Tauric Snake Elf [Archive] - Wizards Community

Tauric Snake Elf [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mr_Arcane
11-15-07, 09:18 PM Dunno what to make of this really. I had an odd urge to make something weird. So I poked and messed around the Tauric template and, using the template as an inspriation, this creature was born.
(If they can get away with combining griffons and hobgoblins, then I can get away with elves and snakes.)

Tauric Snake Elves
(Viper Variant)
*Medium Monstrous Humanoid
*30 ft base land speed, 10 ft. Climb speed.
*+4 DEX, and -2 CON
*+1 Natural Armor
*Lunge- 3 + Dex Modifier times per day, a Viper Tuaric Snake Elf can extend thier reach by five feet with any melee weapon that they weild.
*Natural Attack: A tail slap attack that deals 1d6 points of damage.
*+2 on saves versus Enchantment spells and effects and +2 on saves versus poisons.
*+1 to Spot, Listen, and Search checks. They have a +8 racial bonus to climb checks and are able to take 10, even when rushed or under stress.
*Favored Class: Sorcerer.
*Level Adjustment: 1

(Constrictor Variant)
*Medium Monstrous Humanoid
*30 ft base land speed, 10 ft. Climb speed.
*+4 DEX, and -2 CON
*+1 Natural Armor
*Powerful Build- as per the Half-Giant (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicRaces.htm%23halfGiants) ability from the SRD.
*Natural Attack: A tail slap attack that deals 1d6 points of damage.
*+2 on saves versus Enchantment spells and effects and +2 on saves versus poisons.
*+1 to Spot, Listen, and Search checks. They have a +8 racial bonus to climb checks and are able to take 10, even when rushed or under stress.
*Favored Class: Sorcerer.
*Level Adjustment: 1
Bahumut
11-16-07, 01:00 AM i'd say +1 is about right. if it retained the constrict ability, it would be a +2.
Mr_Arcane
11-16-07, 03:20 PM Yeah, I thought as much. I based it off of the viper stats rather than the constrictor.
Threefists
11-18-07, 01:02 AM Ah, the Tauric template....(it holds a special place in my heart, next to the 'Miked' Ogre Mage and the Anthromorhpic Template...*excuse me while I go beat my inner furry back into the corner*)....wonderful little thing it is. Goblin/Wolves, Human/Scorpions, Dwarf/Badgers, Elf/Eagles (Now THAT is some messed-up biology!), Halfling/Warhounds, the list is endless...

But what sort of society would your creature have? Free-wheeling nature-loving, like the Elves, a Yuan-Ti slanted society or a very cold and emotionless one like that of a Viper, a predator/prey outlook on life? I'm personally very interest to know how you are portraying them!
Mr_Arcane
11-18-07, 11:19 AM So now my project for the rest of the weekend is making some flavor for this race eh? That I can do. I just want to know what combining elves and giant eagles looks like. Must be mildly odd.

Well I played one last night and he worked very well as our groups Warlock, and worth the LA 1. That high DEX increase makes for some very nasty blasting. He was a chaotic neutral with a love for good alcohol, and was very displeased when all the grog that the goblins had that he was working for.
We did encounter Yuan-ti on an airship, my guy passes himself of as a half-blood, we knock one out, tied me up along with him to keep up with the charade, and interrogate him to find out where to head to next. We let our future evil Dread Pirate do what he wanted with him, so everything worked out. I hope to post the full thing in the "Best Lines Ever" thread.
Angel Black
11-19-07, 09:23 AM So now my project for the rest of the weekend is making some flavor for this race eh? That I can do. I just want to know what combining elves and giant eagles looks like. Must be mildly odd.

Maybe like Norda/Northwind but with funny ears?

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4175/northwindfq8.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=northwindfq8.png)
The_Shaman
11-19-07, 09:41 AM Dunno what to make of this really. I had an odd urge to make something weird. So I poked and messed around the Tauric template and, using the template as an inspriation, this creature was born.
(If they can get away with combining griffons and hobgoblins, then I can get away with elves and snakes.)

Tauric Snake Elves
*Medium Monstrous Humanoid
*30 ft base land speed, 10 ft. Climb speed.
*+4 DEX, -2 STR, and -2 CON
*+1 Natural Armor
*Powerful Build: as per the Goliath ability in Races of Stone. (Don't know if it's cool to post that sort of stuff. OGL and what not)
*+2 on saves versus Enchantment spells and effects and +2 on saves versus poisons.
*+1 to Spot, Listen, and Search checks. They have a +8 racial bonus to climb checks and are able to take 10, even when rushed or under stress.
*Favored Class: Sorcerer.
*Level Adjustment: 1

This might be an LA 0 but I might be kidding myself by thinking that. Flavor might be avalable if you want it.

It seems a bit low for a +1, imo. Consider adding something to it. Other than that, powerful build AND a racial penalty to strength? That just... looks weird.
Orchomenos
11-19-07, 11:10 AM Yeah, I thought as much. I based it off of the viper stats rather than the constrictor.

Either way, the viper needs a bite attack to deliver its venom, and the constrictor needs a bite attack for its Improved Grab ability. IMHO, I would switch that to a Tail Slap and keep the Constrict! :cool:
Mr_Arcane
11-19-07, 04:27 PM I wonder if giving them a tail slap natural attack and making Constrict a racial feat would help? ;)
Grizzled Gryphon
11-19-07, 09:19 PM Elf/Eagles (Now THAT is some messed-up biology!)

You specifically mention how odd the biology of this race is, but the biology of a Human/Scorpion, another one you mentioned, somehow didn't warrant a note, even though this critter biology would be ten times odder than the Elf/Eagle. Sorry, but I find that... well, odd in its own, special way.

Considering that when you make a Tuaric creature, you give it the racial bonuses of the base creature for Str, Dex, and Con, and the racial bonuses of the base humanoid for Int, Wis, and Cha, how did you come up with the adjustments you have?
Mr_Arcane
11-19-07, 09:50 PM Took the highest score (DEX) for the viper snake, made that the +2, then took the lowest score (STR) and made it the -2. Those were the base stats that were then added to the average elf. I bumped the climb speed down, mucked around with the "+x to blahblah" and added Powerful Build and the Natural Armor bonus. This is why I should have said that I based this off of the tuaric template. Based - but not actually template.
Grizzled Gryphon
11-19-07, 10:20 PM OK, thanks for the clarafication. It sure didn't look right for the template. I have to admit, how Powerful Build ended up in there was mighty confusing, too.

The Shaman speaks with great wisdom. Having powerful build and a negative bonus to strength seems very counter-productive. Even so, I have seen the like before in official sources. Look at Races of Stone, and the Whisper Gnome. There spell likes are based on Cha, and they get a negative bonus to Cha.
Xiuhcoatl
11-20-07, 08:16 AM Why would a tauric snake/elf have powerful build? Especially when it has Str -2? It just doesn't seem to fit, thematically, at all.

And I mean that for both the Elf-part (not exactly a powerful build body, now is it?) as well as the Str -2 modifier.
Mr_Arcane
11-20-07, 03:11 PM So, no STR penelty and a tail slap attack would make it an even LA 1? If so, then I like it.
CrimsonDeath
11-20-07, 03:30 PM Powerful Build: as per the Goliath ability in Races of Stone. (Don't know if it's cool to post that sort of stuff. OGL and what not)

It should be fine if you reference the Half-Giant (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicRaces.htm#halfGiants) from the SRD.
Threefists
11-20-07, 06:07 PM You specifically mention how odd the biology of this race is, but the biology of a Human/Scorpion, another one you mentioned, somehow didn't warrant a note, even though this critter biology would be ten times odder than the Elf/Eagle. Sorry, but I find that... well, odd in its own, special way.

Basically the Tauric template replaces the head of the base animal with the torso of the base humanoid. So, basically a Elf/Giant Eagle has a Elf's torso above it's wings....think of how absurd it looks when the damn thing is walking! the Human/Scorpion is less bizzare-looking simple because it seems to follow the Centaur-like appearance without unwieldy placements of the limbs (Trying to sting with a Humanoid Torso in the way, however, is gonna be difficult....treat everything you attack with the sting as having Soft Cover is my house-rule, but that's neither here nor there!)
Grizzled Gryphon
11-20-07, 08:53 PM Oh, I see... I was thinking of biology of the two types of creatures involved... Insect and Mammal seemed odder to me than Avian and Mammal.

As for your house rule about stinging with a humanoid torso in the way, why? They have grown up this way, and are quite used to swinging the tail around the body, or simply leaning out of the way at the right moment. As long as the tail is, I don't think the torso would be an issue.

Back to the OP:

I have to agree about the Powerful Build idea. Why would an elf have it, even one with a lower body of a snake? Maybe if it was based off of a cnstrictor, which have powerful muscles and the like.

Instead, maybe a racial feature that allows them to gain greater reach? Basically, they "lunge" forward, like a viper? Perhaps they can do it so many times a day or the like.

If you give them a tail slap, then I can only imagine this race would have come up with some sort of weapons that attach to the end of the tail. Just a thought.
Mr_Arcane
11-20-07, 09:45 PM Hmm. Right. Perhaps I should just include a variant that's based off of the constrictor. I just didn't really like the idea of have large size completely negate the minor natural armor bonus, I know I can just raise it.

I'll give the "Lunge" idea a try. As for the tail weapon, I want to nab a tail blade (from the infamous Savage Species book) ans see how that works for my guy.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mr_Arcane 11-15-07, 09:18 PM	Dunno what to make of this really. I had an odd urge to make something weird. So I poked and messed around the Tauric template and, using the template as an inspriation, this creature was born. (If they can get away with combining griffons and hobgoblins, then I can get away with elves and snakes.) Tauric Snake Elves (Viper Variant) Medium Monstrous Humanoid 30 ft base land speed, 10 ft. Climb speed. +4 DEX, and -2 CON +1 Natural Armor Lunge- 3 + Dex Modifier times per day, a Viper Tuaric Snake Elf can extend thier reach by five feet with any melee weapon that they weild. Natural Attack: A tail slap attack that deals 1d6 points of damage. +2 on saves versus Enchantment spells and effects and +2 on saves versus poisons. +1 to Spot, Listen, and Search checks. They have a +8 racial bonus to climb checks and are able to take 10, even when rushed or under stress. Favored Class: Sorcerer. Level Adjustment: 1 (Constrictor Variant) Medium Monstrous Humanoid 30 ft base land speed, 10 ft. Climb speed. +4 DEX, and -2 CON +1 Natural Armor Powerful Build- as per the Half-Giant (http://forums.gleemax.com/leaving.php?destination=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicRaces.htm%23halfGiants) ability from the SRD. Natural Attack: A tail slap attack that deals 1d6 points of damage. +2 on saves versus Enchantment spells and effects and +2 on saves versus poisons. +1 to Spot, Listen, and Search checks. They have a +8 racial bonus to climb checks and are able to take 10, even when rushed or under stress. Favored Class: Sorcerer. Level Adjustment: 1
Bahumut 11-16-07, 01:00 AM	i'd say +1 is about right. if it retained the constrict ability, it would be a +2.
Mr_Arcane 11-16-07, 03:20 PM	Yeah, I thought as much. I based it off of the viper stats rather than the constrictor.
Threefists 11-18-07, 01:02 AM	Ah, the Tauric template....(it holds a special place in my heart, next to the 'Miked' Ogre Mage and the Anthromorhpic Template...excuse me while I go beat my inner furry back into the corner)....wonderful little thing it is. Goblin/Wolves, Human/Scorpions, Dwarf/Badgers, Elf/Eagles (Now THAT is some messed-up biology!), Halfling/Warhounds, the list is endless... But what sort of society would your creature have? Free-wheeling nature-loving, like the Elves, a Yuan-Ti slanted society or a very cold and emotionless one like that of a Viper, a predator/prey outlook on life? I'm personally very interest to know how you are portraying them!
Mr_Arcane 11-18-07, 11:19 AM	So now my project for the rest of the weekend is making some flavor for this race eh? That I can do. I just want to know what combining elves and giant eagles looks like. Must be mildly odd. Well I played one last night and he worked very well as our groups Warlock, and worth the LA 1. That high DEX increase makes for some very nasty blasting. He was a chaotic neutral with a love for good alcohol, and was very displeased when all the grog that the goblins had that he was working for. We did encounter Yuan-ti on an airship, my guy passes himself of as a half-blood, we knock one out, tied me up along with him to keep up with the charade, and interrogate him to find out where to head to next. We let our future evil Dread Pirate do what he wanted with him, so everything worked out. I hope to post the full thing in the "Best Lines Ever" thread.
Angel Black 11-19-07, 09:23 AM	So now my project for the rest of the weekend is making some flavor for this race eh? That I can do. I just want to know what combining elves and giant eagles looks like. Must be mildly odd. Maybe like Norda/Northwind but with funny ears? http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4175/northwindfq8.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=northwindfq8.png)
The_Shaman 11-19-07, 09:41 AM	Dunno what to make of this really. I had an odd urge to make something weird. So I poked and messed around the Tauric template and, using the template as an inspriation, this creature was born. (If they can get away with combining griffons and hobgoblins, then I can get away with elves and snakes.) Tauric Snake Elves Medium Monstrous Humanoid 30 ft base land speed, 10 ft. Climb speed. +4 DEX, -2 STR, and -2 CON +1 Natural Armor Powerful Build: as per the Goliath ability in Races of Stone. (Don't know if it's cool to post that sort of stuff. OGL and what not) +2 on saves versus Enchantment spells and effects and +2 on saves versus poisons. +1 to Spot, Listen, and Search checks. They have a +8 racial bonus to climb checks and are able to take 10, even when rushed or under stress. Favored Class: Sorcerer. *Level Adjustment: 1 This might be an LA 0 but I might be kidding myself by thinking that. Flavor might be avalable if you want it. It seems a bit low for a +1, imo. Consider adding something to it. Other than that, powerful build AND a racial penalty to strength? That just... looks weird.
Orchomenos 11-19-07, 11:10 AM	Yeah, I thought as much. I based it off of the viper stats rather than the constrictor. Either way, the viper needs a bite attack to deliver its venom, and the constrictor needs a bite attack for its Improved Grab ability. IMHO, I would switch that to a Tail Slap and keep the Constrict! :cool:
Mr_Arcane 11-19-07, 04:27 PM	I wonder if giving them a tail slap natural attack and making Constrict a racial feat would help? ;)
Grizzled Gryphon 11-19-07, 09:19 PM	Elf/Eagles (Now THAT is some messed-up biology!) You specifically mention how odd the biology of this race is, but the biology of a Human/Scorpion, another one you mentioned, somehow didn't warrant a note, even though this critter biology would be ten times odder than the Elf/Eagle. Sorry, but I find that... well, odd in its own, special way. Considering that when you make a Tuaric creature, you give it the racial bonuses of the base creature for Str, Dex, and Con, and the racial bonuses of the base humanoid for Int, Wis, and Cha, how did you come up with the adjustments you have?
Mr_Arcane 11-19-07, 09:50 PM	Took the highest score (DEX) for the viper snake, made that the +2, then took the lowest score (STR) and made it the -2. Those were the base stats that were then added to the average elf. I bumped the climb speed down, mucked around with the "+x to blahblah" and added Powerful Build and the Natural Armor bonus. This is why I should have said that I based this off of the tuaric template. Based - but not actually template.
Grizzled Gryphon 11-19-07, 10:20 PM	OK, thanks for the clarafication. It sure didn't look right for the template. I have to admit, how Powerful Build ended up in there was mighty confusing, too. The Shaman speaks with great wisdom. Having powerful build and a negative bonus to strength seems very counter-productive. Even so, I have seen the like before in official sources. Look at Races of Stone, and the Whisper Gnome. There spell likes are based on Cha, and they get a negative bonus to Cha.
Xiuhcoatl 11-20-07, 08:16 AM	Why would a tauric snake/elf have powerful build? Especially when it has Str -2? It just doesn't seem to fit, thematically, at all. And I mean that for both the Elf-part (not exactly a powerful build body, now is it?) as well as the Str -2 modifier.
Mr_Arcane 11-20-07, 03:11 PM	So, no STR penelty and a tail slap attack would make it an even LA 1? If so, then I like it.
CrimsonDeath 11-20-07, 03:30 PM	Powerful Build: as per the Goliath ability in Races of Stone. (Don't know if it's cool to post that sort of stuff. OGL and what not) It should be fine if you reference the Half-Giant (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicRaces.htm#halfGiants) from the SRD.
Threefists 11-20-07, 06:07 PM	You specifically mention how odd the biology of this race is, but the biology of a Human/Scorpion, another one you mentioned, somehow didn't warrant a note, even though this critter biology would be ten times odder than the Elf/Eagle. Sorry, but I find that... well, odd in its own, special way. Basically the Tauric template replaces the head of the base animal with the torso of the base humanoid. So, basically a Elf/Giant Eagle has a Elf's torso above it's wings....think of how absurd it looks when the damn thing is walking! the Human/Scorpion is less bizzare-looking simple because it seems to follow the Centaur-like appearance without unwieldy placements of the limbs (Trying to sting with a Humanoid Torso in the way, however, is gonna be difficult....treat everything you attack with the sting as having Soft Cover is my house-rule, but that's neither here nor there!)
Grizzled Gryphon 11-20-07, 08:53 PM	Oh, I see... I was thinking of biology of the two types of creatures involved... Insect and Mammal seemed odder to me than Avian and Mammal. As for your house rule about stinging with a humanoid torso in the way, why? They have grown up this way, and are quite used to swinging the tail around the body, or simply leaning out of the way at the right moment. As long as the tail is, I don't think the torso would be an issue. Back to the OP: I have to agree about the Powerful Build idea. Why would an elf have it, even one with a lower body of a snake? Maybe if it was based off of a cnstrictor, which have powerful muscles and the like. Instead, maybe a racial feature that allows them to gain greater reach? Basically, they "lunge" forward, like a viper? Perhaps they can do it so many times a day or the like. If you give them a tail slap, then I can only imagine this race would have come up with some sort of weapons that attach to the end of the tail. Just a thought.
Mr_Arcane 11-20-07, 09:45 PM	Hmm. Right. Perhaps I should just include a variant that's based off of the constrictor. I just didn't really like the idea of have large size completely negate the minor natural armor bonus, I know I can just raise it. I'll give the "Lunge" idea a try. As for the tail weapon, I want to nab a tail blade (from the infamous Savage Species book) ans see how that works for my guy.