exploding critter [Archive] - Wizards Community

exploding critter [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Free1983
09-20-07, 07:14 AM Hi guys,

I'm looking for some feedback on a little work in progress. The idea is that I design some kind of bug that intrudes into the body and after a while explodes. This bug is being designed by some kind of wizard. I'm trying to make sure this creature does the same thing as what would happen when a lycanthrope changes for the first time (ripping clothes from within, ...). This is to mislead the players. I think this creature is something that should be thrown on the victims body so that it can bite it's way inside (although I'm not sure what kind of ability that should be - I just left it with a bite attack).

I still have some another problem: If this creature would be released into the wild. How would it survive? Would it lay eggs in its victim?

I've tried to put some things together but I'm still doubting about some stuff and perhaps I already made some mistakes with this thing's stats.

Fine Vermin (I don't know if aberration might be more appropriate) - no subtype (yet)

HD: 1d8-4 (1hp)
Initiative: +5 (Dex)
Speed: 5ft. (1 square)
AC: 23 (+5 dex, +8 size) I'm not sure but it's skin might be even weaker than a human's skin, so I considered a negative modifier for natural armor, but since I never saw negative armor modifiers for natural armor, I'm a bit hesitant.
BaB/Grapple: +0/-? (don't know the size penalty for fine creatures)
Attack: Bite +3 melee (1) (or bite +13 melee (1) with weapon finesse)
Full Attack: id.
Space/Reach: 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Spell like ability (I need something that can kill a commoner in one blow, but doesn't kills a lvl 3 character in one blow and for the sake of the idea I was thinking about: Acid Splash (but that doesn't quite fit the idea), Enlarge person (but I have no idea about the damage this would deal. Besides, going from fine to diminuitive isn't likely to make people burst out of their clothes) or Polymorph (but same problems as enlarge person)).
Special Qualities: Blindsense (No eyes, so no darkvision)
Saves: -3/+5/-2 (although it doesn't seem logic that thing can dodge out of harms way with a speed of only 5ft.)
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 20, Con 2, Int -, Wis 4, Cha 2
Skills: None
Feats: I'm not sure but weapon finesse might give him a boost on its attack roll.
Environment: Any
Organization: Artificial
Challenge Rating: 1 (but not so sure with high attack roll & spell like ability)
Treasure: None
Alignment: N
Advancement: -
Level Adjustment: -

This creature looks like a very small, grey worm that crawls towards any other living creatures. It's secretes a green slimy substance as it approaches you.

What kind of spell-like ability would leave the same traces as the lycanthrope transformation. This doesn't has to be perfect as the wizard who engineered these things might have some accomplices that could alter the results (at least with the first few examples). If you think I need something homebrewed, suggestions are welcome.

So what do you guys think? Anything that might improve the idea or the build is welcome. If you need extra info, I'll be happy to comply.

Thanks in advance
Grumman
09-20-07, 07:32 AM Just based on your introductory text, I'd be cautious (read: no way in hell) about introducing this creature to the game. Making the players have to worry about identifying even solitary insects seems like something that is going to make the game less fun.
Free1983
09-20-07, 08:32 AM I'm not setting this thing loose in my campaignworld. That would indeed be wreaking havoc on my setting, but I don't think using them (sparcely) will be a problem because:

These critters die when they activate their special ability (forgot to mention that earlier).
(for now) They don't have a way to reproduce themselves.
As I said, they are constructed (and contained) by the wizard and are not going to go places they shouldn't go to (read: not going to places I don't want them to go).

I just need these fellows to have something that gives the impression of an epidemy of lycantrophy. Perhaps I'll use them against my players if they find the lab the wizard is working in (and so they can convince the authorities that there are no werewolves to worry about), but otherwise, they won't see a lot of action.

Cheers
Free1983
09-21-07, 03:55 AM :bump: Nobody has any ideas? Come on... I know you're out there :)
DebiHuman
09-21-07, 02:50 PM The bug could lay its eggs in the body at which point it dies and explodes (I'm basing this off the death throes of draconians).

Death Throes (Ex): After laying its eggs inside the victim, the [xploding critter] dies from exhaustion. Its exoskeleton shrivels, turns to dust within the victim, and explodes dealing 1d6 damage to the victim. Reflex negates DC 14.

It's just one way of doing this. However, I don't think this is the way that lycanthropy works.

Have you looked at entomanothropes? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040614a

The werewasp is NASTY.

Debby

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Free1983 09-20-07, 07:14 AM	Hi guys, I'm looking for some feedback on a little work in progress. The idea is that I design some kind of bug that intrudes into the body and after a while explodes. This bug is being designed by some kind of wizard. I'm trying to make sure this creature does the same thing as what would happen when a lycanthrope changes for the first time (ripping clothes from within, ...). This is to mislead the players. I think this creature is something that should be thrown on the victims body so that it can bite it's way inside (although I'm not sure what kind of ability that should be - I just left it with a bite attack). I still have some another problem: If this creature would be released into the wild. How would it survive? Would it lay eggs in its victim? I've tried to put some things together but I'm still doubting about some stuff and perhaps I already made some mistakes with this thing's stats. Fine Vermin (I don't know if aberration might be more appropriate) - no subtype (yet) HD: 1d8-4 (1hp) Initiative: +5 (Dex) Speed: 5ft. (1 square) AC: 23 (+5 dex, +8 size) I'm not sure but it's skin might be even weaker than a human's skin, so I considered a negative modifier for natural armor, but since I never saw negative armor modifiers for natural armor, I'm a bit hesitant. BaB/Grapple: +0/-? (don't know the size penalty for fine creatures) Attack: Bite +3 melee (1) (or bite +13 melee (1) with weapon finesse) Full Attack: id. Space/Reach: 1/2 ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: Spell like ability (I need something that can kill a commoner in one blow, but doesn't kills a lvl 3 character in one blow and for the sake of the idea I was thinking about: Acid Splash (but that doesn't quite fit the idea), Enlarge person (but I have no idea about the damage this would deal. Besides, going from fine to diminuitive isn't likely to make people burst out of their clothes) or Polymorph (but same problems as enlarge person)). Special Qualities: Blindsense (No eyes, so no darkvision) Saves: -3/+5/-2 (although it doesn't seem logic that thing can dodge out of harms way with a speed of only 5ft.) Abilities: Str 1, Dex 20, Con 2, Int -, Wis 4, Cha 2 Skills: None Feats: I'm not sure but weapon finesse might give him a boost on its attack roll. Environment: Any Organization: Artificial Challenge Rating: 1 (but not so sure with high attack roll & spell like ability) Treasure: None Alignment: N Advancement: - Level Adjustment: - This creature looks like a very small, grey worm that crawls towards any other living creatures. It's secretes a green slimy substance as it approaches you. What kind of spell-like ability would leave the same traces as the lycanthrope transformation. This doesn't has to be perfect as the wizard who engineered these things might have some accomplices that could alter the results (at least with the first few examples). If you think I need something homebrewed, suggestions are welcome. So what do you guys think? Anything that might improve the idea or the build is welcome. If you need extra info, I'll be happy to comply. Thanks in advance
Grumman 09-20-07, 07:32 AM	Just based on your introductory text, I'd be cautious (read: no way in hell) about introducing this creature to the game. Making the players have to worry about identifying even solitary insects seems like something that is going to make the game less fun.
Free1983 09-20-07, 08:32 AM	I'm not setting this thing loose in my campaignworld. That would indeed be wreaking havoc on my setting, but I don't think using them (sparcely) will be a problem because: These critters die when they activate their special ability (forgot to mention that earlier). (for now) They don't have a way to reproduce themselves. As I said, they are constructed (and contained) by the wizard and are not going to go places they shouldn't go to (read: not going to places I don't want them to go). I just need these fellows to have something that gives the impression of an epidemy of lycantrophy. Perhaps I'll use them against my players if they find the lab the wizard is working in (and so they can convince the authorities that there are no werewolves to worry about), but otherwise, they won't see a lot of action. Cheers
Free1983 09-21-07, 03:55 AM	:bump: Nobody has any ideas? Come on... I know you're out there :)
DebiHuman 09-21-07, 02:50 PM	The bug could lay its eggs in the body at which point it dies and explodes (I'm basing this off the death throes of draconians). Death Throes (Ex): After laying its eggs inside the victim, the [xploding critter] dies from exhaustion. Its exoskeleton shrivels, turns to dust within the victim, and explodes dealing 1d6 damage to the victim. Reflex negates DC 14. It's just one way of doing this. However, I don't think this is the way that lycanthropy works. Have you looked at entomanothropes? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040614a The werewasp is NASTY. Debby