Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
Cleon
Legend
Challenge Rating 7 and 3rd-5th level for the fighters is OK by me.
That just leaves the weight, right?
They're similar in size and shape to a Behir (40 feet & 4000 pounds) so ought to weigh about the same. Alternatively, downsizing a Purple Worm to match their size would be 5000 pounds.
So I'm thinking 4000-5000 pounds.
Cleon
Legend
They look finished to me.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Fish, Subterranean
Although many fish species are found in subterranean fresh waters, three varieties in particular pose problems to creatures that pass through Undermountain’s waterways: they are the wattley, the lemon fish, and the iridescent plecos. These fish are found in bodies of water where luminous lichen or other sources provide a setting that approximates natural lighting. They particularly thrive in the underground caverns of Undermountain where the forest streams of Wyllowwood and the River Sargauth flow.
While not as vicious as barracuda or piranha, these fish are carnivorous and enjoy the taste of flesh, attacking creatures of rat size and larger (even larger than themselves) when they are hungry. They can subside on creatures smaller than that but they must eat a large amount to provide a good meal. The fish are docile and nearly harmless if they have fed recently.
Fish, Subterranean, Lemon Fish
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Underground pools, streams, and rivers
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Night
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Non- (0)
TREASURE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVEMENT: Sw 24
HIT DICE: 4 to 9
THAC0: Varies by HD
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 (bite/tail)
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 4-6 HD: 2d4/4-6 hp + poison; 7-8 HD: 2d6/7-8 hp + poison; 9 HD: 2d8/9 hp + poison
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Poison
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Stun cloud
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 40%
SIZE: S-M (2’-6’ long)
MORALE: Steady (11)
XP VALUE: Varies by HD
Named for the bright yellow scales that cover much of their bodies, lemon fish are among the most vicious predators in subterranean fresh waters. They vary widely in size, with adults ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet long. Unlike other fish, the size of a lemon fish is not indicative of its age. The strongest of the fish feed more often, and therefore grow to become stronger still and vastly more dangerous.
Lemon fish are pleasing to the eye. Those looking through the water at them have said they resemble living gold pieces. The dorsal fin,ti pped with black like all the others, resembles that of a shark when it breaks the surface of the water. The tail is covered with yellow and black barbs, with a thin spike extending up to 2 feet beyond the tail. Its eyes are black saucers that close when the fish moves forward for a kill. The damage of a lemon fish‘s bite is proportionate to its size, the largest inflicting 2-16 (2dS) points of damage with its double rows of teeth.
Regardless of its size, the lemon fish is able to attack twice per round a vicious bite and a tail slap that causes points of damage equal to the fish’s Hit Dice. For example, a 7 HD lemon fish has a tail slap that inflicts 7 points of damage each time it hits. The damage is caused by the needlelike spike and the barbs. Those struck by the tail must save vs. poison or suffer ld6 points of damage per round for as many subsequent rounds as the fish has Hit Dice (an attack by a 7 HD lemon fish causes 7 points of tail slap damage plus 7d6 points of poison damage across 7 rounds).
Lemon fish also possess a special defense that comes into play when the fish’s body is punctured. The injured fish instinctively releases a filmy liquid that expands into a sphere twice the diameter of the fish‘s length (e.g., a 2-foot fish creates a 4-foot spherical area of effect). Those caught in the sphere must save vs. poison at 4 or be stunned for ld4 rounds, often allowing the bleeding fish to flee. If other lemon fish are swimming with the injured one, they usually attack the stunned creature, since they are immune to their own poisons.
Lemon fish are usually solitary, and never more than three are found together. Generally, these fish are of 7 HD or fewer. The largest of the fish always hunts alone.
The flesh of a lemon fish is tough and generally inedible, though the organs of the fish are tasty and prized by duergar and drow. The fish’s toxicity is lost after its death, so consuming the animal poses no threat. Lemon fish lay eggs up to four times a year, with each yielding 100-600 eggs. Only ten out of 100 young survive to reach adulthood. The eggs of the lemon fish are edible and command up to 400 gp a pound, (roughly 600 eggs).
Originally appeared in Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels (1994). This is the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two version.
Although many fish species are found in subterranean fresh waters, three varieties in particular pose problems to creatures that pass through Undermountain’s waterways: they are the wattley, the lemon fish, and the iridescent plecos. These fish are found in bodies of water where luminous lichen or other sources provide a setting that approximates natural lighting. They particularly thrive in the underground caverns of Undermountain where the forest streams of Wyllowwood and the River Sargauth flow.
While not as vicious as barracuda or piranha, these fish are carnivorous and enjoy the taste of flesh, attacking creatures of rat size and larger (even larger than themselves) when they are hungry. They can subside on creatures smaller than that but they must eat a large amount to provide a good meal. The fish are docile and nearly harmless if they have fed recently.
Fish, Subterranean, Lemon Fish
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Underground pools, streams, and rivers
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Night
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Non- (0)
TREASURE: Nil
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVEMENT: Sw 24
HIT DICE: 4 to 9
THAC0: Varies by HD
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 (bite/tail)
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 4-6 HD: 2d4/4-6 hp + poison; 7-8 HD: 2d6/7-8 hp + poison; 9 HD: 2d8/9 hp + poison
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Poison
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Stun cloud
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 40%
SIZE: S-M (2’-6’ long)
MORALE: Steady (11)
XP VALUE: Varies by HD
Named for the bright yellow scales that cover much of their bodies, lemon fish are among the most vicious predators in subterranean fresh waters. They vary widely in size, with adults ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet long. Unlike other fish, the size of a lemon fish is not indicative of its age. The strongest of the fish feed more often, and therefore grow to become stronger still and vastly more dangerous.
Lemon fish are pleasing to the eye. Those looking through the water at them have said they resemble living gold pieces. The dorsal fin,ti pped with black like all the others, resembles that of a shark when it breaks the surface of the water. The tail is covered with yellow and black barbs, with a thin spike extending up to 2 feet beyond the tail. Its eyes are black saucers that close when the fish moves forward for a kill. The damage of a lemon fish‘s bite is proportionate to its size, the largest inflicting 2-16 (2dS) points of damage with its double rows of teeth.
Regardless of its size, the lemon fish is able to attack twice per round a vicious bite and a tail slap that causes points of damage equal to the fish’s Hit Dice. For example, a 7 HD lemon fish has a tail slap that inflicts 7 points of damage each time it hits. The damage is caused by the needlelike spike and the barbs. Those struck by the tail must save vs. poison or suffer ld6 points of damage per round for as many subsequent rounds as the fish has Hit Dice (an attack by a 7 HD lemon fish causes 7 points of tail slap damage plus 7d6 points of poison damage across 7 rounds).
Lemon fish also possess a special defense that comes into play when the fish’s body is punctured. The injured fish instinctively releases a filmy liquid that expands into a sphere twice the diameter of the fish‘s length (e.g., a 2-foot fish creates a 4-foot spherical area of effect). Those caught in the sphere must save vs. poison at 4 or be stunned for ld4 rounds, often allowing the bleeding fish to flee. If other lemon fish are swimming with the injured one, they usually attack the stunned creature, since they are immune to their own poisons.
Lemon fish are usually solitary, and never more than three are found together. Generally, these fish are of 7 HD or fewer. The largest of the fish always hunts alone.
The flesh of a lemon fish is tough and generally inedible, though the organs of the fish are tasty and prized by duergar and drow. The fish’s toxicity is lost after its death, so consuming the animal poses no threat. Lemon fish lay eggs up to four times a year, with each yielding 100-600 eggs. Only ten out of 100 young survive to reach adulthood. The eggs of the lemon fish are edible and command up to 400 gp a pound, (roughly 600 eggs).
Originally appeared in Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels (1994). This is the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two version.
Cleon
Legend
Hmm, 4-9 HD is awful high for a Small to Medium Animal, that seems more Magical Beast territory.
How about keeping them Animals but increase their size and make them Dire? e.g. Medium to Large Dire Animals?
The set damage for the tail-slap is an odd mechanism, I think we had better change it to a die roll plus 1.5 Str, plus lingering damage from the tail-spines.
EDIT: Hold on, it's got Magic Resistance! We'd better make them Magical Beasts then, in which case we can keep them Small to Medium.
How about keeping them Animals but increase their size and make them Dire? e.g. Medium to Large Dire Animals?
The set damage for the tail-slap is an odd mechanism, I think we had better change it to a die roll plus 1.5 Str, plus lingering damage from the tail-spines.
EDIT: Hold on, it's got Magic Resistance! We'd better make them Magical Beasts then, in which case we can keep them Small to Medium.
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Cleon
Legend
Okay then, hows this for a start, using the Morena conversion we just did as a foundation:
Lemon Fish
Small Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 4d8+8 (26 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Swim 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +1 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+2
Attack: Bite + melee (1d8+2) or tail + melee (1d2+3 plus tail-spines)
Full Attack: Bite + melee (1d8+2) and tail + melee (1d2+3 plus tail-spines)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Tail-spines, stun cloud
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spell resistance X
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 0 or 1?, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: 0 or 7?
Feats: 0 or 2?
Environment: Subterraneaun aquatic
Organization: Solitary or pack (2-3)?
Challenge Rating: ?
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5 HD (Small); 6-8 HD (Medium); 9-16 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: ---
Stun Cloud (Ex):
Tail-Spines (Ex):
Lemon Fish
Small Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 4d8+8 (26 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Swim 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +1 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+2
Attack: Bite + melee (1d8+2) or tail + melee (1d2+3 plus tail-spines)
Full Attack: Bite + melee (1d8+2) and tail + melee (1d2+3 plus tail-spines)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Tail-spines, stun cloud
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spell resistance X
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 0 or 1?, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: 0 or 7?
Feats: 0 or 2?
Environment: Subterraneaun aquatic
Organization: Solitary or pack (2-3)?
Challenge Rating: ?
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5 HD (Small); 6-8 HD (Medium); 9-16 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: ---
Stun Cloud (Ex):
Tail-Spines (Ex):
GrayLinnorm
Explorer
Intelligence should be 1. Fish (magical and otherwise) aren't mindless in 3e.
