Special Conversion Thread: Moldvay's Undead

[freyar]

Agreed to all that.

The only thing I can think of was that we originally wanted to add a sidebar on a psionic variant. Still game to do that?

 

[demiurge1138]

As a sidebar, we won't have to do much. Just say it's equivalent to a 22nd level psion, with x pp and can draw powers from the psion and psychic warrior lists. Maybe make a recommendation to the Stygian powers in Complete Psionic.

Demiurge out.

 

[freyar]

You mean you don't want to do a whole powers known list? Anyway, sounds reasonable.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Does that psionic section look OK?

 

[freyar]

Fine by me, and I guess LGZ is done.

 

[demiurge1138]

Print it, and move on.

Edit: Well, not quite. Maybe give its SR an actual number, not "CR+6"

 

[Shade]

Fixed. Good catch!

 

[Shade]

Skeletons could be used as the undead repositories for enchanted magical items. The actual threat from such skeletons would come from the items carried, not so much the skeletons themselves. One simple but effective example of this is to give a skeleton a pair of enchanted gems for eyes. These gems would normally glow with magical light. As a general class, such skeletons could be referred to as "gem eyes." The actual creature names, however, would depend on the type of gem used for eyes (hence ruby eyes, diamond eyes, etc.).

GEM EYES
FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-12
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 12"
HIT DICE: 4 + 2
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Special
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Spells
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Neutral evil
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

Gem eyes are special undead creatures created by powerful magic-users. Each skeleton has a pair of glowing gems for eyes, and each pair of gems holds one magical spell. The power of the eyes is linked to the "unlife" of the creature. Hence, the magical power leaves the gems when the skeleton is reduced to zero or less hit points.

The magic-users who create gem eyes take special care to make the skeletal life force stronger than normal (hence the 4 + 2 hit dice). The magic-user must be at least 11th level. Instead of animating 11 skeletons with an animate dead spell, the magic-user animates one gem-eyes skeleton with more hit dice. Theoretically, any magical spell could be put into the eyes (using enchant an item or permanency), but two factors limit the gems' magical power. The spells used in the gems are normally fourth level or lower; and spells tied to the "natural" power of the gem types are easier to make permanent.

When designing varieties of gem eyes, the DM may wish to refer to pages 26-27 of the Dungeon Masters Guide ("Reputed Magical Properties of Gems"). The following eight varieties of gem eyes are based on a traditional system of magical symbolism that ties various stones to the so-called "Seven Magical Planets" (cf. Occult Philosophy or Magic by Henry Cornelius Agrippa, originally published in 1510).

Ruby eyes have the burning eyes spell, which is essentially the same as the firstlevel magic-user spell burning hands (except the flames radiate from the gem eyes instead of the hands). Treat the spell as if cast by a 9th-level magic-user (hence it does 9 hp damage). This power is usable three times per day.

Sapphire eyes grant luck to their animator, if within 60' of such a magic-user. All saving throws and "to hit" rolls made by the spell-caster gain a +2 bonus. This power has no set limit on duration, though it ends if the gem eyes is destroyed.

Diamond eyes have the power to double their movements and attacks, the same as the third-level magic-user spell haste, three times per day.

Amethyst eyes have the power to cast illusions, as per the third-level magic-user spell phantasmal force. Two such illusions may be cast per day.

Opal eyes can appear to duplicate themselves, as per the second-level magic-user spell mirror image. This spell may be cast three times per day.

Pearl eyes cause opponents to fall asleep, as per the first-level magic-user spell sleep, up to three times per day.

Obsidian eyes radiate darkness, as per the second-level magic-user spell darkness 15' radius. This power may be used three times per day.

Emerald eyes weaken opponents, as per the second-level magic-user spell ray of enfeeblement, by touch. This power may be used three times per day.

The magic of the gemstone eyes is so powerful that it temporarily endows these skeletons with limited intelligence (enough to cast the spells effectively). The treasure of gem eyes lies in the value of their eyes themselves; each gem is worth 1,000 gp.

Gem eyes can be turned by clerics as if the creatures were ghasts. Any gem eyes turned away take their gems with them, of course.

If designing a unique variety of gem eyes, the DM should be careful which spells are put into the eyes. Since it takes at least a 9th-level magic-user to animate the dead, and an 11th-level magic-user to animate gem eyes, certain spells such as fireball or lightning bolt are simply too powerful for low-level adventures.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #138 (1988).

 

[demiurge1138]

Do we want to list the gems-> spells, or do we want to be more flexible? I see them as sort of an undead shield guardian.

 

[freyar]

Should we start with the skeleton template and modify that?