Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[Cleon]

Edit edit: You know, something like Camouflage makes the most sense to me -- static DC. This isn't really different than the plant critters looking like normal plants.

A fixed DC is a good solution to the Hide/Disguise dilemma. I was so fixated with Disguise that I discarded the notion of just setting a flat value.

Although I don't see anything wrong with using Disguise for a Int 1 critter like we did for the Marble Pudding, it is just as easy setting a HD+X DC and leaving it at that. Plus, it would free up the skill points to buy some Listen & Spot.

 

[demiurge1138]

The carcass crab gets a high racial Hide bonus in areas littered with weapons and armor. Something similar could easily be applied to the worm.

 

[Cleon]

The carcass crab gets a high racial Hide bonus in areas littered with weapons and armor. Something similar could easily be applied to the worm.

Shouldn't that be a circumstance bonus?

Anyhows, if we are going the fixed DC route, what DC shall we set it at. I'm feeling 15 + Hit Dice is about the right level, with maybe a +5 circumstance bonus in areas littered with treasure. DC25/30 gives the Slime Worm a fair chance of evading detection, but without it being impossible. It would be up against ~6th level characters, some of whom probably have Spot mods of +10 or more.

 

[freyar]

I'd guess a DC of 25 or so is reasonable. That's probably about a 25% chance of spotting it, depending on CR. I could see giving it Hide also, with a racial bonus. So Hide to prevent it being noticed, Camouflage to prevent realizing it's a creature? But Listen and Spot are also good choices. Dunno, I'm not of a strong opinion.

(The difference for me with the marble pudding is that the pudding is pretending to be stone, something natural. I know the slime worm is a magical beast, but it seems like it could be an animal almost.)

 

[Shade]

Yeah, it's got that "barely magical" beast vibe.

 

[freyar]

What's your feeling on the skills? I'd be just as happy with Spot/Listen as with Hide.

 

[Shade]

Let's go with just Listen like the purple worm.

I'll update it with the latest assumptions to see how it looks.

For the camouflage, normally there's some alternate skill uses, like so:

"Anyone with ranks in Survival or Knowledge (nature) can use one of those skills instead of Spot to notice the plant. Dwarves can use stonecunning to notice the subterranean version."

For slime worms, maybe Appraise?

 

[freyar]

Listen seems fine.

Appraise is a good idea. Are there any kind of appropriate crafts also?

 

[demiurge1138]

I don't like Appraise. It's not as if they're mimicing treasure as growths--real treasure is sticking to them. Knowledge (dungeoneering), perhaps.

 

[Shade]

Good point. Knowing the value of the coin doesn't indicate that it's stuck to a horrid worm-thing.