Ancient One [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ancient One [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Garonak
12-06-07, 02:13 PM I don't know if this has been done before, but I thought I'd give it a go.
In Neverwinter Nights 2 one of the npcs talks about a giant elf walking around turning people/creatures into stone, so I thought I try to set it up. To make things easy I took the basic elf and added some (illegal) templates to it: Draconic Creature (more for personal flavour than anything else), Titanic Creature (MM2, to get that gargantuan feel), Monster of Legend (because it's legendary...).

Ancient One
Gargantuan Outsider (Native, Draconic)
HD: 25d8+300 (416HP)
Initiative: +8
Speed: 60 (Base 30)
Armor Class: 39 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +26 natural, +4 chain shirt, +1 Dodge) touch 9, flat-footed 36
Base Attack/Grapple: +23/+54
Attack: Longsword +40 (4d6+28, 17-20/x2) or Composite Longbow +22 (4d6+19, x3) or Claw +40 (3d6+19, x2)
Full Attack: Longsword +40/+40/+35/+30/+25 (4d6+28, 17-20/x2) or Composite Longbow +22/+22/+17/+12/+7 (4d6+19, x3) or 2 Claws +40 (3d6+19, x2)
Space/Reach: 20ft./20ft.
Special Attacks: Breath Weapon, Petrifying Gaze
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft, Low-light vision, Haste, Reflective Hide, Elf traits
Saves: Fort +31, Ref +20, Will +18 (+2 against enchantment spells and effects, +4 against paralysis)
Abilities: 48, 14, 34, 12, 12, 16
Skills: Hide +18, Intimidate +33, Knowledge (Arcana) +15, Knowledge (The Planes) +15, Listen +31, Move Silently +30, Search +31, Spellcraft +31, Spot +33, Survival +29
Feats: Ability Focus (Petrifying Gaze), Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Great Fortitude(B), Improved Critical (Longsword), Improved Initiative (B), Large and in Charge, Multiattack(B), Point Blank Shot, Power attack, Quicken Breath Weapon, Weapon Focus (Longsword)
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 18
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +14

This creature looks like an elf, except its size. It’s big. B-I-G. BIG.

When an elf reaches the age of 10000 its body start to change. Within a month the elf has become an Ancient One, its body becoming gargantuan. This is something all elves know and most elves that reach that age leave civilized lands some time before this change happens, never to be seen again. If encountered in the wild, an Ancient One will first try to scare off any opponent, if that is unsuccessful, they will usually engage in combat or flee.
Nobody knows quite sure where Ancient Ones go when they leave their community, very little trace can be found of them. Not even their bones. This has led many to believe that they somehow leave this world and goes to the great something something beyond.
Ancient ones speak Common, Draconic and Elven

Combat
Ancient ones prefer to start of combat with a petrifying gaze and a breath weapon before closing in for the kill.
Breath Weapon (Su): 30-foot line, once every 1d4 rounds, damage 9d6 lightning, Reflex DC 34 half. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Petrifying Gaze (Su): Turn to stone permanently, 30 feet, Fortitude DC 27 negates. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Haste (Su): An Ancient One is supernaturally quick. It is permanently affected by Haste, as the spell.
Reflective Hide (Su): An Ancient One has a silvery shine to its skin and is permanently protected by a Spell Turning effect.
Saves: An Ancient One is naturally resistant. It receives +3 on all saves.
Skills: An Ancient One is both perceptive and intimidating, it has a +2 racial bonus on Intimidate, Search and Listen checks. And a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks.

This is just something I did for laughs, but I would like some comments. Some of the abilities might seem weird, but that is mostly because they come from the templates I used.
I've considered this to represent True Giants from Eberron in some way. Probably just need Rock Catching and Throwing and it'll be good to go.

Comments?
Garonak
12-08-07, 09:04 AM Since no-one's said anything I'll just assume it's OK. Not great, but OK. The CR is fine, the LA is fine. The abilities are good.

No comments?

Ok then.
DebiHuman
12-09-07, 09:42 PM I hate to say this but I felt this was a bit bland. Even though I think adding templates is cool (especially the ones you mentioned even if it's not exactly legal), I just wasn't really wowed by it.

I can understand undergoing a metamorphasis but there should be some sense of wonder and awe with this that I just didn't feel. Elves would have all kind of rituals that would accompany this sort of thing. For example, how long does it take for this transformation to be completed? I think it would be nifty if it happened in stages as in the order in which you applied each template.

Also, what happens to an elf's stuff when this happens? I mean it's not like any of his old clothes would fit and he wouldn't fit in his residence.

How did this get a petrifying gaze? I didn't see that in any of the templates you mentioned. Here is a half-medusa template that you could use:
http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/monsters/halfmedusa.html

Debby
Garonak
12-10-07, 05:01 PM I can understand undergoing a metamorphasis but there should be some sense of wonder and awe with this that I just didn't feel. Elves would have all kind of rituals that would accompany this sort of thing. For example, how long does it take for this transformation to be completed? I think it would be nifty if it happened in stages as in the order in which you applied each template.

"Within a month the elf has become an Ancient One, its body becoming gargantuan."
Reading the text carefully might answer some questions. There are no rituals, it's natural growth, sort of like hitting a second puberty.

Also, what happens to an elf's stuff when this happens? I mean it's not like any of his old clothes would fit and he wouldn't fit in his residence.

"This is something all elves know and most elves that reach that age leave civilized lands some time before this change happens, never to be seen again."
Again, reading the text might be useful
As a gargantuan creature cannot use medium sized equipment, it's more or less logical that the Ancient One either:
- gives away his/her equipment before leaving to friends, family or whatever
- destroys it so that those pesky 'friends' and family get their filthy hands on it (or adventures)
- Take it with them and just leave it where it drops,
or
- Take it with them and bury it somewhere

It's not like they need it.

How did this get a petrifying gaze? I didn't see that in any of the templates you mentioned. Here is a half-medusa template that you could use:
http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/monsters/halfmedusa.html

Debby

I just nabbed the petrifying gaze from the medusa, gave it a +2 CR and a +3 LA.
The problem with using unofficial (non-wizards or Dragon Magazines) material is that I am, to a certain degree, trying to stay within the agreed upon rules in our gaming group.

I've left a lot of things open about the why's and how's with this creature for two reasons: 1) I'm in the middle of my exam period (strange how creative you suddenly get when you're supposed to study) and don't have a lot of time for this sort of things, and 2) I can't be bothered. I'm a "wing it" DM, that is I make a rough sketch about the campaign/session/whatever and just go with the flow. The 'openess' of this creature fits my style of dm-ing pretty well as it leads to me being able to squeese it in wherever I damn well please. It also let other dms alter it so that may fit their campaign.
Kayoz_Majick
12-10-07, 09:24 PM Armor Class: 39 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +26 natural, +4 chain shirt, +1 Dodge) touch 9, flat-footed 36

where did he get the chain shirt from? :D
I sure hope that he didn't find one laying around on the ground in a dungeon somewhere haha!
just kidding.

As mentioned above, would be nice with a little set up and mystique thrown in for some flavor.

I am also a "wing-it" DM, so I understand what you are trying to do here :)

Yay for studying!
Garonak
12-28-07, 11:18 AM Sorry it took so long, but it did...

To answer the question about this specific Ancient One's equipment: In my Eberron world the elves guards a vault (or something similiar) with leftover equipment from the Giants (I see those giants as something in the area of gargantuan), this is where this one got his chainshirt and weapons.

As for rituals, of course there are rituals, there's probaly something of a going away party where the 'going-away-elf' hands out his posessions (or not) to those he feels deserve them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Garonak 12-06-07, 02:13 PM	I don't know if this has been done before, but I thought I'd give it a go. In Neverwinter Nights 2 one of the npcs talks about a giant elf walking around turning people/creatures into stone, so I thought I try to set it up. To make things easy I took the basic elf and added some (illegal) templates to it: Draconic Creature (more for personal flavour than anything else), Titanic Creature (MM2, to get that gargantuan feel), Monster of Legend (because it's legendary...). Ancient One Gargantuan Outsider (Native, Draconic) HD: 25d8+300 (416HP) Initiative: +8 Speed: 60 (Base 30) Armor Class: 39 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +26 natural, +4 chain shirt, +1 Dodge) touch 9, flat-footed 36 Base Attack/Grapple: +23/+54 Attack: Longsword +40 (4d6+28, 17-20/x2) or Composite Longbow +22 (4d6+19, x3) or Claw +40 (3d6+19, x2) Full Attack: Longsword +40/+40/+35/+30/+25 (4d6+28, 17-20/x2) or Composite Longbow +22/+22/+17/+12/+7 (4d6+19, x3) or 2 Claws +40 (3d6+19, x2) Space/Reach: 20ft./20ft. Special Attacks: Breath Weapon, Petrifying Gaze Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft, Low-light vision, Haste, Reflective Hide, Elf traits Saves: Fort +31, Ref +20, Will +18 (+2 against enchantment spells and effects, +4 against paralysis) Abilities: 48, 14, 34, 12, 12, 16 Skills: Hide +18, Intimidate +33, Knowledge (Arcana) +15, Knowledge (The Planes) +15, Listen +31, Move Silently +30, Search +31, Spellcraft +31, Spot +33, Survival +29 Feats: Ability Focus (Petrifying Gaze), Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Great Fortitude(B), Improved Critical (Longsword), Improved Initiative (B), Large and in Charge, Multiattack(B), Point Blank Shot, Power attack, Quicken Breath Weapon, Weapon Focus (Longsword) Environment: Any Organization: Solitary Challenge Rating: 18 Treasure: Standard Alignment: Usually neutral Advancement: By character class Level Adjustment: +14 This creature looks like an elf, except its size. It’s big. B-I-G. BIG. When an elf reaches the age of 10000 its body start to change. Within a month the elf has become an Ancient One, its body becoming gargantuan. This is something all elves know and most elves that reach that age leave civilized lands some time before this change happens, never to be seen again. If encountered in the wild, an Ancient One will first try to scare off any opponent, if that is unsuccessful, they will usually engage in combat or flee. Nobody knows quite sure where Ancient Ones go when they leave their community, very little trace can be found of them. Not even their bones. This has led many to believe that they somehow leave this world and goes to the great something something beyond. Ancient ones speak Common, Draconic and Elven Combat Ancient ones prefer to start of combat with a petrifying gaze and a breath weapon before closing in for the kill. Breath Weapon (Su): 30-foot line, once every 1d4 rounds, damage 9d6 lightning, Reflex DC 34 half. The save DC is Constitution-based. Petrifying Gaze (Su): Turn to stone permanently, 30 feet, Fortitude DC 27 negates. The save DC is Charisma-based. Haste (Su): An Ancient One is supernaturally quick. It is permanently affected by Haste, as the spell. Reflective Hide (Su): An Ancient One has a silvery shine to its skin and is permanently protected by a Spell Turning effect. Saves: An Ancient One is naturally resistant. It receives +3 on all saves. Skills: An Ancient One is both perceptive and intimidating, it has a +2 racial bonus on Intimidate, Search and Listen checks. And a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks. This is just something I did for laughs, but I would like some comments. Some of the abilities might seem weird, but that is mostly because they come from the templates I used. I've considered this to represent True Giants from Eberron in some way. Probably just need Rock Catching and Throwing and it'll be good to go. Comments?
Garonak 12-08-07, 09:04 AM	Since no-one's said anything I'll just assume it's OK. Not great, but OK. The CR is fine, the LA is fine. The abilities are good. No comments? Ok then.
DebiHuman 12-09-07, 09:42 PM	I hate to say this but I felt this was a bit bland. Even though I think adding templates is cool (especially the ones you mentioned even if it's not exactly legal), I just wasn't really wowed by it. I can understand undergoing a metamorphasis but there should be some sense of wonder and awe with this that I just didn't feel. Elves would have all kind of rituals that would accompany this sort of thing. For example, how long does it take for this transformation to be completed? I think it would be nifty if it happened in stages as in the order in which you applied each template. Also, what happens to an elf's stuff when this happens? I mean it's not like any of his old clothes would fit and he wouldn't fit in his residence. How did this get a petrifying gaze? I didn't see that in any of the templates you mentioned. Here is a half-medusa template that you could use: http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/monsters/halfmedusa.html Debby
Garonak 12-10-07, 05:01 PM	I can understand undergoing a metamorphasis but there should be some sense of wonder and awe with this that I just didn't feel. Elves would have all kind of rituals that would accompany this sort of thing. For example, how long does it take for this transformation to be completed? I think it would be nifty if it happened in stages as in the order in which you applied each template. "Within a month the elf has become an Ancient One, its body becoming gargantuan." Reading the text carefully might answer some questions. There are no rituals, it's natural growth, sort of like hitting a second puberty. Also, what happens to an elf's stuff when this happens? I mean it's not like any of his old clothes would fit and he wouldn't fit in his residence. "This is something all elves know and most elves that reach that age leave civilized lands some time before this change happens, never to be seen again." Again, reading the text might be useful As a gargantuan creature cannot use medium sized equipment, it's more or less logical that the Ancient One either: - gives away his/her equipment before leaving to friends, family or whatever - destroys it so that those pesky 'friends' and family get their filthy hands on it (or adventures) - Take it with them and just leave it where it drops, or - Take it with them and bury it somewhere It's not like they need it. How did this get a petrifying gaze? I didn't see that in any of the templates you mentioned. Here is a half-medusa template that you could use: http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/monsters/halfmedusa.html Debby I just nabbed the petrifying gaze from the medusa, gave it a +2 CR and a +3 LA. The problem with using unofficial (non-wizards or Dragon Magazines) material is that I am, to a certain degree, trying to stay within the agreed upon rules in our gaming group. I've left a lot of things open about the why's and how's with this creature for two reasons: 1) I'm in the middle of my exam period (strange how creative you suddenly get when you're supposed to study) and don't have a lot of time for this sort of things, and 2) I can't be bothered. I'm a "wing it" DM, that is I make a rough sketch about the campaign/session/whatever and just go with the flow. The 'openess' of this creature fits my style of dm-ing pretty well as it leads to me being able to squeese it in wherever I damn well please. It also let other dms alter it so that may fit their campaign.
Kayoz_Majick 12-10-07, 09:24 PM	Armor Class: 39 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +26 natural, +4 chain shirt, +1 Dodge) touch 9, flat-footed 36 where did he get the chain shirt from? :D I sure hope that he didn't find one laying around on the ground in a dungeon somewhere haha! just kidding. As mentioned above, would be nice with a little set up and mystique thrown in for some flavor. I am also a "wing-it" DM, so I understand what you are trying to do here :) Yay for studying!
Garonak 12-28-07, 11:18 AM	Sorry it took so long, but it did... To answer the question about this specific Ancient One's equipment: In my Eberron world the elves guards a vault (or something similiar) with leftover equipment from the Giants (I see those giants as something in the area of gargantuan), this is where this one got his chainshirt and weapons. As for rituals, of course there are rituals, there's probaly something of a going away party where the 'going-away-elf' hands out his posessions (or not) to those he feels deserve them.