Converting monsters from the second edition Monstrous Compendiums

[BOZ]

then it's all ours. this one should be pretty simple. this would be excellent as a familiar.

Falcon, Fire
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any desert, mountain or tundra
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Family
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)
TREASURE: Q
ALIGNMENT: Neutral

NO. APPEARING: 2-6
ARMOR CLASS: 4
MOVEMENT: 3, Fl 36 (C)
HIT DICE: 1
THAC0: 20
NO. OF ATTACKS: 5
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3/1-3/1-2/1-2/1-2
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Fire
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to fire-based attacks
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: S (2'6" wingspan, 8" body)
MORALE: Steady (11), Fanatic (18) when guarding young
XP VALUE: 270

The fire falcon is a small russet-colored raptor, found in areas well away from those settled by man. It seeks only to be left in peace by large creatures, including man.

Combat: Fire falcons determine their tactics in combat depending on the size of their opponent. Normal prey, such as rabbits and small birds, are simply grabbed in their talons and attacked with the beak. Larger creatures, like men or horses, are generally attacked first at long range, in an attempt to drive them off. The ranged attack of a fire falcon is to discharge two highly flammable spheres from its wingtips in the general area of the intruder. They explode on contact with anything, doing 1-6 points of damage (no save, but magical fire resistance halves the damage) to all in a 10' radius. Thus, it is not necessary for the fire falcon to make a successful attack roll in order to damage a party. Each fire falcon can make this attack four times per day. If the sphere actually hits an adventurer, or their mount, the burning substance sticks to them, doing an additional 1-6 points of damage in the next round, and 1-3 the round after that, before going out.

Only if it cannot drive off the intruders will the fire falcon attack physically. Even then, it will only attack if there are young in the nest and the intruders are approaching. If it must use physical means, it will attack first with the talons, which rake for 1-3 points of damage each, This is followed by a beak attack, for 1-2 point, of damage, and buffeting from the creature's wings, which causes a further 1-2 points of damage per wing. In addition, any mounted opponent which is buffeted must make a Dexterity check with a -4 penalty or fall from his/her mount, This can be fatal it the mount is airborne. The fire falcon's talon attacks will be directed at the face or hair of its target, so armor will not help unless a full face helmet is being worn. Mounted targets get no Dexterity bonus to their Armor Class during these attacks. The fire falcon will pick a target with long, flowing hair in preference to one fully clad in metal. Fire falcons cannot he harmed by any form of fire, magical or otherwise. They are also immune to magic missile.

Habitat/Society: Fire falcons tend to form small flocks of 3 or 4 families. They build their nests high up on mountains if possible, or else, welt hidden among tufts of tundra grass. When encountered in deserts, they will always have their nest in a nearby mesa. Fire falcons like to line their nests with shiny objects, and that is where any treasure they have will be found, The normal food for a fire falcon is small rodents, and they consume about half their body weight each clay in mice, rabbits, shrews, and other such creatures. The normal flight range of a fire falcon is tip to forty miles in a single day. Fire falcons, can soar on thermals for hours without moving their wings, and can see a field mouse moving from 4 miles away.

While their normal flying speed is around 12 miles per hour, fire falcons can reach speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour in a dive on their prey.

The normal lifespan of a fire falcon is 28 years. For the first six months of its life, it will remain in the nest, being fed by its parents. After this time, it is taught to fly and to hunt, and to become a contributing member of the flock.

Fire falcons only lay one, or rarely two, eggs in a season. They are only able to breed from the age of 3 years until 27 years. All the birds in a flock will protect the young, whether their own or another pair's.

Fire falcons mote for life, To avoid inbreeding, females will leave the nest at two years of age to seek out a mate in another area. Males will stay in the area where they were hatched, waiting for females to come from another eyrie.

Ecology: The fire falcon is a raptor, with no natural enemy, save mankind. Hatchlings can be trained by falconers, and a few wizards have been known to have fire falcons as familiars. They can prove useful in keeping unwanted rodent populations at manageable levels.


some preliminary stats for the fire falcon:

Fire Falcon
Diminutive Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 1d10+X (X hp)
Initiative: +X
Speed: 0 ft
Armor Class: 16 (+2 size, +X Dex, +X natural), touch X, flat-footed X
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+X
Attack: X
Full Attack: 2 claws +X melee (1d4-X) and bite +X melee (1d3-X) and 2 wings +X melee (1d3-X)
Space/Reach: 2 1/2 ft/2 1/2 ft
Special Attacks: diving attack, fire spheres, wing buffet
Special Qualities: darkvision 60 ft, immunity to fire, immunity to magic missile, low-light vision, (morale bonus when guarding young?)
Saves: Fort +X Ref +X Will +X
Abilities: Str X, Dex X, Con X, Int 2, Wis X, Cha X
Skills: 4
Feats: 1

Environment: Any desert and mountains
Organization: Family (2-6) or flock (6-24)
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: (Q?)
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 2-3 HD (Diminutive)
Level Adjustment: +X (cohort)

I was thinking of giving them the fire subtype, but the text made no mention of them being vulnerable to cold ? in fact, it suggested they often live in tundra.

 

[Shade]

I agree...I think the Fire subtype would be detrimental in this case.

I think its feat should be Flyby Attack.

 

[BOZ]

not Multiattack?

 

[Shade]

Thank goodness for bonus feats.

 

[BOZ]

Thank goodness for bonus feats.

indeed!

 

[Shade]

Here are the stats for a hawk: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6. It's size Tiny, so fire falcon should have higher Dex and lower Str.

Like so? Str 4, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6.

 

[BOZ]

Here are the stats for a hawk: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6. It's size Tiny, so fire falcon should have higher Dex and lower Str.

Like so? Str 4, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6.

yes, they are smaller, so that works just fine. Here is the rest of its abilities:

MORALE: Steady (11), Fanatic (18) when guarding young

The ranged attack of a fire falcon is to discharge two highly flammable spheres from its wingtips in the general area of the intruder. They explode on contact with anything, doing 1-6 points of damage (no save, but magical fire resistance halves the damage) to all in a 10' radius. Thus, it is not necessary for the fire falcon to make a successful attack roll in order to damage a party. Each fire falcon can make this attack four times per day. If the sphere actually hits an adventurer, or their mount, the burning substance sticks to them, doing an additional 1-6 points of damage in the next round, and 1-3 the round after that, before going out.

If it must use physical means, it will attack first with the talons, which rake for 1-3 points of damage each, This is followed by a beak attack, for 1-2 point, of damage, and buffeting from the creature's wings, which causes a further 1-2 points of damage per wing. In addition, any mounted opponent which is buffeted must make a Dexterity check with a -4 penalty or fall from his/her mount, This can be fatal it the mount is airborne. The fire falcon's talon attacks will be directed at the face or hair of its target, so armor will not help unless a full face helmet is being worn. Mounted targets get no Dexterity bonus to their Armor Class during these attacks. The fire falcon will pick a target with long, flowing hair in preference to one fully clad in metal.

They are also immune to magic missile.

The normal flight range of a fire falcon is tip to forty miles in a single day. Fire falcons, can soar on thermals for hours without moving their wings, and can see a field mouse moving from 4 miles away.

While their normal flying speed is around 12 miles per hour, fire falcons can reach speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour in a dive on their prey.

Hatchlings can be trained by falconers, and a few wizards have been known to have fire falcons as familiars.

 

[Shade]

MORALE: Steady (11), Fanatic (18) when guarding young

Hmmm...perhaps a morale bonus to saves and attack rolls when its young are threatened?

The ranged attack of a fire falcon is to discharge two highly flammable spheres from its wingtips in the general area of the intruder. They explode on contact with anything, doing 1-6 points of damage (no save, but magical fire resistance halves the damage) to all in a 10' radius. Thus, it is not necessary for the fire falcon to make a successful attack roll in order to damage a party. Each fire falcon can make this attack four times per day. If the sphere actually hits an adventurer, or their mount, the burning substance sticks to them, doing an additional 1-6 points of damage in the next round, and 1-3 the round after that, before going out.

Flammable Spheres (Su): Four times per day, a fire falcon can discharge two highly flammable spheres from its wingtips. These spheres explode in a 10-foot-radius, and deal 1d6 points of fire damage. On the round following a burst, the targets takes an additional 1d6 points of damage, and an additional 1d3 points of damage on the round thereafter. If desired, the targets can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.

If it must use physical means, it will attack first with the talons, which rake for 1-3 points of damage each, This is followed by a beak attack, for 1-2 point, of damage, and buffeting from the creature's wings, which causes a further 1-2 points of damage per wing. In addition, any mounted opponent which is buffeted must make a Dexterity check with a -4 penalty or fall from his/her mount, This can be fatal it the mount is airborne. The fire falcon's talon attacks will be directed at the face or hair of its target, so armor will not help unless a full face helmet is being worn. Mounted targets get no Dexterity bonus to their Armor Class during these attacks. The fire falcon will pick a target with long, flowing hair in preference to one fully clad in metal.

Hmmm...perhaps some special ability, similar to rend, where if both wing buffet attacks hit, the victim loses its Dex bonus to AC and takes a penalty on Ride checks?

They are also immune to magic missile.

Immunity/resistance to force effects?

The normal flight range of a fire falcon is tip to forty miles in a single day. Fire falcons, can soar on thermals for hours without moving their wings, and can see a field mouse moving from 4 miles away.

I'm not sure if the overland flight range matters, unless it is significantly higher than what it should have for its speed.

Skills: Fire falcons have a +X racial bonus on Spot checks.

While their normal flying speed is around 12 miles per hour, fire falcons can reach speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour in a dive on their prey.

Modifying the cheetah's sprint ability:

Dive (Ex): Once per hour, a fire falcon can move ten times its normal speed (X feet) when it makes a flying charge attack from a higher altitude than its target.

Hatchlings can be trained by falconers, and a few wizards have been known to have fire falcons as familiars.

A fire falcon can be acquired as a familiar by a Xth-level arcane spellcaster with the Improved Familiar feat.

Training A Fire Falcon

Training a fire falcon requires X weeks of work and a DC X Handle Animal check.

Fire falcon eggs are worth X gp apiece on the open market, while young are worth X gp each. Professional trainers charge X gp to rear or train a fire falcon.

 

[BOZ]

Hmmm...perhaps a morale bonus to saves and attack rolls when its young are threatened?

Easy enough…

“Fierce Defender” (Ex): A fire falcon that is guarding its young gains a +6 morale bonus to Will saves and attack rolls when its young are threatened.

Flammable Spheres (Su): Four times per day, a fire falcon can discharge two highly flammable spheres from its wingtips. These spheres explode in a 10-foot-radius, and deal 1d6 points of fire damage. On the round following a burst, the targets takes an additional 1d6 points of damage, and an additional 1d3 points of damage on the round thereafter. If desired, the targets can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.

Cool – where did you get some of that? From the PHB/SRD? Altering it just slightly for clarity (and to point out when the spheres explode):

Flame Spheres (Su): Four times per day, a fire falcon can discharge two highly flammable spheres, one from each of its wingtips. When they hit anything, these spheres explode in a 10-foot-radius, and deal 1d6 points of fire damage. On the round following a burst, the targets take an additional 1d6 points of damage, and an additional 1d3 points of damage on the next round. If desired, the targets can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.

Hmmm...perhaps some special ability, similar to rend, where if both wing buffet attacks hit, the victim loses its Dex bonus to AC and takes a penalty on Ride checks?

Not really similar to rend, but I see where you are coming from.

Buffet (Ex): If a fire falcon hits with both wing attacks, it slaps its target in the face, causing the target to lose its Dexterity bonus to AC, even if it normally cannot lose the bonus. If the target is mounted, it also loses its Dex bonus to Ride checks, and must make a DC 15? Ride check to stay mounted. The DC for the check increases by +2 for every additional fire falcon that is buffeting the target. If the target is blind, or wearing a full face helmed, it is immune to the buffet.

Immunity/resistance to force effects?

maybe… but I’m not sure I want to give them that much. Imagine it is wearing a brooch of shielding. we can reverse the will o’ wisp’s vulnerability.

I'm not sure if the overland flight range matters, unless it is significantly higher than what it should have for its speed.

I really don’t know. how do we determine whether a Dimunitive creature with a fly speed of 90 can fly 40 miles in a single day?

Skills: Fire falcons have a +X racial bonus on Spot checks.

Does that cover the ability to see up to 4 miles away? Maybe more like an eagle with its +8 bonus?

Modifying the cheetah's sprint ability:

Dive (Ex): Once per hour, a fire falcon can move ten times its normal speed (X feet) when it makes a flying charge attack from a higher altitude than its target.

that’s cool. 10 times would be 900 then wouldn’t it?

 

[Shade]

Easy enough…

“Fierce Defender” (Ex): A fire falcon that is guarding its young gains a +6 morale bonus to Will saves and attack rolls when its young are threatened.

Excellent. I was thinking "Parental Guardian", but yours is much better.

Cool – where did you get some of that? From the PHB/SRD? Altering it just slightly for clarity (and to point out when the spheres explode):

Flame Spheres (Su): Four times per day, a fire falcon can discharge two highly flammable spheres, one from each of its wingtips. When they hit anything, these spheres explode in a 10-foot-radius, and deal 1d6 points of fire damage. On the round following a burst, the targets take an additional 1d6 points of damage, and an additional 1d3 points of damage on the next round. If desired, the targets can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a lake or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.

I got it from alchemist's fire.

We should probably mention a range on it.

Not really similar to rend, but I see where you are coming from.

Buffet (Ex): If a fire falcon hits with both wing attacks, it slaps its target in the face, causing the target to lose its Dexterity bonus to AC, even if it normally cannot lose the bonus. If the target is mounted, it also loses its Dex bonus to Ride checks, and must make a DC 15? Ride check to stay mounted. The DC for the check increases by +2 for every additional fire falcon that is buffeting the target. If the target is blind, or wearing a full face helmed, it is immune to the buffet.[/QUOTE]
Lookin' good. The normal DC to "stay in the saddle" is DC 5, so we could just state that they take a -10 penalty instead, for the same net result.

maybe… but I’m not sure I want to give them that much. Imagine it is wearing a brooch of shielding. we can reverse the will o’ wisp’s vulnerability.

That's cool. I've never understood how something could resist magic missles, but not other force effects, but c'est la vie.

I really don’t know. how do we determine whether a Dimunitive creature with a fly speed of 90 can fly 40 miles in a single day?

African or European?

Does that cover the ability to see up to 4 miles away? Maybe more like an eagle with its +8 bonus?

That's all the other birds of prey have, even though they can see great distances, so I think it should suffice.

that’s cool. 10 times would be 900 then wouldn’t it?

That's 180 squares for you minatures-using folks.