Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[Shade]

Bull's strength works for me. Let's keep the price unchanged.

Updated.

Anything left?

 

[Cleon]

Bull's strength works for me. Let's keep the price unchanged.

Updated.

Anything left?

Whether to add the cost of the studded leather, halberd and throwing axes to its Construction?

I think I'll make the studded leather masterwork so it doesn't have an armour check penalty.

Suggested revision...

Constructing a demos magen requires exotic alchemical reagents and tinctures costing at least 1000 gp. Molding the body requires a DC 12 Craft (alchemy) check.

The listed cost does not include any equipment carried by the magen, the sample magen has a suit of masterwork studded leather, halberd and two throwing axes which would add 201 gp to its Construction cost.

CL 5th; Craft Construct, animate dead, bull's strength, shocking grasp, caster must be at least 5th level; Price 5,201 gp; Cost 3,201 gp + 160 XP.

 

[Shade]

Let's not add the weapons and armor to construction, as the creator picks which ones it gets, so it will vary in price.

I'm fine with making the armor masterwork, though.

We can add to the flavor text that the creator must furnish the weapons and armor, although I think that is generally implied.

 

[Cleon]

Let's not add the weapons and armor to construction, as the creator picks which ones it gets, so it will vary in price.

I'm fine with making the armor masterwork, though.

We can add to the flavor text that the creator must furnish the weapons and armor, although I think that is generally implied.

Might as well say it rather than imply it then.

 

[freyar]

We can say it, but let's not splice sentences with commas.

"The listed cost does not include any equipment carried by the magen. The sample magen has a suit of masterwork studded leather, halberd, and two throwing axes, which would add 201 gp to its Construction cost."

Then I guess we're ready for the next one.

 

[Cleon]

We can say it, but let's not splice sentences with commas.

"The listed cost does not include any equipment carried by the magen. The sample magen has a suit of masterwork studded leather, halberd, and two throwing axes, which would add 201 gp to its Construction cost."

Then I guess we're ready for the next one.

That'd suit me.

 

[Shade]

Sounds good! Updated.

Here's the next one...

Caldron. Caldron magen have the ability to stretch their arms and legs up to 20’. They attempt to wrap their limbs around a victim and, if successful, secrete an acid which does 1-10 points of damage. The victim will continue to take damage each round unless freed.

Magen, Caldron
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any
DIET: Nil
INTELLIGENCE: Average (9)
TREASURE: V
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1d4
ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVEMENT: 12
HIT DICE: 4
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Entanglement, acid
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Spell immunities
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 40%
SIZE: M (6’ tall)
MORALE: Fearless (20)
XP VALUE: 175

Caldrons have the ability to stretch their arms and legs up to 20 feet. They do not attack with their legs, but can stretch them to reach otherwise inaccessible places. Caldrons attempt to wrap their arms around victims and can use both arms in the same round, attacking one or two opponents. After a successful attack roll, the caldron holds the victim and secretes a powerful acid that causes 1d10 points of damage per round until the victim is freed. Breaking free requires a successful open doors roll or the death of the caldron. Note that the acid can destroy a victim’s items unless saving throws are made for them.

One hardly ever sees caldrons used as messengers or domestic help, because of their slight acidic smell and their unsettlig ability to strech their limbs.

To form a caldron, the creator adds a pair of tentacles from a roper or choker.

 

[freyar]

Sounds like exceptional reach, improved grab, constrict, and acid. Seem about right to you?

 

[Cleon]

Sounds like exceptional reach, improved grab, constrict, and acid. Seem about right to you?

I'd vote against Constrict, since they seem to do damage purely by exuding acid on creatures its holding.

There's also no mention of them having a particularly high strength, so we may want to give them a racial bonus to grapple, or maybe Improved Grapple as a bonus feat?

Note the 2nd edition stats' Special Attack line describes it as "entanglement", so maybe we should use that as a model instead of constriction?

Anyhow, statswise I'm thinking it looks something like:

Magen, Caldron
Medium Construct
Hit Dice: 4d10+20 (42 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5
Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d2+2 plus 1d4 acid) or weapon +5 melee (X+2)
Full Attack: 2 slams +5 melee (1d2+2 plus 1d4 acid); or slam +6 melee (1d2+2 plus 1d4 acid) and weapon +5 melee (X+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./20 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid, entangle [or constrict], improved grab
Special Qualities: Construct traits, damage reduction 10/bludgeoning, darkvision 60 ft., resistance to acid?, low-light vision, spell resistance X
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +1
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con —, Int 9, Wis 11, Cha 10
Skills: Listen +3, Spot +4
Feats: 2
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, [elasticity? solution?] (2-8), or concoction (2-12 magen of different types)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: No coins; double goods (gems only); double items
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5-6 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: —

 

[Shade]

Those stats appeal, and let's go ahead and run with constriction. A small amount of extra damage doesn't stray too far from the original.

The acid sounds much like an ooze's acid...

Acid (Ex): A gray ooze secretes a digestive acid that quickly dissolves organic material and metal, but not stone. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals acid damage. Armor or clothing dissolves and becomes useless immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 16 Reflex save. A metal or wooden weapon that strikes a gray ooze also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 16 Reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

The ooze’s acidic touch deals 16 points of damage per round to wooden or metal objects, but the ooze must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage.