Creature Catalogue Overhaul Project Revisited

[Cleon]

As an aside, I'm pretty sure some animals were listed as Non-intelligent in 2e, and of course are Int 1 or 2 in 3e.

Yes, and AD&D also had animals with Semi-, Low or even Average-intelligence (e.g. the Dolphin).

Of course, it did not have an "Animal Type" in the same manner as 3E, so was a lot more easy-going in how is assigned attributes.

Speaking of types, there's nothing in the SRD requiring the Elemental type to have an Intelligence score, so why so insistent the Vortex has to have one.

I suppose I might compromise my principles and grant Int 0, maybe even Int 1 if I stretch.

 

[GrayLinnorm]

It can't have an ability score of 0; that would mean it was helpless.

 

[Shade]

Speaking of types, there's nothing in the SRD requiring the Elemental type to have an Intelligence score, so why so insistent the Vortex has to have one.

Because other than vermin, I can't recall a single living thing without one.

I suppose I might compromise my principles and grant Int 0, maybe even Int 1 if I stretch.

Better stretch...

It can't have an ability score of 0; that would mean it was helpless.

Exactly.

 

[freyar]

I'd prefer Int 1 also.

 

[Shade]

In that case, I feel we have a majority favoring:

Diminutive Elemental (Air)
Str 4, Dex 22, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 6, Cha 5
AC 20

What are we doing about the original's apparent Immunity To Summoning?

We could note that they never appear on summon monster or nature's ally lists, and do not respond to planar ally, etc.

 

[Cleon]

Because other than vermin, I can't recall a single living thing without one.

Well the SRD has the Shrieker, Violet Fungus and four Oozes.

Besides, a Vortex ain't exactly a "living thing" in any conventional sense.

Better stretch...

Nah, I'll stay inflexible and stick to mindless.

 

[Shade]

Nah, I'll stay inflexible and stick to mindless.

Cleon Specials (TM) aside...

The original CC version used the air elemental's whirlwind. Shall we retain that, updating to the 3.5 version?

 

[Cleon]

Cleon Specials (TM) aside...

The original CC version used the air elemental's whirlwind. Shall we retain that, updating to the 3.5 version?

Eh? Where does that come from.

The AD&D Vortex's whirlwind is quite different from an AD&D Air Elemental. The 3.0 version of the Vortex in the Enworld's Creature Catalogue is quite different to a 3E Air Elemental's whirlwind. There's no Vortex in any BECMI Creature Catalog, as far as I'm aware.

 

[Cleon]

I'd prefer Int 1 also.

Come to think of it, there one slight advantage to Int 1.

A mindless creature with a non-neutral alignment is a little unusual.

Speaking of alignment, should we consider giving it the Chaotic subtype, since it's a CN creature that seems to act and move at random.

 

[freyar]

The original vortex whirlwind does seem fairly similar to the 3.5 elemental whirlwind if you ask me (other than the weird 5% insta-kill that seems a bit overpowered for a 2HD critter). I think I'd prefer the 3.5 elemental's whirlwind.

I'm willing to consider the Chaotic subtype. Sell me a little more.