Making "Rock Dryads" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Making "Rock Dryads" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rathje
10-04-07, 09:58 PM Alright, I'm trying to work out a race for a setting. I'd like for it to be ECL +0, but I can live with some LA, since I know it'll take something to make up for a SLA it'll need for flavour. They're similar to Dryads, except more directed towards earth and stone. They're able to manipulate rock to form shapes or art. They can meld with stone or metal objects to be un-disarmable.

Type: Humanoid (They are not fey, though they are similar)
Ability Scores: CON +2, DEX -2; They are resilient, but have difficulty with fine manipulation.
Skills: Hide +4 in rocky areas, Jump -2, Swim -2; They can blend in to some environments without difficulty. In addition, their bodies are heavier than they are strong and this can be detrimental in some situations.
Weapon-melding (Ex): When using stone or metal weapons, they cannot be disarmed.
Greater Stone Shape (Su): At will, they can mimic a Stone Shape spell. This effect also allows them to create fine details and they do not suffer the usual 30% chance for moving parts to fail. The caster level for this ability is equal to their hit dice. Using this ability once leaves them fatigued. An additional use while fatigued renders the character exhausted. An additional use while exhausted causes the character to fall unconscious for 1d6 minutes.
Level Adjustment: +1

This seems quite weak for LA+1, but the Stone Shape is too strong for LA+0. I would prefer to find a way to make it LA+0 (possibly more restrictions, or simply something harsher), but I realize that this may not be possible. I could add something like a racial enemy. Thoughts?

-Rathje
Naderion
10-05-07, 10:25 AM Rock Nymphs (as Dryads are in fact Tree-Nymphs and "Nymphs" are Water-Nymphs) are called Oreads. There's one in the MM2 I think, or maybe Fiend Folio.
Arscura
10-05-07, 10:44 AM Fiend Folio and quite a bit more powerful than this. Sorry rathje, but I can't give the stats due to the CoC about the OG Licence
Ralp
10-05-07, 02:49 PM This seems quite weak for LA+1, but the Stone Shape is too strong for LA+0. I would prefer to find a way to make it LA+0 (possibly more restrictions, or simply something harsher), but I realize that this may not be possible. I could add something like a racial enemy. Thoughts?

Try something like this:

Stone Shape (Sp): A rock dryad with 2 HD or more can use stone shape once per day as a spell-like ability. A rock dryad with 4 HD or more can use this ability 3/day.
Stone Shape Mastery (Su): A rock dryad with 7 HD has mastered the art of sculpting the earth. Her stone shape ability becomes a supernatural ability that can be used at will. Unlike the spell stone shape, fine detail can be created, and there is no chance for moving parts to fail. (stuff about fatigued/exhausted/etc.)

Or whatever, 2 4 and 7 are just arbitrary numbers I made up. The idea is that since greater stone shape is too powerful right off the bat at level 1, you can build up to it gradually.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rathje 10-04-07, 09:58 PM	Alright, I'm trying to work out a race for a setting. I'd like for it to be ECL +0, but I can live with some LA, since I know it'll take something to make up for a SLA it'll need for flavour. They're similar to Dryads, except more directed towards earth and stone. They're able to manipulate rock to form shapes or art. They can meld with stone or metal objects to be un-disarmable. Type: Humanoid (They are not fey, though they are similar) Ability Scores: CON +2, DEX -2; They are resilient, but have difficulty with fine manipulation. Skills: Hide +4 in rocky areas, Jump -2, Swim -2; They can blend in to some environments without difficulty. In addition, their bodies are heavier than they are strong and this can be detrimental in some situations. Weapon-melding (Ex): When using stone or metal weapons, they cannot be disarmed. Greater Stone Shape (Su): At will, they can mimic a Stone Shape spell. This effect also allows them to create fine details and they do not suffer the usual 30% chance for moving parts to fail. The caster level for this ability is equal to their hit dice. Using this ability once leaves them fatigued. An additional use while fatigued renders the character exhausted. An additional use while exhausted causes the character to fall unconscious for 1d6 minutes. Level Adjustment: +1 This seems quite weak for LA+1, but the Stone Shape is too strong for LA+0. I would prefer to find a way to make it LA+0 (possibly more restrictions, or simply something harsher), but I realize that this may not be possible. I could add something like a racial enemy. Thoughts? -Rathje
Naderion 10-05-07, 10:25 AM	Rock Nymphs (as Dryads are in fact Tree-Nymphs and "Nymphs" are Water-Nymphs) are called Oreads. There's one in the MM2 I think, or maybe Fiend Folio.
Arscura 10-05-07, 10:44 AM	Fiend Folio and quite a bit more powerful than this. Sorry rathje, but I can't give the stats due to the CoC about the OG Licence
Ralp 10-05-07, 02:49 PM	This seems quite weak for LA+1, but the Stone Shape is too strong for LA+0. I would prefer to find a way to make it LA+0 (possibly more restrictions, or simply something harsher), but I realize that this may not be possible. I could add something like a racial enemy. Thoughts? Try something like this: Stone Shape (Sp): A rock dryad with 2 HD or more can use stone shape once per day as a spell-like ability. A rock dryad with 4 HD or more can use this ability 3/day. Stone Shape Mastery (Su): A rock dryad with 7 HD has mastered the art of sculpting the earth. Her stone shape ability becomes a supernatural ability that can be used at will. Unlike the spell stone shape, fine detail can be created, and there is no chance for moving parts to fail. (stuff about fatigued/exhausted/etc.) Or whatever, 2 4 and 7 are just arbitrary numbers I made up. The idea is that since greater stone shape is too powerful right off the bat at level 1, you can build up to it gradually.