Converting World of Greyhawk monsters

[Shade]

CL18 sounds fine. Let's just stick with the natural form. Since he can become a very wide range of creatures, I think we can skip out on any preferred forms.

 

[freyar]

Ok, let's deal with the AC. Do we give him +5 natural (over the base +0 for a human) like he would get from the enhanced alternate form (in which case we should mention in the ability that it works for his human form, too)? And any other AC boost?

 

[Shade]

Yes to the enhancement bonus to natural armor in human form, no to other bonuses (unless we give him armor or magic items).

 

[freyar]

We should probably give him some kind of armor or something, since AC 16 (+1 Dex, +5 natural) isn't going to be enough, I think. Maybe some nice dragonhide or something?

 

[Shade]

It took Krimeah a little more than a year to fashion a collar of chain mail imbued with a special polymorph self ability. The collar permits Jakar to change into any animal or human form up to 24 times a day, fully assuming all the physical abilities of the shape selected. Jakar cannot assume the form of an unnatural creature, such as an owlbear; the form must be of a natural animal. It is believed Kriineah made more than one of these collars, and some suspect that he gave them to others to create more jakar.

The druid was pleased with Krimeah's "gift;' and promptly pledged his life in defense of the vale and the mage. The druid donned the collar nearly three decades ago and has not seemed to have aged since. Jakar is at peace, moving more freely in the animal kingdom than he ever believed possible, and rarely selecting a human shape because he thinks of himself as an animal. He did not mind the side effects of the potent magical item; the druid cannot remove the collar and cannot cast druidical spells while wearing it. However, he has retained the following druidical abilities, which he can use in any form: identify plants, animals, and pure water; pass through undergrowth without leaving a trail; immune to charm spells cast by woodland creatures; +2 bonus to saving throws vs. all electrical and fire attacks.

We could make this magic item quite potent, granting an armor bonus or deflection bonus, maybe greater magic fang on all natural weapons, etc.? The guy is an 18th-level druid on top of his other abilities, so outta have some decent gear.

 

[freyar]

Well, I think the +5 enhancement to natural armor comes from this item. But I like the greater magic fang idea. Maybe we should give him some magic armor and an ability that lets him use gear when in animal form.

 

[Shade]

We could model it off the wild armor property.

 

[freyar]

Just thinking: since the jakar has (enhanced) alternate form, rather than the druid's wild shape, I don't think we need wild armor. Normally, in alternate form, you keep your gear as long as it fits on your new shape. So we can add a line to Enhanced Alternate Form that "All gear that the jakar is wearing also changes shape to match the jakar's new form and remains functional." With magic fang, we could add "All the jakar's natural weapons have a +1 enhancement bonus, as if affected by a permanent greater magic fang spell."

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Let's knock out some more of the basics:

For the attack lines, shall we give him a weapon, or stick with unarmed strikes?

Skills: x
Druid class skills are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Feats: 7
Just about anything could work here, although since he can't cast spells, that rules out some common druid feats.

Challenge Rating: At least 18, probably 19

Treasure: Standard?

Advancement: By character class?

The jakar speaks the language of the animal form it has assumed; in human form it speaks any languages it knew at the time the collar was placed on it.

The jakar speaks Common, Druidic, and Sylvan?

Speak with Animals (Su): The jakar can continuously speak with animals (as the spell).

 

[freyar]

Well, it's unlikely the jakar will be fighting anyone in human form, but let's give him a quarterstaff anyway (+2 or +3?). Want to give him some armor, too?

Skills: Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Knowledge (nature), Listen, Spot, Survival (all at 18 ranks)?

Feats: Animal Affinity, Blind-Fight, Track, Dodge, Mobility, Combat Expertise, Whirlwind Attack ? I assume he gets the benefit of Multiattack if his animal form has it; otherwise, he should maybe get it as a bonus (since his human form can't qualify).

Yeah, probably CR 19 considering all jakars can shift into.

Standard treasure.

I'd prefer HD advancement. I feel like the collar thingy removes normal druid abilities, and jakars act more like animals in a lot of ways.

Maybe add Aquan, Auran, and/or Terran to the languages.