[Creature] In grim reality... [Archive] - Wizards Community

[Creature] In grim reality... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Vorpal Tribble
07-11-07, 12:04 PM Thestral

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/41/Thestral.jpg/250px-Thestral.jpg

Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 4d10+16 HD (38 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), fly 100 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 16 (+2 dex, +5 natural, -1 size), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+11
Attack: Hoof +6 melee (1d6+3)
Full Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+3) and bite +4 melee (1d6+1)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Disease
Special Qualities: Carnal scent, cloak of death, darkvision 60 ft., grim vitality, low-light vision, resistance to negative energy 10, scent
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +2
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 11
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +4
Feats: Endurance, Flyby Attack, Multiattack(B), Spirit Sense (http://realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Spirit_Sense,HH)(B)
Environment: Temperate Forest
Organization: Domesticated or herd (6–30)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: -

This appears as a horse in the final stages of starvation, each bone plainly seen through dark leathery skin stretches so tightly that it appears as if it were dipped in tar. Its head in particular is as a skull and bears a resemblance to a saurian or dragon's, complete with a snout of sharp predator's teeth. It has shining white eyes and a thick black mane that hangs long from its neck. From its back sprouts an enormous pair of membranous bat wings though they fold so tightly to the body they are not easily noticed.

Despite their ominous appearance Thestrals are not commonly seen. They are creatures with strong ties to death, though are not of themselves often killers. Thus they may only be seen by those who know death intimately. They tend to be scavengers, feeding off the remains of the dead, though are also known to have a taste for birds, especially those in their airspace. They do not attack larger creatures however unless provoked or threatened.

Thestrals weigh only around 800 lbs., though possess a grim strength that belies their appearance. They speak only their own language, though can be taught to understand others.

Combat
A thestral provoked or threatened into an attack tends to gallop at its attacker, trying to scare if off with blows of its hooves. If this is unaffective it lashes forward with its teeth, tearing chunks of flesh which it swallows as it battles. Often it will take to the air to swing past like a furious wraith.

Carnal Scent (Ex): A thestral can detect fresh blood or a corpse at twice the range of its normal scent.

Cloak of Death (Su): A thestral may only be seen by one who has witnessed the death of a loved one. To all others they are invisible as the spell. This ability is constant, allowing a thestral to remain invisible even when attacking. This ability is inherent and not subject to the invisibility purge spell.

Disease (Ex): Red ache—bite, Fortitude DC 16, incubation period 1d3 days, damage 1d6 Strength. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Grim Vitality (Ex): A thestral has a +4 resistance to disease, poison, and death affects.

-=-=-=-=-

Training A Thestral

A thestral requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. Training a thestral requires you to be able to see it, six weeks of work, and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a thestral requires an exotic saddle. A thestral can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.

Thestral young are worth 3,500 gp each. Professional trainers charge 1,500 gp to rear or train a thestral.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a thestral is up to 258 pounds; a medium load, 259–519 pounds; and a heavy load, 520–780 pounds. A thestral can drag 3,900 pounds.
Babzidu
07-11-07, 01:11 PM Okay, now see, that is awesome. I am so giving one of these to Saragoth the lich's blackgaurd buddy. An invisible flying horse of death? Where do you come up with this stuff, Tribble?!

I'm running out a cookies.
:cookie:
The Vorpal Tribble
07-11-07, 01:42 PM I can't actually take the credit for this fellow's concept. It's based on a creature from Harry Potter that I saw in the theatre last night.
Fafnir
07-11-07, 03:51 PM Thestrals?
Vorpal Tribble, you rock.

:cheer:
RobbyPants
07-11-07, 04:21 PM I can't actually take the credit for this fellow's concept. It's based on a creature from Harry Potter that I saw in the theatre last night.
Cool. I'm planning on watching that within the next two or three days.

Awesome job on the monster (as usual). :D

I've seen all sorts of your creations here, and I just clicked on your link. My god. :eek: I had no idea how many you've made.
Mindolin
07-11-07, 04:38 PM You child of unmarried people, why did you get to see that movie last night? Being serious, that looks great. I't looks like a pretty accurare representation, despite the fact that they are only in two scenes. Great job, I might be using that in my campaign, with proper credit, of course.
jakelslang21
07-11-07, 04:41 PM Its impossible to say these are not awesome. Good job, Vorpal.
Draginja
07-11-07, 04:50 PM Wat do you mean by a loved one? Did Harry love Cedric? (On second thought, I don't want to know about that one...) I thought you just had to see somebody die to see Thestrals...
Mindolin
07-11-07, 05:06 PM Yeah, can't believe I missed that. The invisibility is only until you have seen someone die and understood it, hence why Harry didn't see them from the beginning. There is nothing about needing to see a loved one die, although since Luna saw one of her loved one's pass away, I can see where you might have gotten it.
The Vorpal Tribble
07-11-07, 09:02 PM Well, the problem is, if that was the case then all adventurers would automatically be able to see it. Then again, in D&D what constitutes a 'person'? Your race? Shares your body type? Anything over animal intelligence? Just gets too confusing.

So it may not be strictly by the book, but having it be only a loved one makes it more reasonable for a game.

As for Cedric, I believe HP considered him to be a friend. That'd count in my book.
Draginja
07-11-07, 09:07 PM Oh. Okay. I was totally thinking of something else...
qwerty1
07-12-07, 01:27 PM What about his poor mother huh?

He watched her die!
Draginja
07-12-07, 03:04 PM Yeah, but he was, what, 1!? People don't devolop sentient thought (and thus, recollection) until at least age 5. Ergo, she didn't count. (And if you look at the movie, she had his faced pressed against her chest the whole time. I doubt he saw much of anything.)
The Vorpal Tribble
07-12-07, 03:59 PM Yeah, but he was, what, 1!? People don't devolop sentient thought (and thus, recollection) until at least age 5. Ergo, she didn't count. (And if you look at the movie, she had his faced pressed against her chest the whole time. I doubt he saw much of anything.)
Until at least age 5? I have very vivid memories of before I was 2.
Draginja
07-12-07, 06:05 PM Until at least age 5? I have very vivid memories of before I was 2.

Then I curse you... I speak from personal experience, though I try to ignore children as a whole, even my own childhood. But please, don't let me knock you off topic...
skydin
07-13-07, 12:59 AM these are full of win. but more than that, these should have been here sooner. after all, the movies suck monkeynuts compared to the books...
TrollsAREdelicious
07-13-07, 01:50 AM Superb Mr. Tribble.

One small thing:

Shouldn't it be "cHarnal scent"?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Vorpal Tribble 07-11-07, 12:04 PM	Thestral http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/41/Thestral.jpg/250px-Thestral.jpg Large Magical Beast Hit Dice: 4d10+16 HD (38 hp) Initiative: +2 Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), fly 100 ft. (average) Armor Class: 16 (+2 dex, +5 natural, -1 size), touch 11, flat-footed 14 Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+11 Attack: Hoof +6 melee (1d6+3) Full Attack: 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+3) and bite +4 melee (1d6+1) Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. Special Attacks: Disease Special Qualities: Carnal scent, cloak of death, darkvision 60 ft., grim vitality, low-light vision, resistance to negative energy 10, scent Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +2 Abilities: Str 17, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 11 Skills: Listen +5, Spot +4 Feats: Endurance, Flyby Attack, Multiattack(B), Spirit Sense (http://realmshelps.dandello.net/cgi-bin/feats.pl?Spirit_Sense,HH)(B) Environment: Temperate Forest Organization: Domesticated or herd (6–30) Challenge Rating: 4 Treasure: None Alignment: Usually neutral Advancement: 5-8 HD (Large) Level Adjustment: - This appears as a horse in the final stages of starvation, each bone plainly seen through dark leathery skin stretches so tightly that it appears as if it were dipped in tar. Its head in particular is as a skull and bears a resemblance to a saurian or dragon's, complete with a snout of sharp predator's teeth. It has shining white eyes and a thick black mane that hangs long from its neck. From its back sprouts an enormous pair of membranous bat wings though they fold so tightly to the body they are not easily noticed. Despite their ominous appearance Thestrals are not commonly seen. They are creatures with strong ties to death, though are not of themselves often killers. Thus they may only be seen by those who know death intimately. They tend to be scavengers, feeding off the remains of the dead, though are also known to have a taste for birds, especially those in their airspace. They do not attack larger creatures however unless provoked or threatened. Thestrals weigh only around 800 lbs., though possess a grim strength that belies their appearance. They speak only their own language, though can be taught to understand others. Combat A thestral provoked or threatened into an attack tends to gallop at its attacker, trying to scare if off with blows of its hooves. If this is unaffective it lashes forward with its teeth, tearing chunks of flesh which it swallows as it battles. Often it will take to the air to swing past like a furious wraith. Carnal Scent (Ex): A thestral can detect fresh blood or a corpse at twice the range of its normal scent. Cloak of Death (Su): A thestral may only be seen by one who has witnessed the death of a loved one. To all others they are invisible as the spell. This ability is constant, allowing a thestral to remain invisible even when attacking. This ability is inherent and not subject to the invisibility purge spell. Disease (Ex): Red ache—bite, Fortitude DC 16, incubation period 1d3 days, damage 1d6 Strength. The save DC is Constitution-based. Grim Vitality (Ex): A thestral has a +4 resistance to disease, poison, and death affects. -=-=-=-=- Training A Thestral A thestral requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. Training a thestral requires you to be able to see it, six weeks of work, and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a thestral requires an exotic saddle. A thestral can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check. Thestral young are worth 3,500 gp each. Professional trainers charge 1,500 gp to rear or train a thestral. Carrying Capacity: A light load for a thestral is up to 258 pounds; a medium load, 259–519 pounds; and a heavy load, 520–780 pounds. A thestral can drag 3,900 pounds.
Babzidu 07-11-07, 01:11 PM	Okay, now see, that is awesome. I am so giving one of these to Saragoth the lich's blackgaurd buddy. An invisible flying horse of death? Where do you come up with this stuff, Tribble?! I'm running out a cookies. :cookie:
The Vorpal Tribble 07-11-07, 01:42 PM	I can't actually take the credit for this fellow's concept. It's based on a creature from Harry Potter that I saw in the theatre last night.
Fafnir 07-11-07, 03:51 PM	Thestrals? Vorpal Tribble, you rock. :cheer:
RobbyPants 07-11-07, 04:21 PM	I can't actually take the credit for this fellow's concept. It's based on a creature from Harry Potter that I saw in the theatre last night. Cool. I'm planning on watching that within the next two or three days. Awesome job on the monster (as usual). :D I've seen all sorts of your creations here, and I just clicked on your link. My god. :eek: I had no idea how many you've made.
Mindolin 07-11-07, 04:38 PM	You child of unmarried people, why did you get to see that movie last night? Being serious, that looks great. I't looks like a pretty accurare representation, despite the fact that they are only in two scenes. Great job, I might be using that in my campaign, with proper credit, of course.
jakelslang21 07-11-07, 04:41 PM	Its impossible to say these are not awesome. Good job, Vorpal.
Draginja 07-11-07, 04:50 PM	Wat do you mean by a loved one? Did Harry love Cedric? (On second thought, I don't want to know about that one...) I thought you just had to see somebody die to see Thestrals...
Mindolin 07-11-07, 05:06 PM	Yeah, can't believe I missed that. The invisibility is only until you have seen someone die and understood it, hence why Harry didn't see them from the beginning. There is nothing about needing to see a loved one die, although since Luna saw one of her loved one's pass away, I can see where you might have gotten it.
The Vorpal Tribble 07-11-07, 09:02 PM	Well, the problem is, if that was the case then all adventurers would automatically be able to see it. Then again, in D&D what constitutes a 'person'? Your race? Shares your body type? Anything over animal intelligence? Just gets too confusing. So it may not be strictly by the book, but having it be only a loved one makes it more reasonable for a game. As for Cedric, I believe HP considered him to be a friend. That'd count in my book.
Draginja 07-11-07, 09:07 PM	Oh. Okay. I was totally thinking of something else...
qwerty1 07-12-07, 01:27 PM	What about his poor mother huh? He watched her die!
Draginja 07-12-07, 03:04 PM	Yeah, but he was, what, 1!? People don't devolop sentient thought (and thus, recollection) until at least age 5. Ergo, she didn't count. (And if you look at the movie, she had his faced pressed against her chest the whole time. I doubt he saw much of anything.)
The Vorpal Tribble 07-12-07, 03:59 PM	Yeah, but he was, what, 1!? People don't devolop sentient thought (and thus, recollection) until at least age 5. Ergo, she didn't count. (And if you look at the movie, she had his faced pressed against her chest the whole time. I doubt he saw much of anything.) Until at least age 5? I have very vivid memories of before I was 2.
Draginja 07-12-07, 06:05 PM	Until at least age 5? I have very vivid memories of before I was 2. Then I curse you... I speak from personal experience, though I try to ignore children as a whole, even my own childhood. But please, don't let me knock you off topic...
skydin 07-13-07, 12:59 AM	these are full of win. but more than that, these should have been here sooner. after all, the movies suck monkeynuts compared to the books...
TrollsAREdelicious 07-13-07, 01:50 AM	Superb Mr. Tribble. One small thing: Shouldn't it be "cHarnal scent"?