Converting original D&D and Mystara monsters

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BOZ said:
In an effort to get this thread moving again, I started going through the 2E Mystara MC. I wrote up brief descriptions of creatures I'd like to convert for those who are unfamiliar with them:

Actaeon: 11 HD, N - elk centaur, breath weapon turns victims into animals, summons woodland creatures,

Agarat: 4 HD, CE - ghoul-like undead, has energy draining scream

Ash Crawler: 3 HD, N - burrowing fire creature with clamping jaws

Baldandar: 6 HD, NE - shapeshifting humanoids with a poisonous bite and magic

Bhut: 7 HD, LE - shapeshifting humanoids with a numbing bite

Coltpixy: 3 HD, CN - unicorn-like pony

Crone of Chaos: 6 HD, CE - relative of the hag that controls animals

Darkhood: 13 HD, NE - undead that feeds on fear

Darkwing: 3 HD, NE - flying humanoids that hunt at night


If you're looking for more info on each of these, there are 3.0 conversions at the Vaults of Pandius
The Bhut is in Fiend Folio and is now more in line with it's mythological origins. (a possessing undead spirit), and the Ash Crawler is in Sandstorm under the name of Ashworm, they dropped the fire type and made it a magical beast, but it is still a 3HD threat.
 

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Krishnath said:
The Bhut is in Fiend Folio and is now more in line with it's mythological origins. (a possessing undead spirit), and the Ash Crawler is in Sandstorm under the name of Ashworm, they dropped the fire type and made it a magical beast, but it is still a 3HD threat.
Um, the ash crawler and ashworm aren't the same creature. The ash crawler is rat like, not wormlike. The ashworm is actually a revised version of the thunderherder from the 1e MMII (they actually use the name "Thunderherder in its description". Maybe you're thinking about the ash rat?
 

thanks! :)

i'm on a bit of a break from conversions for the next, oh, week or so. i'm working on a super-secret project. ;) i will start the actaeon soon, but of course advance work like this is appreciated and i will take it into account at that time. :)

that said, Str 23 seems high at first, but when you see that a centaur has 18, and this guy is higher HD than a centaur, it might be just fine.
 

Krishnath said:
The Bhut is in Fiend Folio and is now more in line with it's mythological origins. (a possessing undead spirit)


is that the same creature as from the old basic D&D books? because if not, i can still convert it as a separate creature.
 

GrayLinnorm said:
Um, the ash crawler and ashworm aren't the same creature. The ash crawler is rat like, not wormlike. The ashworm is actually a revised version of the thunderherder from the 1e MMII (they actually use the name "Thunderherder in its description". Maybe you're thinking about the ash rat?
See, I didn't know that. :p

Boz: I don't know, but then again I don't have any 1st edition books. (I have a few 2nd edition though...)
 

BOZ said:
that said, Str 23 seems high at first, but when you see that a centaur has 18, and this guy is higher HD than a centaur, it might be just fine.
I was rather worried myself with Strength 23, I suppose if it uses it's spear two-handed them it's Strength could go down to 18. Then again, in OD&D, it could carry up to 6000 coins (or 600 lbs) and move at half speed - so that fits in with 3.5's maximum load of 600 lbs for Strength 23.

I should have mentioned that I assumed it's two spear attacks were with the same spear and not one in each hand, and coz of it's 11 HD it now gets a third! :)

i'm on a bit of a break from conversions for the next, oh, week or so. i'm working on a super-secret project. ;) i will start the actaeon soon, but of course advance work like this is appreciated and i will take it into account at that time.
That's OK, no hurry, just putting a few ideas forward. :D

Regards,
Mortis
 

I think the actaeon might be better as a fey than a monstrous humanoid. The "Ecology of the Actaeon" article in 1E Dragon Magazine made it seem like a wholly magical entity, and it's also fairly similar in concept to the shatjan from The Horde, which was converted as a fey.
 

like a centaur, it's borderline. i guess the question becomes, is it "more fey" than a centaur?
 

I think Fey would be more fitting.

However, it will then only have a single attack with it's spear. We could put it's HD upto 12 if we want it to keep two spear attacks.

Saves will not change.

Fey get Low-light vision - which is what I gave the Actaeon :)

They'll also get an extra 44 Skill points so I'll increase the skills I already gave it.

Actaeon (Fey version with an extra HD)

----------------------
Actaeon (Elk Centaur)
Type: Large Fey
Hit Dice: 12d6+22 (66 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 40 ft.
Armor Class: 16 (+1 Dex, -1 Size, +6 Natural) Flat-footed: 15 Touch: 10
BAB/Grapple: +6/+16
Attack: Large Spear +12 melee (2d6+6) or Gore +12 melee (2d6+3)
Full Attack: Large Spear +12/7 melee (2d6+6) and Gore +7 melee (2d6+3)
Face/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with spear)
Special Attacks: Breath Weapon, Summon Woodland Animals
Special Qualities: Camouflage, Low-light vision.
Saves: Fort:+6 Ref:+9 Will:+9
Abilities: STR:23 DEX:12 CON:14 INT:14 WIS:13 CHA:11
Skills: Handle Animal +15, Hide +12, Knowledge (Nature) +17, Listen +16, Move Silently +16, Search +17, Spot +16, Survival + 16
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Power Attack, Track, Weapon Focus (Spear)
Environment: Temperate Forests
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 07
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Neutral
Advancement: By Character Class
Level Adjustment: +2
--------------------------

Regards,
Mortis
 
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ah, here we go. :)

first off, here are all the old stats:

D&D Master Set:

Actaeon
Armor Class: 3
Hit Dice: 11**
Move: 150' (50')
Attacks: 2 spears/1 antler or breath
Damage: 7-1217-12/2-16
No. Appearing: 0
Save As: Cleric: 11
Morale: 10
Treasure Type: B
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 2,700

The actaeon is a protector of woodland creatures. Each is manlike, but 9' tall, with the head and antlers of an elk. This solitary creature can camouflage itself perfectly (as if invisible) in light or dense woods. When angered by the wanton slaying of woodland creatures (or similar vile acts), the actaeon springs out of hiding, usually with surprise (1-5 on 1d6). Large wood and bone spears are often used.

It has a powerful breath weapon that can he used once per day, filling a 10'x 10'x 10' cube; each victim within it must "lake a Saving Throw vs. Dragon Breath or be polymorphed into a normal forest creature (owl, squirrel, deer. etc,). It' the saying throw is made. the transformation stiff occurs, but lasts for only 24 hours,

Once per day an actaeon may summon woodland creatures to assist it; 1-6 creatures arrive in 1-4 turns. Choose or randomly determine the types of creatures appearing. 1-boar, 2-bear, 3-centaur, 4-griffon, 5-lizard (chameleon), and/or 6-treant. An acteon sometimes works with a druid to preserve the safety of the woods, especially if a dangerous threat is involved.






D&D Rules Cyclopedia:

Actaeon (Elk Centaur)
Armor Class: 3
Hit Dice: 11** (L)
Move: 150' (50')
Attacks: 2 spears/1 antler or breath (special)
Damage: 1d6 +6/1d6 +6/2d8
No. Appearing: 0 (1)
Save As: C11
Morale: 10
Treasure Type: B
Intelligence: 12
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 2,700

Monster Type: Monster (Rare).

This solitary creature is a protector of woodland creatures. The actaeon is 9' tall, with the arms, torso, and facial features of a human but the antlers and lower legs of an elk; its whole body is covered with brown elklike hide.

It can camouflage itself perfectly (as if invisible) in light or dense woods. When angered by the wanton slaying of woodland creatures (or similar vile acts), the actaeon springs out of hiding, usually with surprise (1-5 on 1d6). It often uses large wood and bone spears to punish or slay the defilers of the woods.

It has a powerful breath weapon that can be used once per day, filling a 10' x 10' x 10' cube; each victim within it must make a saving throw vs. dragon breath or be polymorphed into a normal forest creature (owl, squirrel, deer, etc.). If the saving throw is successful, the transformation still occurs, but lasts for only 24 hours.

Once per day an actaeon may summon woodland creatures to assist it; 1d6 creatures arrive in 1d4 turns. Choose or randomly determine the types of creatures appearing:

I boar
2 bear
3 centaur
4 griffon
5 lizard (chameleon)
6 treant

Actaeons are members of the woodland community along with centaurs, dryads, etc. They are sufficiently bold and rare that they are renowned heroes of these forest folk. Actaeon sometimes work with druids to preserve the safety of the woods, especially if a dangerous threat is involved.

There can be actaeon spellcasters; see "Monster Spellcasters" on page 215.

Terrain: Woods.

Load: 3,000 cn at full speed; 6,000 cn at half speed.



Mystara Monstrous Compendium:

Actaeon
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate Forest
FREQUENCY: Rare
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Herbivore
INTELLIGENCE: Very (11 - 12)
TREASURE: P (B)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 3
MOVEMENT: 15
HIT DICE: 11
THAC0: 9
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d6+6 (spear) / 1d6+6(spear) / 2d8(antlers)
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Polymorph breath, summoning
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Camouflage
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: L (9' tall)
MORALE: Champion (15)
XP VALUE: 4,000

A solitary being, the actaeon is a protector and hero among woodland creatures. Some Mystarans call it an "elk centaur" because, like a centaur, in 9-foot-tall body combines human and animal elements. The actaeon has the torso, arms, and facial features of a human, but the antlers and lower legs of an elk. Brown, elk-like hide covers its entire body.

Elk centaurs speak their own language and the sylvan woodland tongue. Some also speak Common.

Combat: In combat these creatures are formidable, boasting a number of special ticks and abilities. It is no wonder that other intelligent forest beings regard them with awe.

The actaeon can camouflage itself perfectly (as if invisible) in light or dense woods. When angered by the wanton slaying of woodland creatures (or similar vile acts), it springs out of hiding, usually with surprise (opponents suffer a -5 penalty to their surprise rolls).

This fearsome creature attacks with large spears made of "mod and bone, and gores enemies with its antlers. Its incredible speed enables it to make two spear attacks per round. Given its massive strength and the great size of the weapons, each spear inflicts 1d6 + 6 points of damage.

A powerful magical breath weapon complements the actaeon's other capabilities. Once per day, it can breathe out a warm, greenish mist, filling a 10 x 10 x Barefoot cube; anyone within it must make a saving throw vs. breath weapon or be polymorphed into a common forest creature, taking on the creature's intelligence and habits as well as its looks. ("Common" forest creatures include owls, squirrels, deer, boars, and the like) This change is permanent unless countered by another polymorph spell, or by dispel magic cast at 12th level or higher. If the saving throw is successful, the transformation still occurs, but it lasts for only 24 hours. The breath weapon can be used once per day.

Also once per day, the actaeon can summon woodland creatures to assist it; 1d6 creatures arrive in 1d4 turns. Choose from the list below or roll 1d6 to determine the creature type at random.

As if the numerous aforementioned powers weren't enough, a few venerable actaeons are druids of up to the 9th level ability, though such individuals are quite rare.

Habitat/Society: Actaeons live alone except during the mating season, which occurs in the spring of every third year. The following autumn, a female gives birth to a single fawn. The fawn remains with her through the winter, learning the basics of survival: how to forage for bark and twigs, how to shape spears and other basic tools, and how to use sharpened sticks and bones to dig edible roots from the ground beneath the snow. Many fawns starve or freeze during their first winter, or fall prey to an attack. Survivors set out on their own come spring, each pursuing its own solitary existence.

Actaeons have an eye for treasure; they collect small hoards in secure, well-hidden locations, such as the hollow trunk of a fallen tree or beneath a rock. As intelligent creatures, they know others also value coins and jewels. Actaeons often trade their riches for tools and-if nature is harsh-for food in the dead of winter.

Ecology: Actaeons belong to the woodland community that includes centaurs, dryads, and similar creatures. Because actaeons are bold and rare, other forest folk consider them heroes. Actaeons sometimes work with druids to preserve the safety of the woods, especially to thwart a serious danger.

Actaeon Woodland Creature Summoning Table
Roll Creature
1 Boar
2 Bear
3 Centaur
4 griffon
5 lizard (chameleon)
6 treant
 

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