Pirates of Darkwater races (monkeybirds) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Pirates of Darkwater races (monkeybirds) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
asurademon
11-30-07, 04:41 PM So, I've seen a few attempts at converting Pirates of Darkwater to an RPG, and haven't been very impressed. Monkeybirds in particularly are never done very accurately, even in fluff. So I need some help with making them in D20.

Monkeybirds

Description
Monkeybirds are an amalgam of parrot and monkey. They have bright plumage covering their entire body, long necks with faces that are rather parrot-like except for their ears, which are those of a monkey. They also have a monkey's tail and hands, with the grasping talons of a bird for feet.

Monkeybirds stand 3-4 feet tall, and have a wingspan of around 5-6 feet when fully spread, with their hollow bones and little body fat they are light weight.

Most monkeybirds have coloration resembling that of various parrot species such as macaws, and green amazon parrots, though some have coloration unique to their species. There is only one fertile female in any monkeybird colony, and she is distinguished by her crest, and predominantly white coloration, giving her a cockatoo-like appearance. Other females are infertile, and to humans they are quite difficult to tell from males.

Culture
Monkeybirds live in large colonies somewhat like bees. Most colonies have a single massive communal nest. At any time there is only one fertile female per colony, known as the queen, and monkeybirds are matriarchal (I don't think it's actually ever stated in the show whether their are other females or not).

Monkeybirds ordinarily are frugivores, meaning they primarily eat fruit, however they may sometimes adopt eating other types of foods.

Monkeybirds are often looked down upon by humans as being mere beasts, and are sometimes enslaved as beasts of burden, or kept as pets. However monkeybirds are every bit as intelligent as humans are, and actively and often violently resist enslavement.

So...definitely they need flight as an ability. In the cartoon they were capable of hovering, and could carry a larger amount of weight than what most creatures in D&D would be limited to carrying in flight (niddler the monkeybird can carry a human that probably weighs quite a bit more than he does). I think they probably should not be giving quite that amazing of flight, maybe just average maneuverability with a speed of 60?

I'm guessing they should be monstrous humanoid type, or maybe magical beast would be more appropriate, since they aren't any more humanoid in shape than a actual monkey is.

Should they be small or medium size?

Any suggestions are welcome.

I'd like to see ecomancers done as well, but I think that would be a bit more difficult, and I'd need to watch some episodes again to refresh my memory of their abilities.

I'd also like to see some other creatures done, I imagine dagrons could be based on wyverns?
JackSnape
12-01-07, 05:41 PM It's been a long time since I've seen the show, but I bet you could watch an episode or 2 on youtube.
Monkeybirds should be small I think, most of the other characters were quite a bit taller than the monkeybird if I remember right. I'd make them a magical beast. Could they talk? I don't remember the main monkeybird (niddler?) talking, but like I said it's been a while.
For movement I'd say speed: 20ft fly 40 (agv. maneuverability) and create a couple of flight improvement feats if you can't find some. That way the monkeybird in the show lifting heavy loads, hovering, or flying faster can be explained.
There was also 1 specific fruit that they especially love (it made them high/drunk maybe) you might include that in fluff at least.
Are you planning on making this a PC race? If so it will need an LA of at least 1 since flight is a pretty powerful ablity.
They probably deserve a + to DEX and - to CON.
Post the critter up once you put it together I for one would love to see it.

Best of luck
CombatMedic
12-02-07, 10:35 PM I remember that cartoon! :) I'd love to see your conversions once you post them.
HernetheHunter
12-03-07, 12:48 AM I would say Monstrous humanoid for type, I take this from the Hadozee from Stormwrack as an example. If I remember correctly the monkeybirds had their own society and everything.

Most creatures with wings require roughly twice their height in order to lift off.

I believe Monkeybirds only had feathers on their wings.
calronmoonflower
12-03-07, 12:49 AM Stats?

Take a monkey add mental stats and the winged template. If you don't want that big level adjustment that goes with that template give them gradual flight like a raptorian or dragonborn.
rudie
12-03-07, 12:14 PM Just thought Id pop in to say that the OP is my hero, my friend and I thought we were the only ones who remembered that show!
Wulfgar
12-03-07, 12:41 PM I
There was also 1 specific fruit that they especially love (it made them high/drunk maybe) you might include that in fluff at least.

Minga-melons; noye jetat, they couldn't get enough of them!
asurademon
12-04-07, 12:36 AM Stats?
i
Take a monkey add mental stats and the winged template. If you don't want that big level adjustment that goes wth that template give them gradual flight like a raptorian or dragonborn.

Monkey's are tiny size, there's no way monkeybirds are, they are small size at smallest. Monkey's also have a pretty hefty strength penalty (-4 I think) and monkeybirds definately don't have a -4 to strength, Niddler could carry a human larger than himself! If I were to give them a strength penalty it would only be a -2. As for the winged template, it also wouldn't be appropriate mainly due to the +4 bonus to wisdom, there's nothing in the cartoons that hints monkeybirds are wiser than humans. I'm not going to stay strictly true to how they were in the cartoon (they'd need a bonus to carrying weight for one, to represent that they can carry something heavier than themselves in flight, and that might make their flight ability too powerful) but I want to be pretty close, and maybe as JackSnape suggested, I can create some feats to represent their ability carry a heavy load while flying.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for if Niddler spoke in the cartoon, yes he talked, all the monkeybirds could talk.

Monkeybirds did have their own culture, but beyond what I've all ready written in my original post, I don't recall it being given much detail. I may eventually add some of my own ideas to flesh out their culture a bit more.

"Most creatures with wings require roughly twice their height in order to lift off."

This is mainly the case with animals that do a lot of gliding or fly long distances, it's probably also the case with creatures that are heavily built. There are birds that are fully flight capable that have shorter wings, but they have rapid wing beats, and don't really glide, and aren't built for particularly long distance flight.
I think monkeybird wings were close to twice their height, but maybe not exactly that.

"I believe Monkeybirds only had feathers on their wings."

They all had feathers on their wings, and defintely some had feathers on their heads. Whether the rest of their body had feathers or fur is never made clear, though their coloration does suggest feathers, it's possible it was fur.

If I ever get a chance I'd love to run a Pirates of Darkwater campaign with this as a pc race, but I've had no roleplaying opportunities for a while.

I probably will end up giving them an LA, hopefully not more than +1.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So here's possibly how this race would end up

Monstrous Humanoid
Small size
Land speed: 30 feet, Flight: 60 feet average
+2 dexterity, -2 constitution (I'm taking JackSnape's advice for this)
+2 to spot and search
Keen vision: I'm not completely sure how this should work, maybe they can see twice the distance that humans can

LA +1
calronmoonflower
12-04-07, 03:40 AM Monkey's are tiny size, there's no way monkeybirds are, they are small size at smallest. Monkey's also have a pretty hefty strength penalty (-4 I think) and monkeybirds definately don't have a -4 to strength, Niddler could carry a human larger than himself! If I were to give them a strength penalty it would only be a -2.

If you use the rules for changing a monster size it should fix that and the stats along with it.
asurademon
12-04-07, 07:30 PM If you use the rules for changing a monster size it should fix that and the stats along with it.

yes, I completely forgot about those rules.

I'm torn now between wanting to give them a penalty to strength (which if I based them more on the monkey in the Manual they would have) or to con. Either could work, but there's all ready a core race with the same ability adjustments, so maybe I should have them be -2 Strength and +2 dexterity to vary things up a bit.

Anyways, what do you guys think about monkeybirds as I have them done right now?

Next I'd like to deal with ecomancer's, but I'm not very experienced with creating classes, so I'll really need help with that.

I figure though, and ecomancer is to a druid how a sorcerer is to a wizard, and a Favored Soul is to a Cleric. So maybe taking some things from a Druid, and going from there could work?

I figure they should be more charisma based, and not have wild shape.

The Druid spell list is pretty appropriate for an ecomancer I think, since ecomancers deal with manipulating the elements and other parts of the natural world. There spells per day and how many spells they know should probably work the same as a Sorcerer.
What should replace wild shape though?

Should I continue adding more classes and races to this thread, or open a general Pirates of Darkwater conversion thread?

Now if only I could actually find a role playing group.....
Cartigan
12-04-07, 07:49 PM I'd say check out Raptorans in Races of the Wild.
asurademon
12-04-07, 07:58 PM I've checked out raptorans. Them gaining their flight ability slowly works for their fluff, and I don't mind sacrificing fluff a bit to lower LA if it's high (well higher than +2LA, because I find it's at +3 LA and higher that it generally becomes really crippling, +2LA usually isn't too bad, and I've never found +1LA to be crippling), but I'd rather have all monkeybirds able to fly right away, especially since flight is only +1 LA. I'm thinking I'm going to deal with LA differently if I run a game anyways.
JackSnape
12-04-07, 09:21 PM (I'm taking JackSnape's advice for this)
:eek: LOL

Monstrous Humanoid
Small size
Land speed: 30 feet, Flight: 60 feet average
+2 dexterity, -2 constitution (I'm taking JackSnape's advice for this)
+2 to spot and search
Keen vision: I'm not completely sure how this should work, maybe they can see twice the distance that humans can

LA +1
If someone brought that to me as a DM I would make them take a LA +2. I think flight 60 is a powerful ability, even with average manuverablity. To make it LA+1 I think I'd want keen senses gone or reduced and maybe a slower land speed, or some ability penalty.
Nevermind I just looked up raptorians, you're probably fine at LA+1
If you play this you should also figure out what flight related feats you'll allow.
asurademon
12-04-07, 10:10 PM :eek: LOL

If someone brought that to me as a DM I would make them take a LA +2. I think flight 60 is a powerful ability, even with average manuverablity. To make it LA+1 I think I'd want keen senses gone or reduced and maybe a slower land speed, or some ability penalty.
Nevermind I just looked up raptorians, you're probably fine at LA+1
If you play this you should also figure out what flight related feats you'll allow.

I'd allow hover, and improved maneuverability feats. I don't recall there being any to improve speed, or increase the amount of weight that can be lifted in flight (I think only a medium load can be carried during flight normally), but those sound like good ones to make up to me. Would a feat that increases flight speed by 10 be good?

Anyways here's what I'm thinking

Increased flight speed (general)
Prerequisite: fly speed
Benefits: the character's flight speed increases by 10

Powerful Flier (general)
Prerequisite: fly speed, a strength of 12 or higher
You can fly while carrying a heavy load, rather than just a medium load.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
asurademon 11-30-07, 04:41 PM	So, I've seen a few attempts at converting Pirates of Darkwater to an RPG, and haven't been very impressed. Monkeybirds in particularly are never done very accurately, even in fluff. So I need some help with making them in D20. Monkeybirds Description Monkeybirds are an amalgam of parrot and monkey. They have bright plumage covering their entire body, long necks with faces that are rather parrot-like except for their ears, which are those of a monkey. They also have a monkey's tail and hands, with the grasping talons of a bird for feet. Monkeybirds stand 3-4 feet tall, and have a wingspan of around 5-6 feet when fully spread, with their hollow bones and little body fat they are light weight. Most monkeybirds have coloration resembling that of various parrot species such as macaws, and green amazon parrots, though some have coloration unique to their species. There is only one fertile female in any monkeybird colony, and she is distinguished by her crest, and predominantly white coloration, giving her a cockatoo-like appearance. Other females are infertile, and to humans they are quite difficult to tell from males. Culture Monkeybirds live in large colonies somewhat like bees. Most colonies have a single massive communal nest. At any time there is only one fertile female per colony, known as the queen, and monkeybirds are matriarchal (I don't think it's actually ever stated in the show whether their are other females or not). Monkeybirds ordinarily are frugivores, meaning they primarily eat fruit, however they may sometimes adopt eating other types of foods. Monkeybirds are often looked down upon by humans as being mere beasts, and are sometimes enslaved as beasts of burden, or kept as pets. However monkeybirds are every bit as intelligent as humans are, and actively and often violently resist enslavement. So...definitely they need flight as an ability. In the cartoon they were capable of hovering, and could carry a larger amount of weight than what most creatures in D&D would be limited to carrying in flight (niddler the monkeybird can carry a human that probably weighs quite a bit more than he does). I think they probably should not be giving quite that amazing of flight, maybe just average maneuverability with a speed of 60? I'm guessing they should be monstrous humanoid type, or maybe magical beast would be more appropriate, since they aren't any more humanoid in shape than a actual monkey is. Should they be small or medium size? Any suggestions are welcome. I'd like to see ecomancers done as well, but I think that would be a bit more difficult, and I'd need to watch some episodes again to refresh my memory of their abilities. I'd also like to see some other creatures done, I imagine dagrons could be based on wyverns?
JackSnape 12-01-07, 05:41 PM	It's been a long time since I've seen the show, but I bet you could watch an episode or 2 on youtube. Monkeybirds should be small I think, most of the other characters were quite a bit taller than the monkeybird if I remember right. I'd make them a magical beast. Could they talk? I don't remember the main monkeybird (niddler?) talking, but like I said it's been a while. For movement I'd say speed: 20ft fly 40 (agv. maneuverability) and create a couple of flight improvement feats if you can't find some. That way the monkeybird in the show lifting heavy loads, hovering, or flying faster can be explained. There was also 1 specific fruit that they especially love (it made them high/drunk maybe) you might include that in fluff at least. Are you planning on making this a PC race? If so it will need an LA of at least 1 since flight is a pretty powerful ablity. They probably deserve a + to DEX and - to CON. Post the critter up once you put it together I for one would love to see it. Best of luck
CombatMedic 12-02-07, 10:35 PM	I remember that cartoon! :) I'd love to see your conversions once you post them.
HernetheHunter 12-03-07, 12:48 AM	I would say Monstrous humanoid for type, I take this from the Hadozee from Stormwrack as an example. If I remember correctly the monkeybirds had their own society and everything. Most creatures with wings require roughly twice their height in order to lift off. I believe Monkeybirds only had feathers on their wings.
calronmoonflower 12-03-07, 12:49 AM	Stats? Take a monkey add mental stats and the winged template. If you don't want that big level adjustment that goes with that template give them gradual flight like a raptorian or dragonborn.
rudie 12-03-07, 12:14 PM	Just thought Id pop in to say that the OP is my hero, my friend and I thought we were the only ones who remembered that show!
Wulfgar 12-03-07, 12:41 PM	I There was also 1 specific fruit that they especially love (it made them high/drunk maybe) you might include that in fluff at least. Minga-melons; noye jetat, they couldn't get enough of them!
asurademon 12-04-07, 12:36 AM	Stats? i Take a monkey add mental stats and the winged template. If you don't want that big level adjustment that goes wth that template give them gradual flight like a raptorian or dragonborn. Monkey's are tiny size, there's no way monkeybirds are, they are small size at smallest. Monkey's also have a pretty hefty strength penalty (-4 I think) and monkeybirds definately don't have a -4 to strength, Niddler could carry a human larger than himself! If I were to give them a strength penalty it would only be a -2. As for the winged template, it also wouldn't be appropriate mainly due to the +4 bonus to wisdom, there's nothing in the cartoons that hints monkeybirds are wiser than humans. I'm not going to stay strictly true to how they were in the cartoon (they'd need a bonus to carrying weight for one, to represent that they can carry something heavier than themselves in flight, and that might make their flight ability too powerful) but I want to be pretty close, and maybe as JackSnape suggested, I can create some feats to represent their ability carry a heavy load while flying. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As for if Niddler spoke in the cartoon, yes he talked, all the monkeybirds could talk. Monkeybirds did have their own culture, but beyond what I've all ready written in my original post, I don't recall it being given much detail. I may eventually add some of my own ideas to flesh out their culture a bit more. "Most creatures with wings require roughly twice their height in order to lift off." This is mainly the case with animals that do a lot of gliding or fly long distances, it's probably also the case with creatures that are heavily built. There are birds that are fully flight capable that have shorter wings, but they have rapid wing beats, and don't really glide, and aren't built for particularly long distance flight. I think monkeybird wings were close to twice their height, but maybe not exactly that. "I believe Monkeybirds only had feathers on their wings." They all had feathers on their wings, and defintely some had feathers on their heads. Whether the rest of their body had feathers or fur is never made clear, though their coloration does suggest feathers, it's possible it was fur. If I ever get a chance I'd love to run a Pirates of Darkwater campaign with this as a pc race, but I've had no roleplaying opportunities for a while. I probably will end up giving them an LA, hopefully not more than +1. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- So here's possibly how this race would end up Monstrous Humanoid Small size Land speed: 30 feet, Flight: 60 feet average +2 dexterity, -2 constitution (I'm taking JackSnape's advice for this) +2 to spot and search Keen vision: I'm not completely sure how this should work, maybe they can see twice the distance that humans can LA +1
calronmoonflower 12-04-07, 03:40 AM	Monkey's are tiny size, there's no way monkeybirds are, they are small size at smallest. Monkey's also have a pretty hefty strength penalty (-4 I think) and monkeybirds definately don't have a -4 to strength, Niddler could carry a human larger than himself! If I were to give them a strength penalty it would only be a -2. If you use the rules for changing a monster size it should fix that and the stats along with it.
asurademon 12-04-07, 07:30 PM	If you use the rules for changing a monster size it should fix that and the stats along with it. yes, I completely forgot about those rules. I'm torn now between wanting to give them a penalty to strength (which if I based them more on the monkey in the Manual they would have) or to con. Either could work, but there's all ready a core race with the same ability adjustments, so maybe I should have them be -2 Strength and +2 dexterity to vary things up a bit. Anyways, what do you guys think about monkeybirds as I have them done right now? Next I'd like to deal with ecomancer's, but I'm not very experienced with creating classes, so I'll really need help with that. I figure though, and ecomancer is to a druid how a sorcerer is to a wizard, and a Favored Soul is to a Cleric. So maybe taking some things from a Druid, and going from there could work? I figure they should be more charisma based, and not have wild shape. The Druid spell list is pretty appropriate for an ecomancer I think, since ecomancers deal with manipulating the elements and other parts of the natural world. There spells per day and how many spells they know should probably work the same as a Sorcerer. What should replace wild shape though? Should I continue adding more classes and races to this thread, or open a general Pirates of Darkwater conversion thread? Now if only I could actually find a role playing group.....
Cartigan 12-04-07, 07:49 PM	I'd say check out Raptorans in Races of the Wild.
asurademon 12-04-07, 07:58 PM	I've checked out raptorans. Them gaining their flight ability slowly works for their fluff, and I don't mind sacrificing fluff a bit to lower LA if it's high (well higher than +2LA, because I find it's at +3 LA and higher that it generally becomes really crippling, +2LA usually isn't too bad, and I've never found +1LA to be crippling), but I'd rather have all monkeybirds able to fly right away, especially since flight is only +1 LA. I'm thinking I'm going to deal with LA differently if I run a game anyways.
JackSnape 12-04-07, 09:21 PM	(I'm taking JackSnape's advice for this) :eek: LOL Monstrous Humanoid Small size Land speed: 30 feet, Flight: 60 feet average +2 dexterity, -2 constitution (I'm taking JackSnape's advice for this) +2 to spot and search Keen vision: I'm not completely sure how this should work, maybe they can see twice the distance that humans can LA +1 If someone brought that to me as a DM I would make them take a LA +2. I think flight 60 is a powerful ability, even with average manuverablity. To make it LA+1 I think I'd want keen senses gone or reduced and maybe a slower land speed, or some ability penalty. Nevermind I just looked up raptorians, you're probably fine at LA+1 If you play this you should also figure out what flight related feats you'll allow.
asurademon 12-04-07, 10:10 PM	:eek: LOL If someone brought that to me as a DM I would make them take a LA +2. I think flight 60 is a powerful ability, even with average manuverablity. To make it LA+1 I think I'd want keen senses gone or reduced and maybe a slower land speed, or some ability penalty. Nevermind I just looked up raptorians, you're probably fine at LA+1 If you play this you should also figure out what flight related feats you'll allow. I'd allow hover, and improved maneuverability feats. I don't recall there being any to improve speed, or increase the amount of weight that can be lifted in flight (I think only a medium load can be carried during flight normally), but those sound like good ones to make up to me. Would a feat that increases flight speed by 10 be good? Anyways here's what I'm thinking Increased flight speed (general) Prerequisite: fly speed Benefits: the character's flight speed increases by 10 Powerful Flier (general) Prerequisite: fly speed, a strength of 12 or higher You can fly while carrying a heavy load, rather than just a medium load.