Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Anaxander 01-06-07, 02:26 PM	Well I'm planning some rewriting of the Expedition to Castle Ravenloft module and the aspect of the demon Chernovog is one of the things I would like to change. Instead of a demon I plan to introduce a creature from the far outer planes, irredeemly evil and gruesome. A cross breed between Cthulu, an ammonite and a snail. So I would like your input on the thing and especially your opinion if it CR is around 14. Chernovog Something stirs in the dark green brown water. The swamp starts boiling vehemently. Eight tentacles slowly glibber out of the march, searching for warm bodies to grapple. The tentacles are followed by a slow rising grey mass covered with slime. Like an enormous snail the creature begins to hold on to the bank, moving towards you. Hungry it widely opens a huge round maw, full of sharp teeth, which, it seems, could swallow a small dragon. Gargantuan Aberration, Extraplanar, Evil HD: 20d8 + 20*7 (230 HP) Initiative: -2 AC: 20 [10 + 16 (natural) -4 (size) -2 Dex] Touch: 4, Flat-footed: 22 Speed: 20ft, Burrow 20ft, Drill 60ft Space / reach: 20ft / 40ft (tentacle), 10ft (bite) Bab / grapple: 15 / 38 Attack: Tentacle +22 (2d8+11) Full attack: 8 tentacles +20 (2d8+11), Venom Spit +7 (paralysation 1d4 round, DC25) and 1 bite +20 (4d6+11) Special attacks: Acidic skin, Spell-like abilities, , Swallow Whole, Venom spit Special qualities: Blindsight, Damage Reduction 10/good, Immunity to Poison, Resistance to Acid, Cold & Electricity 15, SR21, Vulnerability to Fire Fort save: +15 Ref save: +4 Will save: +19 Abilities: Str32, Dex6, Con24, Int:20, Wis:20, Cha:20 Feats: Great Fortitude, Improved Grab, Improved Natural Attack: Bite, Improved Natural Attack: Tentacle, Improved Trip, Iron Will, Multi-attack Acidic skin (Ex): Chernovog's skin is highly acidic. 1d8 acid damage when touched. Drill (Ex): Once every 1d4 rounds Chernovog can reform his shell to drill 60ft backwards, in a straight line, in any natural terrain softer than stone (earth, dirt, mud, ...). Swallow Whole (Ex): Chernovog can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of a smaller size than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, the opponent takes 3d6+11 points of crushing damage plus 8 points of acid damage per round from the worm’s gizzard. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC 17). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. Chernovog can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium, 32 Small, 128 Tiny, or 512 Diminutive or smaller opponents. Venom spit (Ex): As a standard attack action, Chernovog can spit venom within a radius of 120ft. Ranged touch attack +7, paralysis for 1d4 rounds Fortitude DC25 negates. Spell-like abilities: Stinking cloud 3/day, CL10; Soften Earth and Stone 3/day, CL10 Tactics: Chernovog lies underground, waiting for prey. When he senses a creature Chernovog understands Common and many other languages. However, he does not wish to communicate, only to feed.
Atolm 01-06-07, 10:56 PM	Is this about right? http://123pichosting.com/images/4599Chernovog_00.jpg
Anaxander 01-07-07, 04:27 AM	Very cool! The mouth and tentacles are just as I envisaged them, maybe a bit bigger. I thought more of a slug however, but didn't realise that in English a snail has always a 'house'. But this picture let's me rethink the concept. The snail's house would be as strong as a stone wall...
Atolm 01-07-07, 09:05 AM	:) So its okay with you then?
Anaxander 01-07-07, 09:47 AM	Jep, I probably will use it in my upcoming campaign, but it will be at least two months before it will show up. Thanks a lot!
Atolm 01-07-07, 10:55 AM	Jep, I probably will use it in my upcoming campaign, but it will be at least two months before it will show up. Thanks a lot! NP, I like to draw up new monsters when I can. :)
cog_n_taz 01-08-07, 01:46 AM	Yep, you're lucky the first reply came from this board's resident artistic genius:).
drakkonflye 01-09-07, 05:51 PM	WOW! :clap: :bow: Totally awesome artwork! Remind me to put some of my ideas before you in the future :)
Anaxander 01-10-07, 11:23 AM	Yes and I'm the proud owner (well sort of) :D So, what about the CR of the critter? Does it seem in the CR14 range?
Armoracia Rusticana 01-10-07, 03:50 PM	It is hard to judge, but let me see. 20 hd gargantuan aberration... that should be awesome. I mean, beholder, quintessential aberration, has 12 hd and these hd make CR of 13! Not every aberration is a beholder, but quite a few of them are ambushers. AC 18 is some kind of joke. Weak BAB for 14-th character is +7. Thus, that melee-aligned monster gonna be hit by anyone. By a wizard with a stick... That is ill. Especially considering solid damage reduction. Can't understand, wheather it soft on hit (natural AC of mere 4) or hard (DR 15/good). Also, increase its grapple bonus by 12. It is gargantuan, after all. Decrease attack bonus with tentacles, too. By 4. Anyway, 8 attacks with +20 at range of 40 ft gonna kill anyone. I mean, DC 25 is hard to success two or more times in a row - and next round you gonna be CdG'ed. Thanks to its Int 20. But, let me ask you, where that critter would encounter party? GARGANTUAN ambusher without fly or swim speed? No camouflage? Base speed 20? We walk away from it! I understand that it dwells in swamp, but... Is that swamp THAT deep? And no sweem speed... strange. Plain strange. 14-th level party doesn't crawl through swamp, it FLIES. Swallow whole needs clarification. Size, damage, AC, hps of stomach. Anyways, that fellow would tear apart a 14-th level party in 2-3 rounds if placed right. Otherwise, it will be killed on spot - if a party sorcerer somehow discover vulnerability to fire, he'll roast thingy. SR 25 mean you need roll 11 or more, provided you do not rise your CL or taken spell penetration (greater). DR 15 is not something unbeatable, considering pathetic AC of 18. If a party has a Scout, he's gonna have some archery practise, with literally no risk. Conclusion: that's not CR 14 monster. It's puzzle monster. PS. Ambusher with Init -2? PPS. I consider it ambusher because it has NO way to chase party, or to attack from the range, I consider it a puzzle monster, for you either kill it (right guess/strategy/weakness/luck) easily, or it kills you even more easily (wrong guess or stuff).
Anaxander 01-11-07, 08:06 AM	AC 18 is some kind of joke. Weak BAB for 14-th character is +7. Thus, that melee-aligned monster gonna be hit by anyone. By a wizard with a stick... That is ill. Especially considering solid damage reduction. Can't understand, wheather it soft on hit (natural AC of mere 4) or hard (DR 15/good). It has +14 natural armor, but a -4 for size and a -2 for dex. It has a low AC since it moves its body quite sluggish (eh) and has a weak skin. Yet it is also a being of pure evil which explains the DR 15/good. The party against which it is pitted will know its weaknesses when they encounter it. But perhaps I could replace it with AC 20 and DR 10/good to balance it a bit. Also, increase its grapple bonus by 12. It is gargantuan, after all. Ok. Decrease attack bonus with tentacles, too. By 4. Anyway, 8 attacks with +20 at range of 40 ft gonna kill anyone. I mean, DC 25 is hard to success two or more times in a row - and next round you gonna be CdG'ed. Thanks to its Int 20. Ok. But, let me ask you, where that critter would encounter party? GARGANTUAN ambusher without fly or swim speed? No camouflage? Base speed 20? We walk away from it! I understand that it dwells in swamp, but... Is that swamp THAT deep? And no sweem speed... strange. Plain strange. 14-th level party doesn't crawl through swamp, it FLIES. Since ages it is asleep below a shrine which is in the swamp. The top of the shrine is in effect piece of its 'house'. When the players activate the shrine the being awakens. It isn't an ambusher. It is designed to look ugly and mean. The party which will encounter it will not be lvl 14, but they will know the creatures weaknesses. That said, I should add Burrow 20ft to the creatures movement. Swallow whole needs clarification. Size, damage, AC, hps of stomach. Ok. Anyways, that fellow would tear apart a 14-th level party in 2-3 rounds if placed right. Otherwise, it will be killed on spot - if a party sorcerer somehow discover vulnerability to fire, he'll roast thingy. SR 25 mean you need roll 11 or more, provided you do not rise your CL or taken spell penetration (greater). DR 15 is not something unbeatable, considering pathetic AC of 18. I think I'll lower SR to 21. If a party has a Scout, he's gonna have some archery practise, with literally no risk. Conclusion: that's not CR 14 monster. It's puzzle monster. PS. Ambusher with Init -2? PPS. I consider it ambusher because it has NO way to chase party, or to attack from the range, I consider it a puzzle monster, for you either kill it (right guess/strategy/weakness/luck) easily, or it kills you even more easily (wrong guess or stuff). I will remove the paralysis attack and replace it with a venom spit weapon. Furthermore, its skin will be somewhat acidic as well. It is a bit a puzzle monster, but the players in my campaign should have figured out its weaknesses by the time they encounter it.
Armoracia Rusticana 01-11-07, 08:34 AM	Good to know my opinion is being paid attention, for I am not quite a monster expert. Nice plot placement, though. But still, that is 'who strikes first wins' combat to me. It gonna eat almost any caster or two if catch party on surprise. Otherwise, it's dead piece of ultimately evil (not great deal in Ravenloft, though. I wish I had Good weapon if I were there. Or Holy one, even better. Consider your players will have one, by the way) meat. Swallow Whole should be SA, not SQ. Also... no improved Grab?? Just why?
Anaxander 01-12-07, 04:04 AM	Good to know my opinion is being paid attention, for I am not quite a monster expert. Nice plot placement, though. But still, that is 'who strikes first wins' combat to me. It gonna eat almost any caster or two if catch party on surprise. Otherwise, it's dead piece of ultimately evil (not great deal in Ravenloft, though. I wish I had Good weapon if I were there. Or Holy one, even better. Consider your players will have one, by the way) meat. Swallow Whole should be SA, not SQ. Also... no improved Grab?? Just why? Fixed. About the dead meat part: His Venom Spit gives him some ranged ability, so he won't be a sitting duck. He can burrow himself underground, which gives him some more mobility and terrain mastery. In addition, stinking cloud has the same effects of fog cloud, which grants him total concealment (he is immune against the effects of his own stinking cloud, since he's immune against poison).
Armoracia Rusticana 01-12-07, 10:59 AM	Anyway, why no Improved Grab? Is there a special reason? Most things with swallow whole feature have that one too, you know. As for burrow, stinking cloud and venom spit - these are good! Now he seems deadly enough for me for ECL 14-15. The only thing I don't like is that venom spit is usable as a swift action every round (also, attack bonus should be +9. Size modifeir applies!), thus that is in addition to full attack or move+attack or double move, even to a run action burrowing through the swamp!
NerdNumber1 01-12-07, 11:08 AM	Since it has a burrow speed, how about this ambush tactic: The beast hides underground waiting for prey. When it finds some it grabs several with its long tenticles and attempts to devour them.
Armoracia Rusticana 01-12-07, 01:01 PM	... or drag beneath the surface and let suffocate there in the deapth of soil! That is another reason why I considered that fellow as ambusher.
drakkonflye 01-13-07, 11:07 PM	Give it a minor illusion ability to disguise its shell as a large rock, old ruin, or something similar and let it sink the rest of its body into the ground. Maybe it uses its acidic saliva to turn the ground around it into a swampy morass, and then settles down to rest and wait. If it has a slow digestive system, it can probably lay in wait sleeping for days without starving until it senses the approach of potential prey. Although you might consider swapping out blindsight for tremorsense if you're going to make it a burrowing creature. Or heck, give it both abilities; there's nothing that says it can't use both, as far as I know.
Anaxander 01-14-07, 03:22 AM	Anyway, why no Improved Grab? Is there a special reason? Most things with swallow whole feature have that one too, you know. I had added improved grab under the feats part. As for burrow, stinking cloud and venom spit - these are good! Now he seems deadly enough for me for ECL 14-15. The only thing I don't like is that venom spit is usable as a swift action every round (also, attack bonus should be +9. Size modifeir applies!), thus that is in addition to full attack or move+attack or double move, even to a run action burrowing through the swamp! Does size modifies ranged touch attack? It seems odd. I've changed it, however. I will make Venom Spit a move action instead. The idea behind making it a swift action was that the beastie could spit against an enemy which is further away and make an attack against an enemy which is closer. Thanks for the input so far!
Anaxander 01-14-07, 03:28 AM	Give it a minor illusion ability to disguise its shell as a large rock, old ruin, or something similar and let it sink the rest of its body into the ground. Maybe it uses its acidic saliva to turn the ground around it into a swampy morass, and then settles down to rest and wait. If it has a slow digestive system, it can probably lay in wait sleeping for days without starving until it senses the approach of potential prey. Although you might consider swapping out blindsight for tremorsense if you're going to make it a burrowing creature. Or heck, give it both abilities; there's nothing that says it can't use both, as far as I know. The disguise ability is nice, but it doesn't really fit in the concept of the creature: it comes originally from the outer planes and didn't have the need to hide himself. I'll add tremorsense, however. I also added a 'drill' ability and 'soften earth & stone' as a spell-like ability.
Armoracia Rusticana 01-14-07, 10:08 AM	Most forms of attack need a standard action to perform. For a reason, I believe. You can make that spit a secondary natural ranged touch attack (weird!). Thus, usable on full attack, provokes AoO, at -2 penalty...
Anaxander 01-16-07, 08:09 AM	Most forms of attack need a standard action to perform. For a reason, I believe. You can make that spit a secondary natural ranged touch attack (weird!). Thus, usable on full attack, provokes AoO, at -2 penalty... Good suggestion. I alter it right away...
Armoracia Rusticana 01-16-07, 01:19 PM	Now I like that one. I'll copy that monster for occasional use, if you don't mind. Do you, by the way?
Anaxander 01-16-07, 02:35 PM	Now I like that one. I'll copy that monster for occasional use, if you don't mind. Do you, by the way? I will be honored. :)