Finishing Off the Mimics
- Thread starter Cleon
- Start date
Cleon
Legend
Okay, I'll hold off on all-whiting it until we hear from Shade, but I think it's finished.
Assuming I'm not missing any, we've only got the Juggernaut Mimic and the Greater Mimic left to do.
Which would you prefer?
Cleon
Legend
Cleon
Legend
My d2 says "Greater Mimic."
Well I wouldn't want to argue with the mighty d2, so I'll put the AD&D stats in my next post.
Cleon
Legend
Greater Mimic (2nd Edition AD&D, Undermountain II)
Mimic, Greater
Climate/Terrain: Subterranean
Frequency: Very Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Carnivore
Intelligence: Very (12-14)
Treasure: Incidental
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 5 (2)
Movement: 1
Hit Dice: 15-16
THAC0: 5
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 6-24
Special Attacks: Glue
Special Defenses: Camouflage
Magic Resistance: 10%
Size: H
Morale: Fanatic (17)
XP Value: 7,000-8,000
Given the magical origins of the mimic, finding mutations of it comes as no surprise within the Realms’ greatest dungeon. Found exclusively in Undermountain (as of now), greater mimics are presumed to be either common mimics that have survived for a century or more and grown to great size, or mimics altered by the strange magics of the dungeon and its wizardly denizens. Like their more common cousins, greater mimics have a hard, rock-like outer shell surrounding a mass of soft inner organs; however, greater mimics have a higher Intelligence and a limited magic resistance. Greater mimics are also vastly larger, occupying 1000 cubic feet (or more!), and can cover whole rooms or small buildings like tombs. The largest known specimen (allegedly found in the dungeon’s lowest levels) can cover as much as a 30’ x 30’ x 30’ area.
While common and killer mimics alter their pigmentation to resemble stone, wood, or metals, the greater mimic can alter its coloring and shape to imitate a vast number of textures, colors, and shapes at once. Common mimics imitate chests and doors; with its Intelligence and augmented abilities, the greater mimic can create entire rooms of furniture, treasure, and tapestries. A greater mimic rarely disguises itself as only a mound of treasure, as that still offers adventurers and other food the chance to escape; by blocking a corridor and altering its shape to become a room with entrance doors on either side, its prey walks directly into it and guarantees easy capture. In larger caverns or halls, the greater mimic shapes itself into a burial alcove or a cave against a rocky wall. Regardless of its exterior, the “interior” disguise always has simulated treasure, furniture, and other enticements to lure in prey.
Combat: Greater mimics surprise their victims easily (-6 to victims’ surprise rolls). Intelligent and patient, they wait until an entire group is inside the “room” before attacking. When ready to attack, they release natural adhesives across all the surfaces, holding their victims fast while they attack by slamming the “walls” of their structure together, causing 6-24 points of damage to all creatures trapped inside (to unknowing adventurers, it seems like the room implodes on them!). Like that of the common mimic, the greater mimic’s adhesive can be weakened by alcohol in 3 rounds. If any creatures remain outside the structure, they close all their “openings” and seal their dense outer hide (AC 2 vs. external attacks). Their internal armor class is 5.
Habitat/Society: Greater mimics live in the subterranean caverns and ancient halls of Undermountain. They are almost immobile due to their great size and seldom move at all once they have chosen a living place. They are intelligent enough to make pacts with any groups of creatures within the same area, and often exchange treasure (which they cannot digest) for food; however, they are solitary creatures, simply to ensure a ready food supply. It is often worthwhile for a group of adventurers to bribe a greater mimic rather than slay it, as it has likely gathered a great deal of information about the surrounding area over the years. These creatures can often be persuaded to sell their incidental treasures for food and information.
Ecology: Greater mimics have a profound impact on the local ecology wherever they reside. They have prodigious appetites, but can sustain themselves on little or no food for long periods of time. This is not a preferred choice, however, and they do not practice conservation if a steady food supply is at hand. They are intelligent, efficient predators.
Though common mimics were created by wizards as guardians, the greater mimic is rarely used as such. This, quite simply, is due to the fact that few wizards can get these creatures to obey them. Only Halaster himself uses them as guards, set up as barriers against adventurers in the lower levels; rumor has it he has even befriended a greater mimic and teleports unwary adventurers to it as gifts. The oddest legend told of these mimics has yet to be proved; allegedly, one of the smaller hovels in Skullport is actually a greater mimic that consumes some of the more unsavory visitors lured there by the Lady Charam, its comely ally.
One in five greater mimics can develop a limited illusory ability allowing it to display creatures inside the “rooms” it simulates. These talented monsters can even portray intelligent creatures and pretend to speak through their mouths. Observers need to roll under half their Intelligence to realize that the words are actually coming from the walls around them.
Originally appeared in Undermountain II - The Deep Levels (1994), also found in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995).
Mimic, Greater
Climate/Terrain: Subterranean
Frequency: Very Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Carnivore
Intelligence: Very (12-14)
Treasure: Incidental
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 5 (2)
Movement: 1
Hit Dice: 15-16
THAC0: 5
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 6-24
Special Attacks: Glue
Special Defenses: Camouflage
Magic Resistance: 10%
Size: H
Morale: Fanatic (17)
XP Value: 7,000-8,000
Given the magical origins of the mimic, finding mutations of it comes as no surprise within the Realms’ greatest dungeon. Found exclusively in Undermountain (as of now), greater mimics are presumed to be either common mimics that have survived for a century or more and grown to great size, or mimics altered by the strange magics of the dungeon and its wizardly denizens. Like their more common cousins, greater mimics have a hard, rock-like outer shell surrounding a mass of soft inner organs; however, greater mimics have a higher Intelligence and a limited magic resistance. Greater mimics are also vastly larger, occupying 1000 cubic feet (or more!), and can cover whole rooms or small buildings like tombs. The largest known specimen (allegedly found in the dungeon’s lowest levels) can cover as much as a 30’ x 30’ x 30’ area.
While common and killer mimics alter their pigmentation to resemble stone, wood, or metals, the greater mimic can alter its coloring and shape to imitate a vast number of textures, colors, and shapes at once. Common mimics imitate chests and doors; with its Intelligence and augmented abilities, the greater mimic can create entire rooms of furniture, treasure, and tapestries. A greater mimic rarely disguises itself as only a mound of treasure, as that still offers adventurers and other food the chance to escape; by blocking a corridor and altering its shape to become a room with entrance doors on either side, its prey walks directly into it and guarantees easy capture. In larger caverns or halls, the greater mimic shapes itself into a burial alcove or a cave against a rocky wall. Regardless of its exterior, the “interior” disguise always has simulated treasure, furniture, and other enticements to lure in prey.
Combat: Greater mimics surprise their victims easily (-6 to victims’ surprise rolls). Intelligent and patient, they wait until an entire group is inside the “room” before attacking. When ready to attack, they release natural adhesives across all the surfaces, holding their victims fast while they attack by slamming the “walls” of their structure together, causing 6-24 points of damage to all creatures trapped inside (to unknowing adventurers, it seems like the room implodes on them!). Like that of the common mimic, the greater mimic’s adhesive can be weakened by alcohol in 3 rounds. If any creatures remain outside the structure, they close all their “openings” and seal their dense outer hide (AC 2 vs. external attacks). Their internal armor class is 5.
Habitat/Society: Greater mimics live in the subterranean caverns and ancient halls of Undermountain. They are almost immobile due to their great size and seldom move at all once they have chosen a living place. They are intelligent enough to make pacts with any groups of creatures within the same area, and often exchange treasure (which they cannot digest) for food; however, they are solitary creatures, simply to ensure a ready food supply. It is often worthwhile for a group of adventurers to bribe a greater mimic rather than slay it, as it has likely gathered a great deal of information about the surrounding area over the years. These creatures can often be persuaded to sell their incidental treasures for food and information.
Ecology: Greater mimics have a profound impact on the local ecology wherever they reside. They have prodigious appetites, but can sustain themselves on little or no food for long periods of time. This is not a preferred choice, however, and they do not practice conservation if a steady food supply is at hand. They are intelligent, efficient predators.
Though common mimics were created by wizards as guardians, the greater mimic is rarely used as such. This, quite simply, is due to the fact that few wizards can get these creatures to obey them. Only Halaster himself uses them as guards, set up as barriers against adventurers in the lower levels; rumor has it he has even befriended a greater mimic and teleports unwary adventurers to it as gifts. The oddest legend told of these mimics has yet to be proved; allegedly, one of the smaller hovels in Skullport is actually a greater mimic that consumes some of the more unsavory visitors lured there by the Lady Charam, its comely ally.
One in five greater mimics can develop a limited illusory ability allowing it to display creatures inside the “rooms” it simulates. These talented monsters can even portray intelligent creatures and pretend to speak through their mouths. Observers need to roll under half their Intelligence to realize that the words are actually coming from the walls around them.
Originally appeared in Undermountain II - The Deep Levels (1994), also found in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995).
Cleon
Legend
Okay, looking at the above I think we can start with the following:
Advance a regular mimic to Huge and give it 15 HD.
Increase its abilities - +2 on all mental stats, maybe an additional "half size" on the physical stats (+4 Str, +2 Con). That 6d4 crushing damage suggests its considerable stronger than a Common or Killer Mimic, which only did 3d4.
Boost the NA significantly as its AC2 instead of a standard Mimic's AC7.
Drop speed to 5 ft., maybe 5 ft. (cannot Run).
Give it some Spell Resistance.
For special abilities, I think its "crushing room" special attack can probably be modelled as a combination of Engulf, Swallow Whole and Constrict.
It says a basic Greater Mimic can form a 1000 cubic foot room but they can reach up to 30 foot square. That suggests they can grow up to Colossal.
So, can it form a room as big as its Space? e.g. 15' square for Huge, 20' square for Gargantuan and 30' square for Colossal.
Hmm, 1000 cubic feet would make a 4'5" ceiling if it's 15 foot square. A 10-foot cube for the room of a basic Greater Mimic would seem a better fit.
How about the "room" is 10' by 10' by 10' for Huge, 20' by 20' by 20' for Gargantuan and 30' by 30' by 30' for Colossal?
I'm also thinking we should retain the pseudopod attacks of a standard mimic. It says they're a larger mutant form of the Common Mimic, and as it stands they are unable to attack creatures unless they literally walk inside it. I think we should give them adhesive pseudopods so it can grab victims and pull them into its crushing interior if they refuse to enter their "room". We can modify the usual grapple mechanic of Improved Grab & Swallow Whole.
It's only other special ability of note is that some of them can create illusions with visual and auditory components (including speech). I suggest we expand that so all Greater Mimics have major image as a Spell-Like Ability, probably at-will.
EDIT: If we give it a 3rd level SLA I think I'll boost its Charisma by +4 rather than +2. :ENDEDIT
Anyhow, I'll post a working draft with 15HD Huge Common Mimic as a base creature.
Advance a regular mimic to Huge and give it 15 HD.
Increase its abilities - +2 on all mental stats, maybe an additional "half size" on the physical stats (+4 Str, +2 Con). That 6d4 crushing damage suggests its considerable stronger than a Common or Killer Mimic, which only did 3d4.
Boost the NA significantly as its AC2 instead of a standard Mimic's AC7.
Drop speed to 5 ft., maybe 5 ft. (cannot Run).
Give it some Spell Resistance.
For special abilities, I think its "crushing room" special attack can probably be modelled as a combination of Engulf, Swallow Whole and Constrict.
It says a basic Greater Mimic can form a 1000 cubic foot room but they can reach up to 30 foot square. That suggests they can grow up to Colossal.
So, can it form a room as big as its Space? e.g. 15' square for Huge, 20' square for Gargantuan and 30' square for Colossal.
Hmm, 1000 cubic feet would make a 4'5" ceiling if it's 15 foot square. A 10-foot cube for the room of a basic Greater Mimic would seem a better fit.
How about the "room" is 10' by 10' by 10' for Huge, 20' by 20' by 20' for Gargantuan and 30' by 30' by 30' for Colossal?
I'm also thinking we should retain the pseudopod attacks of a standard mimic. It says they're a larger mutant form of the Common Mimic, and as it stands they are unable to attack creatures unless they literally walk inside it. I think we should give them adhesive pseudopods so it can grab victims and pull them into its crushing interior if they refuse to enter their "room". We can modify the usual grapple mechanic of Improved Grab & Swallow Whole.
It's only other special ability of note is that some of them can create illusions with visual and auditory components (including speech). I suggest we expand that so all Greater Mimics have major image as a Spell-Like Ability, probably at-will.
EDIT: If we give it a 3rd level SLA I think I'll boost its Charisma by +4 rather than +2. :ENDEDIT
Anyhow, I'll post a working draft with 15HD Huge Common Mimic as a base creature.
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