Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[Shade]

We've apparently already done some of the work. We'll just need to turn this into an Ex ability and make the necessary adjustments.

Creature Catalog - Preview Creature

Feign Death (Su): A tabur can place itself in a cataleptic state that is nearly impossible to distinguish from death. Although able to smell, hear, and know what is going on, the tabur is blind and has no sense of touch or pain. Its breathing is slowed to the point of being undetectable.

A creature examining the tabur may attempt a Heal check opposed by the tabur's Disguise check to detect the ruse. The tabur gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks to feign death.

 

[freyar]

Feign Death is nice for these!

As for the disease, nothing really strikes me from the SRD diseases. Filth fever is just so overused. I guess it's fine, though, since it's probably really racoons that you need rabies for.

 

[Shade]

Is this enough to "desupernaturalize" the ability?

Feign Death (Ex): An opossum can play dead with great accuracy. Although able to smell, hear, and know what is going on, the opossum is effectively blind while feigning death.

A creature examining the opossum may attempt a Heal or Spot check opposed by the opossum's Disguise check to detect the ruse. The opossum gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks to feign death.

 

[Cleon]

Is this enough to "desupernaturalize" the ability?

Feign Death (Ex): An opossum can play dead with great accuracy. Although able to smell, hear, and know what is going on, the opossum is effectively blind while feigning death.

A creature examining the opossum may attempt a Heal or Spot check opposed by the opossum's Disguise check to detect the ruse. The opossum gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks to feign death.

That looks good enough for government work.

A bit of internet wandering yields the following...

1. A feigning opossum can release a scent so it also smells like it's dead.
2. Some sources say they're comatose when playing 'possum, but EEGs show normal brain activity, so it's likely they're alert.
3. Oh, opossums sometimes feign dead with their eyes open, suggesting they might be able to see.
4. You can see them breathe when feigning death.

Do we want to add any of those?

Is a +10 circumstance bonus too much? It's not a supernatural ability, and if a 'playing' possum may be visibly breathing it doesn't sound like a perfect masquerade. I'd lower the bonus a bit.

Feign Death (Ex): An opossum can play dead with great accuracy. It lies stiffly on its side and secretes a foul odor, so it looks and smells like a dead animal. Although able to smell, hear, and know what is going on, the opossum is effectively blind while feigning death.

A creature examining the opossum may attempt a Heal or Spot check opposed by the opossum's Disguise check to detect the ruse. The opossum gains a +8 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks to feign death.

 

[Shade]

Feign Death (Ex): An opossum can play dead with great accuracy. It lies stiffly on its side and secretes a foul odor, so it looks and smells like a dead animal. Although able to smell, hear, and know what is going on, the opossum is effectively blind while feigning death.

A creature examining the opossum may attempt a Heal or Spot check opposed by the opossum's Disguise check to detect the ruse. The opossum gains a +8 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks to feign death.

I like the revisions. Added to Homebrews.

I shifted the skill ranks into Disguise so the DC would be even remotely challenging.

 

[Cleon]

I like the revisions. Added to Homebrews.

I shifted the skill ranks into Disguise so the DC would be even remotely challenging.

In that case, how about giving them Alertness rather than Stealth?

How sneaky are opossums, anyway?

 

[freyar]

Or how about Skill Focus (Disguise)?

 

[Cleon]

Or how about Skill Focus (Disguise)?

I thought about that, but (a) they've already got a pretty good modifier and (b) SF is not as efficient as a "pair of +2 skill bonuses" feat.

Besides, if we really wanted to improve the Feign Dead I'd rather just put the SQ's bonus back to +10.

 

[Shade]

Alertness appeals.

Updated.

Do anything with this?

Opossums have a remarkably robust immune system, and show partial or total immunity to the venom of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and other pit vipers.

 

[freyar]

+1 bonus to saves vs poison would work.