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They're back: Return of the Slivers. [Updated 24/8-2005: Beware the Overlord!]


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I was betting that the HiPS talk was hyperbole; you might want to be more explicit about listing HiPS ability among the shifting sliver's special abilities.

"Practically" usually means "almost, but not quite." Saying something is practically immortal means that it is very difficult to kill, but that it is not actually immortal. Saying that someone is practically a doctor could mean that they are close to graduation from medical school, or are otherwise highly qualified. But you would not use "practically a doctor" for someone who *is* a doctor. Similarly you should not say that shifting slivers can practically hide in plain sight; it suggests that they while they are good at hiding, they technically don't have HiPS.

Incidentally, their hide bonus of +12; they didn't actually spend any ranks in it? +10 from camouflage and +2 from dex, right?
 

Cheiromancer said:
Incidentally, their hide bonus of +12; they didn't actually spend any ranks in it? +10 from camouflage and +2 from dex, right?
Correct.

As for the HIPS, basically, what it means is that you don't get a spot check to notice it, unless you are specifically looking for it, and knows something is there. Scent and Blindsense will tell you something is there, and will allow you a spot check.

Next up, the spectral sliver.
 

And 'ere it is:

-

Sliver, Spectral
Medium Undead (Extraplanar, Sliver)
Hit Dice:
6d12 (39 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Fly 10’ (perfect)
Armor Class: 12 (+2 Dex), touch 12, flat-footed 10,
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+7 (+4 grapple bonus)
Attack: Slam +5 melee (ability damage)
Full Attack: Slam +5 melee (ability damage)
Space/Reach: 5’/5’
Special Attacks: Ability Drain,
Special Qualities: Damage Reduction 10/magic, Gaseous Form, Undead,
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +7,
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con -, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 10,
Skills: Escape Artist +7, Hide +10, Listen +7, Move Silently +10, Spot +7,
Feats: Ability Focus: Ability Drain, Alertness, Combat Reflexes,
Environment: Any
Organization: Swarm (20-80) or Hive (several thousand slivers of various types and one queen)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 7-9 HD (Medium); 10-18 HD (Large)

‘Some lesser slivers that had been hibernating beneath my negative energy generator awakened today, unfortunately they hade evolved into what I like to call ‘spectral’ slivers, they where highly aggressive, and attacked both me and the other slivers I have present with great zeal, fortunately we where able to herd them through a portal I had before they could cause to much damage.’ – Lanariel Shadowwing, Research Notes.

Spectral Slivers are the next step in undead sliver evolution, and unlike their lesser kin the crypt slivers, they are highly aggressive creatures, which attack everything and everyone unless contained either through magic or by domination from a sliver noble.
A spectral sliver looks like a sliver composed entirely from wisps of white and gray smoke, despite their appearance though, they are not incorporeal, just highly unstable.

Combat:
Spectral Slivers fight like berserkers attacking everything within reach, the give no quarter and expect none in return.
Ability Damage (Su): Anyone hit by the natural weapons of a spectral sliver must make a fort save (DC: 15) or take one point of temporary constitution damage. On a critical hit, this damage is doubled, permanent, and allows no save. For each point of Constitution damage dealt by the spectral sliver, it gains 5 temporary hp. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Gaseous Form (Ex): The spectral slivers body consists mostly of translucent wisps of smoke, which grants it DR 10/magic and the ability to squeeze through even the tiniest crack at its normal move speed. However, it cannot run, or exert force on objects. Additionally it is subject to the effects of wind and can be “herded” by wind spells such as control winds and wind wall. Also it cannot enter any form of liquid.

-

Comments? Critique? Questions? Snackrifices?
 

I think the standard term is "drain" instead of "permanent ability damage." I also think that you should incorporate what you mean by HIPS into the Shifting Sliver description.

With all this thinking going on, how about a snackrifice? Have a Thought Eater that has been fattened up with idyllic daydreams.
 

Cheiromancer said:
I think the standard term is "drain" instead of "permanent ability damage." I also think that you should incorporate what you mean by HIPS into the Shifting Sliver description.

With all this thinking going on, how about a snackrifice? Have a Thought Eater that has been fattened up with idyllic daydreams.
Ooh, thought eater! *munch* *munch*

No, *munch*, it says drain in my MM, so *munch* that is what I use. *munch*

*swallow*

And if people don't understand what HiPS means, they're to friggen ignert to be DM'ing anyway. :p
 


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