Dire Penny (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dire Penny (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Hairball_of_Doom
06-21-07, 06:36 PM This started as a little thing that stung players when they rolled natural 1s on search or spot checks. Then it became something to prod players away from total idiocy. It evolved into a staple of my campaigns, and I finally decided to stat it.

Dire Penny

Fine Construct
Hit Dice: 1d10 (5hp)
Initiative: +8
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armour Class: 31 (+8 size, +8 Dex, +5 natural), touch 26, flat-footed 23
Base Attack/Grapple: 0/-21
Attack: +16 Slam melee (1d4-5)
Full Attack: +16 Slam melee (1d4-5)
Space/Reach: 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: --
Special Qualities: Construct Traits, Darkvision 60 ft., Leaper, Attract
Saves: Fort 0, Ref +8, Will +2
Abilities: Str 1 Dex 27 Con -- Int 2 Wis 14 Cha 24
Skills: Bluff +9, Jump +10, Hide 24
Feats: Weapon Finesse
Environment: Any
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: 1cp
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: --
Level Adjustment: --

There is a shiny penny before you. A very shiny penny...

A Dire Penny is the bane of the thief, a penny so alluring that no man can resist. A Dire Penny is simply a shiny penny, but it is always the shiniest of all coins it is placed with. It is often used as traps in rich wizard's vaults. A Dire Penny cannot speak or make any vocal noise. It can roll itself along the ground, and leap heights far larger than it's size would suggest. It is often the first construct a wizard makes, as it is very inexpensive, simple to construct, and therefore a good test of the wizard's crafting capabilities.

Combat
Leaper (Ex): Dire Pennies use Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier to jump checks, and the leaping reach is based on if it were a Medium creature.
Attract (Su): The Dire Penny can cause one or more creatures within 30 ft to want to admire it, leaving it open to attack. To use this ability, the Dire Penny must make a Bluff check. The result is the DC for each affected creature's Will save against the effect, If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the Dire Penny cannot attempt to attract that creature again for 24 hours. If it's saving throw fails, the creature stares at the Dire Penny with want and is flat-footed for the next 5 rounds or until he takes damage. If a creature takes damage while attracted, the Dire Penny cannot attempt to attract that creature again for 24 hours. Attract is an enchantment (compulsion), mind affecting ability.

Construction
A Dire Penny does not require sculpting, any single coin will do. It will still require treatment with special oils and powders worth 200gp. If the crafter wishes to create their own coin, they will need 1/10 lb of the chosen metal (copper, silver, gold or platinum) and have to make a DC 10 Craft (metalworking) check.
CL 6th, Craft Construct, Charm Person or Charm Monster, Eagle's Splendour, Jump, caster must be at least 6th level; Price 400gp, Cost 200gp + 16 XP.
Hairball_of_Doom
06-25-07, 09:29 AM :bump:
Doom_Linnorm
06-25-07, 09:32 AM I know what to do with this
BEWARE OF TREASURE! :evillaugh

Edit:
And it also gave me 7 new monster ideas.
Talisman
06-25-07, 01:34 PM Treasure: 1cp

Hilarious.

Oh, and the stats look good to.

Hmm...variant dire pennies with poison, or a chill touch SLA...hmm...
Qwicksilver
06-25-07, 03:37 PM Frigging awesome
Paladin_Hiroshi
06-25-07, 04:09 PM Definatly (sp?) going in my next game, Thank you very much!

Have a :cookie: :D
Lyinginbedmon
06-25-07, 04:20 PM They need a burning hands spell-like ability

"Hey! This penny is burning a hole in my pocket!...OW!!"

:rimshot:
Hairball_of_Doom
06-30-07, 05:57 AM Definatly (sp?) going in my next game, Thank you very much!

Have a :cookie: :D

Do tell me how it goes! Also... that's my 2nd cookie! :w00t:
HuManBing
06-30-07, 09:16 AM A Dire Penny [...] can roll itself along the ground, and leap heights far larger than it's size would suggest.

And... how high exactly does a penny normally leap? :D
danzibr
06-30-07, 03:47 PM I really like this idea.

Also, HuManBing, he's not saying normal pennies leap, but rather it leaps well for its size.

Dan
Draginja
06-30-07, 11:03 PM Wow. Just wow. What spawned the orginal idea of a killer penny on a Nat. 1 Search?
KingGolem
07-01-07, 01:12 PM :heehee :bow: Awesome, simply awesome. I'm totally using this one in my campaign! :D
Hairball_of_Doom
07-28-07, 11:07 AM Wow. Just wow. What spawned the orginal idea of a killer penny on a Nat. 1 Search?

Well, it came up when I was a player in a BESM game. Other than that none of us have any clue. The old conversations are lost to time.
snakeman830
07-28-07, 11:53 AM I love it. The best trap idea ever.

Plus, if you boost its intelligence (and find some way of communicating with it), you've got the greatest spy ever!!!
Nobody notices that penny on the floor.

I see an insane NPC in my players' future who talks to his coins. (or at least, they think he's insane...)
Asra
07-28-07, 12:07 PM This is the coolest idea involving pennies I've read in months! I'll be sure to use it on my pcs.
DonThelonious
01-19-08, 06:45 AM So I just have to ask:
What happens when you cast Incarnate Construct on it?

Does it become a little penny sized Abe Lincoln? I think I may do this to my poor players at some point. A whole chest full of them! I think they may have to believe one of the PCs is their god!

Imagine it: 200 tiny copper piece men who follow the player around like little itty bitty soldiers, fearful of their chosen deity and his dreaded pouch:evillaugh.
Evil DM Mk3
01-19-08, 09:57 AM What you need now is to stat a Dire Penny swarm...

:rofl:
Watsyurname529
01-19-08, 10:52 AM I must say congrats as well. This is one awesome, simple monster. Now on to variants with Quarters (increase damage) and Pennies with SLA such as Burning Hands and Chill Touch.

Now I want to see a Rogue Dire Penny. I can just see that now:
Player: Look a penny!
Dire Penny: *Attract*
Player: Oooh...so very shiny...must have...
Dire Penny: SNEAK ATTACK!
Player: *Knocked down to -9 HP*
Player2: Dude...you just got owned by a penny!
Rohano
01-19-08, 05:59 PM While I praise the idea (I, also, like pulling gags when players make miscellanous natural 1's), I must say that more is to be done.
The penny gets extra HP for being so miniscule, as a construct (see: constructs) and I think the damage is skimpy. 1 point of damage per round isn't going to hurt a party of four level 2 characters.
Why not make the damage based on Dex? Or give it an attack that does piercing or slashing damage (I'd say "scratch" but that makes me think Pokemon), as a 1/50 lb creature doing a slam attack isn't going to hurt much.

Why is it that taking damage makes the creature immune to Attract for a day? I can easily see a lowly goblin admiring a coin, being cuffed, then staring at the coin again when the giver of the cuffing has departed.
Someone who takes damage while being attracted should get a concentration check (10+damage?). Even if they fail, they can still be attracted (and if they make the save, they're immune as normal).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hairball_of_Doom 06-21-07, 06:36 PM	This started as a little thing that stung players when they rolled natural 1s on search or spot checks. Then it became something to prod players away from total idiocy. It evolved into a staple of my campaigns, and I finally decided to stat it. Dire Penny Fine Construct Hit Dice: 1d10 (5hp) Initiative: +8 Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) Armour Class: 31 (+8 size, +8 Dex, +5 natural), touch 26, flat-footed 23 Base Attack/Grapple: 0/-21 Attack: +16 Slam melee (1d4-5) Full Attack: +16 Slam melee (1d4-5) Space/Reach: 1/2 ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: -- Special Qualities: Construct Traits, Darkvision 60 ft., Leaper, Attract Saves: Fort 0, Ref +8, Will +2 Abilities: Str 1 Dex 27 Con -- Int 2 Wis 14 Cha 24 Skills: Bluff +9, Jump +10, Hide 24 Feats: Weapon Finesse Environment: Any Organisation: Solitary Challenge Rating: 2 Treasure: 1cp Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: -- Level Adjustment: -- There is a shiny penny before you. A very shiny penny... A Dire Penny is the bane of the thief, a penny so alluring that no man can resist. A Dire Penny is simply a shiny penny, but it is always the shiniest of all coins it is placed with. It is often used as traps in rich wizard's vaults. A Dire Penny cannot speak or make any vocal noise. It can roll itself along the ground, and leap heights far larger than it's size would suggest. It is often the first construct a wizard makes, as it is very inexpensive, simple to construct, and therefore a good test of the wizard's crafting capabilities. Combat Leaper (Ex): Dire Pennies use Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier to jump checks, and the leaping reach is based on if it were a Medium creature. Attract (Su): The Dire Penny can cause one or more creatures within 30 ft to want to admire it, leaving it open to attack. To use this ability, the Dire Penny must make a Bluff check. The result is the DC for each affected creature's Will save against the effect, If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the Dire Penny cannot attempt to attract that creature again for 24 hours. If it's saving throw fails, the creature stares at the Dire Penny with want and is flat-footed for the next 5 rounds or until he takes damage. If a creature takes damage while attracted, the Dire Penny cannot attempt to attract that creature again for 24 hours. Attract is an enchantment (compulsion), mind affecting ability. Construction A Dire Penny does not require sculpting, any single coin will do. It will still require treatment with special oils and powders worth 200gp. If the crafter wishes to create their own coin, they will need 1/10 lb of the chosen metal (copper, silver, gold or platinum) and have to make a DC 10 Craft (metalworking) check. CL 6th, Craft Construct, Charm Person or Charm Monster, Eagle's Splendour, Jump, caster must be at least 6th level; Price 400gp, Cost 200gp + 16 XP.
Hairball_of_Doom 06-25-07, 09:29 AM	:bump:
Doom_Linnorm 06-25-07, 09:32 AM	I know what to do with this BEWARE OF TREASURE! :evillaugh Edit: And it also gave me 7 new monster ideas.
Talisman 06-25-07, 01:34 PM	Treasure: 1cp Hilarious. Oh, and the stats look good to. Hmm...variant dire pennies with poison, or a chill touch SLA...hmm...
Qwicksilver 06-25-07, 03:37 PM	Frigging awesome
Paladin_Hiroshi 06-25-07, 04:09 PM	Definatly (sp?) going in my next game, Thank you very much! Have a :cookie: :D
Lyinginbedmon 06-25-07, 04:20 PM	They need a burning hands spell-like ability "Hey! This penny is burning a hole in my pocket!...OW!!" :rimshot:
Hairball_of_Doom 06-30-07, 05:57 AM	Definatly (sp?) going in my next game, Thank you very much! Have a :cookie: :D Do tell me how it goes! Also... that's my 2nd cookie! :w00t:
HuManBing 06-30-07, 09:16 AM	A Dire Penny [...] can roll itself along the ground, and leap heights far larger than it's size would suggest. And... how high exactly does a penny normally leap? :D
danzibr 06-30-07, 03:47 PM	I really like this idea. Also, HuManBing, he's not saying normal pennies leap, but rather it leaps well for its size. Dan
Draginja 06-30-07, 11:03 PM	Wow. Just wow. What spawned the orginal idea of a killer penny on a Nat. 1 Search?
KingGolem 07-01-07, 01:12 PM	:heehee :bow: Awesome, simply awesome. I'm totally using this one in my campaign! :D
Hairball_of_Doom 07-28-07, 11:07 AM	Wow. Just wow. What spawned the orginal idea of a killer penny on a Nat. 1 Search? Well, it came up when I was a player in a BESM game. Other than that none of us have any clue. The old conversations are lost to time.
snakeman830 07-28-07, 11:53 AM	I love it. The best trap idea ever. Plus, if you boost its intelligence (and find some way of communicating with it), you've got the greatest spy ever!!! Nobody notices that penny on the floor. I see an insane NPC in my players' future who talks to his coins. (or at least, they think he's insane...)
Asra 07-28-07, 12:07 PM	This is the coolest idea involving pennies I've read in months! I'll be sure to use it on my pcs.
DonThelonious 01-19-08, 06:45 AM	So I just have to ask: What happens when you cast Incarnate Construct on it? Does it become a little penny sized Abe Lincoln? I think I may do this to my poor players at some point. A whole chest full of them! I think they may have to believe one of the PCs is their god! Imagine it: 200 tiny copper piece men who follow the player around like little itty bitty soldiers, fearful of their chosen deity and his dreaded pouch:evillaugh.
Evil DM Mk3 01-19-08, 09:57 AM	What you need now is to stat a Dire Penny swarm... :rofl:
Watsyurname529 01-19-08, 10:52 AM	I must say congrats as well. This is one awesome, simple monster. Now on to variants with Quarters (increase damage) and Pennies with SLA such as Burning Hands and Chill Touch. Now I want to see a Rogue Dire Penny. I can just see that now: Player: Look a penny! Dire Penny: Attract Player: Oooh...so very shiny...must have... Dire Penny: SNEAK ATTACK! Player: Knocked down to -9 HP Player2: Dude...you just got owned by a penny!
Rohano 01-19-08, 05:59 PM	While I praise the idea (I, also, like pulling gags when players make miscellanous natural 1's), I must say that more is to be done. The penny gets extra HP for being so miniscule, as a construct (see: constructs) and I think the damage is skimpy. 1 point of damage per round isn't going to hurt a party of four level 2 characters. Why not make the damage based on Dex? Or give it an attack that does piercing or slashing damage (I'd say "scratch" but that makes me think Pokemon), as a 1/50 lb creature doing a slam attack isn't going to hurt much. Why is it that taking damage makes the creature immune to Attract for a day? I can easily see a lowly goblin admiring a coin, being cuffed, then staring at the coin again when the giver of the cuffing has departed. Someone who takes damage while being attracted should get a concentration check (10+damage?). Even if they fail, they can still be attracted (and if they make the save, they're immune as normal).