Planescape Converting Planescape monsters

[BOZ]

we might just lose the summoning, and DR might be different (maybe).

 

[Shade]

next to none. i can find no real indiciations whatsoever that a visage retains *any* qualities of its former existence as a demon, save its alignment.

That is what I thought you'd say.

I am of the opinion that all undead should be templates, as by their nature, they assume an acquired template was applied after some creature's death. (I suppose there are a few exceptions, like the nightshades, which seem to be "natural" undead).

I will agree with you that they seem to retain very little of their original qualities, and aren't one of the better candidates for template status. I just hate seeing 'em so weak. They are barely comparabale to a lowly babau. (Yeah, I know they can be advanced, but still only go up to 18 HD). I don't see them striking fear in the hearts of most fiends, as they'll ace their saving throws.

 

[Kodam]

Hi!

In Dead Gods the Visages dominate Monsters at several times not just "persons". But Dominate Monster would be too powerful... hmmm
Any Ideas on this?

My proposal so far:

Medium Undead (Extraplanar, Tanar’ri)
Hit Dice: 6d12 (45 HP)
Initiative: +7
Speed: Fly 40 ft (perfect) (8 squares)
Armor Class: 21 (+3 Dex, +8 natural), touch 13 flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+7
Attack: Claw +7 melee (1d8+4)
Full Attack: 2 claws +7 melee (1d8+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5 ft
Special Attacks: Lucidity Control (DC 18), Domination (?)
Special Qualities: damage reduction 10/ci and magic, immune to holy water, spell resistance 16, turn resistance +4, tanar'ri traits, undead traits, assume identity
Saves: Fort +2 Ref +5 Will +7
Abilities: Str 19 Dex 16 Con --- Int 14 Wis 15 Cha 13
Skills: 54 ranks
Search +11, Spot +11, Bluff +13, Sense Motive +8 Knowledge (planes) +11, Knowledge (religion) +11, Listen +6

Feats: Improved Initiative, Ability Focus (Lucidity Control), Skill Focus (Bluff)

Environment: Negative Energy
Organization: Solitary or 1d4
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 7-12 HD (Medium); 13-18 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: -


As DR I mixed up the standard tanar'ri cold iron with magic for the undead "part". I think it should have both traits, the undead and the tanar'ri ones. Skill Focus (Bluff) would help with assuming different identities. How did you get 117 Skill points? I only get to 54 [(4+2)*4 +5*6].

Did I miss something?

Kodam

 

[BOZ]

were they supposed to strike fear in the heart of fiends by their abilities? i read it as their very nature and existence was the thing fiends found the most frightening about them.

 

[BOZ]

How did you get 117 Skill points? I only get to 54 [(4+2)*4 +5*6].

i think you're right about that. the 117 must have come from the last monster i copied the stat block from, and i just didn't catch it.

 

[Shade]

were they supposed to strike fear in the heart of fiends by their abilities? i read it as their very nature and existence was the thing fiends found the most frightening about them.

Touche'.

 

[Shade]

The lucidity control ability sound alot like the possession ability outlined in the Book of Vile Darkness, and again in the fiend of possession prestige class in the Fiend Folio.

 

[Shade]

Here's my attempt at converting some of its other abilties. I modified the vampire's dominate ability, and the maurezhi's consume and assume shape abilities to come up with these.

Dominate Monster (Su): Once per day, a visage can, as a standard action, attempt to control the mind of a creature. The target must succeed on a Will save (DC X) or fall instantly under the visage's influence as though by a dominate monster spell (caster level Xth). The ability has a range of 30 feet. The visage must maintain concentration or the effect ends, and it cannot use its lucidity control ability at the same time. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Assume Shape (Su): A visage can take on the appearance of any creature whose essence it has stolen. This ability functions like the alter self spell (caster level 10th), except that the visage can remain in the chosen form indefinitely. It can assume a new form or return to its own as a standard action.

Steal Essence (Su): When a visage kills a creature, it steals its very essence. A creature that has been slain by a visage cannot be restored to life through any form of raising or ressurection. If the visage that stole its essence is killed within one day of the victim's death, the victim can be restored to life in any manner. After one day has passed, a wish, miracle, or true ressurection spell can restore the victim to life, but there is a 50% chance that even such powerful magic will fail.

 

[BOZ]

will look at this one more later today.

 

[BOZ]

For damage reduction, I think 10 is about right. I’m leaning towards kodam’s idea of cold iron and magic – he’s got a point that they’re undead so should be different from standard tanar’ri. Psychotic jim’s version also had them with DR 10/magic, so I’m inclined to agree.

Ability scores:
Kodam gave it Str 19 Dex 16 Con --- Int 14 Wis 15 Cha 13;
P Jim gave it Str 16 Dex 14 Con --- Int 14 Wis 15 Cha 20

I’m not inclined to think that they’re all that physically strong, so I’d take the lower strength – and in fact, I might make it even lower than that. I could go either way on the dex. As for Cha, I think the higher score is preferable – remember; they use Cha-based attacks. There’s no disagreement on the Int or Wis so that’s cool.

Kodam rated them with +4 turn resistance, and P Jim gave them +6. “turning as special” under 2E rules essentially meant anything tougher than a baseline lich, which would be 12 HD or more. Therefore, I’d say the +6 was more in line.

Notice that in stealing a victim’s identity, it “almost perfectly imitates its voice, affectations, skills, and the like.” so, would we want it to be more than just alter self, or is that too much?

Otherwise I like the powers as shade wrote them. For the lucidity control, I’ll have to do more research when I have the time.