Abomination template: Predator. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Abomination template: Predator. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Frozen_Flame
04-09-08, 10:45 AM Actually, I've had the idea in my mind for a year now, and just needed a reason to finally put it down on paper (or the computer lol). Please note I have removed the coffin Sanctuary and Gaseous Form but made them less vulnerable to sun light and water.

The Predators are the original vampires, the lords which control hundreds of others. They are generally disgusted by there "mortal" kins' behavior and attitude and won't hesitate to "salvage" them from there disgusting bodies.

Predator – Abomination template.
The Predator template can be acquired or inherited by any living creature with a constitution score (base creature).
Note: they lose all previous HD.

Type and Size: The base creature’s type turns to undead. The base creatures’ size remains unchanged.
Hit Dice: The base creature loses all class levels, and change all racial HD to 27 undead HD (they keep there own if they have more). They lose all benefits from there classes Including hit points, base attack bonus and saving throws. After gaining this template, the Predator saves class levels gained. Do to there DvR of 0, Predators have maximum hit points per hit die.
Speed: The Predators’ base speed doubles in all its forms of movement.
AC: The base creatures’ natural armor increases by +13. In addition, the base creature gains a deflection bonus equal to his (new) Cha bonus, if any.
Attacks: The Predator gains a slam attack if he didn't already have one. The damage dealt from the slam remains the same as the base creatures’ or according to the table below, whichever is higher.
size damage
fine --
diminutive 1d4
tiny 1d6
small 1d8
medium 2d6
large 2d8
huge 4d6
Gargantuan 4d8
Colossal 6d6

Special Attacks:
Blood Drain (Ex): Starting at 1st level, a Predator can attempt to bite a victim with his growing fangs and suck blood. If the Predator makes a successful grapple check and pins the foe, it sucks blood, dealing 5d4 points of Constitution drain each round that the pin is maintained, for every point of Con drained, the Predator gains 2 temporary hit points.
Children of the Night (Su): Predators command the lesser creatures of the world. As a standard action once per day, a predator can summon a single Ruin Swarm (ELH 213) which arrives 3d6 rounds later and serves him for 1 hour.
The Predator is immune to the swarms’ effects, damage and can act normally even if engulfed by the swarm.
Dominate(Su): A Predator gains the ability to crush another creature's will just by looking into its eyes. This ability is similar to a gaze attack, except that the Predator must use a standard action, and those merely looking at him are not affected. Anyone the Predator targets must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2HD + Cha bonus) or fall instantly under his influence, as though via a dominate creature spell. The ability has a range of 90 feet.
Energy Drain (Su): Any living creature hit by his slam attack (or any other natural weapon he might possess) gains 10 negative levels. For each negative level so bestowed, the Predator gains 2 temporary hit points.

Special Qualities:
Alternate Form: A Predator can assume the shape of a dire bat or dire wolf as a standard action. This ability is similar to a polymorph spell (caster level 24th), except that the Predator does not regain hit points for changing form, and he must choose from among the forms allowed for his level. While in his alternate form, the Predator loses his natural slam attack and dominate ability but gains the natural weapons and extraordinary special attacks of his new form. He can remain in his alternate form until he assumes another form or until the next sunrise, whichever comes first. In addition, every Predator has a humanoid form (unique and unchangeable) in which he can turn into. In this form the creature keeps only his Predator abilities, but is no longer affected by his Predator weaknesses.
Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a Predators’ Ability Drain regains life (or lack of it) and gains the Predator template. Creatures killed by the Predators’ energy drain, become vampires and gain the vampire lord template if they are pre-epic and full-fill the prerequisites or Predators if they are epic. The new Predator or vampire is under the command of the predator that created it and remains so enslaved until its master's destruction. (Note that Predators doesn’t have limits as to how many creatures a Predator can have under his control).
Sunlight & Water Vulnerability: A Predator exposed to direct sunlight is disoriented. While in this condition, he can take only a single move action or attack action in a round, and 3 full rounds of such exposure destroy it utterly. Similarly, immersing a typical Predator in running water robs it of one-fifth of its hit points each round until it is destroyed at the end of the fifth round of immersion. (A Predator with a natural swim speed is not harmed by immersion in running water).
Fast Healing (Ex): A Predator has Fast Healing 20 (or the creatures’ Fast Healing, whichever is better).
Immunities: As abominations and creatures of DvR 0, Predators are immune to polymorph, petrifaction, or any form-altering attack. They are not subject to energy drain, ability drain, or ability damage. They are immune to mind affecting effects.
Resistances (Ex): Predators have fire resistance 20, cold resistance 20, and damage reduction of at least 20/epic. They have SP of 12 + CR and are treated as if affected by nondetection (CL 27).
Blind Sight (Ex): Predators have blind sight to a range of 500 feet.
Telepathy (Su): Predators can communicate telepathically with any creature within 100 feet.
Summon Spawn (Sp): A Predator can summon any of her spawn at will.
Regeneration 20 (Ex): Predators take normal damage from good weapons and weapons tempered with divine blood.
Turn Resistance 8 (Ex).

Saves: +5 insight bonus to Ref and Will saves.
Abilities: + 12 Str, +8 Dex, +4 Wis, +8 Cha. As undead, Predators don’t have Con scores.
Skill: As base creature. (Add ranks as appropriate according to the added HD)
Feats: Add 5 feats to the base creature (both epic and nonepic).
Climate/Terrain: As base creature.
Organization: As base creature or +5 spawns.
CR: (set CR here).
Treasure: double standard.
LA: +5
***************************

so, what do you guys think? any suggestions?
maddog0714
04-15-08, 09:24 AM "The Predator template can be acquired by any living non-undead creature with a constitution score (base creature)."
It seems like it should be an undead, since it has the energy drain ability. It makes no sense why it the most powerful vampires would not be undead.
Frozen_Flame
04-15-08, 10:19 AM They get 27 undead HD (or tranform there own HD to undead).
Type and Size: The base creature’s type turns to undead.
silenceisgolden
04-15-08, 10:20 AM I like this idea a lot, I was ust wondering why you made it a template if all class levels are removed. Why not just make it a normal monster like the other abominations.
Frozen_Flame
04-15-08, 10:30 AM Because they come from so many different races and keep there racial traits (and sometimes HD) that one race simply doesn't include them all.
silenceisgolden
04-17-08, 03:48 PM Ok, that makes sense. Another thing, would there be any specific way to become a predator, or are they just the primordial ancestors of modern vampires?
silenceisgolden
04-17-08, 10:36 PM Also, IIRC, there is a 3.0 vampire lord template or some such thing in the archives. It had various spell-like abilities, but lacked the HD or DvR that the Predator possesses.
Frozen_Flame
04-18-08, 01:04 PM ooh... I didn't know there was such a thing.
anyway I had the specific idea of the predator. Actually I'm working on a race predator (not template) to see how it looks.
I'll post it when it looks ready.
rob_douglas
04-19-08, 12:46 AM Vampire Lord (3.0E):
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20021018a

There were also the ancient vampires statted out in the Ravenloft campaign. They reach pretty epic in power at the Patriarch level. Still missing DvR0, but that is what I would use initially. They each get a set of salient abilities as well.

I started using them as part of statting up epic vampires for the Return to the Tomb of Horrors - the Dim Triad are all elder vamps. Their mistress Ferranifer is even older....and more powerful.

ROB
Frozen_Flame
04-19-08, 11:06 AM I don't have any campign setting, sorry, so I don't know what you'r talking about... The lords look cool, but they seem more of an anoince then destructive.
silenceisgolden
04-23-08, 11:55 AM Although vampire lords aren't that powerful, they are still stronger (and cooler) than normal vampires. In the predators create spawn ability, you could add something about creating vampire lord spawn if the victim is 10th to 20th level
Frozen_Flame
04-25-08, 07:39 AM Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a Predators’ Ability Drain regains life (or lack of it) and gains the Predator template. Creatures killed by the Predators’ energy drain, become vampires and gain the vampire lord template if they are pre-epic and full-fill the prerequisites or Predators if they are epic. The new Predator or vampire is under the command of the predator that created it and remains so enslaved until its master's destruction. (Note that Predators doesn’t have limits as to how many creatures a Predator can have under his control).
how would this sound?
Aberzanzorax
04-25-08, 01:39 PM Gotta say, I think the overall idea is pretty cool.

I think though, that predators shouldn't be able to make new creatures into a predator. If they can, then they're basically just supped up vampires.

If it were up to me, I'd stop at vampire lord for their creations. This could give predators more of an "ancient" flavor...in that there are a finite amount of them.

Alternatively, if you want to have them transform epic beings into something, I'd suggest a far less sophisticated thing. Here I'm thinking of more of a slavering, supped up strength/possibly feral template kind of creature.
Frozen_Flame
04-27-08, 03:57 AM Any Ideas how to work it out?
silenceisgolden
04-28-08, 07:58 PM I think there was a feral template in Savage Species, could you base it off that?
Frozen_Flame
04-30-08, 08:53 AM unfortunately I don't have Savage Species.
Aberzanzorax
05-02-08, 12:16 PM Here are a bunch of ideas:

Follow this link to crystalkeep (a site that collects the OGL parts of info and posts it).
http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/index.php

(click on the templates PDF)

I'd recommend any (or a combo) of the followng templates:
Half troll (but don't call it that, obviously)
Half vampire
Katane
Shadow Creature
Wendigo
Corrupted
Death knight
Savage Vampire
Shadow Vampire
Terror Vampire
Evolved (Undead)
Nether hound
Phantom, greater
Monster of Legend

And from the 3.0 page here:
http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules3.0.php
Corrupted creature

You could do a bunch of different things with this...and maybe give them one or two options:
e.g.
option 1: If they drain something and, at negative hp, they allow it to drink their blood, it could be something like an evolved death knight phantom.
option 2: They allow something to drink their blood while at full hp could turn feral and stupid and be totally bonded with them.
option 3: They kill something and keep draining long past death, draining bits of soul as well as blood, you could create something such as the wendigo or other incorporeal creature.

I wouldn't give them too many options, but this could enrich a campaign by creating additional mystique and give these predators an "ecology" of servants. I'll think on this a bit more and get back to you, if you like.
Aberzanzorax
05-02-08, 12:56 PM Hmm. Here are some more ideas:

tough living servant (frequently fed the predator's blood):
**Katane
**3.0 Corrupted template (from BoVD) (By the way, the template on the site I linked is missing that the creature gains +4 con).
**Half Troll Template

If this guy doesn't get blood from a predator over a long enough period, add the Wendigo template and drop the half troll template.

Someone given the "Gift" (i.e. not drained totally, but very nearly)
**Here is where I would use your vampire lord template
or
**Shadow Vampire
or
**Terror Vampire
and add to your choice:
**Shadow creature
**Phantom, Greater

you might also do something with a similar dependence upon the predator's blood for these guys as well... if they don't get blood once a month or year, they can eventually gain the Nether hound template

Someone "Devoured" (i.e. drained to death and beyond)
You could do a separation of body and soul, such that the creature is usually (but not always) found in pairs, but was originally one creature

Soul: umbral template
Body: nether hound and ghastly templates (but I'd drop the body's intelligence by a bunch more, since the soul represents the mind here)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Frozen_Flame 04-09-08, 10:45 AM	Actually, I've had the idea in my mind for a year now, and just needed a reason to finally put it down on paper (or the computer lol). Please note I have removed the coffin Sanctuary and Gaseous Form but made them less vulnerable to sun light and water. The Predators are the original vampires, the lords which control hundreds of others. They are generally disgusted by there "mortal" kins' behavior and attitude and won't hesitate to "salvage" them from there disgusting bodies. Predator – Abomination template. The Predator template can be acquired or inherited by any living creature with a constitution score (base creature). Note: they lose all previous HD. Type and Size: The base creature’s type turns to undead. The base creatures’ size remains unchanged. Hit Dice: The base creature loses all class levels, and change all racial HD to 27 undead HD (they keep there own if they have more). They lose all benefits from there classes Including hit points, base attack bonus and saving throws. After gaining this template, the Predator saves class levels gained. Do to there DvR of 0, Predators have maximum hit points per hit die. Speed: The Predators’ base speed doubles in all its forms of movement. AC: The base creatures’ natural armor increases by +13. In addition, the base creature gains a deflection bonus equal to his (new) Cha bonus, if any. Attacks: The Predator gains a slam attack if he didn't already have one. The damage dealt from the slam remains the same as the base creatures’ or according to the table below, whichever is higher. size damage fine -- diminutive 1d4 tiny 1d6 small 1d8 medium 2d6 large 2d8 huge 4d6 Gargantuan 4d8 Colossal 6d6 Special Attacks: Blood Drain (Ex): Starting at 1st level, a Predator can attempt to bite a victim with his growing fangs and suck blood. If the Predator makes a successful grapple check and pins the foe, it sucks blood, dealing 5d4 points of Constitution drain each round that the pin is maintained, for every point of Con drained, the Predator gains 2 temporary hit points. Children of the Night (Su): Predators command the lesser creatures of the world. As a standard action once per day, a predator can summon a single Ruin Swarm (ELH 213) which arrives 3d6 rounds later and serves him for 1 hour. The Predator is immune to the swarms’ effects, damage and can act normally even if engulfed by the swarm. Dominate(Su): A Predator gains the ability to crush another creature's will just by looking into its eyes. This ability is similar to a gaze attack, except that the Predator must use a standard action, and those merely looking at him are not affected. Anyone the Predator targets must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2HD + Cha bonus) or fall instantly under his influence, as though via a dominate creature spell. The ability has a range of 90 feet. Energy Drain (Su): Any living creature hit by his slam attack (or any other natural weapon he might possess) gains 10 negative levels. For each negative level so bestowed, the Predator gains 2 temporary hit points. Special Qualities: Alternate Form: A Predator can assume the shape of a dire bat or dire wolf as a standard action. This ability is similar to a polymorph spell (caster level 24th), except that the Predator does not regain hit points for changing form, and he must choose from among the forms allowed for his level. While in his alternate form, the Predator loses his natural slam attack and dominate ability but gains the natural weapons and extraordinary special attacks of his new form. He can remain in his alternate form until he assumes another form or until the next sunrise, whichever comes first. In addition, every Predator has a humanoid form (unique and unchangeable) in which he can turn into. In this form the creature keeps only his Predator abilities, but is no longer affected by his Predator weaknesses. Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a Predators’ Ability Drain regains life (or lack of it) and gains the Predator template. Creatures killed by the Predators’ energy drain, become vampires and gain the vampire lord template if they are pre-epic and full-fill the prerequisites or Predators if they are epic. The new Predator or vampire is under the command of the predator that created it and remains so enslaved until its master's destruction. (Note that Predators doesn’t have limits as to how many creatures a Predator can have under his control). Sunlight & Water Vulnerability: A Predator exposed to direct sunlight is disoriented. While in this condition, he can take only a single move action or attack action in a round, and 3 full rounds of such exposure destroy it utterly. Similarly, immersing a typical Predator in running water robs it of one-fifth of its hit points each round until it is destroyed at the end of the fifth round of immersion. (A Predator with a natural swim speed is not harmed by immersion in running water). Fast Healing (Ex): A Predator has Fast Healing 20 (or the creatures’ Fast Healing, whichever is better). Immunities: As abominations and creatures of DvR 0, Predators are immune to polymorph, petrifaction, or any form-altering attack. They are not subject to energy drain, ability drain, or ability damage. They are immune to mind affecting effects. Resistances (Ex): Predators have fire resistance 20, cold resistance 20, and damage reduction of at least 20/epic. They have SP of 12 + CR and are treated as if affected by nondetection (CL 27). Blind Sight (Ex): Predators have blind sight to a range of 500 feet. Telepathy (Su): Predators can communicate telepathically with any creature within 100 feet. Summon Spawn (Sp): A Predator can summon any of her spawn at will. Regeneration 20 (Ex): Predators take normal damage from good weapons and weapons tempered with divine blood. Turn Resistance 8 (Ex). Saves: +5 insight bonus to Ref and Will saves. Abilities: + 12 Str, +8 Dex, +4 Wis, +8 Cha. As undead, Predators don’t have Con scores. Skill: As base creature. (Add ranks as appropriate according to the added HD) Feats: Add 5 feats to the base creature (both epic and nonepic). Climate/Terrain: As base creature. Organization: As base creature or +5 spawns. CR: (set CR here). Treasure: double standard. LA: +5 *************************** so, what do you guys think? any suggestions?
maddog0714 04-15-08, 09:24 AM	"The Predator template can be acquired by any living non-undead creature with a constitution score (base creature)." It seems like it should be an undead, since it has the energy drain ability. It makes no sense why it the most powerful vampires would not be undead.
Frozen_Flame 04-15-08, 10:19 AM	They get 27 undead HD (or tranform there own HD to undead). Type and Size: The base creature’s type turns to undead.
silenceisgolden 04-15-08, 10:20 AM	I like this idea a lot, I was ust wondering why you made it a template if all class levels are removed. Why not just make it a normal monster like the other abominations.
Frozen_Flame 04-15-08, 10:30 AM	Because they come from so many different races and keep there racial traits (and sometimes HD) that one race simply doesn't include them all.
silenceisgolden 04-17-08, 03:48 PM	Ok, that makes sense. Another thing, would there be any specific way to become a predator, or are they just the primordial ancestors of modern vampires?
silenceisgolden 04-17-08, 10:36 PM	Also, IIRC, there is a 3.0 vampire lord template or some such thing in the archives. It had various spell-like abilities, but lacked the HD or DvR that the Predator possesses.
Frozen_Flame 04-18-08, 01:04 PM	ooh... I didn't know there was such a thing. anyway I had the specific idea of the predator. Actually I'm working on a race predator (not template) to see how it looks. I'll post it when it looks ready.
rob_douglas 04-19-08, 12:46 AM	Vampire Lord (3.0E): http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mm/20021018a There were also the ancient vampires statted out in the Ravenloft campaign. They reach pretty epic in power at the Patriarch level. Still missing DvR0, but that is what I would use initially. They each get a set of salient abilities as well. I started using them as part of statting up epic vampires for the Return to the Tomb of Horrors - the Dim Triad are all elder vamps. Their mistress Ferranifer is even older....and more powerful. ROB
Frozen_Flame 04-19-08, 11:06 AM	I don't have any campign setting, sorry, so I don't know what you'r talking about... The lords look cool, but they seem more of an anoince then destructive.
silenceisgolden 04-23-08, 11:55 AM	Although vampire lords aren't that powerful, they are still stronger (and cooler) than normal vampires. In the predators create spawn ability, you could add something about creating vampire lord spawn if the victim is 10th to 20th level
Frozen_Flame 04-25-08, 07:39 AM	Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a Predators’ Ability Drain regains life (or lack of it) and gains the Predator template. Creatures killed by the Predators’ energy drain, become vampires and gain the vampire lord template if they are pre-epic and full-fill the prerequisites or Predators if they are epic. The new Predator or vampire is under the command of the predator that created it and remains so enslaved until its master's destruction. (Note that Predators doesn’t have limits as to how many creatures a Predator can have under his control). how would this sound?
Aberzanzorax 04-25-08, 01:39 PM	Gotta say, I think the overall idea is pretty cool. I think though, that predators shouldn't be able to make new creatures into a predator. If they can, then they're basically just supped up vampires. If it were up to me, I'd stop at vampire lord for their creations. This could give predators more of an "ancient" flavor...in that there are a finite amount of them. Alternatively, if you want to have them transform epic beings into something, I'd suggest a far less sophisticated thing. Here I'm thinking of more of a slavering, supped up strength/possibly feral template kind of creature.
Frozen_Flame 04-27-08, 03:57 AM	Any Ideas how to work it out?
silenceisgolden 04-28-08, 07:58 PM	I think there was a feral template in Savage Species, could you base it off that?
Frozen_Flame 04-30-08, 08:53 AM	unfortunately I don't have Savage Species.
Aberzanzorax 05-02-08, 12:16 PM	Here are a bunch of ideas: Follow this link to crystalkeep (a site that collects the OGL parts of info and posts it). http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/index.php (click on the templates PDF) I'd recommend any (or a combo) of the followng templates: Half troll (but don't call it that, obviously) Half vampire Katane Shadow Creature Wendigo Corrupted Death knight Savage Vampire Shadow Vampire Terror Vampire Evolved (Undead) Nether hound Phantom, greater Monster of Legend And from the 3.0 page here: http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/rules3.0.php Corrupted creature You could do a bunch of different things with this...and maybe give them one or two options: e.g. option 1: If they drain something and, at negative hp, they allow it to drink their blood, it could be something like an evolved death knight phantom. option 2: They allow something to drink their blood while at full hp could turn feral and stupid and be totally bonded with them. option 3: They kill something and keep draining long past death, draining bits of soul as well as blood, you could create something such as the wendigo or other incorporeal creature. I wouldn't give them too many options, but this could enrich a campaign by creating additional mystique and give these predators an "ecology" of servants. I'll think on this a bit more and get back to you, if you like.
Aberzanzorax 05-02-08, 12:56 PM	Hmm. Here are some more ideas: tough living servant (frequently fed the predator's blood): Katane 3.0 Corrupted template (from BoVD) (By the way, the template on the site I linked is missing that the creature gains +4 con). Half Troll Template If this guy doesn't get blood from a predator over a long enough period, add the Wendigo template and drop the half troll template. Someone given the "Gift" (i.e. not drained totally, but very nearly) Here is where I would use your vampire lord template or Shadow Vampire or Terror Vampire and add to your choice: Shadow creature Phantom, Greater you might also do something with a similar dependence upon the predator's blood for these guys as well... if they don't get blood once a month or year, they can eventually gain the Nether hound template Someone "Devoured" (i.e. drained to death and beyond) You could do a separation of body and soul, such that the creature is usually (but not always) found in pairs, but was originally one creature Soul: umbral template Body: nether hound and ghastly templates (but I'd drop the body's intelligence by a bunch more, since the soul represents the mind here)