Converting Planescape monsters
Cleon
Legend
We're done here, methinks.
P.S. I was suspecting that "affects" wouldn't last. It looked a bit funny to me, too.
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Cleon
Legend
Thanks, but I'm aware of the difference.
In this case it's affect as in "to act upon/influence" (verb form) or "the disposition of a creature's body or mind" (noun form), rather than the "putting on an act" noun "affect". What was making me uncertain was whether it should be "affect" rather than "affects", since it didn't look right in a plural form.
e.g. you the Delphons' song has a psychological affect (or psychological affects) on its victims, since it's affecting their minds and emotions.
However, I believe it's one of those words that's used slightly differently in UK English than your queer foreign version.
Actually, I believe that using affect for the result of phenomena that alter a creature's disposition is seen as a bit old-fashioned in some quarters, but one has to keep up standard.
Shade
Monster Junkie
I am unaffected/uneffected by your discussion, thus I'm moving on.
Ni’iath
Climate/Terrain: Bytopia
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Pack
Activity Cycle: Night
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Low (5-7)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1d8+1
Armor Class: 5
Movement: Fl 18 (A)
Hit Dice: 5
THAC0: 15
No. of Attacks: 3 or 1
Damage/Attack: 1d3/1d3/1d4+1 or 1d6 + special
Special Attacks: Tail fling
Special Defenses: Immune to gravity changes
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: M (5’ long)
Morale: Steady (11-12)
XP Value: 975
The propensity for creatures to adapt to environments both dangerous and varied is remarkable. No creature offers a beter example for this than the ni’iath. Planar explorer Guias Philbai writes:
“… were not able to hold on. The force of gravity itself was shifting, and our perspectives were forced to change. Up suddenly became down. For a moment, it seemed as though there was no longer an up, only two downs. Do I blather on like a simpleton? No. For such are the strange ways of Bytopia.
“The creatures that hounded us did not seem affected by this gravity change. While we tried to reorient ourselves, they moved in to attack. Reglof, my bariaur friend, was the first to be brought down by the floating creatures. With claw, tooth, and tail the ni’iaths (as we later learned they were called) relentlessly tore him apart.
“With a strength or power that must be somehow magically enhanced, they tossed Hiv, my halfling henchman, into a tree sixty feet away. Hiv did not rise from that blow. Later, after Mera and I escaped, she said that she believed that the creatures were manipulating gravity somehow. At the time, I did not believe her – things of that sort don’t live on Bytopia, right? I had a lot to learn about the planes…”
Ni’iaths are long, wormlike creatures with vicious mouths and four narrow eyes spaced equidistantly about their heads. Small arms with four clawed fingers sprout from either side of the beasts, and their long, narrowing tails end in a whiplike barb. They are completely immune to the effects of gravity, and use the two fanlike fins on either side of their head to “swim” through the air. They have no grasp of the concept of “up” or “down”, being able to orient themselves in either vertical direction without flipping themselves around.
Combat: The ni’iath swoops in to attack its foes, usually attempting to maintain a position in the air that is difficult for its foe to reach yet still enables the ni’iath to make attacks of its own.
The most terrifying attack that the ni’iaths have at their command is the “tail fling”. On a roll of 4 or more over the required number to hit a target with its tail attack (which inflicts 1d6 damage), the victim is caught by the barb and flung by a whipping of its tail. Worse, those flung are affected by a special type of reverse gravity which makes them “fall” in whatever direction they are flung by the ni’iath’s tail.
This effect lasts until the victim strikes something or has fallen 100 feet. If the victim strikes a hard surface or object before the effect ends, 1d6 points of damage are inflicted. Either way, when the effect ends the normal pull of gravity takes over from wherever the victim is at the time. Further falls from that position also inflict normal damage. For example, if a ni’iath flings a foe 100 feet to the right, but when the effect ends the victim is only 10 feet off the ground, only 1d6 damage is inflicted. If a foe is flung 100 feet straight up, however, that is another matter entirely. Falls and flings in the area of gravity shining between the layers of Bytopia can be tricky business, so close attention should be paid to the position of the combatants and the location of the gravity change. Flinging a foe upward may force him to cross the bounds between layers, meaning that he would continue to fall “up” in relation to the rest of the combat, even after the effect wore off.
As a general guideline, DMs can roll 1d12 to determine which direction a ni’iath flings its victim.
Roll Direction
1-2 left
3-4 right
5-6 backward
7-8 straight ahead
9-10 upward
11 straight down
12 into the victim’s nearest companion (both take falling damage)
Note that ni’iaths always prefer to throw a foe into a nearby object, and they never throw their prey so that they might lose it (over the side of a cliff or into a thick fog, for example).
After a foe is flung, the ni’ath flies to it to either finish it off with its claws and teeth (claw/claw/bite attacks which do 1d3/1d3/1d4+1 points of damage) or carry it away to its lair to feed upon it later.
Needless to say, ni’iaths are immune to reverse gravity spells. They are subject to wind changes, however, so conjured gusts may keep them at bay.
Habitat/Society: Ni’iaths can be found throughout both layers of Bytopia, but they prefer the crossover areas where gravity shifts between the layers. It is in these places that the ni’iaths developed, and it is here that they flourish, using the disorientation of other creatures to their advantage.
Ni’iaths resemble wolves in mentality. They prefer to hunt in packs, bringing down their chosen prey as a group. Ni’iaths also purposefully hound their prey, tiring it out by chasing it until it is too tired to run or fight.
Within the pack the creatures vie for dominance, with a male of the species usually gaining control of the entire pack. The young of the pack are always well guarded by the rest of the ni’iaths, although they normally stay within the pack’s lair.
Ni’iaths lair within high mountain caves, deep crevices, or on unreachable ledges. Young ni’iaths, which have 1-3 Hit Dice, are never left alone.
Ecology: Ni’iaths hunt and kill any and all other creatures, but they prefer large animals like moose, deer, and cattle. They prey upon smaller creatures, such as rabbits, birds, and even ethyks. Ni’iaths, in turn, are hunted and trapped by the humans and gnomes that inhabit Bytopia.
Though many believe that there must be a magical “flight” organ within the creature that could be utilized in some way, none has ever been found. In truth, the ni’iaths do not fly – they simply ignore gravity in a manner still misunderstood.
Originally appeared in Planes of Conflict (1995).
Ni’iath
Climate/Terrain: Bytopia
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Pack
Activity Cycle: Night
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Low (5-7)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1d8+1
Armor Class: 5
Movement: Fl 18 (A)
Hit Dice: 5
THAC0: 15
No. of Attacks: 3 or 1
Damage/Attack: 1d3/1d3/1d4+1 or 1d6 + special
Special Attacks: Tail fling
Special Defenses: Immune to gravity changes
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: M (5’ long)
Morale: Steady (11-12)
XP Value: 975
The propensity for creatures to adapt to environments both dangerous and varied is remarkable. No creature offers a beter example for this than the ni’iath. Planar explorer Guias Philbai writes:
“… were not able to hold on. The force of gravity itself was shifting, and our perspectives were forced to change. Up suddenly became down. For a moment, it seemed as though there was no longer an up, only two downs. Do I blather on like a simpleton? No. For such are the strange ways of Bytopia.
“The creatures that hounded us did not seem affected by this gravity change. While we tried to reorient ourselves, they moved in to attack. Reglof, my bariaur friend, was the first to be brought down by the floating creatures. With claw, tooth, and tail the ni’iaths (as we later learned they were called) relentlessly tore him apart.
“With a strength or power that must be somehow magically enhanced, they tossed Hiv, my halfling henchman, into a tree sixty feet away. Hiv did not rise from that blow. Later, after Mera and I escaped, she said that she believed that the creatures were manipulating gravity somehow. At the time, I did not believe her – things of that sort don’t live on Bytopia, right? I had a lot to learn about the planes…”
Ni’iaths are long, wormlike creatures with vicious mouths and four narrow eyes spaced equidistantly about their heads. Small arms with four clawed fingers sprout from either side of the beasts, and their long, narrowing tails end in a whiplike barb. They are completely immune to the effects of gravity, and use the two fanlike fins on either side of their head to “swim” through the air. They have no grasp of the concept of “up” or “down”, being able to orient themselves in either vertical direction without flipping themselves around.
Combat: The ni’iath swoops in to attack its foes, usually attempting to maintain a position in the air that is difficult for its foe to reach yet still enables the ni’iath to make attacks of its own.
The most terrifying attack that the ni’iaths have at their command is the “tail fling”. On a roll of 4 or more over the required number to hit a target with its tail attack (which inflicts 1d6 damage), the victim is caught by the barb and flung by a whipping of its tail. Worse, those flung are affected by a special type of reverse gravity which makes them “fall” in whatever direction they are flung by the ni’iath’s tail.
This effect lasts until the victim strikes something or has fallen 100 feet. If the victim strikes a hard surface or object before the effect ends, 1d6 points of damage are inflicted. Either way, when the effect ends the normal pull of gravity takes over from wherever the victim is at the time. Further falls from that position also inflict normal damage. For example, if a ni’iath flings a foe 100 feet to the right, but when the effect ends the victim is only 10 feet off the ground, only 1d6 damage is inflicted. If a foe is flung 100 feet straight up, however, that is another matter entirely. Falls and flings in the area of gravity shining between the layers of Bytopia can be tricky business, so close attention should be paid to the position of the combatants and the location of the gravity change. Flinging a foe upward may force him to cross the bounds between layers, meaning that he would continue to fall “up” in relation to the rest of the combat, even after the effect wore off.
As a general guideline, DMs can roll 1d12 to determine which direction a ni’iath flings its victim.
Roll Direction
1-2 left
3-4 right
5-6 backward
7-8 straight ahead
9-10 upward
11 straight down
12 into the victim’s nearest companion (both take falling damage)
Note that ni’iaths always prefer to throw a foe into a nearby object, and they never throw their prey so that they might lose it (over the side of a cliff or into a thick fog, for example).
After a foe is flung, the ni’ath flies to it to either finish it off with its claws and teeth (claw/claw/bite attacks which do 1d3/1d3/1d4+1 points of damage) or carry it away to its lair to feed upon it later.
Needless to say, ni’iaths are immune to reverse gravity spells. They are subject to wind changes, however, so conjured gusts may keep them at bay.
Habitat/Society: Ni’iaths can be found throughout both layers of Bytopia, but they prefer the crossover areas where gravity shifts between the layers. It is in these places that the ni’iaths developed, and it is here that they flourish, using the disorientation of other creatures to their advantage.
Ni’iaths resemble wolves in mentality. They prefer to hunt in packs, bringing down their chosen prey as a group. Ni’iaths also purposefully hound their prey, tiring it out by chasing it until it is too tired to run or fight.
Within the pack the creatures vie for dominance, with a male of the species usually gaining control of the entire pack. The young of the pack are always well guarded by the rest of the ni’iaths, although they normally stay within the pack’s lair.
Ni’iaths lair within high mountain caves, deep crevices, or on unreachable ledges. Young ni’iaths, which have 1-3 Hit Dice, are never left alone.
Ecology: Ni’iaths hunt and kill any and all other creatures, but they prefer large animals like moose, deer, and cattle. They prey upon smaller creatures, such as rabbits, birds, and even ethyks. Ni’iaths, in turn, are hunted and trapped by the humans and gnomes that inhabit Bytopia.
Though many believe that there must be a magical “flight” organ within the creature that could be utilized in some way, none has ever been found. In truth, the ni’iaths do not fly – they simply ignore gravity in a manner still misunderstood.
Originally appeared in Planes of Conflict (1995).
Cleon
Legend
I am unaffected/uneffected by your discussion, thus I'm moving on.
Ni’iath
Interesting. Their gravity warping tail-slap is only real special attack.
Can't think of any similar ability offhand, the Gravislayer's gravity-manipulation attack is a "collapsing field" affair rather than a "hurl a foe" affair.
Not sure what saving throw (if any) to apply. The reverse gravity spell doesn't allow a save.
Shade
Monster Junkie
I seem to remember something similar for one of the gravity-warping unique Titans.
Searching...
Found it!
http://creaturecatalog.enworld.org/cc/converted/view_c.php?CreatureID=803
Alter Weight (Sp): As a standard action, Crius can change the weight of a single non-living object in his line of sight as a standard action. He can make an unattended object weightless, causing it to float upward as per the reverse gravity spell, for as long as he maintains concentration on it.
Alternatively, Crius can increase the weight of an object, making it too heavy for any creature to lift for 1d4 rounds. If Crius concentrates on the object for 1 full minute, he can make the object permanently too heavy to lift; nothing short of a wish or miracle spell can allow the object to be lifted.
Gravity Field (Sp): At will, Crius can produce an effect like that of a reverse gravity spell (caster level 25th; Reflex save DC 44), except that the range is 350 feet and it affects an area of up to ten 10-foot cubes. If necessary, Crius can simply stack the cubes to reach a ceiling or other overhang, then use any remaining area to disrupt other opponents.
Alternatively, Crius can increase the gravity in a similarly sized area. Creatures within the area are affected as if they were on a plane with heavy gravity (see Dungeon Master’s Guide, pages 147-148). Airborne creatures are pulled downward and reach the ground in 1 round. The armor check penalties of armors worn in this area are doubled. Any creature attempting a grapple check suffers a –2 circumstance penalty on the check. A freedom of movement spell negates all penalties and allows normal movement.
Thrown weapons are ineffective within the heavy gravity field, even when launched from outside the field. Attacks with other ranged weapons take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of the field’s area they pass through, in addition to the normal penalties for range and heavier gravity.
...neither of which is a perfect fit.
Maybe combine some of it with the mammoth's Toss ability? Or the fling ability of the gargantua?
Fling (Ex): A humanoid gargantua who successfully grapples a foe two or more size categories smaller than itself can hurl the creature as a standard action. A flung creature travels up to 120 feet and takes 12d6 points of damage. A creature that is flung off a mountain takes this amount of damage or the appropriate falling damage, whichever is greater. The gargantua also can throw the flung creature as though it were a boulder. In this case, the flung creature takes 12d6+20 points of damage, and any opponent it strikes takes 4d8+20 points of damage.
Searching...
Found it!
http://creaturecatalog.enworld.org/cc/converted/view_c.php?CreatureID=803
Alter Weight (Sp): As a standard action, Crius can change the weight of a single non-living object in his line of sight as a standard action. He can make an unattended object weightless, causing it to float upward as per the reverse gravity spell, for as long as he maintains concentration on it.
Alternatively, Crius can increase the weight of an object, making it too heavy for any creature to lift for 1d4 rounds. If Crius concentrates on the object for 1 full minute, he can make the object permanently too heavy to lift; nothing short of a wish or miracle spell can allow the object to be lifted.
Gravity Field (Sp): At will, Crius can produce an effect like that of a reverse gravity spell (caster level 25th; Reflex save DC 44), except that the range is 350 feet and it affects an area of up to ten 10-foot cubes. If necessary, Crius can simply stack the cubes to reach a ceiling or other overhang, then use any remaining area to disrupt other opponents.
Alternatively, Crius can increase the gravity in a similarly sized area. Creatures within the area are affected as if they were on a plane with heavy gravity (see Dungeon Master’s Guide, pages 147-148). Airborne creatures are pulled downward and reach the ground in 1 round. The armor check penalties of armors worn in this area are doubled. Any creature attempting a grapple check suffers a –2 circumstance penalty on the check. A freedom of movement spell negates all penalties and allows normal movement.
Thrown weapons are ineffective within the heavy gravity field, even when launched from outside the field. Attacks with other ranged weapons take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of the field’s area they pass through, in addition to the normal penalties for range and heavier gravity.
...neither of which is a perfect fit.
Maybe combine some of it with the mammoth's Toss ability? Or the fling ability of the gargantua?
Fling (Ex): A humanoid gargantua who successfully grapples a foe two or more size categories smaller than itself can hurl the creature as a standard action. A flung creature travels up to 120 feet and takes 12d6 points of damage. A creature that is flung off a mountain takes this amount of damage or the appropriate falling damage, whichever is greater. The gargantua also can throw the flung creature as though it were a boulder. In this case, the flung creature takes 12d6+20 points of damage, and any opponent it strikes takes 4d8+20 points of damage.
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Cleon
Legend
Combining some gravity effect with the gargantua's fling seems the best fit. I'm sure we'll have a good argument about this, though.
Yes, some variant on Fling seems the best way to go. Although, being a supernatural gravity-manipulation effect it presumably isn't limited by weight (or, rather, mass). Might only affect objects up to a certain volume, though. Perhaps a 10 foot or 15 foot cube? (e.g. Huge creatures or less).
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