"The real trouble came after we burned the witch..." (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

"The real trouble came after we burned the witch..." (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Talisman
05-31-06, 01:03 PM Pyre Spectre
Medium Undead (Fire, Incorporeal)
Hit Dice 6d12 (39 hp)
Initiative +3
Speed Fly 40' (perfect)
AC 17 (+3 Dex, +4 deflection), touch 17, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple +3/--
Attack Incorporeal touch +7 melee
Full Attack 2 incorporeal touches +7 melee
Damage Incorporeal touch 1d6+4 negative energy plus 1d6 fire
Space/Reach 5'/5'
Special Attacks Burn, energy drain, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities Glow, unholy deflection, unliving madness, vulnerabilities
Saves Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +8
Abilities Str --, Dex 17, Con --, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 18
Skills Concentration +13, Listen +12, Search +9, Spot +12
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus (touch)
Environment Any land
Organization Solitary, flight (3-10) or doom (15-50)
Challenge Rating 6
Treasure None
Alignment Always chaotic evil
Advancement 7-18 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment --

A five-foot flame floats through the air towards you in eerie silence. As it approaches, you can see a tortured human face at the top, and two claws extending from the sides.

Pyre spectres are the tormented spirits of those who were burned alive for crimes they did not commit. "Witches" and heretics form the bulk of these unhappy undead, and they are particularly common in lands where execution by burning at the stake is practiced.
Pyre spectres look like man-sized flames floating through the air. The face of the person whos spirit this is can be seen at the top, twisted and tormented as of still burining. When it approaches a living creature, a pyre spectre extends its clawed hands and attempts to draw them into the embrace of death.

Combat: Pyre spectres attack with two touches of their flaming claws. Although intelligent enough to understand basic tactics, their undead and tormented state prevents them from using elaborate plans.
Burn (Ex): Anyone hit by a pyre spectre's incorporeal touch attack must make a Reflex save (DC 17) or catch on fire, burning for 1d4 rounds. A burning creature can put out the flames with a move-equivalent action to put out the flames. Creatures hitting the a pyre spectre with natural weapons or unarmed attacks also take fire damage as though hit by the creature's incorporeal touch, and must make Reflex saves to avoid catching on fire. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Energy Drain (Su): A hit by a pyre spectre's incorporeal touch inflicts one negative level. The Fortitude DC to remove this level is 17. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Glow (Su): Pyre spectres continually glow, shedding light as a burning torch. They cannot suppress this ability.
Unliving Madness (Ex): The torment and injustice of their deaths have maddened these unhappy spirits, and made them erratic and unstable. Each round, there is a 5% chance that a pyre spectre's agony and rage overcomes it and it acts in a random fashion, as per the lesser confusion spell.
Spell-like Abilities: At will--pyrotechnics (DC 15); 1/day--wall of fire. Caster level 7th. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Unholy Deflection (Su): Pyre spectres gain their Charisma modifier as a deflection bonus to AC.
Vulnerabilities: Pyre spectres take double damage from holy water. They cannot cross running water, cannot pass a barrier of violets, and cannot enter the home of anyone who attempted to defend them in life. These weaknesses can be determined with a DC 16 Knowledge (religion) or bardic knowledge check, or a DC 22 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (local) check.
pileobone
05-31-06, 04:36 PM Looks pretty good. As far as mechanics goes, nothing really new or complicated, but a simple and yet well rounded undead. Good writeup, and good flavor. Very nice.

That'll teach those nasty over-zealous villagers to burn at random, whether or not they may have actually been turned into a newt. After all, they got better didn't they?
Tony111
05-31-06, 04:57 PM "The real trouble came after we burned the witch..."

I love that quote.

"I got better."

I love that quote too.

-Tony
R.M.G.C.L.F.
05-31-06, 04:58 PM We meet again, Talisman, but this time it is I who will do the reviewing!
To start with, I want to praise you for creating a creature that causes things to catch on fire. This basic mechanic is just not employed often enough in Dungeons and Dragons. I also commend your use of the Glow special quality instead of merely giving the creature flavor text about firey glow but leaving it invisible in darkness.

Working from the top down, I think you should state what sort of damage its incorporeal touch deals. Its true that there is precedent for incorporeal touch dealing unnamed damage, but I feel its just cleaner to state a type. Negative energy damage perhaps, or would this damage be of the slashing and percing variety?

The description about undead agony, particularly with regards to the mental impairment, entices me, but the mechanics leave me cold. A state of torment that can reduce an Int11Wis16Cha18 creature to "Me see guy, me claw" deserves to be statted out as a distinct special quality. Perhaps something that forces concentration checks to use spell-like abilities or gives it a cumulative chance each round to float motionless screaming in pain and despair. At the very least it should have a few morale penalties (bypassing normal undead immunity to morale effects).

This creature also seems to hunger for some undead weakness/restrictions. Inability to cross running water just cries out to me here. I could see adding some others, either standard things like "can't enter holy sites" and "can't enter homes uninvited" or something quirky and specific that would make listening to peasants worthwhile, such as "cannot cross any way bordered by a garland of violets" or "blinded by snowballs".

As usual, I find "always chaotic evil" to be possibly unmerited. I can see a few of these things steering away from vengeful to a more general retributive and justice mixed with dire warning type attitude, saving innocents from suffering the same fate and meriting ironic punishment to petty and paranoid community leaders.
Watchdog_of_Hades
05-31-06, 09:45 PM Love it. Very neat idea.
Talisman
06-01-06, 11:12 AM We meet again, Talisman, but this time it is I who will do the reviewing!

Touche!

Working from the top down, I think you should state what sort of damage its incorporeal touch deals.

Done. Negative energy it is.

The description about undead agony, particularly with regards to the mental impairment, entices me, but the mechanics leave me cold. A state of torment that can reduce an Int11Wis16Cha18 creature to "Me see guy, me claw" deserves to be statted out as a distinct special quality. Perhaps something that forces concentration checks to use spell-like abilities or gives it a cumulative chance each round to float motionless screaming in pain and despair. At the very least it should have a few morale penalties (bypassing normal undead immunity to morale effects).

Hmm...good thought. How about "Unliving Madness?"

This creature also seems to hunger for some undead weakness/restrictions. Inability to cross running water just cries out to me here. I could see adding some others, either standard things like "can't enter holy sites" and "can't enter homes uninvited" or something quirky and specific that would make listening to peasants worthwhile, such as "cannot cross any way bordered by a garland of violets" or "blinded by snowballs".

Done and done.

As usual, I find "always chaotic evil" to be possibly unmerited. I can see a few of these things steering away from vengeful to a more general retributive and justice mixed with dire warning type attitude, saving innocents from suffering the same fate and meriting ironic punishment to petty and paranoid community leaders.

As always, the "alignment" line is subject to whatever the GM wants. In my mind, these agonized, maddned, undead pillars of flame hate the living and wish to inflict pain. That makes them CE by my definition. If you want to make a unique "avenger"-type pyre spectre, by all means do so. Or if you want to change the whole concept to a sort of incorporeal, flaming revenant, do so. This is just how I see them.
R.M.G.C.L.F.
06-01-06, 08:53 PM Excellent. :cool:

Holy water has good thematics, and I love the cannot-enter-home-of-anyone-who-defended-them-in-life thing. Such a lovely element of poetic justice.

Kudos to you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Talisman 05-31-06, 01:03 PM	Pyre Spectre Medium Undead (Fire, Incorporeal) Hit Dice 6d12 (39 hp) Initiative +3 Speed Fly 40' (perfect) AC 17 (+3 Dex, +4 deflection), touch 17, flat-footed 14 Base Attack/Grapple +3/-- Attack Incorporeal touch +7 melee Full Attack 2 incorporeal touches +7 melee Damage Incorporeal touch 1d6+4 negative energy plus 1d6 fire Space/Reach 5'/5' Special Attacks Burn, energy drain, spell-like abilities Special Qualities Glow, unholy deflection, unliving madness, vulnerabilities Saves Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +8 Abilities Str --, Dex 17, Con --, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 18 Skills Concentration +13, Listen +12, Search +9, Spot +12 Feats Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus (touch) Environment Any land Organization Solitary, flight (3-10) or doom (15-50) Challenge Rating 6 Treasure None Alignment Always chaotic evil Advancement 7-18 HD (Medium) Level Adjustment -- A five-foot flame floats through the air towards you in eerie silence. As it approaches, you can see a tortured human face at the top, and two claws extending from the sides. Pyre spectres are the tormented spirits of those who were burned alive for crimes they did not commit. "Witches" and heretics form the bulk of these unhappy undead, and they are particularly common in lands where execution by burning at the stake is practiced. Pyre spectres look like man-sized flames floating through the air. The face of the person whos spirit this is can be seen at the top, twisted and tormented as of still burining. When it approaches a living creature, a pyre spectre extends its clawed hands and attempts to draw them into the embrace of death. Combat: Pyre spectres attack with two touches of their flaming claws. Although intelligent enough to understand basic tactics, their undead and tormented state prevents them from using elaborate plans. Burn (Ex): Anyone hit by a pyre spectre's incorporeal touch attack must make a Reflex save (DC 17) or catch on fire, burning for 1d4 rounds. A burning creature can put out the flames with a move-equivalent action to put out the flames. Creatures hitting the a pyre spectre with natural weapons or unarmed attacks also take fire damage as though hit by the creature's incorporeal touch, and must make Reflex saves to avoid catching on fire. The save DC is Charisma-based. Energy Drain (Su): A hit by a pyre spectre's incorporeal touch inflicts one negative level. The Fortitude DC to remove this level is 17. The save DC is Charisma-based. Glow (Su): Pyre spectres continually glow, shedding light as a burning torch. They cannot suppress this ability. Unliving Madness (Ex): The torment and injustice of their deaths have maddened these unhappy spirits, and made them erratic and unstable. Each round, there is a 5% chance that a pyre spectre's agony and rage overcomes it and it acts in a random fashion, as per the lesser confusion spell. Spell-like Abilities: At will--pyrotechnics (DC 15); 1/day--wall of fire. Caster level 7th. The save DC is Charisma-based. Unholy Deflection (Su): Pyre spectres gain their Charisma modifier as a deflection bonus to AC. Vulnerabilities: Pyre spectres take double damage from holy water. They cannot cross running water, cannot pass a barrier of violets, and cannot enter the home of anyone who attempted to defend them in life. These weaknesses can be determined with a DC 16 Knowledge (religion) or bardic knowledge check, or a DC 22 Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (local) check.
pileobone 05-31-06, 04:36 PM	Looks pretty good. As far as mechanics goes, nothing really new or complicated, but a simple and yet well rounded undead. Good writeup, and good flavor. Very nice. That'll teach those nasty over-zealous villagers to burn at random, whether or not they may have actually been turned into a newt. After all, they got better didn't they?
Tony111 05-31-06, 04:57 PM	"The real trouble came after we burned the witch..." I love that quote. "I got better." I love that quote too. -Tony
R.M.G.C.L.F. 05-31-06, 04:58 PM	We meet again, Talisman, but this time it is I who will do the reviewing! To start with, I want to praise you for creating a creature that causes things to catch on fire. This basic mechanic is just not employed often enough in Dungeons and Dragons. I also commend your use of the Glow special quality instead of merely giving the creature flavor text about firey glow but leaving it invisible in darkness. Working from the top down, I think you should state what sort of damage its incorporeal touch deals. Its true that there is precedent for incorporeal touch dealing unnamed damage, but I feel its just cleaner to state a type. Negative energy damage perhaps, or would this damage be of the slashing and percing variety? The description about undead agony, particularly with regards to the mental impairment, entices me, but the mechanics leave me cold. A state of torment that can reduce an Int11Wis16Cha18 creature to "Me see guy, me claw" deserves to be statted out as a distinct special quality. Perhaps something that forces concentration checks to use spell-like abilities or gives it a cumulative chance each round to float motionless screaming in pain and despair. At the very least it should have a few morale penalties (bypassing normal undead immunity to morale effects). This creature also seems to hunger for some undead weakness/restrictions. Inability to cross running water just cries out to me here. I could see adding some others, either standard things like "can't enter holy sites" and "can't enter homes uninvited" or something quirky and specific that would make listening to peasants worthwhile, such as "cannot cross any way bordered by a garland of violets" or "blinded by snowballs". As usual, I find "always chaotic evil" to be possibly unmerited. I can see a few of these things steering away from vengeful to a more general retributive and justice mixed with dire warning type attitude, saving innocents from suffering the same fate and meriting ironic punishment to petty and paranoid community leaders.
Watchdog_of_Hades 05-31-06, 09:45 PM	Love it. Very neat idea.
Talisman 06-01-06, 11:12 AM	We meet again, Talisman, but this time it is I who will do the reviewing! Touche! Working from the top down, I think you should state what sort of damage its incorporeal touch deals. Done. Negative energy it is. The description about undead agony, particularly with regards to the mental impairment, entices me, but the mechanics leave me cold. A state of torment that can reduce an Int11Wis16Cha18 creature to "Me see guy, me claw" deserves to be statted out as a distinct special quality. Perhaps something that forces concentration checks to use spell-like abilities or gives it a cumulative chance each round to float motionless screaming in pain and despair. At the very least it should have a few morale penalties (bypassing normal undead immunity to morale effects). Hmm...good thought. How about "Unliving Madness?" This creature also seems to hunger for some undead weakness/restrictions. Inability to cross running water just cries out to me here. I could see adding some others, either standard things like "can't enter holy sites" and "can't enter homes uninvited" or something quirky and specific that would make listening to peasants worthwhile, such as "cannot cross any way bordered by a garland of violets" or "blinded by snowballs". Done and done. As usual, I find "always chaotic evil" to be possibly unmerited. I can see a few of these things steering away from vengeful to a more general retributive and justice mixed with dire warning type attitude, saving innocents from suffering the same fate and meriting ironic punishment to petty and paranoid community leaders. As always, the "alignment" line is subject to whatever the GM wants. In my mind, these agonized, maddned, undead pillars of flame hate the living and wish to inflict pain. That makes them CE by my definition. If you want to make a unique "avenger"-type pyre spectre, by all means do so. Or if you want to change the whole concept to a sort of incorporeal, flaming revenant, do so. This is just how I see them.
R.M.G.C.L.F. 06-01-06, 08:53 PM	Excellent. :cool: Holy water has good thematics, and I love the cannot-enter-home-of-anyone-who-defended-them-in-life thing. Such a lovely element of poetic justice. Kudos to you.