Creature Catalogue Overhaul Project Revisited

[freyar]

Works for me, though I might stick to one size category smaller. We did some undead critter like this not that long ago. Some sort of bloody bones critter that likes to hide in small spaces...

 

[Cleon]

Works for me, though I might stick to one size category smaller. We did some undead critter like this not that long ago. Some sort of bloody bones critter that likes to hide in small spaces...

Yes, the bloody bones critter called Bloody Bones.

One size smaller is a better fit, since it could flatten itself to 9" thick, which is hardly wafer thin.

Do we want to include this bit:

it can flatten into a mobile blob of matter only 9” high, covering 6 square feet. When flattened oculons move at one-third normal speed and do not attack.

e.g.

Flatten Body (Ex): An oculon can flatten its malleable body into a blob of matter about three feet in diameter and a few inches tall. In this form an oculon can not attack and its speed is reduced to 15 ft., but it gains a [+8?] circumstance bonus on Hide checks. An oculon can flatten itself as a move action and unflatten itself as a swift action.

 

[freyar]

Well, that's why that phrase came to mind.

I could go with the flatten body bit too, but I'm not sure why it should include the Hide bonus.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

 

[Cleon]

Well, that's why that phrase came to mind.

I could go with the flatten body bit too, but I'm not sure why it should include the Hide bonus.

Obviously because it's keeping a low profile.

 

[freyar]

Obviously because it's keeping a low profile.

<Groan> Isn't there a rule against puns on this board?

I'll let Shade decide on the Hide bonus.

For tactics: An oculon will fire arcane arrows at its opponents until it has exhausted its daily uses or is forced into melee.

After that, I think we need to know feats. Any ideas for those?

 

[Shade]

<Groan> Isn't there a rule against puns on this board?

If he keeps it up, he will be pun-ished.

<I'll let Shade decide on the Hide bonus.

Let's skip it...it's already got a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks.

<For tactics: An oculon will fire arcane arrows at its opponents until it has exhausted its daily uses or is forced into melee.

After that, I think we need to know feats. Any ideas for those?

We also have 20 skill ranks to spend.

Skills: Hide 5, Listen 5, Move Silently 5, Spot 5?
Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative, Stealthy?

A few other things to address...

An oculon can only be hit by weapons of a magical nature. In addition, the lack of a skeleton allows this creature to take only half damage from falls and from attacks made by blunt weapons when in its semi-humanoid form. When in its flattened form, the cannot be damaged at all by falls or blunt weapons, because the body will “give” and absorb the impact of the blow.

Shall we roll the "half damage from falls" into rubbery form, or is the DR enough?

They cannot be caught in a Web or snared, netted, or grasped in any way; treat as if they were coated with Oil of Slipperiness.

Freedom of movement effect, or model it more closely off the salve of slipperiness?

Salve of Slipperiness: This substance provides a +20 competence bonus on all Escape Artist checks, meaning that it is almost impossible to grapple such a character or to tie or chain him up. In addition, such obstructions as webs (magical or otherwise) do not affect an anointed individual. Magic ropes and the like do not avail against this salve. If it is smeared on a floor or on steps, the area should be treated as a long-lasting grease spell. The salve requires 8 hours to wear off normally, or it can be wiped off with an alcohol solution (even wine).

 

[Cleon]

<Groan> Isn't there a rule against puns on this board?

I'll let Shade decide on the Hide bonus.

For tactics: An oculon will fire arcane arrows at its opponents until it has exhausted its daily uses or is forced into melee.

After that, I think we need to know feats. Any ideas for those?

It's mostly a ranged attacker, so I'd emphasize that - Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot and Rapid Shot?

We may need to add a disclaimer such as "Feats: an oculon can apply any ranged weapon feat to its arcane arrows."

 

[Cleon]

We also have 20 skill ranks to spend.

Skills: Hide 5, Listen 5, Move Silently 5, Spot 5?

Since they've got +8 racial bonus to Search I'd rather go Listen, Move Silently, Search and Spot. That still leaves them with 4 more in Hide than MS.

They could have a racial bonus to Search and Spot as well.

Shall we roll the "half damage from falls" into rubbery form, or is the DR enough?

I like half damage from falls.

Freedom of movement effect, or model it more closely off the salve of slipperiness?

Salve of Slipperiness: This substance provides a +20 competence bonus on all Escape Artist checks, meaning that it is almost impossible to grapple such a character or to tie or chain him up. In addition, such obstructions as webs (magical or otherwise) do not affect an anointed individual. Magic ropes and the like do not avail against this salve. If it is smeared on a floor or on steps, the area should be treated as a long-lasting grease spell. The salve requires 8 hours to wear off normally, or it can be wiped off with an alcohol solution (even wine).

I'd prefer a fairly direct conversion, e.g.:

Slipperiness (Su or Ex?): An oculon can coat itself in a slick oil with the same effects as salve of slipperiness (+20 competence bonus to Escape Artist checks and immunity to obstructions such as webs and magic ropes or snares). The oculon can produce or absorb this oil as a free action over any part of its body. The oil loses its properties the instant it leaves the oculon's skin.

 

[Shade]

Since they've got +8 racial bonus to Search I'd rather go Listen, Move Silently, Search and Spot. That still leaves them with 4 more in Hide than MS.

They could have a racial bonus to Search and Spot as well.

OK...I'm confused. Where did the racial bonus to Search come from? I'm not opposed to giving them one, necessarily, but the original conversion lacks bonuses other than to Hide and Move Silently.

I like half damage from falls.

Roll it into rubbery form, or a separate ability similar to slow fall?

I'd prefer a fairly direct conversion, e.g.:

Slipperiness (Su or Ex?): An oculon can coat itself in a slick oil with the same effects as salve of slipperiness (+20 competence bonus to Escape Artist checks and immunity to obstructions such as webs and magic ropes or snares). The oculon can produce or absorb this oil as a free action over any part of its body. The oil loses its properties the instant it leaves the oculon's skin.

I like it, and I think it could be Ex. We should add grease to the prereqs for construction.