Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[freyar]

How about the shark?

Keen Scent (Ex): A shark can notice creatures by scent in a 180-foot radius and detect blood in the water at ranges of up to a mile.

Sounds familiar, but I think we just modified the SRD Shark's keen scent.

Looks like I was the ninja this time!

Thoughts about the ranges? We'll obviously also want to get rid of the "in the water" bit.

 

[Cleon]

Thoughts about the ranges? We'll obviously also want to get rid of the "in the water" bit.

I'd go for 60 feet for the "scent foe" distance, while keeping the mile distance for food.

e.g.:

Keen Scent (Ex): A short-faced hyena can notice creatures by scent in a 60-foot radius, and detect the scent of blood or a carcass at ranges of up to a mile.

 

[freyar]

That's fine, if a mile is realistic in the air.

 

[Cleon]

That's fine, if a mile is realistic in the air.

Don't see why not, although I'd be happy to cut it to 500 yards or half a mile if you prefer.

 

[Shade]

I'm fine with a mile for the long-range.

For the short-range, would it work better to say "double the normal ranges of scent"? Scent ranges are rather variable, so limiting to 60-foot radius could actually be worse than normal scent in the right situations.

 

[freyar]

Good idea, sure.

 

[Cleon]

I'm fine with a mile for the long-range.

For the short-range, would it work better to say "double the normal ranges of scent"? Scent ranges are rather variable, so limiting to 60-foot radius could actually be worse than normal scent in the right situations.

Yes, I wondered about that too. It's OK by me, so something like this...

Keen Scent (Ex): A short-faced hyena can notice creatures by scent at double the normal range (typically a 60-foot radius), and detect the scent of blood or a carcass at ranges of up to a mile.

 

[freyar]

Looks good. Anything else for these?

 

[Shade]

Environment: Temperate plains?

Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (7–16)?

Challenge Rating: x

Advancement: 6-9 HD (Large)?

 

[Cleon]

Environment: Temperate plains?

I'd prefer "Any plains", since their range included Europe (which was pretty chilly during the Pleistocene), most of Asia, and warm areas like Southern Africa.

Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (7–16)?

I'd prefer a smaller pack size, maybe 3-6.

Challenge Rating: x

They look about a 3 to me?

However, we made out Hyaenodon conversion CR 4, and the Short-Faced Hyena seems about as tough as one of those beasties.

Advancement: 6-9 HD (Large)?

I was thinking 6-8 HD (Large), like the SRD Lion.