Closet Monster Magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Closet Monster Magic [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
R.M.G.C.L.F.
06-28-05, 04:32 PM Hidden Horror
Illusion(Shadow)
Level: Wiz/Sorc4, Brd3
Components: S,M
Casting Time: Standard Action
Effect: shadowy monster from one place with darkness equalling at least 3/4ths concealment, such as under a bed or in a closet.
Range: Close
Duration: One round per level
Saving Throw: None?
Spell Resistance: Yes?

Upon casting this spell, the portal or space in question is thrust open by a gruesome cluster of terrible grasping tentacles, arms, and claws, with numerous glowing eyes and glinting fangs staring out from the darkness. The monstrous force within will attempt to ensare and capture any creatures within 10ft of it. Each round, on your initiative, the monster (or monsters?) can attack each person within its 10ft reach. To capture somebody, it must first make an attack roll, using your caster level and your charisma modifier for an attack bonus. A successful attack deals 1d12 subdual damage and enables it to attempt to grapple its prey as a free action. This grapple check is made using your caster level, charisma modifier, and a +5 size bonus. The creature can try to escape with opposed grapple checks, or a companion can try to cut them free (the limbs have AC equal to 15+your int bonus and hit points equal to your caster level) After successfully grappling a creature, the monster will not attack and instead use the next round to yank the creature grabbed into the dark place it eminates from. Once this happens, the creature has the unpleasant sensation of being messily devoured, taking 1d20 subdual damage and 2 wis damage from this traumatizing illusion, and is transported to a random area 1d% miles away on the plane of shadow.

The shadow-monster hates bright light. Even normal light causes it to recoil. If a source of normal illumination is brough into its dark area, it recoils, pulling back and closing the door or yanking down the covers, suspending the duration and spell effect until the light source is removed. If a source bright light is exposed and brought forth to it, it retreats into the darkness as best it can and is supressed, having no effect or ability to act but continuing to use duration. A magical light source of bright strength it is exposed to or normal strength that is actually brought into the dark place forces an opposed caster level check in addition to the normal effects to prevent the spell from being broken and ended then and there.

Material Component: A grotesque but elaborate sculpture worth 20gp.
Jaid
06-28-05, 05:16 PM looks fine to me.

i think you are correct on no save, but yes SR.

no save because you are casting it on a door, or bed, or whatever. not even that, you're casting it on the open space under the bed.

however, since the creature (presumably) is shadow, not real, it is subject to SR.

level wise, i think it is fine. compared to evard's black tentacles, this is much less threatening. although it can certainly split the group up, you can also sever the limbs off of this thing, plus it's scared of light...

looks good to me =D probably doesn't even need the material component to cost money ;)
R.M.G.C.L.F.
06-28-05, 05:39 PM You seem to consider this fairly weak. Do you think I should drop it? Maybe level 3 sorc/wiz and level 2 bard?

Also, what about some random and/or scaling adjustment to the creature's reach?
IMarvinTPA
06-28-05, 06:37 PM What's the casting time?

IMarv
Jaid
06-28-05, 07:54 PM no, i don't think it should be dropped any. i think it's about right as is.

while evard's black tentacles is more likely to kill someone, this spell is much more likely to get rid of them, keep them out of the fight (and not having an easy time getting back), and not really hurting them (barring an unfortunate mishap on the teleport). so, as long as you specify no horrible mishaps on the teleport, i would say leave it as is.
R.M.G.C.L.F.
06-28-05, 09:09 PM Since it is technically not a teleportation effect, but a planeshift, and most distance on the plane of shadow is shifting and relative, there is no danger of appearing within a solid object.

Thank you for your advice.

Added in the casting time.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
R.M.G.C.L.F. 06-28-05, 04:32 PM	Hidden Horror Illusion(Shadow) Level: Wiz/Sorc4, Brd3 Components: S,M Casting Time: Standard Action Effect: shadowy monster from one place with darkness equalling at least 3/4ths concealment, such as under a bed or in a closet. Range: Close Duration: One round per level Saving Throw: None? Spell Resistance: Yes? Upon casting this spell, the portal or space in question is thrust open by a gruesome cluster of terrible grasping tentacles, arms, and claws, with numerous glowing eyes and glinting fangs staring out from the darkness. The monstrous force within will attempt to ensare and capture any creatures within 10ft of it. Each round, on your initiative, the monster (or monsters?) can attack each person within its 10ft reach. To capture somebody, it must first make an attack roll, using your caster level and your charisma modifier for an attack bonus. A successful attack deals 1d12 subdual damage and enables it to attempt to grapple its prey as a free action. This grapple check is made using your caster level, charisma modifier, and a +5 size bonus. The creature can try to escape with opposed grapple checks, or a companion can try to cut them free (the limbs have AC equal to 15+your int bonus and hit points equal to your caster level) After successfully grappling a creature, the monster will not attack and instead use the next round to yank the creature grabbed into the dark place it eminates from. Once this happens, the creature has the unpleasant sensation of being messily devoured, taking 1d20 subdual damage and 2 wis damage from this traumatizing illusion, and is transported to a random area 1d% miles away on the plane of shadow. The shadow-monster hates bright light. Even normal light causes it to recoil. If a source of normal illumination is brough into its dark area, it recoils, pulling back and closing the door or yanking down the covers, suspending the duration and spell effect until the light source is removed. If a source bright light is exposed and brought forth to it, it retreats into the darkness as best it can and is supressed, having no effect or ability to act but continuing to use duration. A magical light source of bright strength it is exposed to or normal strength that is actually brought into the dark place forces an opposed caster level check in addition to the normal effects to prevent the spell from being broken and ended then and there. Material Component: A grotesque but elaborate sculpture worth 20gp.
Jaid 06-28-05, 05:16 PM	looks fine to me. i think you are correct on no save, but yes SR. no save because you are casting it on a door, or bed, or whatever. not even that, you're casting it on the open space under the bed. however, since the creature (presumably) is shadow, not real, it is subject to SR. level wise, i think it is fine. compared to evard's black tentacles, this is much less threatening. although it can certainly split the group up, you can also sever the limbs off of this thing, plus it's scared of light... looks good to me =D probably doesn't even need the material component to cost money ;)
R.M.G.C.L.F. 06-28-05, 05:39 PM	You seem to consider this fairly weak. Do you think I should drop it? Maybe level 3 sorc/wiz and level 2 bard? Also, what about some random and/or scaling adjustment to the creature's reach?
IMarvinTPA 06-28-05, 06:37 PM	What's the casting time? IMarv
Jaid 06-28-05, 07:54 PM	no, i don't think it should be dropped any. i think it's about right as is. while evard's black tentacles is more likely to kill someone, this spell is much more likely to get rid of them, keep them out of the fight (and not having an easy time getting back), and not really hurting them (barring an unfortunate mishap on the teleport). so, as long as you specify no horrible mishaps on the teleport, i would say leave it as is.
R.M.G.C.L.F. 06-28-05, 09:09 PM	Since it is technically not a teleportation effect, but a planeshift, and most distance on the plane of shadow is shifting and relative, there is no danger of appearing within a solid object. Thank you for your advice. Added in the casting time.