Futuristic Monster Homebrew Contest (3.5)

[Zexion]

Welcome to my first monster contest.
To enter, you must come up with an original futuristic monster. It doesn't have to be a robot, it can be a gleaming polished white warbot of destruction, a small metal bullet-like sphere that flies through the air at high speeds, or even an AI that doesn't actually fight, instead being able to throw increasingly difficult Will saves at you until you fail one. In this case, "original" means not already statted out, you can do a Transformers robot as long as it is your own work. If you wish to win, I encourage you to come up with an entirely original mechanic.
These entries must NOT have magic fueling them. Make it radiation or something. There is no maximum technology limit for this contest
Submissions are due by March 26th or earlier, and should be submitted in the standard stat block format found in the Monster Manual. There will be two first place winners, a below CR 10 and an above CR 10.
Only complete entries will be accepted.
Entries must be in standard D&D 3.5 form, or they will not be accepted.
Fire away!

[DracoDei]

Will this have a voting thread, or are you going to judge this...

[Zexion]

This will be judged by me, who, as always, is completely impartial. I also have a handy computer program called Microsoft Word that lets me organize the concepts, but... other than that, no. I realize that a single judge can be a bad choice for a contest, but I believe that this will work.

[LOTRfan]

How many entries can be submitted per person?

[Zexion]

Up to three. No more.

[LOTRfan]

Alright, then. Here's entry number 1: The U-87 Model Cylon from Caprica. It includes fluff for a Twelve Colonies-centric campaign.

Model U-87
Medium Mechanical Construct (Automaton, Cylon)
Hit Dice: 4d12+26 (Maximized, 74 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares),
Armor Class: 9 (-1 Dex), touch 9, flat-footed 10
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+10
Attack: Assault Rifle +3 ranged (2d12-1 damage)
Full Attack: Assault Rifle +3 ranged (2d12-1 damage)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: ----
Special Qualities: Lowlight vision, Powerful Build, MCP dependent
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +0, Will +0
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 8, Con ---, Int 13, Wis 9, Cha 10
Skills: Intimidate +7, Profession (Manual Labor) +5
Feats: Toughness (x2)
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually Lawful
Cost: (to be included later)
Advancement: None
Level Adjustment: —

A robot looking exactly like the Cyber Combat Unit, except for a pulsing red eye, comes in. Something seems different, almost as though an aura of intelligence emanates from it. It seems much more efficient then the Cyber Combat Unit.

The Model U-87is the first Cylon Model and the direct successor of the Cyber Combat Unit (it even uses the same type of chassis). The U-87 is a simplistic model, with no armor and decent combat abilities. It is supposed to be mainly a civilian model, for those who required heavy manual labor. Capable of carrying the same weight as three human workers, wealthy governments often purchased these. Although originally made by Graystone Industries to fill the role of a super soldier for the Caprican government, the creation of the Model 0005 quickly put an end to the production of military U-87s.

Combat
The Model U-87 is not used in combat many times, but can be either programmed or trained to use a variety of weapons. Combat-centric U-87s are usually guards.U-87s are unrelenting combatants, always going forward and straight out shooting enemies in sight (unless ordered to use nonlethal force).

Powerful Build (Ex): The physical stature of U-87s lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger. Whenever a U-87 is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), it is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. A U-87 is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. A U-87 can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, its space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size.

MCP Dependant (Pr): The U-87, like all Cylons, has its intelligence and its very essence programmed into a Meta-Cognitive Processor. Once this Meta-Cognitive Processor is placed within a body, it bonds with it. Part of the essence is transferred to the body while the others stay in the MCP. As a result, MCPs are incompatible with other boxes and may not be “resurrected” by transferring the Meta-Cognitive Processor into another Cylon body.

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The Cylon subtype has the following:

Cylon- Creatures with the Cylon subtype are artificial creatures originally created by the Colonials. They have recently been invented by the Caprican Daniel Graystone. Used all over the twelve Colonies of Kobol, these automatons do a variety of jobs. They can be found doing pretty much anything, but all Cylons are subservient to humans. They are treated as property, and can be bought and sold at various certified Graystone Industries stories. Cylon stands for “CYbernetic LifefOrm Node.”

Features:
Cylons have the following features:
-BAB equal to total Hit Dice
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Traits:
Cylons have the following traits (unless otherwise noted in the creature’s entry):
-Low-light vision (Given to it by the iconic red cylon-eye)
-Any automaton that had darkvision loses this trait
-Vulnerability to Computer Viruses
-Command Centurions are capable of speaking to each other via built in radio.
-Vulnerability to Computer Viruses
-All Cylons have Meta-cognitive Processors that contain their essence. Once a meta-cognitive processor is bonded to a Colonial Era Cylon body, the Cylon becomes sentient and capable of independent thought. For reasons unknown, once a meta-cognitive processor is bonded with a body, it only works in that body, so meta-cognitive processors can’t be transported to a new body to save a Cylon’s life.

The (PR) after the MCP Dependent special quality stands for
Programmed. A computer virus or a memory wipe may erase this special quality, completely destroying the Cylon's essence, and making this a mindless robot.

EDIT: Changed type to Mechanical Construct. This better? :)

[Zexion]

Ah, yes. We come to the problem of the type. Construct doesn't fit the setting, and "robot" is too general. Here"

Mechanical Construct
d12 Hit Dice (maximized)
BAB dependent on subtype (Robot:1/2 HD, Droid:3/4 HD, Automaton: 1/1 HD)
Construct properties.
Custom properties (in monster description)

I recommend you use this. It is not a requirement, however.

[Rithaniel]

Unknown One
Medium Outsider (Extraplanar)
HD 14d8+70 (133 hp)
Speed 50 ft. (10 squares), fly 30 ft. (perfect)
Init: +12
AC 26 (+8 Deflection, +8 Dexterity), touch 26, flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple +14/+19
Attack Slam +23 melee (1d10+5/19-20)
Full-Attack Two Slams +23 melee (1d10+5/19-20)
Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks Gaze of the Undone, Scream of the Undone, Wish
Special Qualities Causality, Darkvision 60 ft., Improbability Aura
Saves Fort +15 Ref +17 Will +16
Abilities Str 20, Dex 26, Con 23, Int 11, Wis 24, Cha 31
Skills Concentration +23, Hide +25, Intimidate +27, Listen +24, Move Silently +25, Sense Motive +24, Spot +24, Swim +22
Feats Flyby Attack, Improved Critical (Slam), Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Slam)
Environment Any land and underground
Organization Solitary, plausibility (2-6), crisis (5–8), or impossibility (8-20)
Challenge Rating 15
Treasure None
Alignment Always neutral
Advancement 15–20 HD (Medium); 21–42 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment —

Flickering strings of probability and noumenal phenomenon flit and dance through reality, coaxing fractal patterns to spring up on the edge of vision, and time itself start to ripple and stretch. A vague shape consisting of shifting probability code and sublogical paradigm inequalities floats around the corner, jumping ahead of itself a fraction of an inch before shifting in a dizzying dual-dimensional pattern, and coming to a halt. It appears to look at you, despite how absurd the notion may be.

Unknown ones were once a crowning achievement for the plausi-systematic quantum engineers of the 210th millenia, as they had succeeded in creating something literally unbelievable. Via a process that has since been forgotten, they created a self-sustaining phenomenon of total and infinite probability, where all possible eventualities took place simultaneously. This was believed to be a magnificent breakthrough in science. There was much speculation on the implecations of this new development, until the eventualities within the phenomenon began to interfere with each other and criss cross into each others existential paradigms. This led this cloud of probability to be forced to take options that could not be taken, and eventualities that were not actually possible began to be manifested within it. This bewildered the engineers, as their creation was beginning to turn into something that made absolutely no sense. Their creation of all that could be, was becoming a form of all that could not be.

Over the next few decades, information on the space surrounding the area where this creation had been made, was lost, as that section of reality refused to exist in response to the anti-logical event that was taking place in it. No one who came near this place in space was ever seen again, and whatever may have happened in regards to the cloud of anti-probability was unknown. After this time, this area of 'not reality' that was sitting in space, seemed to disperse, turning into an infinite number of things that could only be described as 'not anything' or, as some people took to calling them: 'nothings'. The cloud of probability, however, was nowhere to be found, and it is believed that these 'nothings' were what it had become. These 'nothings' soon became normal, often benign sights for the average traveller, and were later formally classified as "Unknown Ones".

Combat
While it is common for an unknown one to be docile and distant, they are actually quite terrifying, should they actually seek out direct combat with an entity, as they can apparently distort reality in any way they see fit. It isn't unknown for unknown ones to actually be slain. What happens when one dies, however, is a complete mystery, and most modern scientists just don't even wanna think about it.

Scream of the Undone (Ex): As a swift action that can be performed as part of another action in a round, an unknown one can unleash a terrible, reality rending scream. All creatures within 30 feet of the unknown one must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + .5 HD + Charisma Modifier) or become blinded for 4d6 rounds as the fabric of reality trembles and space seems to buckle.

Gaze of the Undone (Ex): As a swift action that can be performed as part of another action in a round, an unknown one can unleash an unnatural, unexplainable 'light' from its body. All creatures within 30 feet of the unknown one must make a fortitude save (DC 10 + .5 HD + Charisma Modifier) or become deafened for 4d6 rounds as sounds seem to fade into an indiscernible whine in the wake of the light.

Improbability Aura (Ex): Any entity that is within 40 feet of an unknown one finds itself moving at a contradictory rate, and unable to take more than one action in a round. In this way, an entity within this aura may only take a single free action, move action, standard action, swift action, immediate action, or full round action during their turn in a round. If a creature takes a move action and enters the radius of the improbability aura, then they may not take any other actions during their turn after the move action has been completed. Actions that do not actually take any time (such as designating an enemy as the target of the dodge feat), and actions that are performed as part of other actions in a round (such as the unknown ones ‘Gaze of the Undone’) are not impeded by this aura. The unknown one itself is affected by this aura.

Causality (Ex): An unknown one’s very 'existence' is an unexplainable thing, yet, it seems to follow a set of rules all the same, an exceedingly confusing set of rules, but rules none the less. If, at any time, an attack that is made against the unknown one misses, the unknown one receives a +1 improvement to it’s deflection modifier, this improvement is cumulative (for example, if 3 attacks miss the unknown one, then it gets a total of a +3 improvement to it’s deflection modifier). Controversially, if, at any time, an attack hits an unknown one, then the unknown one takes a -1 penalty to it’s deflection modifier, this penalty is cumulative (for example, if 3 attacks hit the unknown one, then it gets a total of a -3 penalty to it’s deflection modifier). At the end of any particular encounter, all improvements and penalties to the unknown ones deflection modifier are set back to zero.

Wish (Sp): An unknown one can use the spell wish as a spell-like ability, once per day.

[Irbis]

Is CR 10 below or above CR 10? :smallconfused:

[Zexion]

I think that both creations have already said which CR they are.

[LOTRfan]

Another Battlestar-related creation, the Modern Cylon Centurion (which, in my opinion, is the most awesome form of cylon ever).

Centurion
Medium Mechanical Construct (Automaton, Cylon)
Hit Dice: 10d12+20 (maximized, 140 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares),
Armor Class: 15 (+3 Dexterity +2 Natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+16
Attack: Arm turret +13 ranged (1d10+3x3 damage), or claw +16 melee (1d6+6 damage)
Full Attack: 2 arm turrets +13 ranged (1d10+3x3 damage), or 2 claws +16 melee (1d6+6 damage)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: ----
Special Qualities: Lowlight vision, telepathy 100 ft, telencephalic inhibitor
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +6
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 16, Con ---, Int ---, Wis 16, Cha 8
Skills: Knowledge (Combat Tactics) +7, Profession (Manual Labor) +7, Listen +5, Search +5, Spot +5, Disable Device +5, Craft (Military Equipment) +7
Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Point Blank Shot, Far Shot
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, or squad (5 centurions plus 1 command centurion and a humanoid Cylon)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Lawful
Advancement: None
Level Adjustment: —

A large, sleek robot appears at of no where. It looks somewhat like its older relative, the U-87, but taller, thinner, and shinier. It flips its hand into its wrist, and three retractable gun barrels are revealed.

The Cylon Centurion was built to be the Cylon's ultimate heavy soldier. They are faster and more agile than their predecessors, and capable of combating entire squads of human soldiers. Unlike the Cylons that were created by the Colonials forty years ago, Modern Centurions do not have a rigid caste system (they do not advance through one specific class). Instead, they are upgraded better armor and special abilities depending on what mission they are currently assigned to. Modern Centurions can not speak, but can communicate wirelessly with other Centurions (and humanoid cylons, if both stare at each others eyes). Unlike their older robotic relatives, Centurions are not sentient. The Humanoid Cylons installed telencephalic inhibitors into Modern Cylons so they could not use their higher brain functions, thus eliminating the chance that they would rebel and start Cylon Civil War.

Combat
The Cylon Centurion is the ultimate combatant. Capable of taking down an entire squad of soldiers, the Cylon Centurion is decently armored and armed to the teeth with weapons. Centurions have three retractable guns in each hand, all three of which fire at the same time. They also have fingers of human proportions in which claws are stored. In combat, they can flip the steak-knife sized claws out of they hands and use them as melee weapons. In addition to these natural weapons, Centurions can carry a variety of heavy weapons and use them proficiently.

Telencephalic Inhibitor (PR): This device is installed in the Centurions to prevent reasoning, emotions, and other higher brain functions. In this respect, it completely gets rid of the Centurion's intelligence score while adding 6 to its Wisdom (although it cannot think, it has a variety of pre-programmed responses). All Intelligence based skills are now wisdom based.

http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Cylon_Centurion
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As mentioned before, Centurions advance by upgrading themselves for specific tasks. This example uses a Cylon with extreme armor that is used to board enemy ships and disable them from the inside. Because of this, it must be able to take an extreme amount of punishment from enemy fire.

Marine Centurion
Medium Mechanical Construct (Automaton, Modern Cylon)
Hit Dice: 10d12+20 (maximized, 140 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares),
Armor Class: 28 (+20 Natural, -2 Dexterity), touch 8, flat-footed 30
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+16
Attack: Arm turret +9 ranged (1d10x3-1 damage), or claw +16 melee (1d6+6 damage)
Full Attack: 2 arm turrets +9 ranged (1d10x3-1 damage), or 2 claws +16 melee (1d6+6 damage)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: ----
Special Qualities: Lowlight vision, telepathy 100 ft, telencephalic inhibitor, Damage Reduction 20/---
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 8, Con ---, Int ---, Wis 18, Cha 8
Skills: Knowledge (Colonial Ship Design) +8, Profession (Engineering) +8, Listen +6, Search +6, Spot +6, Disable Device +6, Craft (Military Equipment) +8
Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Point Blank Shot, Far Shot
Environment: Basestars and Colonial ships (as a boarding party)
Organization: Solitary, pair, or squad (9 centurions plus 1 command centurion)
Challenge Rating: 9
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Lawful
Advancement: None
Level Adjustment: —

This type was seen in the Season 2 episode "Valley of Darkness."
http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Valley_of_Darkness
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NOTE: The bottom Modern Centurion is not a different entry, but an example of how it can be advanced for a specific task.

@ Irbis- That's a good question. Which category are CR 10 monsters going to be judged in?

[LOTRfan]

SO when are the winning entries going to be revealed?

EDIT: Wow, I didn't realize how few people actually posted.....

I guess we know who won the over CR 10 contest

[Rithaniel]

SO when are the winning entries going to be revealed?

EDIT: Wow, I didn't realize how few people actually posted.....

I guess we know who won the over CR 10 contest

YAY!

Not that I was gonna lose either way, right? :smallwink:

Needz more publicity.