Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

[BOZ]

They probably don’t even need ranks in Hide – with just the size and Dex bonuses, they already have a +22 modifier.

For Faerie Formation, I wouldn't increase Strength. Most swarms have a Strength of 1. Instead, I'd give them a morale bonus of +5 on attack rolls (borrowed from the Swarmfighting feat in Complete Warrior) and a +5 competence bonus to AC. Maybe also state that they cannot be flanked (since they've "got each others' backs")?

Ahh… I don’t have Complete Warrior yet! What else does Swarmfighting give characters?

I do still support the BAB increase though, and if we’re not increasing Str then there should be some sort of damage bonus (maybe just enough to negate the Str penalty).

 

[Shade]

They probably don’t even need ranks in Hide – with just the size and Dex bonuses, they already have a +22 modifier.

Wow! Yeah, I'd have to agree. Put the remainder in Spot and Listen.

Ahh… I don’t have Complete Warrior yet! What else does Swarmfighting give characters?

Basically, +1 morale bonus to attacks for every ally with the feat that threatens the same creature, to a maximum bonus equal to Dex modifier. That's all. It was also in Dragon 285.

I do still support the BAB increase though, and if we’re not increasing Str then there should be some sort of damage bonus (maybe just enough to negate the Str penalty).

Just out of curiosity, why BAB increase instead of just a bonus to attack rolls? They won't get an iterative attack and don't use Power Attack or Combat Expertise.

A damage bonus would be cool. It would seem more appropriate than gaining Strength.

 

[BOZ]

ok, maybe you're right. i guess a +5 morale bonus to AC, attacks, and damage does make them quite a bit more impressive (at least, against lower level foes) than when fighting alone.

 

[Shade]

Yeah, it's like having a +5 weapon and +5 armor, only it stacks with those!

 

[BOZ]

ergo,

Faerie Formation (Ex): Flitterlings can form into a group of 5 that is able to attack a single target as if it was a single creature. Such a grouping of flitterlings makes a single attack roll per round, and gains a +5 competence bonus to armor class and a +5 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls, and otherwise has the same statistics as an individual flitterling. A formation of flitterlings cannot be flanked and is not subject to critical hits. For every point of damage done to this group of flitterlings, one flitterling is killed (maximum of 5 per group hit). Such a group cannot consist of more or less than 5 flitterlings, and if any are killed or leave the group breaks up. Forming a group is a standard action.

 

[Shade]

Excellent!

 

[BOZ]

yes, i do find that one much more satisfactory.

ok, let's see if we can finish this one up today, and collect another 10 to post to the CC!

updating...

 

[Shade]

Should magic mushrooms be listed on SQ line?

Perform (sing) should be +11, thanks to Skill Focus, right?

Temperate forests is good.

For organization, how about "battalion" to go along with "faerie formation"?

CR 1/2? Their damage reduction alone should warrant at least that much.

"Weighs less than 1 pound" sounds fine.

Flitterlings speak Sylvan in nearly inaudible voices. Some also speak Common.

DC 14 for charm song and fear song is correct.

Caster level 5 for green mushrooms?

LA +2 for fly speed and good or better maneuverability, -1 for size, roughly +1 for other abilities, for a total of +2.

 

[BOZ]

Should magic mushrooms be listed on SQ line?

i don't know; what do we usually do for special gear, magic items, and other such things outside of the body?

Perform (sing) should be +11, thanks to Skill Focus, right?

d'oh, forgot...

Temperate forests is good.

no, temperate forests are good.

For organization, how about "battalion" to go along with "faerie formation"?

hmm, i didn't mean for them to seem so military! these guys are basically like flying smurfs.

CR 1/2? Their damage reduction alone should warrant at least that much.

that might be a bit high. that's suggesting that one of these could take on a goblin or a skeleton.

"Weighs less than 1 pound" sounds fine.

is there are precedent for listing the weight of creatures so small? if not, i may as well just leave the weight off.

Flitterlings speak Sylvan in nearly inaudible voices. Some also speak Common.

i like it!

DC 14 for charm song and fear song is correct.

good deal!

Caster level 5 for green mushrooms?

sounds as good as any. any higher would be irrelevant anyway, right?

LA +2 for fly speed and good or better maneuverability, -1 for size, roughly +1 for other abilities, for a total of +2.

okely-dokely!

 

[Shade]

i don't know; what do we usually do for special gear, magic items, and other such things outside of the body?

Leave 'em off the SQ line and list them at the end. So I guess that's fine as-is.

no, temperate forests are good.

And they taste great!

hmm, i didn't mean for them to seem so military! these guys are basically like flying smurfs.

What organization did the smurfs congregate in? How about "patch", like the mushrooms they so love?

that might be a bit high. that's suggesting that one of these could take on a goblin or a skeleton.

They could take 'em. A skeleton or goblin would have to roll a natural 20 to hit one of these guys, and can barely beat damage reduction on a lucky roll, whereas a lone flittering could hit a goblin or skeleton 50% of the time and could drop 'em in 5 or 6 hits. And that's not even counting faerie formation...

is there are precedent for listing the weight of creatures so small? if not, i may as well just leave the weight off.

I thought there was, but I can't find it now. I don't think its too much of a stretch to go from "A grig stands 1-1/2 feet tall and weighs about 1 pound." to "A flitterling is only ¼ inch tall, and weighs less than 1 pound." I'd hate to leave it off, and have some crazy DM think each one weighed a pound, and then some low-Strength necromancer would need a bag of holding to carry all those smurf corpses back to his lab.

sounds as good as any. any higher would be irrelevant anyway, right?

Right!