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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
D&D 3E/3.5 Creature Catalog 3.5 Overhaul Project
- Thread starter BOZ
- Start date
Orius
Unrepentant DM Supremacist
Shade said:I'd drop "giant-kin", as that doesn't appear to be a term used anymore. The firbolgs ditched it, so we probably should too.
Good point. These days Large and bigger humanoid type monsters are labeled simply as giants so there's no need for terms like giant-kin.
BOZ
Creature Cataloguer
hey, i sometimes keep my promises. 
Obviously, I seriously overestimated the CR.
Verme
Gargantuan Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 18d10+144 (243 hp)
Initiative: -1 (Dex)
Speed: Swim 50 ft
AC: 15 (-4 size, -1 Dex, +10 natural)
Attacks: Bite +23 melee
Damage: Bite 3d8+21
Face/Reach: 20 ft by 40 ft/10 ft
Special Attacks: Swallow whole
Special Qualities: Resist edge weapons, fire resistance 20, armored head
Saves: Fort +19 Ref +10 Will +6
Abilities: Str 39 Dex 9 Con 27 Int 2 Wis 10 Cha 6
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10, Swim +15
Feats:
Climate: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 19
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 19-36 HD (Gargantuan); 37-54 (Colossal)
The verme is probably the largest of all fish, able to swallow a large shark or even a baby whale in one gulp. These fish prefer great rivers, but are occasionally known to venture out into saltwater oceans. It can swallow creatures in the water, and can also eat things on the riverbanks, reaching its enormous armored head out of the water to snatch cattle or even humans. Its stomach is likely to contain metallic and other indigestible items, remnants of previously swallowed victims.
A verme resembles a catfish of unbelievable size, between 50 to 80 feet in length, with very large scales, and a mouthful of needles for teeth. Its underside is pale yellow, and its flanks run from dark brown to a mottling of green and brown along the back. This gigantically long fish is flat along the belly, and wider than it is high, to help it lurk along the bottom in shallow waters.
COMBAT
A hungry verme is a ravenous predator that will not be denied. It swallows any prey it hits, and is able to capsize even large craft. It will attempt to swallow creatures attacking its head before it attacks those on its sides. The fire resistance of the fish applies only to its outer body; fire affects the beast normally inside of the mouth or internally.
Swallow Whole (Ex): A verme automatically swallows an opponent of Large or smaller size by making a successful bite attack. Once inside, the opponent takes 3d8+4 crushing damage plus 2d8+4 points of acid damage per round from the verme's digestive juices. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by dealing 30 points of damage to the verme's digestive tract (AC 10).
The verme's gullet can hold four Large, eight Medium-size, or sixteen Small or smaller creatures.
Resist Edged Weapons (Ex): A verme's thick, slimy scales make slashing and piercing weapons nearly useless against it. Attacks from such weapons inflict only 1 point of damage, plus magic and strength bonuses.
Armored Head (Ex): The verme's bony head provides it with a +2 bonus to its natural armor class against anyone attacking its head. Any creatures subject to the verme's bite attack are considered to be facing its head in that round.
Originally found in Monster Manual II (1983), Monstrous Compendium Annual Two (1995) under "fish".
Obviously, I seriously overestimated the CR.
Verme
Gargantuan Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 18d10+144 (243 hp)
Initiative: -1 (Dex)
Speed: Swim 50 ft
AC: 15 (-4 size, -1 Dex, +10 natural)
Attacks: Bite +23 melee
Damage: Bite 3d8+21
Face/Reach: 20 ft by 40 ft/10 ft
Special Attacks: Swallow whole
Special Qualities: Resist edge weapons, fire resistance 20, armored head
Saves: Fort +19 Ref +10 Will +6
Abilities: Str 39 Dex 9 Con 27 Int 2 Wis 10 Cha 6
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10, Swim +15
Feats:
Climate: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 19
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 19-36 HD (Gargantuan); 37-54 (Colossal)
The verme is probably the largest of all fish, able to swallow a large shark or even a baby whale in one gulp. These fish prefer great rivers, but are occasionally known to venture out into saltwater oceans. It can swallow creatures in the water, and can also eat things on the riverbanks, reaching its enormous armored head out of the water to snatch cattle or even humans. Its stomach is likely to contain metallic and other indigestible items, remnants of previously swallowed victims.
A verme resembles a catfish of unbelievable size, between 50 to 80 feet in length, with very large scales, and a mouthful of needles for teeth. Its underside is pale yellow, and its flanks run from dark brown to a mottling of green and brown along the back. This gigantically long fish is flat along the belly, and wider than it is high, to help it lurk along the bottom in shallow waters.
COMBAT
A hungry verme is a ravenous predator that will not be denied. It swallows any prey it hits, and is able to capsize even large craft. It will attempt to swallow creatures attacking its head before it attacks those on its sides. The fire resistance of the fish applies only to its outer body; fire affects the beast normally inside of the mouth or internally.
Swallow Whole (Ex): A verme automatically swallows an opponent of Large or smaller size by making a successful bite attack. Once inside, the opponent takes 3d8+4 crushing damage plus 2d8+4 points of acid damage per round from the verme's digestive juices. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by dealing 30 points of damage to the verme's digestive tract (AC 10).
The verme's gullet can hold four Large, eight Medium-size, or sixteen Small or smaller creatures.
Resist Edged Weapons (Ex): A verme's thick, slimy scales make slashing and piercing weapons nearly useless against it. Attacks from such weapons inflict only 1 point of damage, plus magic and strength bonuses.
Armored Head (Ex): The verme's bony head provides it with a +2 bonus to its natural armor class against anyone attacking its head. Any creatures subject to the verme's bite attack are considered to be facing its head in that round.
Originally found in Monster Manual II (1983), Monstrous Compendium Annual Two (1995) under "fish".
BOZ
Creature Cataloguer
here are the original stats:
VERME
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 3 (head)/5 (body)
MOVE: 18"
HIT DICE: 18+18
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE See below
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 7-28
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE. L (50' - 80' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil/nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IX/8550 + 25/hp
The verme is the largest of fish, usually inhabiting great rivers, although some venture into saltwater. Regardless of its locale, the verme prefers warm water with an abundance of food, such as fish, reptiles, cattle, humans, or virtually anything else, Although the verme is long, it is flattish along its belly and wider than it is high. This enables it to lurk on the bottom and swim in relatively shallow water. The verme's head is heavily scaled end very bony, thus giving it an armor class of 3, while the body is less well protected, Because the verme swallows prey whole - even that as large as a water buffalo - the stomach can contain metallic or other items of indigestible nature (such as gems, crystal, etc,). Swallowing occurs on any hit if prey is not more than 12 feet tell. Damage (3d8+4) is incurred during the swallowing process, Swallowed creatures receive 2-16 points of additional damage per round Any swallowed being will be dissolved in 6 rounds. The monster is able to upset vessels of up to small galley size when hungry and seeking food. Its thick, slime-covered scales make edged weapons useless, such attacks inflicting but I point of damage per blow. Fire-based attacks cause only one-half damage to the verme, unless the attack strikes the inside of the mouth or somewhere internally. In the latter case, damage is at a factor of +1 per die.
The verme looks much like a giant catfish, except it has large scales and numerous, needle-like teeth, It is pale yellow along its underside, the flanks shading from dark brown to a mottled green and brown back.
Verme
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any large river
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)
TREASURE: Incidental (see below)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS. 3/8 (head/body)
MOVEMENT: 3, Sw 18
HIT DICE: 18+18
THAC0: 5
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 7d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: G (50'-80' long)
MORALE: Champion (15)
XP VALUE: 14,000
The verme is the largest of fish, yet another wonder of the undersea world. It resembles a giant catfish, except that it has large, thick, slime-covered scales and hundreds of long, needle-like teeth. It is yellow along its belly, with its flanks dark brown shading to a mottled green-and-brown back.
Although the verme is gigantically long, it is flattish along its belly, and wider than it is high. This enables it to lurk on the bottom and swim in reasonably shallow rivers.
The verme is a voracious carnivore, eating two tons of meat each day to sustain itself. Should a character attempt a speak with animals spell on a verme, the fish will express no surprise that it is being spoken to. Indeed, it will only grow irritated that someone is keeping it from eating its fill.
Combat: A verme's head is covered with a thick bone plate, giving it an Armor Class of 3. The body is AC 8.
A verme swallows any opponent under 12 feet tall should it score a hit. It tries to swallow those characters who are attacking its head before maneuvering to reach those beating on its sides. The victim suffers 3d8+4 points of damage upon being swallowed, and an additional 2d8 points of acid damage each round thereafter, No matter how many points of damage a creature inside a verme has suffered, it dies in six rounds and dissolves. A verme is AC 10 when attacked from the inside.
The monster fish is able to upset almost any boat and ships of up to small galley size when hungry and seeking food.
Its thick, slime-covered scales make edged weapons almost useless. Such attacks inflict only 1 point of damage each blow. Fire-based attacks inflict half damage, unless an attack strikes the inside of the mouth or somewhere internally. In the latter case, the damage is enhanced, gaining a +1 bonus per die of damage.
Habitat/Society: Verme usually inhabit great rivers, but sometimes venture into saltwater. Regardless of the locale, it prefers warm water with an abundance of food, such as fish, reptiles, cattle, humans, or virtually anything else.
Because verme can swallow prey whole, even animals the size of water buffaloes, their stomachs might contain metallic items or other indigestible material.
Ecology: A verme spells ecological disaster for or whatever area it settles in. It can scour rivers clean of fish, or rid swamps of all water-borne life. Verme have destroyed the economies of entire city-states just by roaming the waters upriver. A verme appearing in a city's waterways is a frightening prospect.
Adventuring parties occasionally hunt verme for their dorsal scales, which can be powdered and used as one ingredient in the ink for a shield spell. The scales from one verme can supply enough material for several dozen spells.
VERME
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 3 (head)/5 (body)
MOVE: 18"
HIT DICE: 18+18
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE See below
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 7-28
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE. L (50' - 80' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil/nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IX/8550 + 25/hp
The verme is the largest of fish, usually inhabiting great rivers, although some venture into saltwater. Regardless of its locale, the verme prefers warm water with an abundance of food, such as fish, reptiles, cattle, humans, or virtually anything else, Although the verme is long, it is flattish along its belly and wider than it is high. This enables it to lurk on the bottom and swim in relatively shallow water. The verme's head is heavily scaled end very bony, thus giving it an armor class of 3, while the body is less well protected, Because the verme swallows prey whole - even that as large as a water buffalo - the stomach can contain metallic or other items of indigestible nature (such as gems, crystal, etc,). Swallowing occurs on any hit if prey is not more than 12 feet tell. Damage (3d8+4) is incurred during the swallowing process, Swallowed creatures receive 2-16 points of additional damage per round Any swallowed being will be dissolved in 6 rounds. The monster is able to upset vessels of up to small galley size when hungry and seeking food. Its thick, slime-covered scales make edged weapons useless, such attacks inflicting but I point of damage per blow. Fire-based attacks cause only one-half damage to the verme, unless the attack strikes the inside of the mouth or somewhere internally. In the latter case, damage is at a factor of +1 per die.
The verme looks much like a giant catfish, except it has large scales and numerous, needle-like teeth, It is pale yellow along its underside, the flanks shading from dark brown to a mottled green and brown back.
Verme
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any large river
FREQUENCY: Very rare
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Animal (1)
TREASURE: Incidental (see below)
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS. 3/8 (head/body)
MOVEMENT: 3, Sw 18
HIT DICE: 18+18
THAC0: 5
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 7d4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
SIZE: G (50'-80' long)
MORALE: Champion (15)
XP VALUE: 14,000
The verme is the largest of fish, yet another wonder of the undersea world. It resembles a giant catfish, except that it has large, thick, slime-covered scales and hundreds of long, needle-like teeth. It is yellow along its belly, with its flanks dark brown shading to a mottled green-and-brown back.
Although the verme is gigantically long, it is flattish along its belly, and wider than it is high. This enables it to lurk on the bottom and swim in reasonably shallow rivers.
The verme is a voracious carnivore, eating two tons of meat each day to sustain itself. Should a character attempt a speak with animals spell on a verme, the fish will express no surprise that it is being spoken to. Indeed, it will only grow irritated that someone is keeping it from eating its fill.
Combat: A verme's head is covered with a thick bone plate, giving it an Armor Class of 3. The body is AC 8.
A verme swallows any opponent under 12 feet tall should it score a hit. It tries to swallow those characters who are attacking its head before maneuvering to reach those beating on its sides. The victim suffers 3d8+4 points of damage upon being swallowed, and an additional 2d8 points of acid damage each round thereafter, No matter how many points of damage a creature inside a verme has suffered, it dies in six rounds and dissolves. A verme is AC 10 when attacked from the inside.
The monster fish is able to upset almost any boat and ships of up to small galley size when hungry and seeking food.
Its thick, slime-covered scales make edged weapons almost useless. Such attacks inflict only 1 point of damage each blow. Fire-based attacks inflict half damage, unless an attack strikes the inside of the mouth or somewhere internally. In the latter case, the damage is enhanced, gaining a +1 bonus per die of damage.
Habitat/Society: Verme usually inhabit great rivers, but sometimes venture into saltwater. Regardless of the locale, it prefers warm water with an abundance of food, such as fish, reptiles, cattle, humans, or virtually anything else.
Because verme can swallow prey whole, even animals the size of water buffaloes, their stomachs might contain metallic items or other indigestible material.
Ecology: A verme spells ecological disaster for or whatever area it settles in. It can scour rivers clean of fish, or rid swamps of all water-borne life. Verme have destroyed the economies of entire city-states just by roaming the waters upriver. A verme appearing in a city's waterways is a frightening prospect.
Adventuring parties occasionally hunt verme for their dorsal scales, which can be powdered and used as one ingredient in the ink for a shield spell. The scales from one verme can supply enough material for several dozen spells.
Shade
Monster Junkie
First, the biggest question...animal or magical beast? It doesn't seem to have anything too extraordinary, so animal would seem the safe bet.
Space/Reach should change to 20/15.
It gets 7 feats. I'd recommend Alertness, Diehard, Endurance, Improved Critical (bite), Weapon Focus (bite), Power Attack, and either Cleave or Iron Will.
I'd change "resist edged weapons" to damage reduction x/bludgeoning.
We need to add Improved Grab, or give it the Snatch feat.
Comparing its ability scores to its "peers":
Current Verme scores: Str 39 Dex 9 Con 27 Int 2 Wis 10 Cha 6
Elsewhale (Gargantuan): Str 35, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 16
Leviathan (Colossal): Str 40, Dex 7, Con 30, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 5
It looks like it could use a slight bump in Dex (maybe to 11?) and possibly a slight decrease in Str (to 37?).
Space/Reach should change to 20/15.
It gets 7 feats. I'd recommend Alertness, Diehard, Endurance, Improved Critical (bite), Weapon Focus (bite), Power Attack, and either Cleave or Iron Will.
I'd change "resist edged weapons" to damage reduction x/bludgeoning.
We need to add Improved Grab, or give it the Snatch feat.
Comparing its ability scores to its "peers":
Current Verme scores: Str 39 Dex 9 Con 27 Int 2 Wis 10 Cha 6
Elsewhale (Gargantuan): Str 35, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 16
Leviathan (Colossal): Str 40, Dex 7, Con 30, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 5
It looks like it could use a slight bump in Dex (maybe to 11?) and possibly a slight decrease in Str (to 37?).
Mortis
First Post
As it doesn't have any spell-like or supernatural abilities, I agree that Animal (Aquatic) is a safe bet.Shade said:
Not sure if it needs Endurance. Another feat worth considering (seeing as it's a catfish - maybe bottom feeder) is blind-fight.
Possibly 10/bludgeoning and for the armored head 15/bludgeoning instead of +2 natural armor? Then again, slashing and bludgeoning weapons are next to useless underwater (or should be
).We need to add Improved Grab, or give it the Snatch feat.[?QUOTE]
I'ld go for Improved Grab, as gives us another feat to play with (not counting bonus feats
So
Str 37, Dex 11, Con 27, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 6?
Do we want to include the Armored Head (Ex) ability? If so, as mentioned above, I would favour making it an addition to DR instead of natural armor.
All this, of course, is assuming that WotC didn't include it in Stormwrack.
Regards,
Mortis
