D&D 3E/3.5 Creature Catalog 3.5 Overhaul Project

[BOZ]

OK, after examining this one again, from where we left off...

it needs to have the rest of its skill ranks assigned. it has a total of 33 - outsiders have 8 minus Int mod (which is -5, for a total of 3) times HD+3, which gives it 11. Inuit Direction, i beleive was folded into Survival if you take a minimum of 5 ranks. we could max out Spot and Listen as well, giving it 6 more ranks with which to work.


also, from Shade's post above, we can alter this ability like so:

Alternate Form (Su): A nimbus can assume one of four forms as a swift action. A nimbus remains in one form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does a nimbus revert to any particular form when killed. A true seeing spell reveals all forms simultaneously.

In its ball lightning form, a nimbus looks like a slowly drifting ball of light similar to a will-o-wisp. (should it get any special benefit as described in the spell above, or something else? only one thing, like the other forms, i'd say. if we can't think of anything better, i'd say reduce its base touch damage, and allow this form to increase it back to 5d6.)

In its sheet lightning form, a nimbus becomes like a veil similar to a small aurora. In this form, a nimbus gains (concealment/hide bonus) within a natural or magical cloud.

In its bolt lightning form, a nimbus acts like bolts of light arcing from one object to another. In this form, a nimbus' fly speed improves to 120 feet (perfect).

In its form of St. Elmo's fire, a nimbus resembles a diffuse, flickering glow that surrounds an object. Only in this form can a nimbus use its electrocute ability.

 

[Shade]

it needs to have the rest of its skill ranks assigned. it has a total of 33 - outsiders have 8 minus Int mod (which is -5, for a total of 3) times HD+3, which gives it 11. Inuit Direction, i beleive was folded into Survival if you take a minimum of 5 ranks. we could max out Spot and Listen as well, giving it 6 more ranks with which to work.

Yep Intuit=Survival now. Maxxing out Spot and Listen seems fine. Other than that, maybe Tumble?

In its ball lightning form, a nimbus looks like a slowly drifting ball of light similar to a will-o-wisp. (should it get any special benefit as described in the spell above, or something else? only one thing, like the other forms, i'd say. if we can't think of anything better, i'd say reduce its base touch damage, and allow this form to increase it back to 5d6.)

I like the reduced damage idea.

In its sheet lightning form, a nimbus becomes like a veil similar to a small aurora. In this form, a nimbus gains (concealment/hide bonus) within a natural or magical cloud.

I'd say concealment.

In its form of St. Elmo's fire, a nimbus resembles a diffuse, flickering glow that surrounds an object. Only in this form can a nimbus use its electrocute ability.

In this form, it's gonna be your man in motion, all it needs is a pair of wheels...

 

[BOZ]

updating in homebrews - how does it look now?

Yep Intuit=Survival now. Maxxing out Spot and Listen seems fine. Other than that, maybe Tumble?

perfect! especially since IIRC we increased its Dex anyway.

I like the reduced damage idea.

done!

I'd say concealment.

just "gains concealment" is fine? do we need like a percentage?

In this form, it's gonna be your man in motion, all it needs is a pair of wheels...

I don't get it.

 

[Shade]

It looks good.

 

[BOZ]

groovus! moving on...

Booka
Tiny Fey
Hit Dice: 1/2 d6 (2 hp)
Initiative: +5 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft, fly 50 ft (perfect)
AC: 17 (+2 size, +5 Dex)
Attacks: None
Damage: None
Face/Reach: 2 1/2 ft by 2 1/2 ft/0 ft
Special Attacks:
Special Qualities: Invisibility, SR 13
Saves: Fort +0, Ref +7, Will +5
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 20, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 17, Cha 11
Skills: Animal Empathy +4, Craft (any two) +5, Escape Artist +7, Hide +8, Jump +6, Listen +7, Move Silently +9, Search +4, Spot +7
Feats: Alertness, Dodge

Climate: Cold and temperate land
Organization: Solitary or family (1-4)
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Treasure: No coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Alignment: Always neutral (chaotic good tendencies)
Advancement: 1-3 HD (Tiny)

Bookas are a peaceful faerie race, related to pixies and sprites. Bookas are about one foot tall, with slender bodies. They have long pointy noses and broad ears, and would be considered homely by human standards. Their wings are delicate, and colored like butterfly wings. Bookas speak Sylvan, and many known Elven and Common, and some even speak the secret language of rogues.

Bookas make their lair in the homes of men, usually in farming communities and rustic settings. They spend most of their time in an idyllic lifestyle, harming no one, and living in attics. The fey form a symbiotic relationship with the inhabitants of the house, helping with chores in exchange for a place to live - but they flee to a new home if their nest is discovered or if they are disturbed in their chores, and take revenge if the owners harm them. Bookas usually only reserve their pranks for evil or harmful creatures.

COMBAT
Bookas are one of the most peaceful races in the world, and do everything possible to avoid a fight. They are all but helpless in combat, and seek to turn invisible and flee if attacked. Bookas bite if cornered, but though the bite is painful, it is no more damaging than a paper cut. If another creature has angered a booka, the little fey may take steps to seek revenge, setting up traps which are painful or even deadly.

Invisibility (Su): Bookas can become invisible at will. This is so basic to the nature of the creature that they can do it anytime, even when engaging in another action.

1981 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Originally found in Fiend Folio (1981), Greyhawk Monstrous Compendium, MC5 (1990).

 

[BOZ]

and the original text:

FF:
BOOKA
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOUR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 12”/18"
HIT DICE: 1-4 hit points
% IN LAIR: 75%
TREASURE TYPE: J
NO. OF ATTACKS: Nil
DAMAGEIATTACK: Nil
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENCES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 10%
INTELLIGENCE: Very
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (chaotic good)
SIZE: S
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defence Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: 1/9 + 1 per hit point

The booka are sprite-like creatures given to dwelling in attics, in eaves and on sunny rooftops. They hate cold, and in such climes will always be inside, near chimneys. On bright, sunny mornings they will sweep the stairs or porch of the place they dwell in, always doing so when there is nobody around to observe them. If disturbed when involved in such tasks, they will become angry and immediately remove to a new home.

Booka are very fast-moving and can also fly. They can become invisible at will, even when running or flying. They hate evil creatures and will play tricks on them if given the opportunity - hiding valued objects, tangling things like rope, hair, clothing etc., and generally causing trouble.

If a booka is captured or harmed in any way, it is certain that others of its ilk aware of this act will bring dozens of other booka to cause mischief and trouble until the offender frees the captive or makes amends for the harm by giving a valuable gift (such as a sack of gold, jewellery or even something magical) to the booka, placing the item offered on a roof-top and leaving it for a day. Failure to placate angry booka will eventually result in some sort of fatal accident, for the creatures will place snares and traps for the offender.

A booka is only about 1' tall. Both males and females tend to have large features and thin bodies. They can be described, at best, as 'homely'. For purposes of aerial combat, they are manoeuvrability class A, though they will avoid combat of this or any other sort by means of their invisibility, if at all possible.


MC5:
Booka
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate to subarctic/Inhabited regions
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
ORGANIZATION: Family
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day
DIET: Omnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Very (11-12)
TREASURE: J
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (chaotic good)

NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVEMENT: 12, f18 (A)
HIT DICE: 1/2
THAC0: 20
NO. OF ATTACKS: Nil
DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Invisibility
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 10%
SIZE: T (1' tall)
MORALE: Average (8-10)
XP VALUE: 35

Bookas are delightful relatives of pixies, sprites, and fairies. Like most of the faerie folk, their time is taken up with a existence not unlike that of the brownie, though they tend to favor attics and eaves as living quarters.

Bookas average between 10 and 14 inches tall, with rare examples of the race reaching heights of 15 or even 16 inches. They have slender humanoid bodies with more or less human features. They are noted for having long, pointy noses and broad ears, which make them somewhat homely by most human standards. Their wings are slight and delicate, brightly colored like those of a butterfly.

Bookas have their own tongue, which is similar to that of the other faerie races. Roughly half of them are able to speak elvish, while one in four can converse in the common tongue of men. It is not uncommon to find at least one booka in a given area who is also familiar with the thieves' cant.

Combat: Bookas are, by and large, one of the most peaceful races known to man. They do everything possible to avoid entering into combat, for they are all but helpless in a fight.

While it is true that a booka can deliver a painful bite, there is no significant damage done by it. At worst, the booka’s victim suffers a nasty welt with a minor loss of blood. In general, a booka bite is about as dangerous as a paper cut.

Bookas are able to become invisible at will. This power is so basic to them that they can do it at any time, even when engaged in another action. They use this ability to evade enemies or attackers.

If a booka has been angered by the actions of another creature, it may take steps to injure or even kill the offender. In such cases, very delicate and clever traps are set up.

Habitat/Society: Bookas make their homes in every region of the globe that is home to men. As a rule, they like rustic settings, especially farming communities, in warm climates A family of bookas selects a farming family that reflects their basically good natures and takes up residence in the home. In warm regions, they may be found in any portion of the house, while colder dimes always find the bookas dwelling near the fireplace, stove, or other heat sources.

On bright, sunny days they spend their time seeking out wild flowers and enjoying the benefits of country living. On mornings when everyone in the house is quiet and the weather is nice, they often sweep and dust the home in which they dwell, as payment for their shelter. If the bookas are disturbed in their work, or if their nest is discovered, they quickly leave the house in search of a quieter place to live.

If a booka is captured or harmed in any way, its companions take steps to revenge this insult. This usually involves tricks and traps being placed around the offender's home, the severity of which is determined by the injury inflicted on their fellow. If the offence is minor, the bookas can be placated with a valuable offering of gold, jewelry, or magic, placed in a spot frequented by the bookas. If the injury was severe or even fatal to the booka in question, no bribes are accepted and the traps are lethal and quite ingenious. It is for this reason that many assassins use the term "booka bait" to describe someone who has been set up for execution with an unusually insidious trap.

Ecology: Because of their inability to engage in direct combat, bookas might be considered easy prey for larger creatures. Their natural ability to turn invisible makes them safe from most attacks, however. In addition, intelligent creatures know that the wrath of a booka family makes hunting them a very hazardous practice.

Although it is not a commonly used component, a lock of booka hair, freely given by the booka, has been known to be employed in the creation of magical inks for scrolls that deal with invisibility or the detection thereof.

 

[Shade]

This one should take no time at all.

For starters, add DR 5/cold iron.

Bookas have their own tongue, which is similar to that of the other faerie races. Roughly half of them are able to speak elvish, while one in four can converse in the common tongue of men. It is not uncommon to find at least one booka in a given area who is also familiar with the thieves' cant.

I'd say Sylvan and Elven, and probably just give 'em all Common as well.

I'll look at this in more detail when I have more time.

 

[Shade]

I think we should make it a full-blown sprite, and thus...

Skills: All sprites have a +2 racial bonus on Search, Spot, and Listen checks.

Ability score comparisons of other Tiny fey:
Grig: Str 5, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 14
Petal: Str 3, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 18
Brownie: Str 5, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 13

We've currently got them at:
Str 6, Dex 20, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 17, Cha 11

I'd say drop the Str by a point or two, bump Con up at least 3, lower the Wis a few points, and maybe raise Cha to 13.

 

[Shade]

Perhaps give them a +2 racial bonus on Craft (trapmaking) like kobolds?

 

[Aspect of BOZ]

This one should take no time at all.

hopefully not - as our #10 creature for the overall thread, we'll finally be getting out... first batch of monsters posted for 2006!

For starters, add DR 5/cold iron.

naturally!

I'd say Sylvan and Elven, and probably just give 'em all Common as well.

FYI, this is what i had already:

Bookas speak Sylvan, and many known Elven and Common, and some even speak the secret language of rogues.

I think we should make it a full-blown sprite, and thus...

well, it's certainly a related creature; therefore it would have some things in common, but not be bound to prior precedents. i do agree, however, on the skill bonuses, if for no other reason than that the booka doesn't have much going for it at the moment.

i, however, disagree on making them part of the sprite category (partly because i don't believe there ought to be a sprite category, but that's a conversation for another day...)

Ability score comparisons of other Tiny fey:
Grig: Str 5, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 14
Petal: Str 3, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 18
Brownie: Str 5, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 13

We've currently got them at:
Str 6, Dex 20, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 17, Cha 11

I'd say drop the Str by a point or two, bump Con up at least 3, lower the Wis a few points, and maybe raise Cha to 13.

i agree with all of that. i didn't have petals and brownies to compare to when originally working up this fellow.

how about:
Str 4, Dex 20, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 13

Perhaps give them a +2 racial bonus on Craft (trapmaking) like kobolds?

that sounds good as well. good call!