Converting monsters from the second edition Monstrous Compendiums
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Shade
Monster Junkie
Centaur-Kin, Zebranaur
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate plains
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Tribe
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Omnivorous
[NTELLIGENCE: Average (8-10)
TREASURE: M, Q (I, Mx10)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 2-16 (50-80)
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVEMENT: 18
HIT DICE: 3+4
THACO: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 to 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: ld4/ld4 and weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: +1 with bow
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L (6' and taller)
MORALE: Steady (11-12)
XP VALUE:
Normal: 175
Chief 270
Shaman: 420
Zebranaurs have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a zebra. A zebranaur's upper body is normally brown, without the characteristic black-on-white stripes that cover its lower body. Many have a short mane of coarse black bristles running from the middle of the lower back up to the nape of the neck. Most favor a spiky hairstyle, but others prefer the traditional styles of the local humans.
Zebranaurs usually wear an individually embroidered square of supple leather that covers the chest and is tied around the waist and neck with leather thongs. They adorn themselves with jewelry made of wood and bone, using feathers and bright seeds to color their designs. Zebranaurs prize brass and copper jewelry and will trade well-made fringed garments or feathered spears for these items.
Zebranaurs speak the common tongue and may know one or more other spoken languagees, but few learn to read or write.
Combat: Because of rneir long-standing tradition of bow hunting, all zebranaurs gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls with all bows except crossbows. Not all zebranaurs use bows, however. When a band is encountered, 30% use spears, 20% scimitar and spear, and 30% scimitar and bow. Even if unarmed, zebranaurs can attack with their front hooves for ld4 points of damage each. Zebranaurs never wear armor.
Zebranaur society does not discriminate against its female members, and females will make up 30% of any encountered band. In a group of more than 10 zebranaurs, there is a 50%chance that the group includes a chief and a shaman.
Habitat/Society: Zebranaurs are nomadic by nature, and their temporary camps are well guarded by 8 to 12 zebranaurs armed with scimitars and bows. They are tribal creatures who remain close to nature and are most at home in the wild, much like the humans who live nearest them. Zebranaurs tribes are led by a chief of 4+4 HD and AC 6.
An average tribe numbers 50 to 80 members, including 20% children and 30% females. Males are equally responsible for raising the young, preparing meals, teaching, and performing other traditionally domestic duties.
A tribe usually has one shaman of 4th or 5th level and three or four shamans of 1st to 3rd level. These are most often armed with quarterstaves.
Zebranaurs have an almost photographic memory for abstract designs and shapes. They cannot normally read or write Common, but they paint intricately whorled patterns on tanned leather to record their history. The oldest shaman keeps these records safe and passes on the knowledge to the next generation.
Most zebranaurs paint their upper bodies with dark stripes or patterns, using vegetable dyes to enhance the effect of their camouflaged lower bodies. New markings are added yearly to commemmorate achievements, battles, or loves. Some tribes engage in ritual tattooing when foals come of age. One southern tribe has developed this tattooing to a fine art.
Ecology: Zebranaurs hunt most types of small game, supplementing this diet with roots and berries. They are more pacifistic than wemics, with whom they do not get along very well. If a tribe of wemics moves into their territory, zebranaurs will often move out.
The typical zebranaur life span is 50-60 years.
Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995).
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate plains
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Tribe
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Omnivorous
[NTELLIGENCE: Average (8-10)
TREASURE: M, Q (I, Mx10)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 2-16 (50-80)
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVEMENT: 18
HIT DICE: 3+4
THACO: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 to 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: ld4/ld4 and weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: +1 with bow
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L (6' and taller)
MORALE: Steady (11-12)
XP VALUE:
Normal: 175
Chief 270
Shaman: 420
Zebranaurs have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a zebra. A zebranaur's upper body is normally brown, without the characteristic black-on-white stripes that cover its lower body. Many have a short mane of coarse black bristles running from the middle of the lower back up to the nape of the neck. Most favor a spiky hairstyle, but others prefer the traditional styles of the local humans.
Zebranaurs usually wear an individually embroidered square of supple leather that covers the chest and is tied around the waist and neck with leather thongs. They adorn themselves with jewelry made of wood and bone, using feathers and bright seeds to color their designs. Zebranaurs prize brass and copper jewelry and will trade well-made fringed garments or feathered spears for these items.
Zebranaurs speak the common tongue and may know one or more other spoken languagees, but few learn to read or write.
Combat: Because of rneir long-standing tradition of bow hunting, all zebranaurs gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls with all bows except crossbows. Not all zebranaurs use bows, however. When a band is encountered, 30% use spears, 20% scimitar and spear, and 30% scimitar and bow. Even if unarmed, zebranaurs can attack with their front hooves for ld4 points of damage each. Zebranaurs never wear armor.
Zebranaur society does not discriminate against its female members, and females will make up 30% of any encountered band. In a group of more than 10 zebranaurs, there is a 50%chance that the group includes a chief and a shaman.
Habitat/Society: Zebranaurs are nomadic by nature, and their temporary camps are well guarded by 8 to 12 zebranaurs armed with scimitars and bows. They are tribal creatures who remain close to nature and are most at home in the wild, much like the humans who live nearest them. Zebranaurs tribes are led by a chief of 4+4 HD and AC 6.
An average tribe numbers 50 to 80 members, including 20% children and 30% females. Males are equally responsible for raising the young, preparing meals, teaching, and performing other traditionally domestic duties.
A tribe usually has one shaman of 4th or 5th level and three or four shamans of 1st to 3rd level. These are most often armed with quarterstaves.
Zebranaurs have an almost photographic memory for abstract designs and shapes. They cannot normally read or write Common, but they paint intricately whorled patterns on tanned leather to record their history. The oldest shaman keeps these records safe and passes on the knowledge to the next generation.
Most zebranaurs paint their upper bodies with dark stripes or patterns, using vegetable dyes to enhance the effect of their camouflaged lower bodies. New markings are added yearly to commemmorate achievements, battles, or loves. Some tribes engage in ritual tattooing when foals come of age. One southern tribe has developed this tattooing to a fine art.
Ecology: Zebranaurs hunt most types of small game, supplementing this diet with roots and berries. They are more pacifistic than wemics, with whom they do not get along very well. If a tribe of wemics moves into their territory, zebranaurs will often move out.
The typical zebranaur life span is 50-60 years.
Originally appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995).
Shade
Monster Junkie
Compare to 2e standard centaur stats...
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate forest
FREQUENCY: Rare
ORGANIZATION: Tribal
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Omnivorous
INTELLIGENCE: Low to average (5-10)
TREASURE: M, Q (D, I, T)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral or chaotic good
NO. APPEARING: 1-8
ARMOR CLASS: 5 (4)
MOVEMENT: 18
HIT DICE: 4
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-6 and weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L(8'-9' tall)
MORALE: Elite (13-14)
XP VALUE: 175
Centaur leader 270
Centaur priest 420
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate forest
FREQUENCY: Rare
ORGANIZATION: Tribal
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Omnivorous
INTELLIGENCE: Low to average (5-10)
TREASURE: M, Q (D, I, T)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral or chaotic good
NO. APPEARING: 1-8
ARMOR CLASS: 5 (4)
MOVEMENT: 18
HIT DICE: 4
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-6 and weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L(8'-9' tall)
MORALE: Elite (13-14)
XP VALUE: 175
Centaur leader 270
Centaur priest 420
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
So maybe start with centaur stats, drop one HD, make them a little stronger (to account for THAC0 being the same), and a little less natural armor?
That gives us
Size/Type: Large Monstrous Humanoid
Hit Dice: 3d8+X (26 hp)
Initiative: +X
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (-1 size, +X Dex, +2? natural), touch X, flat-footed X
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+X
Attack: Scimitar +X melee () or composite longbow (+4 Str bonus) +5 ranged (2d6+4/×3) or spear ...
Full Attack: ...
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.
Saves: Fort +X, Ref +X, Will +X
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 11 ???
Skills: Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Spot +3, Survival +2 ??
Feats: Dodge, Weapon Focus (hoof)
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary, company (5-8), troop (8-18 plus 1 leader of 2nd-5th level), or tribe (20-150 plus 30% noncombatants plus 10 3rd-level sergeants, 5 5th-level lieutenants, and 1 leader of 5th-9th level) ??
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +X
That gives us
Size/Type: Large Monstrous Humanoid
Hit Dice: 3d8+X (26 hp)
Initiative: +X
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (-1 size, +X Dex, +2? natural), touch X, flat-footed X
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+X
Attack: Scimitar +X melee () or composite longbow (+4 Str bonus) +5 ranged (2d6+4/×3) or spear ...
Full Attack: ...
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.
Saves: Fort +X, Ref +X, Will +X
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 11 ???
Skills: Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Spot +3, Survival +2 ??
Feats: Dodge, Weapon Focus (hoof)
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary, company (5-8), troop (8-18 plus 1 leader of 2nd-5th level), or tribe (20-150 plus 30% noncombatants plus 10 3rd-level sergeants, 5 5th-level lieutenants, and 1 leader of 5th-9th level) ??
Challenge Rating: X
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +X
Shade
Monster Junkie
They are also 2 feet shorter, smarter on average, and their hooves deal less damage.
Let's increase the Int to 10, and stick with 1d4 for the hooves.
Alternatively, let's look at the centaur's racial modifiers:
+8 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, –2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom.
I'm not sure I like the zebranaur being even stronger (despite the same THAC0), especially since they're smaller. What if we increased Dex instead and went the Weapon Finesse route?
+6 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +2 Wisdom?
Let's increase the Int to 10, and stick with 1d4 for the hooves.
Alternatively, let's look at the centaur's racial modifiers:
+8 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, –2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom.
I'm not sure I like the zebranaur being even stronger (despite the same THAC0), especially since they're smaller. What if we increased Dex instead and went the Weapon Finesse route?
+6 Strength, +8 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +2 Wisdom?
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