"This is Halloween, this is Halloween..." [Archive] - Wizards Community

"This is Halloween, this is Halloween..." [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kevtar
10-23-07, 05:51 PM Hi all,

This has probably been done a thousand times, but in honor of Halloween I wanted to introduce a skeleton NPC to my PCs. I was thinking of a Jack Skellington type figure, but anything would be cool.

I looked at the "Awaken Undead" spell from Libris Mortis, but that didn't make for a good NPC. I also looked at the playing an undead character options, but they didn't list skeletons as an option.

So...

Does anyone know of a thread that shows how to build Jack Skellington?

Do any of you know how to make a skeleton NPC?

Any suggestions/help would be great.

Thanks!
Edymnion
10-23-07, 08:06 PM Well, if you're the DM, you don't really need any extra rules.
Just take the skeleton, give it normal stats (aka, give it the normal point buy or rolled stats as any other NPC), and give it class levels.

Rules for how to make him balanced only apply to the PCs. NPCs don't have to be balanced or playable.
Far_Traveler
10-23-07, 08:17 PM Necropoliton Template in Libris Mortis

Generally it has all the advantages of the undead type, but you have a few things to cover up a few weaknesses (you heal naturally, for one)
GrimshofHighSorcery
10-23-07, 10:12 PM There was a post somewhere with the stats for Jack Skellington. Being a huge Tim Burton fan, and being a huge fan of the movie, I copied them. I will get them for you, tomorrow.
Oh yea and Oogie Boogie according to the guy is a Hellwasp Swarm with a burlap sack over him.

Bruce
Bleeding_Eyes
10-23-07, 10:25 PM You could alwase just make a human who had a polymorph spell go horribly horribly wrong, and now he wanders the earth making people as mutilated and angry as he is.
Seeker95
10-24-07, 10:01 AM The new returned-to-skeletal-in-nature death knight in this months Dragon preview on D&D Insider would be perfect, in my opinion.
Kevtar
10-24-07, 02:49 PM Well, if you're the DM, you don't really need any extra rules.
Just take the skeleton, give it normal stats (aka, give it the normal point buy or rolled stats as any other NPC), and give it class levels.

Rules for how to make him balanced only apply to the PCs. NPCs don't have to be balanced or playable.

Yeah, that's true, but I always try to put things together using the rules if I can. I think it helps in maintaining a certain level of verisimilitude in regard to the relationship between NPC and PC identities - the players can get a feel for a PC if they know he is feinting as a free action because he's an invisible blade. However, sometimes it's nice for the PCs to have no clue as to the mechanics behind an NPC and then wonder "how did he DO that!"

but yeah - if all else fails, I'll just put something together.

Thanks for the input
Kevtar
10-24-07, 02:51 PM The new returned-to-skeletal-in-nature death knight in this months Dragon preview on D&D Insider would be perfect, in my opinion.

Ah! Cheers... I'll go check it out.
NecroticBanana
10-26-07, 09:19 PM The BOVD (my players handbook lol) has a template called bone creature...allows you to create a skeleton while allowing you to keep your intelligence and such.

as far as class, i have no idea. tho it doesn't say specifically, it gains all undead traits, and therefore i assume is ka-put at 0 hp...no -10 like living breathing types...so look into the toughness feat.
Kojiro James
10-26-07, 09:27 PM The BOVD (my players handbook lol) has a template called bone creature...allows you to create a skeleton while allowing you to keep your intelligence and such.

Seconded. The bone creature template is definitely the way to go. It's funny how often people forget about this gem in the BoVD.
pigknight
10-27-07, 10:32 PM Seconded. The bone creature template is definitely the way to go. It's funny how often people forget about this gem in the BoVD.

Well, some people don't have BoVD (the teenagers that have NE parents). But necropoliatan is the way to go if you have Libirs Mortus, or get a skeleton with the and int score.
Sarella Starshine
10-28-07, 08:59 AM Even then...who is to say it is a skeleton. Sure, it looks like one, but then, a flesh golem sorta looks like a big zombie. Its a custom creature that you created that has the apperence of a skeleton. I don't think it should even be undead. That way, you can have your Jack have the scores you think he needs (even a Con one).

They can also go and find a spell: Awaken Golem..(which is what was used on Sally) Does everything that the Awaken line does, but for golems :).
Kevtar
10-29-07, 10:40 PM Ah - the bone creature was the way to go. I had to go to the bookstore and commit the template to memory because BoVD just isn't my thing - but that template was great.

So... the NPC is a 10th lvl sorcerer, 5th lvl Nightmare Spinner, and a 5th lvl Dread Witch. He's ever-so-pleasant, but when he wants to give a fright, he can really pack a wallop.

thanks for your suggestions.

Oh - and I almost forgot. He has the daunting presence, fearsome necromancy, and improved turn resistance feats (among others).
NecroticBanana
10-30-07, 12:30 AM nice...sounds like a good class combo...think i'll go watch the movie now lol

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kevtar 10-23-07, 05:51 PM	Hi all, This has probably been done a thousand times, but in honor of Halloween I wanted to introduce a skeleton NPC to my PCs. I was thinking of a Jack Skellington type figure, but anything would be cool. I looked at the "Awaken Undead" spell from Libris Mortis, but that didn't make for a good NPC. I also looked at the playing an undead character options, but they didn't list skeletons as an option. So... Does anyone know of a thread that shows how to build Jack Skellington? Do any of you know how to make a skeleton NPC? Any suggestions/help would be great. Thanks!
Edymnion 10-23-07, 08:06 PM	Well, if you're the DM, you don't really need any extra rules. Just take the skeleton, give it normal stats (aka, give it the normal point buy or rolled stats as any other NPC), and give it class levels. Rules for how to make him balanced only apply to the PCs. NPCs don't have to be balanced or playable.
Far_Traveler 10-23-07, 08:17 PM	Necropoliton Template in Libris Mortis Generally it has all the advantages of the undead type, but you have a few things to cover up a few weaknesses (you heal naturally, for one)
GrimshofHighSorcery 10-23-07, 10:12 PM	There was a post somewhere with the stats for Jack Skellington. Being a huge Tim Burton fan, and being a huge fan of the movie, I copied them. I will get them for you, tomorrow. Oh yea and Oogie Boogie according to the guy is a Hellwasp Swarm with a burlap sack over him. Bruce
Bleeding_Eyes 10-23-07, 10:25 PM	You could alwase just make a human who had a polymorph spell go horribly horribly wrong, and now he wanders the earth making people as mutilated and angry as he is.
Seeker95 10-24-07, 10:01 AM	The new returned-to-skeletal-in-nature death knight in this months Dragon preview on D&D Insider would be perfect, in my opinion.
Kevtar 10-24-07, 02:49 PM	Well, if you're the DM, you don't really need any extra rules. Just take the skeleton, give it normal stats (aka, give it the normal point buy or rolled stats as any other NPC), and give it class levels. Rules for how to make him balanced only apply to the PCs. NPCs don't have to be balanced or playable. Yeah, that's true, but I always try to put things together using the rules if I can. I think it helps in maintaining a certain level of verisimilitude in regard to the relationship between NPC and PC identities - the players can get a feel for a PC if they know he is feinting as a free action because he's an invisible blade. However, sometimes it's nice for the PCs to have no clue as to the mechanics behind an NPC and then wonder "how did he DO that!" but yeah - if all else fails, I'll just put something together. Thanks for the input
Kevtar 10-24-07, 02:51 PM	The new returned-to-skeletal-in-nature death knight in this months Dragon preview on D&D Insider would be perfect, in my opinion. Ah! Cheers... I'll go check it out.
NecroticBanana 10-26-07, 09:19 PM	The BOVD (my players handbook lol) has a template called bone creature...allows you to create a skeleton while allowing you to keep your intelligence and such. as far as class, i have no idea. tho it doesn't say specifically, it gains all undead traits, and therefore i assume is ka-put at 0 hp...no -10 like living breathing types...so look into the toughness feat.
Kojiro James 10-26-07, 09:27 PM	The BOVD (my players handbook lol) has a template called bone creature...allows you to create a skeleton while allowing you to keep your intelligence and such. Seconded. The bone creature template is definitely the way to go. It's funny how often people forget about this gem in the BoVD.
pigknight 10-27-07, 10:32 PM	Seconded. The bone creature template is definitely the way to go. It's funny how often people forget about this gem in the BoVD. Well, some people don't have BoVD (the teenagers that have NE parents). But necropoliatan is the way to go if you have Libirs Mortus, or get a skeleton with the and int score.
Sarella Starshine 10-28-07, 08:59 AM	Even then...who is to say it is a skeleton. Sure, it looks like one, but then, a flesh golem sorta looks like a big zombie. Its a custom creature that you created that has the apperence of a skeleton. I don't think it should even be undead. That way, you can have your Jack have the scores you think he needs (even a Con one). They can also go and find a spell: Awaken Golem..(which is what was used on Sally) Does everything that the Awaken line does, but for golems :).
Kevtar 10-29-07, 10:40 PM	Ah - the bone creature was the way to go. I had to go to the bookstore and commit the template to memory because BoVD just isn't my thing - but that template was great. So... the NPC is a 10th lvl sorcerer, 5th lvl Nightmare Spinner, and a 5th lvl Dread Witch. He's ever-so-pleasant, but when he wants to give a fright, he can really pack a wallop. thanks for your suggestions. Oh - and I almost forgot. He has the daunting presence, fearsome necromancy, and improved turn resistance feats (among others).
NecroticBanana 10-30-07, 12:30 AM	nice...sounds like a good class combo...think i'll go watch the movie now lol