Fiend Folio, Quth-Maren: Horrifying Gaze

[Trainz]

I'm not sure where I'm getting this from, but wouldn't the effect last until the creature is no longer in their presence (or no longer alive) (edit: like for a dragon's fear effect)?

AR

Could do that too I guess...

 

[mikebr99]

Or similar duration to a Clerics Turn attempt?


YMMV


Mike

 

[shilsen]

Thanks for whatever help you could provide guys.

What was most important to me was the duration though... I guess I'll assume it lasts only 1 round.

I HATE it when rules descriptions are sloppy.

I'd strongly suggest doing the 1 round thing. Any longer than that is asking for trouble.

It's a very nasty ability when the quth-maren has any kind of backup to take advantage of cowering PCs. Not so long ago I threw a single quth-maren and a few ghouls and ghasts at a group of six seventh-lvl PCs. The EL for the encounter was 8, so they should have been able to roll through it easily. By the time they eventually won, one PC was at -8, another was disabled and two were paralyzed.

 

[Trainz]

I'd strongly suggest doing the 1 round thing. Any longer than that is asking for trouble.

It's a very nasty ability when the quth-maren has any kind of backup to take advantage of cowering PCs. Not so long ago I threw a single quth-maren and a few ghouls and ghasts at a group of six seventh-lvl PCs. The EL for the encounter was 8, so they should have been able to roll through it easily. By the time they eventually won, one PC was at -8, another was disabled and two were paralyzed.

Very good input. If nothing else comes, I'll go with that.

 

[CRGreathouse]

The first quote should also be found in the DMG, the second in the MM.

Technically, we're supposed to follow the MM on matters regarding monsters, at least according to the FAQ.

If it's worth anything, SS agrees with the MM -- otherwise the Narrow Gaze feat is worthless.

 

[nimisgod]

I agree with Shilsen. Make it last only one round and prompt will saves each round from everyone. It may be a nightmare to adjudicate for multiple Quthmaren but having gone through a certain WOTC Quth-Maren infested module, those guys are incredibly nasty. Most of the time, our barbarian was twiddling his fingers cuz he only needed to fail one save to be useless the whole battle. The only one that wasn't in constant danger was the Paladin, who could force a reroll for the fear check once per round by standing near someone.

At least, that's how our GM ruled it. I don't really agree with it, but then, I don't agree with a lot of what our GM does.

Obviously, this creature is one the more powerful side of its CR our group's method is used.

 

[Trainz]

I agree with Shilsen. Make it last only one round and prompt will saves each round from everyone. It may be a nightmare to adjudicate for multiple Quthmaren but having gone through a certain WOTC Quth-Maren infested module, those guys are incredibly nasty. Most of the time, our barbarian was twiddling his fingers cuz he only needed to fail one save to be useless the whole battle.

There's a simple way to avoid it though: it's a gaze attack.

Thus, after the first encounter, your players KNOW about that specific attack. Next encounter with them, you use the rules provided in the DM's guide under Gaze Attacks. Either avert eyes (thus only having a 50% chance of making a save) or better yet, close eyes completely.

Granted, you then fight as if attacking an invisible critter (and thus need a DC 20 listen check to pin-point the critter), but given that the critter's other attacks are on the weak side, victory is almost guaranteed, and you have 0 % chance of being affected by it's gaze.

The only one that wasn't in constant danger was the Paladin, who could force a reroll for the fear check once per round by standing near someone. At least, that's how our GM ruled it. I don't really agree with it, but then, I don't agree with a lot of what our GM does.

I agree with you, that is indeed a wrong ruling (although a DM IS entitled to rule zero at will, it can become bad form if used too often).

The Paladin's +4 to allies fear save is only applicable when the save is first made. If the Paladin was more than 10 feet away from the character when he failed his save, then that's that. Only a spell or ability that REMOVES fear can then help the cowering victim.

NOW... the DM is perfectly in his right to create a house rule that allows a paladin's aura of courage to actually REMOVE fear (by allowing the affected character to roll a new save at +4), but that's just that, a house rule. He should make it clear to his players if that is indeed the case.

And I must admit, it wouldn't be a bad house rule. Actually cool and not too empowering:

Mialee was on the floor, whimpering and crying in front of the undead abominations. Alandra then moved beside the elf, her sword at the ready, and leaning slightly over Mialee's crouched form, she yelled "DON'T LET THOSE HORRORS INTIMIDATE YOU WIZARD ! SEARCH YOUR HEART ! FIND THE STRENGTH TO CONFRONT THESE ABOMINATIONS, I CANNOT DEFEAT THEM ALONE ! I NEED YOU, ELF !".

Her voice carried a divine aura, and the icy grasp on Mialee's heart started to melt away. Still sobing, she stood up, and in a raging cry of frustration and liberation, she let loose a sizzling bolt of blue-white lightning at the beast. Shock registered in it's blood-red eyes as it's legs failed, and a puzzled gasp escaped it's wide open mouth as the inhumane creature crumbled to it's final rest.