OK, here’s a few examples of how others have converted the bloodsipper previously:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=6508592&postcount=11
http://209.221.178.225/showpost.php?p=5625667&postcount=423
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=77416
One thing we need to determine is whether or not the pod denizens should have separate stats from the bloodsipper itself. I’m far less set on the idea of separate stats than I was with the gray philosopher.
I can see reasons for going either way. (Notice that Psychotic Jim’s conversion above figures separate stats for the pod denizen, while the two conversions from the WotC boards do not.)
Here are the pertinent combat stats from MCA4, which we need to figure out how to use and in what way:
MOVEMENT: 0 vine (pod denizen: 15)
HIT DICE: 20 vine (pod denizen: 4)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2—12 (1 attack per mature pod)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d8 + blood drain
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Blood drain, pod denizens
SIZE: S pod
The small growths represent immature pods, and grow along the periphery of the vine’s domain. Cutting a small pod open releases a gagging stench (save vs. paralyzation or suffer a —4 penalty to all actions, checks, and saves for one turn due to nausea), and reveals what appears to he some sort of vestigial organ secured to the interior base of the pod by a coiled organic cord. Those who have not encountered the larger pods may not guess that the vestigial organ is really an immature form of the
pod denizen, although a small mouth filled with needle-like teeth can be discovered by anyone tenacious enough to dig around the revealed gooey mass with a dagger point or similar tool.
If any vine of the bloodsipper is stepped on by those attempting to navigate its sprawls (the density of the vine growth makes this a certainty for those moving normally), the mature pods at the center of the growth react with deadly instinct (usually between 2 and 12 pods). These large pods disgorge their contents with a wet pop. The content of a pod resembles a huge, blind tadpole whose mouth is lined with hundreds of needle- sharp teeth. The head of the “tadpole” gradually thins into a long, muscular tether that anchors each striking head to its own pod. Each head has four clawed arms, equally spaced around the gnashing mouth. A pod denizen can attack within a 20-foot radius of its pod.
A successful attack means that a head has anchored itself into a fleshy part of its target with the help of its four clawed arms. The biting mouth immediately begins to drain blood from the target at the prodigious rate of 4 points of damage per round. The blood is visibly transferred down the tether-like body of the creature to the pod. Attacks directed against the tether can sever it if a total of 10 points of damage is delivered to the tether, however, each head can act independently, and continues to attack foes even after the tether has been cut. Each head must be individually killed to end its threat, as the heads propel themselves by their arms alone if separated from their pods. Once all the heads are destroyed, the remaining artery-like vines and immature pods represent no further threat, and can he dealt with or navigated safely.
Salt in quantity makes a vine or head pull away convulsively; a handful inflicting 2d4 points of damage (much as holy water affects undead).
The yellow vine of a bloodsipper is always anchored in stone floors and walls with tough rootlets, making it difficult to dislodge.
OK, i'm fine with going with the pod denizen as just an extension of the main plant. however, some things to keep in mind. first of all, in 2E the pod denizen was previously given its own HD (4). also, the pod denizen is really just an immature bloodsipper, which (when the tether is severed), will grow up to become an adult. the text does state that the heads continue to attack when severed.
