Special Conversion Thread: Finishing off the oozes

[Cleon]

The "fused weapon" text is probably poor wording, but I do feel we need to note how it is wielding a morningstar, as it can't do so in its natural form. How about "morningstar +1 melee (1d8 plus paralysis)[wielded as human skeleton]"?

So something like this?

Attack: Slam +2 melee (1d4 plus paralysis) or claw +2 melee (1d4 plus paralysis)[using human skeleton] or morningstar +1 melee (1d8 plus paralysis)[using human skeleton] or morningstar -3 melee (1d8 plus paralysis)['pile of weapons' form]

That's a bit messy, but appears to cover all the options.

 

[Shade]

That works! And with that, I believe we are done.

Check the latest update once more.

 

[freyar]

I believe I'm happy with that.

 

[Cleon]

That works! And with that, I believe we are done.

Check the latest update once more.

I could only find a few minor problems with it.

Firstly, the Attach to Skeleton lists a different slam damage to the stat-block:

Goop ghouls can wield simple weapons if the skeleton possesses that capability, but cannot use any armor. An unarmed goop ghoul can make a slam attack for 1d3 damage, or make a single attack with natural weaponry the skeleton possesses, such as fangs or claws.
​

So we need to change either the description or the stack block (personally I prefer the 1d3 damage slam). I'm also tempted to mention that it's with an ooze's pseudopod, like this:

Goop ghouls can wield simple weapons if the skeleton possesses that capability, but cannot use any armor. An unarmed goop ghoul can make a slam attack with a pseudopod for 1d3 damage, or make a single attack with natural weaponry the skeleton possesses, such as fangs or claws.
​

Secondly, I'd prefer the words remove paralysis and remove disease in the Engulf write-up to be italicized, to follow the normal D&D formatting for spell names.

Thirdly, the "A goop ghoul may coat any weapons assumed into its form or wielded by a skeleton it controls as a free(?) action." is a good addition. Free action is fine by me, so shall we drop the question mark.

 

[Shade]

Firstly, the Attach to Skeleton lists a different slam damage to the stat-block:

Goop ghouls can wield simple weapons if the skeleton possesses that capability, but cannot use any armor. An unarmed goop ghoul can make a slam attack for 1d3 damage, or make a single attack with natural weaponry the skeleton possesses, such as fangs or claws.
​

So we need to change either the description or the stack block (personally I prefer the 1d3 damage slam). I'm also tempted to mention that it's with an ooze's pseudopod, like this:

Goop ghouls can wield simple weapons if the skeleton possesses that capability, but cannot use any armor. An unarmed goop ghoul can make a slam attack with a pseudopod for 1d3 damage, or make a single attack with natural weaponry the skeleton possesses, such as fangs or claws.​

No need to mention the slam damage again if it's on the attack lines, and I'm fine with 1d3 damage.

Secondly, I'd prefer the words remove paralysis and remove disease in the Engulf write-up to be italicized, to follow the normal D&D formatting for spell names.

Since the Homebrews posts are simply waiting spots until they get uploaded to the Creature Catalogue, I generally don't pay too much attention to formatting until I upload 'em. (Mostly because formatting is lost in the cut and paste, and I need to add html tags for italics and so forth). At that point, I'm very critical of proper formatting.

Thirdly, the "A goop ghoul may coat any weapons assumed into its form or wielded by a skeleton it controls as a free(?) action." is a good addition. Free action is fine by me, so shall we drop the question mark.

Will do.

Updated.

 

[freyar]

Our first creepy of the month!

 

[Cleon]

No need to mention the slam damage again if it's on the attack lines, and I'm fine with 1d3 damage.

Updated.

Right, I think that's the goop ghoul done then.

 

[Cleon]

Our first creepy of the month!

So does that mean Shade will present us with something Ooky for our next conversion?

 

[freyar]

So does that mean Shade will present us with something Ooky for our next conversion?

I expect so. He's promised that the next ooze will be suitably vile.

 

[Shade]

It's ooky and its kooky (and quite a bit gooey)!

Necromantic Sludge
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Sewers
Frequency: Uncommon
Organization: Pack
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Life energy
Intelligence: Low
Treasure: C (incidental)
Alignment: Neutral Evil
NO. APPEARING: 1-6
ARMOR CLASS: 10, 8 as zombie
MOVEMENT 1, 6 as zombie
HIT DICE: 4+2
THAC0: 17
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d4+2 and poison, 1d8 as zombie
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: See below
SIZE: M (4’ diameter)
MORALE: Elite (14)
XP VALUE: 975

Necromantic Sludge is a black puddle of vile goo, an accidental byproduct of the necromancers experiments in the pursuit of extended existence. Rather than creating potions that could transform him into an undying lich, the necromancer ended up with this foul mess, which he dumped into the sewer.

Combat: Necromantic sludge can sense sentient humanoid life within 100 yards, and it attacks relentlessly with little regard for its own safety, seeking to feed on the life energy of its victims, This keen perception makes it impossible to surprise the monstrous goo.

Necromantic sludge is poisonous to the touch, and casual contact inflicts 1 hp damage per round. In melee, the sludge lashes out with a pseudopod, inflicting 1d4+2 hp damage per successful strike. If the sludge slays an opponent, it attaches itself to the body to be absorbed through the skin, which turns dark gray within one round, regardless of the victim’s original skin color. The body becomes a zombie in all respects, under the control of the sludge. After a few months, the decaying zombie body is discarded, unless a fresh body is encountered earlier. Necromantic sludge reflects spells as a ring of spell turning, except that it reflects 100% of a spell’s or magical item’s effect. The sludge is vulnerable to normal weapons, but magical attack and damage bonuses are not counted. In zombie form, the sludge sometimes employs a weapon, but like normal zombies, it inflicts 1d8 hp damage regardless of whether it uses a weapon.

Habitat/Society: Necromantic sludge exists only in the sewers, close to the old necromancer’s lair, but lately some has been because of their singular behavior, but some speculate that they attack because of some nameless necromantic urge to destroy life. Others suggest that necromantic sludge attacks because of an urge to fulfill its “purpose” of bestowing undeath on its creator. Groups of necromantic sludge display some intelligence in the way they interact. They employ crude tactics sometimes, with one sludge lying still upon a sewer floor while in zombie form, with the others lurking nearby to attack when foolish intruders investigate the “corpse.”

Ecology: These monsters have little place in the noisome food chain of the sewers, since they can subsist only on humanoid lifeforce. They never bother mundane animals or other monsters, unless attacked. Since they are composed of magical, inedible slime, they are not themselves preyed upon by other spawn of the sewers.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #238 (1997).