Converting prehistoric creatures

[freyar]

If we remove the question marks in red, I guess so.

 

[Cleon]

If we remove the question marks in red, I guess so.

But that's red-hot, quizzical flavour.

I might remove them if you propose some cooler flavour such as a description and background.

 

[freyar]

I meant in feats, environment, and CR.

Ummm, I don't know much about these, unfortunately. In fact, really only what you've said in this thread!

 

[Cleon]

I meant in feats, environment, and CR.

Ummm, I don't know much about these, unfortunately. In fact, really only what you've said in this thread!

Well, we might as well keep it simple.

A broad-bodied reptile resembling a cross between a turtle and a marine iguana. It has no shell, but its heavy body is armoured with small bony plates. A long, flattened tail and short legs with webbed feet suggest it's faster in the water than on land.

Placodonts are primitive marine reptiles that specialize in eating shellfish, which they crush with the broad, flat teeth in their mouths. They are slow-moving creatures with poor natural armaments, so rely on size, armor or stealth to protect them from predators. Placodonts live in shallow tropical waters, where they do not have to dive deep to find food and big predators are unlikely to venture due to the risk of them being beached on a shoal.

The various species of placodont range between 3 feet and 10 feet in size (nose to tail). The typical example detailed above is about 3 or 4 feet long with a weight from 10 to 30 pounds. Placodonts tend to be small, and few species grow larger than a human. A placodont's shape and weight varies a lot - some species have lizard-like bodies, others are as broad as turtles, but most are somewhere in-between.
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I'm wondering about cutting out the weight, since many marine animals don't have it and it's a difficult thing to estimate.

 

[Shade]

I'm wondering about cutting out the weight, since many marine animals don't have it and it's a difficult thing to estimate.

I'm happy to leave it off.

 

[Cleon]

I'm happy to leave it off.

I think the 10-30 pound weight is a reasonable guesstimate for a yard long Placodont, based on a comparison to the weights of iguanas, crocodiles, and turtles.

A 3 foot long marine iguana is about 3-4 pounds, a crocodile 5-8 pounds, and a turtle around a 100 pounds (but possibly up to 180). Only one species of Placodont is as "round" as a turtle, most are of a similar shape to an iguana but several times wider. They also have armored skin like a croc, which might make them heavier.

Come to think of it, I added an "or 4" to the length but didn't adjust the weight. If we do add a weight I think we'd better either cut the "or 4" or increase the upper weight limit to match.

e.g.

#1: The typical example detailed above is about 3 feet long and weighs from 10 to 30 pounds.
#2: The typical example detailed above is about 3 or 4 feet long and weighs from 10 to 50 pounds.

I prefer #2, but what about you?

 

[Shade]

I prefer #2, but what about you?

I'm not terribly bothered by whatever you do,
But said the Cat in the Hat, I prefer Thing 2.

 

[Cleon]

I'm not terribly bothered by whatever you do,
But said the Cat in the Hat, I prefer Thing 2.

Just steer clear of the green eggs. The ham's all right, but those eggs do your guts no good.

Updating the Working Draft.

 

[Shade]

It looks good. Ready to transfer to Homebrews and move on?

 

[Cleon]

It looks good. Ready to transfer to Homebrews and move on?

I'm happy to proceed to the next beast.