Special Conversion Thread: Moldvay's Undead

[Shade]

It looks like a template... that's only applied to 6th level dual-classed fighter/clerics. That's a narrow enough focus for me to think it should be a monster. If we broadened the focus, though, I could see it as a template.

That's exactly why I thought template...the focus was too narrow.

But I'm fine with just going the monster route if you guys would prefer, as long as we cut out the extremely limited thing they revert to if raised.

 

[freyar]

The problem is that I can't figure out what a template would actually grant if these are specifically fighter/cleric vartha's. I'm fine with template if you can tell me that. Or cutting out the raise dead instructions and leaving them as monsters.

 

[Shade]

As written, they aren't very exciting creatures. All they really gain over being a fighter cleric is:

• Deathless traits
• Immunity to cold and electricity
• +2 turn resistance

In other words, they are less exciting than a skeleton or zombie.

I'm thinking regardless of the approach we take, they need some jazzing up to justify conversion.

Thoughts?

 

[demiurge1138]

I think we should stat it out as a monster, deathless, created from the remains of a holy warrior that fights beyond death. The monster would have clerical casting as a 6th level character, have that fighter training thing we gave to the blood riders (was that it? Kazguroth's undead lackeys), and those above features. Perhaps Sacred Toughness and/or Grace, perhaps DR 5/evil.

 

[freyar]

That sounds like a good blueprint!

 

[Shade]

OK, let's figure out ability scores to get the ball rolling.

The original writeup has S 18/75, D 16, C 16, I 13, W 17, Ch 15.

The exceptional Strength becomes Str 20 per the conversion guide. Cha might need a slight boost.

How about Str 20, Dex 16, Con -, Int 13, Wis 17, Cha 17?

 

[demiurge1138]

Those ability scores appeal to me. Do we want to put them in armor, or will we get their AC just by natural armor and Dex?

 

[Shade]

I think armor would be great. Since the original wore "partial plate armor", I'd recommend half-plate.

 

[demiurge1138]

Half plate, however, would conflict with that lovely 16 Dex. I recommend breastplate, or something mithril.

 

[freyar]

A mithral half-plate would work, but maybe it's a bit expensive. Elven chain is a bit less than half as much, but still pretty good. Breastplate would be the cheap alternative. So I guess it depends on how much treasure we want to give it.