Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jakelslang21 01-11-08, 08:26 PM	Dust locust swarm Fine Vermin (Swarm) Hit dice: 14d8+28 (88) Initiative: +5 Speed: Fly 70ft. (perfect) Armour Class: 23 (+8 size, +5 dex) Base Attack/Graple: +10/- Attack: Swarm (3d6 plus Burrow) Full Attack: Swarm (3d6 plus Burrow) Space/Reach: 10ft./0ft. Special Attacks: Burrow, Distraction, Dust cloud, Harvester Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft., Swarm Traits, Vermin Traits Saves: Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +4 Abilities: Str 1, Dex 21, Con 15, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 10 Skills: - Feats: - Environment: Any Deserts Organization: Solitary; or Sandstorm (2-10) Challenge Rating: 8-10? Treasure: None Allignment: Always Neutral Advancement: - Level Adjustment: - Shredding through the farmlands is what appears to be a dark sandstorm? If you look closer the storm turns out to be thousands of dark brown cicada with wicken red eyes. Dust locusts are said to be the wrath of the desert spirits when powerful races and colonies invade the desert for personal gain for they wreak havoc on any thriving nation in the desert. This may also just be because they are lured to the cities with large agriculture which are typically thriving for the most part. Large amounts of Dust locusts are called Sandstorms since they looks like huge duststorms until seen up close. Dust locusts do not speak. Combat: Dust locusts care little for fighting, just to eat everything organic. When its mating season, however Dust locust lay they're young in everything that can inhabit it. From desert rodents to human civilians to brutish ogres. Burrow (Ex): Whenever Dust locust swarm they dig into their foe's skin, laying large amounts of eggs in their dermis and blood vessels as they do so. This deals 1d6 Con damage and fatigues the victim as they cannot not respirate through the skin or transport oxygen to vital body parts. A successful Heal check 20 removes the eggs and fatigue but failure deals another 1d4 Con damage as they split blood vessels and remove unhealthily large amounts of skin. Dust locusts may burrow once every 1d4 rounds. A person killed by burrowing becomes an incubator for the Dust locust maggots which will dig they're way out in 1 day, becoming a new swarm. Distraction (Ex): Any living creature vulnerable to a Dust locust's damage that begins its turn with a swarm in its square is nauseated for 1 round; a Fortitude save 17 negates the effect. Even after a successful save, spell-casting or concentrating on spells within the area of a swarm requires a Concentration check (20 + spell level). Using skills requiring patience and concentration requires a Concentration check 20. The save DC is Consitution based. Dust cloud (Ex): Dust locusts are somehow magnets for creating duststorms. Anyone within 20ft. or occupying a Dust locust's space must hold their breath or begin to suffocate. This also hampers vision, granting creatures in the cloud concealment (20% miss chance). Harvester (Ex): Whenever dust locusts occupy a space with organic material (crops, vegetation or plant creatures) they ravage and consume it. Non-living plant matter is eaten instantly. Living plant matter takes an additional 7d6 points of desiccation damage. Trees and treants are particularly vulnerable to the attacks of dust locusts.
DebiHuman 01-12-08, 11:19 PM	Dustlocust The compound word makes it more difficult to read -- "dust locust" is better on the eyes as are "dust cloud" and "dust storm." I understand why you did it; but this habit of using compound words to create a unique monster is annoying. This is just a pet peeve of mine. I like the Harvester ability but it's worded a bit awkardly. May I suggest the following: Harvester (Ex): Whenever dust locusts occupy a space with organic material (crops, vegetation or plant creatures) they ravage and consume it. Non-living plant matter is eaten instantly. Living plant matter takes an additional 7d6 points of desiccation damage. Trees and treants are particularly vulnerable to the attacks of dust locusts.
jakelslang21 01-12-08, 11:37 PM	Yeah I thought the monster name/ability would be cooler but I guess it isn't :pbbbtt:. I'll change that. About the harvest ability. It only deals hit point damage to plant monsters. I meant 'living plant creatures' as something that might have limbs, actual HD, and real attacks etc. It's true plants are living but most players and several DMs don't really need to add that. As you walk into the queen's greenhouse dozens of living plants are potted next one to another in symnetrical order. You would probably imply that a plant monster was living. Thanks for the review.
DebiHuman 01-12-08, 11:44 PM	I realized I was unclear and was editing my response when you replied. I think making it desiccation damage makes a lot more sense than leaving it as just additional damage. Just my 2 cents. Debby
jakelslang21 01-12-08, 11:46 PM	I think your right about the desiccation damage. Thanks.