Converting Psionic Creatures
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Shade
Monster Junkie
Star Leviathan
FREQUENCY: Uncommon on Astral Plane; unknown elsewhere
NO. APPEARING: 1-6
ARMOR CLASS: 10
MOVE: 12" to 18" (see below)
HIT DICE: 24
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 tail slap
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 10-40
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Telekinesis
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Molecular shock
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Very to genius
ALIGNMENT: Neutral good
SIZE: L (70'-100' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 220-280
Attack/Defense Modes: All / all
LEVEL/X. P. VALUE: X/l3600 + 35/hp
(Note: See DRAGON® Magazine #67 for more information on the Astral Plane and the nature of movement and combat in that environment.)
Now and then come reports from astral travelers of what appear to be great whalelike beings "swimming" through astral space. These creatures, called star leviathans for the sparkling appearance of their hides, do not appear to be evil or cruel, and some actually seem friendly to travelers who do not try to attack them.
A star leviathan resembles a blue whale except that it has a very dark blue, almost black, color; there are tiny silver and gold flecks shot through their skins that produce an appearance like the gemstone lapis lazuli. When seen, star leviathans each trail a silver cord, so they are obviously using a form of astral projection to travel through the Astral Plane; no one knows which Prime Material Plane they come from, and they have never revealed their home to anyone even under duress or charm. They are apparently a race of psionic whales, normally ocean-dwelling but capable of psionic astral projection which they apparently use for their amusement and curiosity. They can also use one other psionic power while simultaneously using astral projection in astral space. Star leviathans move at a rate in tens of yards per round equal to their intelligence score, as do all astral beings.
Because of their great size, star leviathans can be seen from a great distance (500-5000 yards); they, on the other hand, will not be aware of man-sized or smaller creatures until they are much closer. Evading them is not difficult if one is not surprised. Upon discovering other living creatures in astral space, star leviathans will use telepathy in order to communicate with them. They will sometimes follow adventurers or other astral travelers for a long time, and will assist them so long as the travelers are friendly and do not mind "talking."
In addition to telepathy and astral projection, star leviathans have the psionic discipline of telekinesis and use it at the 24th level of mastery, able to move masses of up to 9000 gp weight. They are not accustomed to using telekinesis to hurl missiles at opponents, and will not do so even if shown how to (they do not have the binocular, three-dimensional vision required for this because of the placement of their eyes). They do, however, know how to catch objects in their telekinetic grip at ranges out to 270 yards, and may pull them in closer for inspection. If attacked, they have been known to catch opponents with telekinesis and hold them while another leviathan moves over and smashes them with its tail for 10-40 points of damage. More than one opponent, so long as their total mass does not exceed 900 lbs., can be caught by a single star leviathan's telekinesis. Though they have mouths, star leviathans are not toothed whales (probably eating planktonlike creatures on their home world) and do not bite in combat.
Star leviathans have one special defensive ability, but will use it only if they are surrounded
and hard pressed in close combat, and low on hit points. In one round they can charge themselves with a form of molecular manipulation (costing 50 psionic strength points) which causes their bodies to glow brightly. Each charge will last for four rounds, fading out at the end of that time. During those four rounds, any non-living object (missile, weapon, or whatever) hitting the star leviathan must make a saving throw vs. magical fire, with appropriate bonuses for magical enchantments (if any are possessed while in astral space) or be disintegrated without damaging the creature. Living creatures who directly touch a star leviathan's energy field or are holding onto something that is touching a leviathan's field are also affected, and must save vs. spells or take 4-16 points damage (half if the save is made). All items on that person must also save vs. magical fire or be disintegrated. If attackers move away when it starts to glow, it will strike at one with its tail to deliver physical damage and the molecular shock charge at the same time. It takes one full round to charge the molecular shock field, during which time the star leviathan cannot attack or move; any physical damage it sustains during that round will not stop production of the field, however, which goes into effect at the start of the next round.
If a star leviathan runs out of psionic ability points at any time while on the Astral Plane, it will disappear (its spirit returns to its home plane). The DM will need to keep careful track of a leviathan's psionic ability points, remcrnbering to subtract 10 points from the initially generated score for the astral projection power which is continuously maintained; those 10 points cannot be recovered by resting until the leviathan leaves the Astral Plane.
Star leviathans have what is best described as a "godlike" personality. They generally treat other travelers as interesting but minor companions, and are experienced and knowledgeable about the astral environment. They are playful, and it is difficult to convince them to treat any matter seriously; they seem amused even when confronting powerful evil opponents. Living in astral space for such prolonged periods has altered their perception of time, and they treat all events as either in the distant, remote past (no mattcr how long ago it was), or in the immediate present Evil creatures will avoid them whenever possible, and most good and neutral creatures will leave them alone as well unless there is a need for cooperation, such as teaming up against a massed attack of powerful opponents. Leviathans will allow small beings to "hitch rides" by hanging onto their tails or broad flippers, and ask in return only telepathic conversation. They do not speak any vocal language.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #89 (1984).
FREQUENCY: Uncommon on Astral Plane; unknown elsewhere
NO. APPEARING: 1-6
ARMOR CLASS: 10
MOVE: 12" to 18" (see below)
HIT DICE: 24
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 tail slap
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 10-40
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Telekinesis
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Molecular shock
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Very to genius
ALIGNMENT: Neutral good
SIZE: L (70'-100' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: 220-280
Attack/Defense Modes: All / all
LEVEL/X. P. VALUE: X/l3600 + 35/hp
(Note: See DRAGON® Magazine #67 for more information on the Astral Plane and the nature of movement and combat in that environment.)
Now and then come reports from astral travelers of what appear to be great whalelike beings "swimming" through astral space. These creatures, called star leviathans for the sparkling appearance of their hides, do not appear to be evil or cruel, and some actually seem friendly to travelers who do not try to attack them.
A star leviathan resembles a blue whale except that it has a very dark blue, almost black, color; there are tiny silver and gold flecks shot through their skins that produce an appearance like the gemstone lapis lazuli. When seen, star leviathans each trail a silver cord, so they are obviously using a form of astral projection to travel through the Astral Plane; no one knows which Prime Material Plane they come from, and they have never revealed their home to anyone even under duress or charm. They are apparently a race of psionic whales, normally ocean-dwelling but capable of psionic astral projection which they apparently use for their amusement and curiosity. They can also use one other psionic power while simultaneously using astral projection in astral space. Star leviathans move at a rate in tens of yards per round equal to their intelligence score, as do all astral beings.
Because of their great size, star leviathans can be seen from a great distance (500-5000 yards); they, on the other hand, will not be aware of man-sized or smaller creatures until they are much closer. Evading them is not difficult if one is not surprised. Upon discovering other living creatures in astral space, star leviathans will use telepathy in order to communicate with them. They will sometimes follow adventurers or other astral travelers for a long time, and will assist them so long as the travelers are friendly and do not mind "talking."
In addition to telepathy and astral projection, star leviathans have the psionic discipline of telekinesis and use it at the 24th level of mastery, able to move masses of up to 9000 gp weight. They are not accustomed to using telekinesis to hurl missiles at opponents, and will not do so even if shown how to (they do not have the binocular, three-dimensional vision required for this because of the placement of their eyes). They do, however, know how to catch objects in their telekinetic grip at ranges out to 270 yards, and may pull them in closer for inspection. If attacked, they have been known to catch opponents with telekinesis and hold them while another leviathan moves over and smashes them with its tail for 10-40 points of damage. More than one opponent, so long as their total mass does not exceed 900 lbs., can be caught by a single star leviathan's telekinesis. Though they have mouths, star leviathans are not toothed whales (probably eating planktonlike creatures on their home world) and do not bite in combat.
Star leviathans have one special defensive ability, but will use it only if they are surrounded
and hard pressed in close combat, and low on hit points. In one round they can charge themselves with a form of molecular manipulation (costing 50 psionic strength points) which causes their bodies to glow brightly. Each charge will last for four rounds, fading out at the end of that time. During those four rounds, any non-living object (missile, weapon, or whatever) hitting the star leviathan must make a saving throw vs. magical fire, with appropriate bonuses for magical enchantments (if any are possessed while in astral space) or be disintegrated without damaging the creature. Living creatures who directly touch a star leviathan's energy field or are holding onto something that is touching a leviathan's field are also affected, and must save vs. spells or take 4-16 points damage (half if the save is made). All items on that person must also save vs. magical fire or be disintegrated. If attackers move away when it starts to glow, it will strike at one with its tail to deliver physical damage and the molecular shock charge at the same time. It takes one full round to charge the molecular shock field, during which time the star leviathan cannot attack or move; any physical damage it sustains during that round will not stop production of the field, however, which goes into effect at the start of the next round.
If a star leviathan runs out of psionic ability points at any time while on the Astral Plane, it will disappear (its spirit returns to its home plane). The DM will need to keep careful track of a leviathan's psionic ability points, remcrnbering to subtract 10 points from the initially generated score for the astral projection power which is continuously maintained; those 10 points cannot be recovered by resting until the leviathan leaves the Astral Plane.
Star leviathans have what is best described as a "godlike" personality. They generally treat other travelers as interesting but minor companions, and are experienced and knowledgeable about the astral environment. They are playful, and it is difficult to convince them to treat any matter seriously; they seem amused even when confronting powerful evil opponents. Living in astral space for such prolonged periods has altered their perception of time, and they treat all events as either in the distant, remote past (no mattcr how long ago it was), or in the immediate present Evil creatures will avoid them whenever possible, and most good and neutral creatures will leave them alone as well unless there is a need for cooperation, such as teaming up against a massed attack of powerful opponents. Leviathans will allow small beings to "hitch rides" by hanging onto their tails or broad flippers, and ask in return only telepathic conversation. They do not speak any vocal language.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #89 (1984).
Shade
Monster Junkie
Magical Beast (Extraplanar)?
Stats for similar creatures:
Baleen Whale: Str 35, Dex 13, Con 22, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Cachalot Whale: Str 35, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Elsewhale: Str 35, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 16
Very to Genius equates to 11-18.
So...
Str 35, Dex 13, Con 22-24, Int 11-18, Wis 14+, Cha 16+
Stats for similar creatures:
Baleen Whale: Str 35, Dex 13, Con 22, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Cachalot Whale: Str 35, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Elsewhale: Str 35, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 16
Very to Genius equates to 11-18.
So...
Str 35, Dex 13, Con 22-24, Int 11-18, Wis 14+, Cha 16+
RavinRay
Explorer
I was thinking magical beast (extraplanar) too.
This would make a perfect opponent to the astral dreadnought (ah, the classic cover of the original Manual of the Planes…) And since you mentioned the elsewhale, it's vaguely similar to it thematically, a plane-travelling cetacean. Other whales include the flying whale in Arms and Equipment Guide and the leviathan from Monster Manual II.
I'd go for the high-end of Int, because if we interpret the "psionic discipline of telekinesis at 24th level of mastery" to mean it's an innate 24th-level kineticist it needs a minimum Int score of 19 to manifest 9th-level powers. Unless we interpret that differently, to mean that the leviathan has only these three telekinesis powers (telekinetic force, telekinetic maneuver, telekinetic thrusy).
This would make a perfect opponent to the astral dreadnought (ah, the classic cover of the original Manual of the Planes…) And since you mentioned the elsewhale, it's vaguely similar to it thematically, a plane-travelling cetacean. Other whales include the flying whale in Arms and Equipment Guide and the leviathan from Monster Manual II.
I'd go for the high-end of Int, because if we interpret the "psionic discipline of telekinesis at 24th level of mastery" to mean it's an innate 24th-level kineticist it needs a minimum Int score of 19 to manifest 9th-level powers. Unless we interpret that differently, to mean that the leviathan has only these three telekinesis powers (telekinetic force, telekinetic maneuver, telekinetic thrusy).
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
Not to quibble, but, since these originate on the prime material, shouldn't we drop the (extraplanar) and just have them acquire that subtype when encountered on the astral?
Otherwise, I like those ability scores. AC looks a bit low for the likely CR of these, though. Should we increase the natural armor, or just make sure they have some psionic power to augment AC?
Otherwise, I like those ability scores. AC looks a bit low for the likely CR of these, though. Should we increase the natural armor, or just make sure they have some psionic power to augment AC?
Shade
Monster Junkie
freyar said:
Probably not, since they are found almost solely on the Astral Plane now.
freyar said:
I just copied from the similarly-sized, similarly-themed elsewhales. A true conversion would give them AC 10!
I think psionic powers to boost their AC would be good idea, though.
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