Post/Author/DateTime	Post
blackjackg 03-12-06, 05:02 PM	Anybody remember these critters? They were detailed to a degree in 2e Planescape, Probably the Inner Planes book. I don't know if they've been updated to 3.x, but if they are... well, this whole post is pointless. The story behind animentals is that when an animal dies, its soul typically goes up to the Beastlands (or the Happy Hunting Grounds, for those who like the original flavour). Some, however, get misdirected along the way, and the souls wind up in the Inner Planes. Once there, they are returned to a sort of life. They retain their animal minds, but they also take on qualities of an Elemental (or Para- or Quasi-elemental). Animentals generally remain the same shape that they were in life, but the form is now made up of their element. Note that the animal's element is random: a shark is just as likely to become a fire animental as it is water. A bird as no more likely to be associated with air than it is with ice. So this is my attempt to update the creature. (I don't want to have to draw up a dozen different kinds of animal, so I'll just do it as a point form template.) Please Examine and Critique Honestly (but Gently, it's my first try at creating a 3.X monster.) Animental Size, Face and Reach: As animal type. Creature Type: Outsider (Elemental Animal) Hit Dice: As animal type, +1. Thus, a Speed: As animal type (Doubled for Air and Lightning Animentals, Halved for Earth and Mineral Animentals). An animental has all the attacks, special attacks, special qualities, skills and feats of both the animal that it used to be and an elemental of equivalent size. When determining abilities and saves, take the higher of the two choices (original animal and elemental of equivalent size). Animentals have no need to breathe, sleep or eat. Inside or outside of their elemental plane, these creatures are self-sustaining. Animentals are not considered undead, but they are affected by spells or effects that specifically target animals, elementals or outsiders. Animentals may be summoned using the Improved Familiar feat. They are considered True Neutral naturally, but may be summoned by an arcane caster of any alignment. An animental familiar is assumed to have the same alignment as its master.
dok 03-12-06, 05:22 PM	The 3.0 book Manual of the Planes has "elemental creature" templates for animals exactly as you describe. It actually has five templates. (earth, air, fire, water, and wood for folks using oriental adventures) And the conversion guide will make any 3.5 changes needed.