Send In The Clowns… (or, Converting the Oddballs)

[Cleon]

I'm open to any suggestions to turn this into something remotely viable as a creature.

Actually, in AD&D ecological terms it's a perfectly sensible idea for a monster. I've already finished writing up my interpretation of it. I'll post it as an alternative take once you've finished the cooperative conversion.

 

[freyar]

Well, I think the first question is whether they survive being eaten or if death by digestion is part of their life cycle. That might help us figure out the abilities a bit more.

 

[Shade]

That's an excellent question.

Both options seem rather disgusting!

 

[freyar]

I kind of like the idea that being digested is kind of like salmon swimming upstream to spawn and die. So maybe the damage they do once eaten is part of their birthing process, getting nutrition for the kids?

 

[Shade]

What happens when the young are born within the host? <shudders>

 

[freyar]

Maybe the nausea is vomiting up the young?

You know, these are reminding me more and more of a poison or edible hazard than a monster.

 

[Shade]

Perhaps that is the way to go. They might even be the larval forms of lurker aboves...

 

[freyar]

Oh, that would be interesting. They have to be digested and vomited back up to progress in their life cycle! Let's do that. So: a hazard, that when eaten, causes some hp damage and nausea?

 

[Shade]

Sounds like a plan!

 

[freyar]

To start with, I guess they'll require a Spot check vs a static DC (?) to notice that it's not food. I expect these to be pretty low CR, so maybe DC 15?