Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Vorpal Tribble 04-15-06, 11:17 AM	This just came to me, fully written in my head, right as I was drifting off to sleep last night. -=-=-=-=- Pdian Gargantuan Magical Beast (extraplanar, psionic) Hit Dice: 19d10+38 (142 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: Fly 80 ft. (good) Armor Class: 25 (+3 Dex, +16 natural, -4 size), touch 9, flat-footed 22 Base Attack/Grapple: +19/+39 Attack: Bite +23 melee (4d6+12) Full attack: Bite +23 melee (4d6+12) Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft. Special Attacks: Detain ectoplasm, improved grab, silvertooth, swallow astral form Special Qualities: Astral ripple, darkvision 60 ft., greased, puddledive, power resistance 25, slippery mind Saves: Fort +14, Ref +15, Will +13 Abilities: Str 27, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 20, Cha 10 Skills: Concentration +16, Escape Artist +11 (+17 Greased), Listen +17, Spot +17 Feats: Dodge, Flyby Attack, Iron Will, Psionic Charge, Psionic Meditation, Run, Speed of Thought Environment: Astral Plane Organization: Solitary, Mates (2), or Pod (4-16) Challenge Rating: 13 Treasure: None Alignment: Often Neutral Advancement: 20-42 HD (Gargantuan), 43-69 HD (Colossal) Level Adjustment: Pdians appear as great headless tadpoles or eels with a fantastic array of membranous fins spiralling about the body that faintly glow with intricate silver patterns. The tail is enormously long and disapears from sight in a mist of ectoplasmic particles. Their pale grey skin appears slick with trickling moisture that seems to constantly bead about the lips of an enormous maw and run backwards as if the beast were moving forward at great speed. Despite its great bulk it appears almost graceful and displays considerable agility in its movements and contortions. Pdians are both a horrible nuisance and possible aid within the Astral Plane. Though predatory, they are in no way vicious, knowing that the astral bodies they feast upon does no harm to creatures. In fact, many are amusemed at the expression on their meal's face before they are chomped down and sent back to their true bodies, thinking it little more than a nutritious practical joke. In fact, most anything amuses them. It must, for otherwise they would grow unimaginably bored with the landscape of their home. However, if the pdian can be made to understand the creature before it it can be reasoned with and requests possibly made of it. They tend to seek out mates whom they stay with for life, entertaining one another with constant games, riddles and sport that are often incomprehensible to non-pdians. They greatly dislike enclosed space however, so large groupings are rarely formed as they are wont to trigger a claustrophobic fear of so many nearby bodies. A pdian mates only when both have consumed an enormous ammount of astral bodies and are nearly swimming in captured ectoplasm. They then enclose themselves within an astral pocket where they go into a state of suspended animation, leaving only parts of their minds active, instinctively generating and weaving ectoplasm at a subconscious level into a miniature pdian over the course of several years. When their work is through both generate a mental bolt of energy that awakens the pdian to life and consciousness. The three then emerge, the parents overjoyed by their child and eager to teach it all they know. Pdians speak only their own native language, a manipulation of the streaming ectoplasmic droplets upon its body. Combat: A pdian is wont to play with its meals, often stalking or disapearing and appearing, feinting and rushing away, building its hunger until it finally lunges and swallows the astral bodies. If they are threatened however they dispense with pleasantries; biting and swallowing their foe as quickly as possible. If they are seriously harmed or overwhelmed they retreat into an astral puddle. Pdian couples are very protective of one another and their children, and will draw an attack until the others have escaped before fleeing themselves. Astral Ripple (Su): A pdian can sense ectoplasm being drawn up to 1000 feet away. If it happens to be within a round's running range it may open a portal to the manifester's plane, using its mental link as a conduit. It appears fully within the plane and may immediately use its Detain Ectoplasm ability to pull the recently gathered material to itself. The portal remains open for as long as the created object would have remained. At any time it may re-enter the portal, as can any others. If the pdian does not re-enter it is trapped on the plane until another tries to gather ectoplasm. It may then re-open the portal and travel home. Detain Ectoplasm (Ps): A pdian may use Detain Ectoplasm (p.82 of Complete Psionic) as a 20th level manifester at will as a standard action. Their is no duration limit to how long it may retain this ectoplasm, its skin acting as a stabilizing agent. A pdian gains a +4 bonus on the relevant checks to gather this ectoplasm. Greased (Ex): While detaining ectoplasm a pdian gains a +6 bonus on escape artist checks from the slick substance. Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a pdian must hit a creature of any size with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Puddledive (Su): A pdian can use its captured ectoplasm to create a puddle of pure liquid ectoplasm which can be used two ways. While on the astral plane it may form an extradimensional pocket on the astral plane. It may then dive within, which allows an attack of opportunity, the puddle evaporating once it enters. It may stay within its safe haven for an indeterminate time, but once it feels it is safe it may reopen the puddle and emerge. If used on any other plane this puddle forms a direct link back to the Astral Plane. Though a pdian only requires one use of Detain Ectoplasm to gather enough raw ectoplasm to use its puddledive ability, each use exhausts its supply of on-hand ectoplasm. It may gather its own ectoplasm from the raw material of the astral plane itself up to three times per day, which takes a full minute of concentration. It may reduce this time to a full round action but it is a grueling process that leaves the pdian fatigued. Silvertooth (Ex): A pdian, to be rid of a particularly dangerous foe, can use its available ectoplasm if any to coat its teeth as a standard action. If it attacks its victim's back (by flanking it, catching it flat-footed, or making an attack of opportunity when its opponent moves out of its space), it can attack the silver cord that connects the astral form to its material counterpart. The normally insubstantial cord is treated as a tangible object with the owner's AC, hardness 10, and 20 hit points. A silver cord visibly trails 5 feet behind an astral traveler before fading into the astral medium. Attacking it draws an attack of opportunity from the astral traveler. When the cord is damaged, the astral traveler must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude save or be immediately forced to return to his physical body. If the silver cord is severed, the traveler's astral and physical body is slain instantly. This special coating becomes unstable and flows back out its mouth within 1d6 rounds and another standard action must be made to recoat the teeth. Slippery Mind (Ex): A pdian has the ability to wriggle free from magical and psionic effects that would otherwise control or compel it. If it is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails its saving throw, it can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. It gets only this one extra chance to succeed on its saving throw. Swallow Astral Form (Ex): A pdian can try to swallow a grabbed Huge or smaller opponent's astral form, and only astral form, by making a successful grapple check. If they are successful the astral form is killed and the spirit flees back to its true body, unharmed. Skills: Pdians have a +8 racial bonus on listen and spot checks, and a +4 racial bonus on concentration and escape artist checks.
The Vorpal Tribble 04-15-06, 01:35 PM	To make it a bit less 'fluffy' I just gave it the ability to sever an astral cord.
R.M.G.C.L.F. 04-15-06, 08:09 PM	A very interesting creature. One thing they seem to be lacking is information on how they interact with creatures who are not astrally projected, but corporeally present on the astral plane. Such an occurance is not that unusual or improbable, seeing as how plane shift is more readily available than Astral Projection and the astral plane is the most commonly-used transitive plane. How would they respond to some giths, or the former occupants of a portable hole that was dropped into a bag of holding? I would hope there would be some other method of communicating with the creatures. Perhaps a few of the more enlightened ones are familiar with an obscure aberrant language, such as blink dog or beholder?
savant_warlord13 04-15-06, 08:49 PM	how much like an eel does it look?
The Vorpal Tribble 04-15-06, 11:34 PM	A very interesting creature. One thing they seem to be lacking is information on how they interact with creatures who are not astrally projected, but corporeally present on the astral plane. Such an occurance is not that unusual or improbable, seeing as how plane shift is more readily available than Astral Projection and the astral plane is the most commonly-used transitive plane. How would they respond to some giths, or the former occupants of a portable hole that was dropped into a bag of holding? I would hope there would be some other method of communicating with the creatures. Perhaps a few of the more enlightened ones are familiar with an obscure aberrant language, such as blink dog or beholder? They'd actually probably congregate near other sentience creatures, finding them a welcome change from their surroundings. As for individual sentients, they'd probably be like a lazy cat and a mouse, freaking them out and playing elaborate games with them before letting them go or biting them in anger if they prove to be a mean mouse. Basically why I made them normally neutral. They aren't evil, but they most definetely aren't very nice either. how much like an eel does it look? Only vaguely. Think human vs. mindflayer. Both humanoid, but thats about it.
The Vorpal Tribble 04-16-06, 11:38 PM	Another thing to keep in mind are that pdians most often found as mates, which raises the challenge just a tad, especially as one will most likely fight to the death to protect the other. Basically how you use these fellows is have them come sprinting up, mouths gaping, and then zip off at the last second. Lunging and then turning away. If the players think they are being attacked they will retaliate, and end up harming or killing a creature that really meant them no harm.
The Vorpal Tribble 04-21-06, 12:04 PM	Pdians were fun, so thought I might expand upon them ;) -=-=-=-=- Pdian'doola Large Magical Beast (extraplanar, psionic) Hit Dice: 6d10+6 (39 hp) Initiative: +4 Speed: Fly 60 ft. (good) Armor Class: 22 (+5 dex, +8 natural, -1 size), touch 14, flat-footed 17; 20% miss-chance Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+13 Attack: Bite +10 melee (1d8+4) Full attack: Bite +10 melee (1d8+4) Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Improved grab Special Qualities: Concealing amorpha, darkvision 60 ft., ectocloud, greased, power resistance 15, puddle sense, slippery mind, telepathy Saves: Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +5 Abilities: Str 17, Dex 20, Con 12, Int 7, Wis 16, Cha 14 Skills: Concentration +6, Escape Artist +14, Listen +6, Spot +6 Feats: Dodge, Psionic Charge, Speed of Thought, Weapon Finesse(B) Environment: Astral Plane Organization: Family (2 pdians) Challenge Rating: 5 Treasure: None Alignment: Often choatic neutral Advancement: 7-11 HD (Large) Level Adjustment: - A pdian'doola is the young offspring of the Pdian, and appears in all ways as a miniature version of the parent, though somewhat more stream-lined and flexible seeming, surrounded by a silvery white haze. Though adventerous and possessed of great curiosity, a pdian'doola rarely ventures far from its parent's. The death of both parents or a particularly violent psychic storm is practically the only time a pdian is found alone. It then roams about, crying out mentally in distress. A pdian'doola understands the same language as its parent's, but can only speak telepathically, and then only to other pdians, an ability it will lose upon maturity. Combat: Pdian'doolas are more prone to pick a fight than its parents, but also more wont to flee if their play provokes dangerous retribution. It will then seek out its parents whom are always close-by unless it has become seperated. When feeling particularly threatened it spins a great cloud around itself within which to hide. Concealing Amorpha (Ex): Because of its inexperience with controlling ectoplas, a pdian'doola is constantly surrounded in a cloud of shifting ectoplasmic particles that grants it continous concealment as the Concealing Amorpha power. Detain Ectoplasm (Ps): A pdian may use Detain Ectoplasm (p.82 of Complete Psionic) as a 5th level manifester at will as a standard action. Their is no duration limit to how long it may retain this ectoplasm. Ectocloud (Ex): As a full-round action once per minute a pdian'doola can go into an energetic spin that flings the ectoplasm upon itself in all directions, with itself at the center. This forms a hazy cloud alike to an Obscuring Mist spell. It can flee the cloud, or as another full round action it may regather the particles. If the cloud disipates before it can regather the ectoplasm, or it flees the cloud, it loses its concealing amorpha and greased traits until it can gather more ectoplasm. Greased (Ex): A pdian'doola gains a +6 bonus on escape artist checks from the slick ectoplasm coating it. Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a pdian'doola must hit a creature of huge or smaller with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Puddlesense (Su): A pdian'doola can sense its parent's extradimensional pocket and if it wishes the pdian can reopen the portal to allow it in. Diving within this puddle counts as a move action. Slippery Mind (Ex): A pdian'doola has the ability to wriggle free from magical and psionic effects that would otherwise control or compel it. If it is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails its saving throw, it can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. It gets only this one extra chance to succeed on its saving throw. Telepathy (Su): A pdian'doola can speak mind-to-mind with any pdian out to 200 feet. Any non-pdian 'listening in' detects only the occassional emotional spike that cannot be pinpointed with any degree of accuracy.
savant_warlord13 04-21-06, 12:07 PM	Not to smash your work, Tribs, but wouldn't it be interesting if when two Pdians reproduced, 3 Pdians, each about 2/3 the size of an adult came out of the mating cocoon or whatever it is?
The Vorpal Tribble 04-21-06, 12:13 PM	Not to smash your work, Tribs, but wouldn't it be interesting if when two Pdians reproduced, 3 Pdians, each about 2/3 the size of an adult came out of the mating cocoon or whatever it is? You mean like five pdians all told come out, two parents and three offspring, or three pdians all the same size, the parents having used their own flesh to make it?
savant_warlord13 04-21-06, 12:32 PM	the second one
The Vorpal Tribble 04-21-06, 12:40 PM	the second one Errr... no.
savant_warlord13 04-21-06, 12:45 PM	Okay then, it was just a suggestion
Karn Dragonsbane 04-22-06, 10:28 AM	My, they are a truly interesting creation. You said fully written in your head as you drifted to sleep? You are either very obsessed with D&D or with pdians... just a joke, man! Nevermind, those are just what I was wanting to see... This forum is like a zoo, but with different, new animals every time we come! Duh, nevermind. I shouldīve criticized it instead of just complimenting it, so... I donīt have complete psionics, what does Detain ectoplasm do?
The Vorpal Tribble 04-22-06, 03:49 PM	My, they are a truly interesting creation. You said fully written in your head as you drifted to sleep? You are either very obsessed with D&D or with pdians... Something like that ;) Basically I write alot, and when interesting creatures come to mind I write them down so that I might possibly use them in a book. And since I have them on hand, I also make into a D&D creature. I donīt have complete psionics, what does Detain ectoplasm do? Basically its an advanced form of Dismiss Ectoplasm (http://srd.pbemnexus.com/psionicPowersDtoF.html#dismiss-ectoplasm) that lets you sort of keep a mental hold on the ectoplasm. All powers using ectoplasm are now manifested as if the manifester were 1 level higher as it also uses the available material. However, thats the reason I gave the pdian no ectoplasmic powers, as its ability to continuously retain ectoplasm would unbalance it a bit. So it destroys astral constructs, items created through metacreativity, ectoplasmic cocoons, concealing amorphas, etc, and then gathers up the bits for its own use.
savant_warlord13 04-22-06, 04:53 PM	...However, thats the reason :confused: gave the pdian no ectoplasmic powers, as its ability to continuously retain ectoplasm would unbalance it a bit. So it destroys astral constructs, items created through metacreativity, ectoplasmic cocoons, concealing amorphas, etc, and then gathers up the bits for its own use. An interesting point. I will assume you meant to put "I" where I put the confused smiley. What it a pdian were to become a shaper? What would happen then?
The Vorpal Tribble 04-22-06, 07:16 PM	What it a pdian were to become a shaper? What would happen then? Basically it just doesn't advance by class. Its nowhere near humanoid or even possessed of manipulative digits, so it wouldn't normally be allowed to take class levels anyways.
savant_warlord13 04-22-06, 07:31 PM	Why would you need digits or a humanoid body shape to be a psion? All you need to be a psion is a mind, which the pdian obviously has
The Vorpal Tribble 04-22-06, 07:59 PM	Why would you need digits or a humanoid body shape to be a psion? All you need to be a psion is a mind, which the pdian obviously has Well, all you need to be a barbarian is a weapon and maybe a temper, but the rules say character classes aren't for most non-humanoidish creatures.