Cleon
Legend
Un-aquatically amphibious, the same as the SRD Toad.
Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
Un-aquatically amphibious, the same as the SRD Toad.
Cleon
Legend
It doesn't bother me one way or t'other.
It's a standard ability, so we can leave it out if you want, but it's not like it costs much to include it.
Cleon
Legend
Fine by me.
Would you care to present a first draft for the description & background text?
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Shade
Monster Junkie
Hopefully later today.
Cleon
Legend
I look forward to it.
Shade
Monster Junkie
This short, reptilian humanoid has large, froglike eyes on the sides of its head. A layer of webbing from underneath its arms connects with its torso. It wears a leather harness holding a sparse collection of crude items.
Varkhas are subterranean relatives of lizardfolk. These brutal, aquatic hunters prowl underwater caverns for prey.
Varkhas have a close-knit tribal society, led by a chief called a tssri. Hunting parites are led by a sllith (hunt leader), while larger bands follow a gsssrat (master of the hunt). The largest hunting parties (50 or more varkhas) are led by a gaakth (sub-chief) and always include a shaman.
Varkhas females make up about one-fourth of a tribe. When not brooding over eggs, varkha females often accompany a hunting party. Larger varkha tribes keep subterranean lizards as guardians.
Varkhas have many natural enemies, including troglodytes and drow. Varkhas have a deep (and mutual) hatred for gibberlings, attacking them to the exclusion of all else when the opportunity presents itself.
Varkhas are 4 to 5 feet tall, with tails of 2 to 3 feet in lenght, and weigh x pounds. Scale coloration ranges from dark gray to deep green.
Varkhas speak Draconic with a heavy gurgling accent.
COMBAT
Hunting varkhaa often attempt to herd prey into a watery cavern, then overwhelm with superior numbers. While most varkhas fight only with their vicious claws, some fashion crude weapons from bones and sharpened rocks.
Varkhas are subterranean relatives of lizardfolk. These brutal, aquatic hunters prowl underwater caverns for prey.
Varkhas have a close-knit tribal society, led by a chief called a tssri. Hunting parites are led by a sllith (hunt leader), while larger bands follow a gsssrat (master of the hunt). The largest hunting parties (50 or more varkhas) are led by a gaakth (sub-chief) and always include a shaman.
Varkhas females make up about one-fourth of a tribe. When not brooding over eggs, varkha females often accompany a hunting party. Larger varkha tribes keep subterranean lizards as guardians.
Varkhas have many natural enemies, including troglodytes and drow. Varkhas have a deep (and mutual) hatred for gibberlings, attacking them to the exclusion of all else when the opportunity presents itself.
Varkhas are 4 to 5 feet tall, with tails of 2 to 3 feet in lenght, and weigh x pounds. Scale coloration ranges from dark gray to deep green.
Varkhas speak Draconic with a heavy gurgling accent.
COMBAT
Hunting varkhaa often attempt to herd prey into a watery cavern, then overwhelm with superior numbers. While most varkhas fight only with their vicious claws, some fashion crude weapons from bones and sharpened rocks.
Cleon
Legend
Not that fond of "A layer of webbing from underneath its arms connects with its torso". I know it's in the original, but think it reads badly.
"A span of webbing connects the creature's arms to its torso?"
"Underwater caverns" suggests the caves are entirely filled with water. The original text describes them living in underground lakes and rivers, which presumably include air-filled spaces.
I'd use that as-is once the typo's fixed, but it suggests some tweaks to the organisation. Something like this would be a fairly literal translation, but is too complicated for my tastes:
Organization: Gang (5-15), hunting party (15-30 plus 1 sllith hunt leader 2st-4th level), or hunting band (30-50 plus 2-3 warriors of 2nd-4th level and 2-3 adepts of 2nd-4th level and 1 gsssrat hunt master of 3rd-6th level), or war band (50-100 plus 3-6 warriors of 2nd-4th and 1-2 adepts of 2nd-4th level and 1 shaman of 3rd-6th level and 1 gaakth sub-chief of 4th-7th level), tribe (75-150 plus 50% noncombatants and 5-10 warriors of 2nd-4th and 5-10 adepts of 2nd-4th level and 1 shaman of 3rd-6th level and 1 tssri chief of 5th-9th level and 1-3 giant subterranean lizards)
I like the following better:
Organization: Gang (5-15), hunting party (15-30 plus 1-3 warriors of 2nd-4th level (sllith or gsssrat) and 1 adept of 2nd-4th level), or war band (30-50 plus 3-6 warriors of 2nd-4th level and 2-3 adepts of 2nd-4th level and 1 sub-chief of 4th-7th level (gaakth) and 1 shaman of 3rd-6th level), tribe (75-150 plus 50% noncombatants and 5-10 warriors of 2nd-4th and 5-10 adepts of 2nd-4th level and 1 shaman of 3rd-6th level and 1 chief of 5th-9th level (tssri) and 1-3 giant subterranean lizards)
I like the "gurgling accent" bit.
The description of the weapons might work better in background.
We've already got the following in the Working Draft, which I like better:
A varkha lizardfolk is usually 4 to 5 feet tall with dark gray or deep green scales. Its tail is used for balance and is 2 to 3 feet long. A varkha can weigh from 60 to 125 pounds.
Varkhas make maximum use of their numbers in combat, making well-coordinated attacks that concentrate on eliminating selected opponents as quickly as possible. They often try to lure or drive opponents into water, where their swimming ability helps them to outmaneuver and overwhelm their enemies. A fighting varkha usually throws a spear (or several) and then charges in to attack with its claws.
So, putting that together...
This short, reptilian humanoid has large, froglike eyes on the sides of its head. A span of webbing connects the creature's arms to its torso. It wears a leather harness holding a sparse collection of crude items.
Varkhas are subterranean relatives of lizardfolk. These brutal, aquatic hunters prowl underground lakes and rivers for prey.
Varkhas have a close-knit tribal society, led by a chief called a tssri. Most hunting parties are led by a sllith (hunt leader), while larger groups follow a gsssrat (master of the hunt). The largest hunting parties or war bands, which can number 50 varkhas or more, are led by a gaakth (sub-chief) and always include a shaman.
Varkhas females make up about one-fourth of a tribe. When not brooding over eggs, females often join a hunting party. Larger varkha tribes keep subterranean lizards as guardians.
Varkhas have many natural enemies, including troglodytes and drow. Varkhas have a deep (and mutual) hatred for gibberlings and seize every opportunity to attack them.
A varkha lizardfolk is usually 4 to 5 feet tall with dark gray or deep green scales. Its tail is used for balance and is 2 to 3 feet long. A varkha can weigh from 60 to 125 pounds.
Varkhas speak Draconic with a heavy gurgling accent.
COMBAT
Varkhas mostly fight with their vicious claws. Some varkhas fashion crude weapons from bones and sharpened rocks, usually missile weapons they hurl at opponents before charging in to melee with their claws.
Varkha hunting parties and war bands fight in well-coordinated groups that make maximum use of their numbers to overwhelm their opponents, concentrating their efforts on their most dangerous foes. Varkhas often try to herd opponents into water, where their swimming ability helps them outmaneuver terrestrial creatures.
What do you think?Varkhas are subterranean relatives of lizardfolk. These brutal, aquatic hunters prowl underground lakes and rivers for prey.
Varkhas have a close-knit tribal society, led by a chief called a tssri. Most hunting parties are led by a sllith (hunt leader), while larger groups follow a gsssrat (master of the hunt). The largest hunting parties or war bands, which can number 50 varkhas or more, are led by a gaakth (sub-chief) and always include a shaman.
Varkhas females make up about one-fourth of a tribe. When not brooding over eggs, females often join a hunting party. Larger varkha tribes keep subterranean lizards as guardians.
Varkhas have many natural enemies, including troglodytes and drow. Varkhas have a deep (and mutual) hatred for gibberlings and seize every opportunity to attack them.
A varkha lizardfolk is usually 4 to 5 feet tall with dark gray or deep green scales. Its tail is used for balance and is 2 to 3 feet long. A varkha can weigh from 60 to 125 pounds.
Varkhas speak Draconic with a heavy gurgling accent.
COMBAT
Varkhas mostly fight with their vicious claws. Some varkhas fashion crude weapons from bones and sharpened rocks, usually missile weapons they hurl at opponents before charging in to melee with their claws.
Varkha hunting parties and war bands fight in well-coordinated groups that make maximum use of their numbers to overwhelm their opponents, concentrating their efforts on their most dangerous foes. Varkhas often try to herd opponents into water, where their swimming ability helps them outmaneuver terrestrial creatures.
