Awakened Possum Necromancer? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Awakened Possum Necromancer? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kevin Andrew Murphy
06-23-07, 03:46 AM I was thinking a bit about alternate familiars and realized that a possum would be a logical if unexpected choice for a necromancer. I then realized that with their clever little hands, if Awakened, a possum would be perfectly capable of spellcasting itself, and make a completely unexpected necromancer. Especially if it were clever enough to use one of its undead minions as the necromancer decoy and went around masquerading as the familiar. "What? The vampire Pale Master has a possum familiar named Mr. Nibbles? That's just wrong!" No, Mr. Nibbles the Awakened possum necromancer has a vampire minion. But he's not going to correct your misapprehension.

Has anyone statted up a possum? Obviously it should have a Feign Death ability, but beyond that?
Ecalsneerg
06-23-07, 08:14 AM This idea scares me. As for the stats, I'd assume modifying a squirrel's stat block to include feign death.
MCage
06-23-07, 11:51 AM Mr. Nibbles will have a hard time controling any spawn other then other Mr. Nibblesque critters, but i guess it would have to be a 5HD possum to even be a vampire so i could control 10HD, but then again its awakened so hey its probably got some class lvls....man this idea would make a great reoccuring villan
Kevin Andrew Murphy
06-23-07, 12:57 PM Mr. Nibbles will have a hard time controling any spawn other then other Mr. Nibblesque critters, but i guess it would have to be a 5HD possum to even be a vampire so i could control 10HD, but then again its awakened so hey its probably got some class lvls....man this idea would make a great reoccuring villan

No, no, Mr. Nibbles is the necromancer. He's controlling the standard humanoid vampire who is in turn controling the spawn. I'm thinking Mr. Nibbles is an Awakened possum, most easily done by taking a base human and applying the 3.0 stat mods for reincarnation as a magical beast. I'd follow the modifications for a Badger, as that's the closest listed: +4 STR, +8 DEX, +4 CON but I'd actually modify that to +0 STR, +8 DEX, +8 CON since possums aren't particularly strong but are amazingly resilient.

Here are modified stats for possums, based on the badger with some additions of the monkey and updates of the old-school feign death:

Possum
Possum Fiendish Possum
Size/Type: Small Animal Small Magical Beast (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 1d8+2 (6 hp) 1d8+2 (6 hp)
Initiative: +3 +3
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft. 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft.
Armor Class: 15 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12 15 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-5 +0/-5
Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d2-1) Claw +4 melee (1d2-1)
Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d2-1) and bite -1 melee (1d3-1) 2 claws +4 melee (1d2-1) and bite -1 melee (1d3-1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Feign Death Feign Death, Smite Good
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Low-light vision, scent, darkvision 60ft., resistance to acid 5, cold 5, and electricity 5, spell resistance 6
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1 Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 Str 8, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills: Balance +8, Climb+10, Escape Artist +9, Listen +3, Move Silently +8, Spot +3 Balance +8, Climb+10, Escape Artist +9, Listen +3, Move Silently +8, Spot +3
Feats: Agile, Weapon Finesse Agile, Weapon Finesse
Environment: Temperate forests Any good-aligned plane
Organization: Solitary, pair, or passel (3-5) Solitary, pair, or passel (3-5)
Challenge Rating: ½ ½
Alignment: Always neutral Always lawful evil
Advancement: 2 HD (Small) 2 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment: — —

The possum is a furry gray marsupial with a squat body, pointed nose and a long ratlike tail. Its sharp claws are excellent for climbing. An adult possum is 2 to 3 feet long and weighs 15 to 25 pounds.
Combat

Possums attack with their sharp claws and teeth.
Feign Death (Ex)

A possum may, at will, slow its metabolism and enter a deep trance almost indistinguishable from death. In combination with the release of certain musk glands, this ability gives it a +30 to all Bluff and Disguise checks to convince others, including undead, that it is in fact dead and lifeless. A Spot or Heal check with a DC equal to the Bluff or Disguise check is required to determine that the possum is still alive. Spells that detect life still work normally. While in this state, a possum also benefit from the effects of a Delay Poison spell for as long as it remains in trance.

Skills

A possum has a +4 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
Fiendish Possum

These Fiendish creatures are commonly summoned by the summon monster I spell.
Combat
Smite Good (Su)

Once per day an Fiendish possum can make a normal melee attack to deal 1 point of extra damage against an Good foe.

I would stat up Mr. Nibbles as an Awakened possum done via the Reincarnated Human template (so level adjustment 0) with Wizard-Necromancer 1/Master Specialist 10/Mindbender 1 done via the Precocious Apprentice feat. The Mindbender of course done so as to have telepathy to communicate with his vampire servant and better pretend to be a familiar.

Vampire: "Mr. Nibbles says I must destroy you. I must do whatever Mr. Nibbles says."
Velcro Zipper
06-23-07, 01:03 PM I once played as an Awakened Rooster Necromancer so I'm happy to contribute to the stable of Necromanimals. Try this.

(I'm guessing you mean the North American Opossum as opposed the Australian Possum that is very similar.)

Awakened Possum:
Size Tiny
Str-4 Dex+4 Con+2 Cha-2
+2 Size Mod to AC +2 Size Mod to Attack
-8 Grapple Mod
Space 2 1/2ft. Reach: 0
Speed: 15ft Climb 15ft.
Hide+8 Move Silently+4 Balance+8 Climb+8
A Possum can always take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.
A Possum uses it Dex modifier on Climb checks.
Feign Death (Ex) When threatened or harmed a possum will mimic the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. The lips are drawn back, teeth are bared, saliva foams around the mouth, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted from the @n@l glands. The creature, for all intents and purposes, is dead. Many creatures coming upon the "dead" possum will be deterred from eating or making off with it. A Knowledge: Nature check (DC11) is required to be aware of this ability or a Heal check (DC30) will reveal a very slow pulse. The possum makes a Fortitude save (DC 10) to determine the length of its act. A failed save indicates the possum will remain in this state for 1d4 hours; a successful save, 1d10 minutes. (This is normally an involuntary physiological response rather than a conscious act. However, an awakened possum can feign death and recover at will. The awakened possum makes a Bluff check with a +20 modifier using its Con modifier instead of its Cha modifier. Success against a creature's Sense Motive check indicates the possum appears to be quite dead.)
Poison Immunity (Ex) Possums have complete immunity to the venom of vipers and a +4 save modifier against poison from other sources.

You could make this guy Small as opposed to Tiny with a few minor adjustments.
Str-2 Dex+2
+1 Size to AC/Attack
-4 Grapple/ +4 Hide
Speed 20ft. Climb 20ft.
Kevin Andrew Murphy
06-23-07, 02:01 PM Yes, I'm thinking of the North American opossum, but the extra confusion comes from the fact that everyone I know in NA (chiefly California) simply calls them possums unless they're someone on television.

Ah, a rooster necromancer! Mr. Nibbles approves.
Ecalsneerg
06-23-07, 04:12 PM Yes, I'm thinking of the North American opossum, but the extra confusion comes from the fact that everyone I know in NA (chiefly California) simply calls them possums unless they're someone on television.

That's because the 'o' is actually silent. Except to those who don't know that, which begs the question of why they discuss possums.
Velcro Zipper
06-23-07, 08:44 PM Might I suggest Mr. Nibbles first name be Lazarus? I think Lazarus Nibbles, Opossum Necromancer, has a nice ring to it.

Perhaps he and Emperor Juju, Rooster Deathwalker, could combine forces and take over a county fair? (Of course my Rooster Necromancer declared himself Emperor. He's cocky.)
Lobsopdoy
06-24-07, 04:47 PM Was it a rooster that was not a rooster?
Kevin Andrew Murphy
06-24-07, 11:36 PM Might I suggest Mr. Nibbles first name be Lazarus? I think Lazarus Nibbles, Opossum Necromancer, has a nice ring to it.

Perhaps he and Emperor Juju, Rooster Deathwalker, could combine forces and take over a county fair? (Of course my Rooster Necromancer declared himself Emperor. He's cocky.)

True, but "Mr. Nibbles" is better for the informal, when masquerading as a simple familiar.

Mr. Nibbles would be pleased to join Emperor Juju in terrorizing the county fair. He suggests adding bone meal to gingerbread and then using "animate dead" on the gingerbread men.
Slayergnome
06-24-07, 11:54 PM *Facepalms*

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kevin Andrew Murphy 06-23-07, 03:46 AM	I was thinking a bit about alternate familiars and realized that a possum would be a logical if unexpected choice for a necromancer. I then realized that with their clever little hands, if Awakened, a possum would be perfectly capable of spellcasting itself, and make a completely unexpected necromancer. Especially if it were clever enough to use one of its undead minions as the necromancer decoy and went around masquerading as the familiar. "What? The vampire Pale Master has a possum familiar named Mr. Nibbles? That's just wrong!" No, Mr. Nibbles the Awakened possum necromancer has a vampire minion. But he's not going to correct your misapprehension. Has anyone statted up a possum? Obviously it should have a Feign Death ability, but beyond that?
Ecalsneerg 06-23-07, 08:14 AM	This idea scares me. As for the stats, I'd assume modifying a squirrel's stat block to include feign death.
MCage 06-23-07, 11:51 AM	Mr. Nibbles will have a hard time controling any spawn other then other Mr. Nibblesque critters, but i guess it would have to be a 5HD possum to even be a vampire so i could control 10HD, but then again its awakened so hey its probably got some class lvls....man this idea would make a great reoccuring villan
Kevin Andrew Murphy 06-23-07, 12:57 PM	Mr. Nibbles will have a hard time controling any spawn other then other Mr. Nibblesque critters, but i guess it would have to be a 5HD possum to even be a vampire so i could control 10HD, but then again its awakened so hey its probably got some class lvls....man this idea would make a great reoccuring villan No, no, Mr. Nibbles is the necromancer. He's controlling the standard humanoid vampire who is in turn controling the spawn. I'm thinking Mr. Nibbles is an Awakened possum, most easily done by taking a base human and applying the 3.0 stat mods for reincarnation as a magical beast. I'd follow the modifications for a Badger, as that's the closest listed: +4 STR, +8 DEX, +4 CON but I'd actually modify that to +0 STR, +8 DEX, +8 CON since possums aren't particularly strong but are amazingly resilient. Here are modified stats for possums, based on the badger with some additions of the monkey and updates of the old-school feign death: Possum Possum Fiendish Possum Size/Type: Small Animal Small Magical Beast (Extraplanar) Hit Dice: 1d8+2 (6 hp) 1d8+2 (6 hp) Initiative: +3 +3 Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft. 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft. Armor Class: 15 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12 15 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-5 +0/-5 Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d2-1) Claw +4 melee (1d2-1) Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d2-1) and bite -1 melee (1d3-1) 2 claws +4 melee (1d2-1) and bite -1 melee (1d3-1) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Feign Death Feign Death, Smite Good Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Low-light vision, scent, darkvision 60ft., resistance to acid 5, cold 5, and electricity 5, spell resistance 6 Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1 Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1 Abilities: Str 8, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 Str 8, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 6 Skills: Balance +8, Climb+10, Escape Artist +9, Listen +3, Move Silently +8, Spot +3 Balance +8, Climb+10, Escape Artist +9, Listen +3, Move Silently +8, Spot +3 Feats: Agile, Weapon Finesse Agile, Weapon Finesse Environment: Temperate forests Any good-aligned plane Organization: Solitary, pair, or passel (3-5) Solitary, pair, or passel (3-5) Challenge Rating: ½ ½ Alignment: Always neutral Always lawful evil Advancement: 2 HD (Small) 2 HD (Small) Level Adjustment: — — The possum is a furry gray marsupial with a squat body, pointed nose and a long ratlike tail. Its sharp claws are excellent for climbing. An adult possum is 2 to 3 feet long and weighs 15 to 25 pounds. Combat Possums attack with their sharp claws and teeth. Feign Death (Ex) A possum may, at will, slow its metabolism and enter a deep trance almost indistinguishable from death. In combination with the release of certain musk glands, this ability gives it a +30 to all Bluff and Disguise checks to convince others, including undead, that it is in fact dead and lifeless. A Spot or Heal check with a DC equal to the Bluff or Disguise check is required to determine that the possum is still alive. Spells that detect life still work normally. While in this state, a possum also benefit from the effects of a Delay Poison spell for as long as it remains in trance. Skills A possum has a +4 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks. Fiendish Possum These Fiendish creatures are commonly summoned by the summon monster I spell. Combat Smite Good (Su) Once per day an Fiendish possum can make a normal melee attack to deal 1 point of extra damage against an Good foe. I would stat up Mr. Nibbles as an Awakened possum done via the Reincarnated Human template (so level adjustment 0) with Wizard-Necromancer 1/Master Specialist 10/Mindbender 1 done via the Precocious Apprentice feat. The Mindbender of course done so as to have telepathy to communicate with his vampire servant and better pretend to be a familiar. Vampire: "Mr. Nibbles says I must destroy you. I must do whatever Mr. Nibbles says."
Velcro Zipper 06-23-07, 01:03 PM	I once played as an Awakened Rooster Necromancer so I'm happy to contribute to the stable of Necromanimals. Try this. (I'm guessing you mean the North American Opossum as opposed the Australian Possum that is very similar.) Awakened Possum: Size Tiny Str-4 Dex+4 Con+2 Cha-2 +2 Size Mod to AC +2 Size Mod to Attack -8 Grapple Mod Space 2 1/2ft. Reach: 0 Speed: 15ft Climb 15ft. Hide+8 Move Silently+4 Balance+8 Climb+8 A Possum can always take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. A Possum uses it Dex modifier on Climb checks. Feign Death (Ex) When threatened or harmed a possum will mimic the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. The lips are drawn back, teeth are bared, saliva foams around the mouth, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted from the @n@l glands. The creature, for all intents and purposes, is dead. Many creatures coming upon the "dead" possum will be deterred from eating or making off with it. A Knowledge: Nature check (DC11) is required to be aware of this ability or a Heal check (DC30) will reveal a very slow pulse. The possum makes a Fortitude save (DC 10) to determine the length of its act. A failed save indicates the possum will remain in this state for 1d4 hours; a successful save, 1d10 minutes. (This is normally an involuntary physiological response rather than a conscious act. However, an awakened possum can feign death and recover at will. The awakened possum makes a Bluff check with a +20 modifier using its Con modifier instead of its Cha modifier. Success against a creature's Sense Motive check indicates the possum appears to be quite dead.) Poison Immunity (Ex) Possums have complete immunity to the venom of vipers and a +4 save modifier against poison from other sources. You could make this guy Small as opposed to Tiny with a few minor adjustments. Str-2 Dex+2 +1 Size to AC/Attack -4 Grapple/ +4 Hide Speed 20ft. Climb 20ft.
Kevin Andrew Murphy 06-23-07, 02:01 PM	Yes, I'm thinking of the North American opossum, but the extra confusion comes from the fact that everyone I know in NA (chiefly California) simply calls them possums unless they're someone on television. Ah, a rooster necromancer! Mr. Nibbles approves.
Ecalsneerg 06-23-07, 04:12 PM	Yes, I'm thinking of the North American opossum, but the extra confusion comes from the fact that everyone I know in NA (chiefly California) simply calls them possums unless they're someone on television. That's because the 'o' is actually silent. Except to those who don't know that, which begs the question of why they discuss possums.
Velcro Zipper 06-23-07, 08:44 PM	Might I suggest Mr. Nibbles first name be Lazarus? I think Lazarus Nibbles, Opossum Necromancer, has a nice ring to it. Perhaps he and Emperor Juju, Rooster Deathwalker, could combine forces and take over a county fair? (Of course my Rooster Necromancer declared himself Emperor. He's cocky.)
Lobsopdoy 06-24-07, 04:47 PM	Was it a rooster that was not a rooster?
Kevin Andrew Murphy 06-24-07, 11:36 PM	Might I suggest Mr. Nibbles first name be Lazarus? I think Lazarus Nibbles, Opossum Necromancer, has a nice ring to it. Perhaps he and Emperor Juju, Rooster Deathwalker, could combine forces and take over a county fair? (Of course my Rooster Necromancer declared himself Emperor. He's cocky.) True, but "Mr. Nibbles" is better for the informal, when masquerading as a simple familiar. Mr. Nibbles would be pleased to join Emperor Juju in terrorizing the county fair. He suggests adding bone meal to gingerbread and then using "animate dead" on the gingerbread men.
Slayergnome 06-24-07, 11:54 PM	Facepalms