3? Or "-", since they don't use tools?