Special Conversion Thread: Moldvay's Undead

[Shade]

We could combine the rusting and aging into one "touch of decrepitude" SA - first failed save turns the creature old, second failure affects their gear?

I suppose that could work. I reserve the option to keep 'em separate after we work it up and see how it looks.

 

[Cleon]

I suppose that could work. I reserve the option to keep 'em separate after we work it up and see how it looks.

It should be easy enough:

Curse of Decrepitude (Su): The right hoof of a hamaculi causes aging and decay. Any opponent struck by its right hoof attack must succeed on a DC X Fortitude save or prematurely age - causing the victim's hair to turn white, skin to wrinkle, and posture to stoop - this curse imposes a -4 penalty to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.

If a hamaculi kicks a creature already suffering from the curse of decrepitude it decays their armour and clothing instead. The opponent must succeed at a DC X Reflex save or their armour and clothing rots away or dissolves into rust. A hamaculi can also use its right hoof attack to destroy unattended objects up to a 10-foot-cube in size.

The effects of this curse are permanent, but can be removed by a wish, miracle or break enchantment spell, or by the victim drinking or bathing in an elixir of youth or similar potion (the elixir removes all the curse's effects but does not reduce the drinker's age as it normally would). A spellcaster must succeed at a DC Y level check to use break enchantment to remove the curse of decrepitude.

 

[Shade]

I don't like the mutually exclusive aspect. I want it to age the person AND effect their equipment, all with one strike. I also want Hacamuli to be able to simply hit an object with his hoof and rust it.

Revising...

Curse of Decrepitude (Su): Every time Hamaculi hits with its right hoof, its opponent must succeed on a DC 31 Fortitude save or prematurely age. This imposes a -4 penalty to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, and causes the victim's hair to turn white, skin to wrinkle, and posture to stoop. The penalty is not cumulative. Should the victim's Con drop to 0 they will die. This effect is permanent, but can be removed by a wish, miracle or break enchantment spell, or by drinking an elixir of youth or similar potion (the elixir removes the curse but does not reduce the drinker's age as it normally would). A spellcaster must succeed on a DC X level check to use break enchantment to remove the curse.

Additionally, the opponent must succeed on a DC X Reflex save or its armor and clothing rots away or dissolves into rust. Hamaculi can also use its right hoof attack to destroy unattended objects up to a 10-foot-cube in size. Unattended magical items are allowed a DC X Fortitude save to avoid dissolution. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

 

[Cleon]

I don't like the mutually exclusive aspect. I want it to age the person AND effect their equipment, all with one strike. I also want Hacamuli to be able to simply hit an object with his hoof and rust it.

It's not mutually exclusive, it's progressive - first one and then both. Still, I don't mind it doing both in one strike.

Revising...

Curse of Decrepitude (Su): Every time Hamaculi hits with its right hoof, its opponent must succeed on a DC 31 Fortitude save or prematurely age. This imposes a -4 penalty to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, and causes the victim's hair to turn white, skin to wrinkle, and posture to stoop. The penalty is not cumulative. Should the victim's Con drop to 0 they will die. This effect is permanent, but can be removed by a wish, miracle or break enchantment spell, or by drinking an elixir of youth or similar potion (the elixir removes the curse but does not reduce the drinker's age as it normally would). A spellcaster must succeed on a DC X level check to use break enchantment to remove the curse.

Additionally, the opponent must succeed on a DC X Reflex save or its armor and clothing rots away or dissolves into rust. Hamaculi can also use its right hoof attack to destroy unattended objects up to a 10-foot-cube in size. Unattended magical items are allowed a DC X Fortitude save to avoid dissolution. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

That looks fine to me. All we have to do is set a difficulty for the level check. DC25 or 30? I feel it ought to be hard, they are heralds or Orcus after all.

 

[Shade]

Let's go with 30. Updated.

Let's figure out his AC. Other unique demons with similar Hit Dice have ACs in the 37-41 range. So maybe 39?

Orcus has DR 20/cold iron and good. Make Hacamuli's 10 or 15/cold iron and good?

 

[Cleon]

Let's go with 30. Updated.

Let's figure out his AC. Other unique demons with similar Hit Dice have ACs in the 37-41 range. So maybe 39?

AC39 is fine by me. I fancy giving it a deflection bonus equal to its Charisma, but it would be alright with just natural armour:

AC #1: 39 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +29 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 38

AC #2: 39 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +7 deflection, +22 natural), touch 17, flat-footed 38

Orcus has DR 20/cold iron and good. Make Hacamuli's 10 or 15/cold iron and good?

I'd prefer say 10.

It's only got 24 Hit Dice, after all.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Skills: 10 at 27 ranks
Bluff, Diplomacy, Sense Motive (since he's a messenger for Orcus)?
Concentration, Knowledge (the planes), Listen, Spot?
What else?

Feats: 8 (2 can be epic)
Dire Charge, Improved Critical (hoof), Improved Initiative, Quicken SLA (deeper darkness), Weapon Focus (hoof)...

Treasure: x

Hacamuli is x feet long and weighs x pounds.

Hacamuli speaks Abyssal, Celestial, and Draconic (like most demons)?

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

Skills: 10 at 27 ranks
Bluff, Diplomacy, Sense Motive (since he's a messenger for Orcus)?
Concentration, Knowledge (the planes), Listen, Spot?
What else?

Knowledge (religion) since that covers Undead (and unholy rites too, I guess).

Intimidate would be handy for certain "messages".

Spellcraft? Hide? Move Silently?

Feats: 8 (2 can be epic)
Dire Charge, Improved Critical (hoof), Improved Initiative, Quicken SLA (deeper darkness), Weapon Focus (hoof)...

I'd give it Quicken SLA (greater teleport) since it has a CL of 22.

Treasure: x

Treasure type U is gems & magic, so how about:

Treasure: Double goods (gems & jewelery only), double items.

Hacamuli is x feet long and weighs x pounds.

Well Hacamuli's basically a skinny horse, so 8 foot long and 900 pounds?

An average horse is about 1000-1100 pounds.

Hacamuli speaks Abyssal, Celestial, and Draconic (like most demons)?

Since he's a messenger how about adding Infernal for talking to the devils?

 

[Shade]

Updated.

I replaced Spellcraft with Use Magic Device, since he doesn't cast spells, but does carry double items.

We need two more feats (one can be epic). I'm thinking we should give him command/rebuke undead, as he's a herald of Orcus. If so, we could give him turning-related feats, like Divine Might (which would also require Power Attack) or Extra Turning. Thoughts?

 

[Cleon]

Updated.

I replaced Spellcraft with Use Magic Device, since he doesn't cast spells, but does carry double items.

We need two more feats (one can be epic). I'm thinking we should give him command/rebuke undead, as he's a herald of Orcus. If so, we could give him turning-related feats, like Divine Might (which would also require Power Attack) or Extra Turning. Thoughts?

Command Undead and Extra Turning are good ideas.

How about increasing its Charisma to 25 and adding inflict critical wounds to its SLAs so we can give it Negative Energy Burst?