Spelljammer Converting Spelljammer creatures

For description: A gem-encrusted mound of rock.
Does it need more?

Yes it does!

A huge creature with a carapace that mimics a rocky outcropping; it even includes crystalline formations. A reptilian head and four clawed limbs unfold from beneath the stony shell of its carapace, while a lizard-like tail trails behind. The razor-teeth in its froglike mouth leave no doubt about its predatory nature.

Also, where's the stuff about it living on the sunny side of asteroids, leaping between asteroids, hibernating in space, being so territorial than at most you'll get two of 'em on opposite sides of an asteroid, et cetera et cetera?
 

log in or register to remove this ad

Well, Cleon's descriptive text is more evocative, but I think Shade's flavor text takes care of Cleon's concerns. I'd say we can just update the description with Cleon's version, and it's good to go.
 

Well, Cleon's descriptive text is more evocative, but I think Shade's flavor text takes care of Cleon's concerns. I'd say we can just update the description with Cleon's version, and it's good to go.

I was criticizing your descriptive text, not Shade's! ;)

2,000 pounds is way too light. They're HUGE things with dome-like carapaces. Not only are they as big as some Triceratops, their stony hide is probably pretty dense. I'd make them weigh 10,000 or 12,000 pounds.

A huge creature with a carapace that mimics a rocky outcropping; it even includes crystalline formations. A reptilian head and four clawed limbs unfold from beneath the stony shell of its carapace, while a lizard-like tail trails behind. The razor-teeth in its froglike mouth leave no doubt about its predatory nature.

A stargazer is a huge reptilian monster that can project lightning bolts from its eyes. Stargazers inhabit the sunlit side of large asteroids, basking in the continual sunlight. Their hides absorb light, both to warm their bodies and to power their lightning discharges. A stargazer's hide is superbly camouflage, and they masquerade as rocky mounds while waiting for prey.

Stargazers are highly territorial, each claiming a range of 1-3 square miles. Two stargazers may occupy opposite hemispheres of a single large asteroid, establishing the opposite sides of the gravity plane as their “territory”. If an area becomes overpopulated, a stargazer leaps from its asteroid and rolls into a ball, then drifts through space in hibernation until caught by the gravity of another asteroid or spacefaring vessel.

A stargazer's stony carapace is veined with crystals, which usually include valuable gemstones. This treasure can be chiseled out of a dead stargazer's hide, although it's easier to wait. The stargazer's carapace crumbles to dust 1d6 days after its death, freeing the gems.

A typical stargazer is 18 feet long (plus 15 feet of tail) and weighs 12,000 pounds. Hides show a variety of colors and crystalline formations, but generally they are reddish or violet, suggesting deposits of ruby or amethyst. Citrine, emerald and sapphire varieties are also seen.

COMBAT

A stargazer uses its camouflage ability and waits for prey to come within range, it then unleashes its lightning bolts before wading into melee. Stargazers use their rolling trample attack to retreat from a losing situation, usually inflicting significant damage as they roll through its foes. They seldom use rolling trample to enter combat, since a stargazer cannot see where it's going while rolled up.

Oh, and how about this to cover its hibernation ability?

Hibernate (Ex): A stargazer can enter a state of suspended animation as a full-round action. Hibernating stargazers can survive on a day's worth of food, air, and water for every 10 years they spend in hibernation. A hibernating stargazer is still aware of its surroundings, but has a -8 penalty to its Listen or Spot checks. It can emerge from hibernation as a move-equivalent action.
 





Looks OK to me statwise.

Hmm, I'm wondering whether we should give it a racial bonus to Jump to go with the original flavour text about it jumping into space?

Skills: Jump +19, Spot +9

Skills: A stargazer's powerful hind legs give it a +10 racial bonus to Jump checks.

Also, the original says it's 18 feet tall, and I'd fancy some reflection on that in the original - how about it stands 18 feet tall when rearing on its "powerful hind legs"?

A typical stargazer is 18 feet long (plus 15 feet of tail) and weighs 12,000 pounds. It stands between 12 feet and 18 feet tall, depending on whether the stargazer's walking on all four or rearing up on its hind legs. Hides show a variety of colors and crystalline formations, but generally they are reddish or violet, suggesting deposits of ruby or amethyst. Citrine, emerald and sapphire varieties are also seen.
 

The red text is a fine addition. I'm not sure it really needs the Jump bonus, seeing as how it's in a low-gravity environment, but I don't really object either.
 

The red text is a fine addition. I'm not sure it really needs the Jump bonus, seeing as how it's in a low-gravity environment, but I don't really object either.

Yes, it could do without the Jump bonus, but I'd like the "powerful hind legs" to be in there somewhere, and we might as well have them do something.
 


Remove ads

Top