Converting Monsters from Polyhedron Magazine

[freyar]

I'd make this a template that can be applied to any aquatic animal w/o the amphibious SQ (maybe). But I'm not sure if there are trout, goldfish, etc, anywhere.

 

[Shade]

That is the problem with making it a template. About half those critters don't have stats, and honestly, probably don't need 'em.

Maybe we should just make a generic "air fish" at several size categories and note what type of fish fit into those categories. And then also make a template to apply to larger fish like sharks and rays and to magical beasts of any size. Thoughts?

 

[freyar]

That's reasonable. Maybe start with the template (which should be simple) and then figure out some base stats to apply it to for the smaller ones. I'd do Diminutive through Small explicitly, I guess, then the template. Sound right?

 

[Shade]

Sure. So let's see what we need...

• A flight speed (with maneuverability variable by size)
• Water-based scent becomes air-based
• "Moisture-dependent" (I think we did this for another creature)

Anything else?

 

[freyar]

Moisture dependent does sound familiar, but I can't remember where we might have done it. I think gillmen in Pathfinder have it, so we could always look there. I know they're in the campaign setting, so I can look that up tonight for inspiration.

Anyway, that does sound like all we need.

 

[Shade]

Found it!

Moisture Dependent (Ex): If a hendar spends more than 24 hours without entering water its skin grows dry and brittle, reducing its natural armor by 2. A hendar with dried-out skin must must make a Constitution check each hour (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d4 points of damage. The hendar can cure its dried-out skin by soaking in water for a minute, which restores its AC to normal.

 

[freyar]

Ah hah! The original monster doesn't have the AC bit, but we could keep it or not as you like. I think the Con check and damage works fine for these, as does the healing. But should we keep the requirement to "without entering water" or change it to "outside of a humid environment"?

 

[Shade]

I think we can drop the AC portion and agree to "humidity" rather than full immersion in liquid.

 

[freyar]

Let's keep the requirement of entering liquid to heal up, though.

Moisture Dependent (Ex): If an air fish spends more than 24 hours outside a humid environment, its skin grows dry and brittle. An air fish with dried-out skin must must make a Constitution check each hour (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d4 points of damage. The air fish can cure its dried-out skin by soaking in water for one minute.

 

[Shade]

Looks great!