Converting Monsters from Polyhedron Magazine

[Shade]

I'd rather make Zee Chefs be old/exceptional emezons that have developed intrinsic magical abilities, the same relationship as Stone Giant Elders to standard Stone Giants.

Good idea!

 

[freyar]

Shade, do you remember that wail?

 

[Cleon]

Good idea!

In either case, we might as well Zee Chefs until we've finished the basic version.

 

[Shade]

Shade, do you remember that wail?

This is somewhat close:

Cringe (Su): As a standard action, a skeroloth can cower in fear. This is a mind-affecting effect. Any opponent attempting to strike or otherwise directly attack a cringing skeroloth, even with a targeted spell, must attempt a Will save (DC 12). If the save succeeds, the opponent can attack normally and is immune to the effect of that skeroloth's cringing for one day. If the save fails, the opponent can't follow through with the attack, that part of the attacker's action is lost, and the attacker can't directly attack that skeroloth for as long as it continues to cringe. If the skeroloth stops cringing and then cringes again, the opponent may attempt a new Will save to attack it. The save DC is Charisma-based.

 

[Cleon]

This is somewhat close:

Cringe (Su): As a standard action, a skeroloth can cower in fear. This is a mind-affecting effect. Any opponent attempting to strike or otherwise directly attack a cringing skeroloth, even with a targeted spell, must attempt a Will save (DC 12). If the save succeeds, the opponent can attack normally and is immune to the effect of that skeroloth's cringing for one day. If the save fails, the opponent can't follow through with the attack, that part of the attacker's action is lost, and the attacker can't directly attack that skeroloth for as long as it continues to cringe. If the skeroloth stops cringing and then cringes again, the opponent may attempt a new Will save to attack it. The save DC is Charisma-based.

That's not that close. The Emezon wail makes its victims actively try to console them.

 

[freyar]

Just add "and tries to comfort the emezon," and it might work.

 

[Cleon]

Just add "and tries to comfort the emezon," and it might work.

The emezon's wail also affects a 60 ft. radius, not just whoever attacked it.

Also, they only do it when in their lair - what's up with that?

 

[Shade]

Also, they only do it when in their lair - what's up with that?

I'm comfortable dropping that restriction.

 

[freyar]

Let's just note in flavor that they are typically encountered in their lairs/campsites.

Here's a try. I changed it a bit to interact with attitudes (like the Diplomacy skill), the way a charm spell does. Note that a helpful attitude includes taking risks to help or protect someone.

Pitiful Wail (Su): As a standard action, an emezon can moan and cry woefully. Any creature within 60 ft that hears this wail must make a DC X Will save; on a failed save, the victim suffers the effects of a charm monster spell except that the victim's attitude toward the emezon is adjusted to helpful for DURATION. Whether or not the save is successful, an affected creature is immune to the same emezon's pitiful wail for 24 hours. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

 

[Cleon]

Let's just note in flavor that they are typically encountered in their lairs/campsites.

That'd be fine by me.

Here's a try. I changed it a bit to interact with attitudes (like the Diplomacy skill), the way a charm spell does. Note that a helpful attitude includes taking risks to help or protect someone.

Pitiful Wail (Su): As a standard action, an emezon can moan and cry woefully. Any creature within 60 ft that hears this wail must make a DC X Will save; on a failed save, the victim suffers the effects of a charm monster spell except that the victim's attitude toward the emezon is adjusted to helpful for DURATION. Whether or not the save is successful, an affected creature is immune to the same emezon's pitiful wail for 24 hours. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

I was thinking we could adapt the Song special attack of a Harpy or Ravenloft Siren, since it draws the victim(s) towards the emezon and forces them into an altered state of mind.

e.g.

Pitiful Wail (Su): As a standard action, an emezon can moan and cry woefully. All creatures (other than amazons, sirens and harpies) within a 60-foot spread must succeed on a DC X Will save or become captivated. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same emezon's wail for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.

A captivated victim is charmed (as the charm monster spell) and moves toward the emezon, taking the most direct route available. If the path leads into a dangerous area (through flame, off a cliff, or the like), that creature gets a second saving throw. A victim within reach of the emezon stop moving and tries to comfort the distressed emezon, but will fight in self-defense if attacked. The effects of a pitiful wail continues for as long as the emezon wails and for 1 round thereafter. A bard's countersong ability allows the captivated creature to attempt a new Will save.