PDA

View Full Version : [3.5]Phyrexian Monsters, Templates, and More!



Hawk7915
2012-02-07, 10:44 PM
"From void evolved Phyrexia. Great Yawgmoth, Father of Machines, saw its perfection. Thus the Grand Evolution began."


Rather than necro the old thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186026), I thought I'd begin another ill-fated slog into the world of homebrew :smalltongue:. My hope is that I (or others!) might use these horrors to bring Compleation to the next campaign you DM.

I'll be reserving the first post to link to various monsters I and others create; the first few are on their way!

Hawk7915
2012-02-07, 10:49 PM
Phyrexian Obliterator:


http://richmondcomix.com/rcx/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Phyrexian-Obliterator-414x268.jpg

"Behold, blessed perfection" - Sheoldred, Whispering One

Size/Type:: Huge Aberration
Hit Dice: 16d8+128 (200 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 40’
Armor Class: 28 (-2 size, +16 Natural, +4 Dex); Touch 12, Flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+30
Attack: Bite +26 melee (4d8+15)
Full Attack: Bite +26 melee (4d8+15), and 2 Claws +23 melee (2d6+5)
Space/Reach: 15'/15’
Special Attacks: Pounce, Rend 4d6+15
Special Qualities: Phyrexian Traits, Darkvision 60’, Armor of Oblivion, Black-mana Infused
Saves: +18/+9/+12
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 18, Con 26, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8
Skills: Climb +29, Diplomacy -5, Intimidate +22, Listen +21, Spot +21, Swim +29
Feats: Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Awesome Blow, Multiattack, Weapon Focus (Bite), Improved Natural Attack (Bite)
Environment: Marshes and Underground regions of New Phyrexia
Organization: Solitary, pair, or assault party (1 obliterator, 1-2 Reapers of Sheoldred, 4-5 Vault Skirges)
Challenge Rating: 16
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually Neutral Evil
Advancement: 17-21 HD (Huge), 22+ HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: N/A

Special Attacks and Qualities:


Armor of Oblivion (Su): Each time a creature deals lethal damage to a Phyrexian Obliterator, they receive a backlash of potent negative energy and receives 1 negative level (no save).

Black Mana Infused (Su) The Phyrexian Obliterator is steeped in negative energy, and as such is immune to energy drain, death effects, and negative energy.

Phyrexian Traits (Ex): The Phyrexian Obliterator has a +5 bonus on fortitude saves (factored in above), and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, and mind-affecting spells. It has a +4 racial bonus on intimidate and a -4 racial penalty on Diplomacy. The Obliterator also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks and is immune to the glistening oil.

Hawk7915
2012-02-07, 11:09 PM
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur


http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/daily/stf/stf142_surgery.jpg

"A mind may be steeled against madness, but all battlements fall in time."—Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur

Size/Type: Huge Aberration
Hit Dice: 21d8+105 (199 HP)
Initiative: +9
Speed: 30’, Teleport 10’
Armor Class: 33 (-2 size, +20 Natural, +5 Dex); Touch 13, Flat-footed 28
Base Attack/Grapple: +16/+32
Attack: Claw +20 melee (2d6+6)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +20 melee (2d6+6)
Space/Reach: 15’/10’
Special Attacks: Spells, Psychic Miasma, Spell Renewal
Special Qualities: Phyrexian Traits, Darkvision 60’, Telepathy 100’,
Saves: +16/+11/+17
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 20, Con 20, Int 30, Wis 17, Cha 12
Skills: Craft (Construct) +34, Concentration +29, Diplomacy -3, Intimidate +30, Knowledge (Arcana) +34, Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) +34, Knowledge (Nature) +34, Knowledge (The Planes) +34, Listen +27, Spellcraft +34, Spot +27
Feats: Mindsight, Quicken Spell, Extend Spell, Heighten Spell, Iron Will, Spell Focus (Enchantment), Improved Counterspell
Environment: Aquatic or Underground
Organization: Solitary (unique)
Challenge Rating: 23
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Advancement: -
Level Adjustment: -

Before you stands a massive, sinuous figure. Its body is gleaming quicksilver covered in razor-sharp barbs and serrated teeth. Two arms, long and spindily, extend their sword-long claws and point at you. You can see no eyes on the monster and it does not speak, but you feel your mind shudder and your willpower crumble as a hissing voice whispers into your heart. "You will be studied and dissected for the glory of the Great Synthesis. Surrender and embrace perfection!"

Ruling from his laboratory atop the ruined and conquered city of Lumengrid, Jin-Gitaxias is the high praetor of the Progress Engine, a sect of the New Phyrexians devoted to the surgical and logical consumption of all life into the Phyrexian machine, with the ultimate goal of synthesizing the perfect lifeform. Jin-Gitaxias's mastery of magic, particularly telepathic and prophetic magic, is unmatched. From his lair, he combines arcane power, prophetic scripture, and necromantic rituals in the hopes of bringing about pure scientific progress for Phyrexia.

Combat:
Jin-Gitaxias's mastery of divination means he is rarely surprised; he often casts defensive spells like Foresight, Mage Armor and Stoneskin long before foes arrive to confront him. Surprised or not, Jin-Gitaxias often begins a battle by using Time Stop to arrange things to his liking. He will use his teleportation and rippling quicksilver form to keep out of melee while still in range for his psychic fury to crumble his foe's willpower. He relies on spells that incapacitate and turn foes against one another, in the hopes of capturing them alive, but will not hesitate to use more destructive magics if pressed. Captured foes are taken to surgical labs where they are dissected alive, examined, and then either converted into Phyrexians via infusion of glistening oil, or thrown into the sea to feed the Phyrexian engine. Escape after capture is exceedingly rare, bordering on impossible.

Special Attacks and Qualities:


Psychic Miasma(Su): Jin-Gitaxias's presence causes intense psychic damage, making thought difficult and resistance futile. Hostile creatures within 100' take a -4 penalty to intelligence, willpower, and charisma. No save is allowed, but their thoughts return to normal if Jin-Gitaxias is defeated or out of range.

Spell Renewal (Su): At the start of each of Jin-Gitaxias's turns as a free action, roll 1d8+1. The result is the total number of spell levels Jin Gitaxias refreshes. For example, a roll of 4 allows Jin-Gitaxias to restore a spent 4th level spell, or two spent 2nd level spells, or four spent 1st level spells, or any combination thereof. In this way, Jin-Gitaxias never runs out of spell slots.

Phyrexian Traits (Ex): Jin-Gitaxias has a +5 bonus on fortitude saves (factored in above), and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, death effects, ability and level drain, and mind-affecting spells. It also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks. He is also immune to the effects of the Glistening Oil.

Spells: Jin-Gitaxias casts spells as a 17th level Wizard. He is treated as a specialist wizard in Divination, and has banned Evocation. Save DC against his spells is 20+spell level, +1 for Enchantment spells. ) A sample spell list is listed below.
0th(5): Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic
1st (8): Alarm, Chill Touch, Identify, Mage Armor, Protection from Good, Ray of Enfeeblement, Shield, Sleep
2nd(7): Blindness/Deafness, Blur, Extended Comprehend Languages, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Touch of Idiocy, Web
3rd (7): Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Dispel Magic, Extended Resist Energy, Slow, Stinking Cloud, Suggestion, Vampiric Touch
4th (7): Arcane Eye, Confusion, Dimension Door, Dimensional Anchor, Greater Invisibility, Heightened Hold Person, Polymorph,
5th (7): Baleful Polymorph, Extended Stoneskin, Prying Eyes, Quickened Ray of Enfeeblement, Quickened Reduce Person, Telekinesis, Waves of Fatigue
6th (6): Antimagic Field, Disintegrate, Greater Dispel Magic, Mislead, Quickened Touch of Idiocy, True Seeing
7th (5): Greater Scrying, Heightened Feeblemind, Mass Hold Person, Quickened Dispel Magic, Quickened Sleet Storm
8th (4): Moment of Prescience, Power Word: Stun, Quickened Dimension Door, Quickened Enervation
9th (3): Dominate Monster, Foresight, Time Stop
Telepathy: Jin-Gitaxias can communicate telepathically with (and, thanks to his Mindsight feat, perceive) any creature with intelligence 1 or higher within 100’.

Mystic Muse
2012-02-07, 11:11 PM
I am EXTREMELY (There is not such thing as too much emphasis) looking forward to Elesh norn and Skithiryx the Blight Dragon.

Mostly Elesh Norn.

Hawk7915
2012-02-07, 11:16 PM
I am EXTREMELY (There is not such thing as too much emphasis) looking forward to Elesh norn and Skithiryx the Blight Dragon.

Mostly Elesh Norn.

Challenge accepted :smallsmile:. Although my tentative plan was to do a generic "Blight Dragon", leaving Skittles as an advanced, special version of the general species.

Sneaky Weasel
2012-02-07, 11:19 PM
I want to see the Chancellors, and the Swarmlord. And Sheoldred. And, well, all of them. Good job so far, I will definitely be using these.

Mystic Muse
2012-02-07, 11:24 PM
Challenge accepted :smallsmile:. Although my tentative plan was to do a generic "Blight Dragon", leaving Skittles as an advanced, special version of the general species.

Ah. I guess that works too.

Dante & Vergil
2012-02-08, 01:10 PM
Ooh ooh, please do all the Praetors if you could, and other awesome cycles from that set. This is awesome!!!!!:smallbiggrin:

Mulletmanalive
2012-02-08, 07:14 PM
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur
A few minor issues here


Attack: 2 Claws +20, 2d6+6
Full Attack: 2 Claws +20, 2d6+6
Though it's merely presentation, the damage statistics and any courier effects are listed in parenthases. Commas are not used. Also, the attack bonus should be followed by the type of attack it is, generally melee, ranged, melee touch or ranged touch. As they're claws, the attack line aught to read:

Attack: Claw +20 melee (2d6+6)



Mindculling (Su): At the beginning of each round, each opposing creature within 30’ of Jin-Gitaxias takes 1d3 intelligence damage (no save). Jin-Gitaxias receives a bonus to his intelligence equal to the amount of intelligence damage dealt. He then regains a number of expended spell slots equal to the intelligence gained, divided as he chooses (so gaining 4 intelligence would allow him to refresh a fourth level spell, or a third level spell and a first level spell, or four first level spells).



Err...yeah. Only fightable if you have immunity to ability damage? Not so good. A save would be appreciated, or some means of blocking it out without resorting to magic items for everyone.

You also need to state how long the bonus lasts on the intelligence score; if it lasts more than a day, it WILL have knock on effects on how many spells he can prepare with his wizard progression.

As it is, dude could be invincible by chaining up a set of binders with the ability damage fast healing vestige.

Good otherwise

Hawk7915
2012-02-08, 09:52 PM
Swarmlord (and "infect bugs") are nearly ready to post, and the next up will be Elesh Norn, Blight Dragons, and Urabrask, but in order to tell those stories I have to tell these first:


Disease: Glistening Oil (Su):


http://img.aegen.nl/NPH/Glistening%20Oil.jpg
Infection: Injury
DC: 10+1/2 carrier's HD + carrier's Constitution modifier
Incubation Period: 1 round
Damage: 1d3 Constitution.
- A character whose constitution drops to 0 as a result of the Glistening Oil rises the round, bearing the Phyrexian Template and completely subservient to Phyrexia.
- A character infected with Glistening Oil who attempts to attack a Phyrexian creature must make a will save (DC 20) or be stunned for one round (losing the action).

Design notes:
So, the crux of the whole Phyrexian invasion is the Glistening Oil, which is pretty undefined phlebotinum (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AppliedPhlebotinum) in the game. To most accurately represent the sense of escalating doom and despair associated with Infect in the card game, the Glistening Oil currently has an unheard of incubation period of one round. For now I dropped it to 1d2 damage, +1 if you have Glistening Oil "stacked up" on you when you fail your save. Originally it was a flat 1d6 con damage, but I decided that might be too unreasonable.

This was hard to represent in terms of balancing flavor, elegance, and balance (I suspect I'll need to pick two in the end instead of trying for all three). For instance, perhaps it should have something similar to a Wight or Shadow's ability, rather than be a disease. But, it IS a disease that can be spread...thoughts so far?

Phyrexian Template: The Phyrexian template can be applied to practically any creature. It it most often applied as the result of a living creature (animal, humanoid, monstrous humanoid, vermin, giant) succumbing to Glistening Oil, but use of vats and Phyrexian science can cause many other types of creatures to become Phyrexian, and rumors abound of undead, magical beasts, dragons, and even constructs and outsiders who have been assimilated into the hierarchy.

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration (augmented). Recalculate skills, hitpoints, base attack, and saves from racial hit dice accordingly. Hitpoints, saves, base attack, skills, and feats from class levels may remain unchanged. Size is unchanged.

Hit Dice: Increase all current and future racial hit dice to d8s. Class level hit dice may remain unchanged.

Speed: Same as base creature

Armor Class: The base creature’s natural armor bonus is improved by +3.

Attack: A Phyrexian retains all attacks and proficiencies of the base creature. If it does not already have a claw attack, it gains two claw attacks with a base damage as indicated on the table below.

Special Attacks: A Phyrexian’s natural attacks inflict Glistening Oil.

Special Qualities:

Darkvision 60’: Like all aberrations, Phyrexians possess dark vision.

Phyrexian Traits: Phyrexian physiology is a blend of necrotized flesh, metal implants, and alien mutations. Phyrexians have a +5 racial bonus on fortitude saves and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, death effects, ability and level drain, and mind-affecting spells. They also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks and immunity to the "Glistening Oil" disease".

Subservience: A Phyrexian is completely subservient to the Praetors of New Phyrexia, or whoever the nearest champion on the hierarchy is. A newly risen Phyrexian is at the bottom of the hierarchy but may rise eventually with service. A Phyrexian cannot willingly harm another Phyrexian, cannot resist the commands of its masters, and cannot disobey orders. A Phyrexian may be “re-purposed” (feats, class levels, skills, etc reassigned) or left with its original class levels and abilities more or less intact. A Phyrexian’s mind is altered in such a way as to believe that the glory of Phyrexia is paramount, and to have complete loyalty towards and conviction in their new Perfection and Compleation. Its actions are always made with the ultimate goal of bringing victory to their masters and perfection to the “impure” (anything not Phyrexian) in mind.

Feats: None

Skills: +4 Racial bonus on Intimidate checks. -4 Penalty on Diplomacy checks.

Abilities: Strength +2, Constitution -2, Intelligence +2, Charisma -2.

Alignment: Evil

Environment: Same, usually as base creature.

Challenge Rating: Same as base creature +1.

Level Adjustment: +1

Design Notes:
I know that my first two creations don't have all the stuff that this template applies to things. My intent here was to create a simple, easy template to slap onto any random elves, humans, catfolk, wolves, and dire hawks you had laying around, rather than having living creatures rise as vanilla newts (because that's not how things worked in the Scars of Mirrodin/New Phyrexia saga.

As a result, this template necessarily keeps things simple instead of complicated; unique creatures like Porcelain Dolls and Blight Dragons will still get their own design. I went with what I felt was most appropriate for the Phyrexians in terms of flavor, which is a mechanism for spreading the oil and some resistance to damage (to make up for their slightly more fragile state).

The big debate, I imagine, is why I chose "Aberration" over "undead". While many Phyrexians are undead, many more are not. I instead wanted to represent the entirely alien physiology of the race. Besides, while some might get typed as zombies in the card game, I'd actually think in a normal D&D game that something like Turn Undead would be pretty ineffective.

As with all my 'brews, for now I'm eyeballing CR and LA. The LA might seem a bit low but any player wanting to play a Phyrexian would carry such incredible roleplaying penalties so as to make a party need to be nothing but Phyrexians. I put it there as a courtesy incase some more creative players than I wanted to give it a shot. I worry this might be a bit low on the CR scale on account of the ridiculous lethality of Glistening Oil; it is one of the most deadly diseases in the game with only Mummy Rot really rivaling it. I'll go over CR and LA with a fine tooth comb later on, but it's something I'm really interested in feedback for too, so let me know what you think!

Hawk7915
2012-02-08, 10:00 PM
A few minor issues here
Though it's merely presentation, the damage statistics and any courier effects are listed in parenthases. Commas are not used. Also, the attack bonus should be followed by the type of attack it is, generally melee, ranged, melee touch or ranged touch. As they're claws, the attack line aught to read:

Attack: Claw +20 melee (2d6+6)


Err...yeah. Only fightable if you have immunity to ability damage? Not so good. A save would be appreciated, or some means of blocking it out without resorting to magic items for everyone.

You also need to state how long the bonus lasts on the intelligence score; if it lasts more than a day, it WILL have knock on effects on how many spells he can prepare with his wizard progression.

As it is, dude could be invincible by chaining up a set of binders with the ability damage fast healing vestige.

Good otherwise

Thanks for the feedback! When I make a quick pass over the first two monsters I'll update their attack blocks to be more in line with da rules :smallsmile:. As far as Mindculling goes, you're absolutely right about it needing a duration (I was imagining a minute or so) and I need to better clarify how it "stacks". I'd be hesitant to add a save (this is an epic monster after all), but I'm curious what other people think...save or no save? Save and more damage (say 1d6 or 1d6+1 to occasionally drain 7 as his card does)? No save but less damage (just 1)? No constant draining and just a flat penalty to mental ability scores while in range of him (say -4 Int, Wis, Cha, with a separate spell renewal mechanic for his "card drawing)?

EDIT: The more I think about this, the more I like the idea of a flat penalty with no save. It makes him slightly less lethal, but more importantly it saves on book keeping by a lot. Look for an update momentarily!

radmelon
2012-02-09, 11:58 AM
Under Jin-Gitaxias's stat block, it shows "teleport 10ft." under move. Explain?

Hawk7915
2012-02-09, 12:16 PM
Under Jin-Gitaxias's stat block, it shows "teleport 10ft." under move. Explain?

I was being lazy and it probably needs to be added under his Special Abilities :smalltongue:. The intent, to represent the card's "Flash" ability, is that Jin-Gitaxias can teleport 10' as a move action at-will.

Hawk7915
2012-02-23, 03:22 PM
http://www.quietspeculation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Phyrexian-Swarmlord-175x165.png


PHYREXIAN SWARMLORD
Size/Type: Large Aberration
Hit Dice: 15d8+126 (193)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30’
Armor Class: 30 (-1 Size, +6 Dex, +15 Natural); 15 Touch, 24 Flat-footed
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+22
Attack: Claw +19 melee (2d6+7+Glistening Oil)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +19 melee (2d6+7+Glistening Oil), and Bite +13 (1d10+4).
Space/Reach: 10’/10’
Special Attacks: Glistening Oil, Improved Grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60’, Carrion Call, Hivemind, Phyrexian Traits
Saves: +20/+11/+12
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 22, Con 26, Int 8, Wis 16, Cha 6
Skills: Diplomacy -6, Intimidate +2, Listen +11, Spot +12, Survival +9
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Improved Natural Weapon (Claw), Toughness x2, Weapon Focus (Claw)
Environment: Forests and Hills of New Phyrexia
Organization: Solitary or Swarm (with 1-2 Inkmoth Swarms, 5-10 Carrion Bugs, and 1-2 Blightwidows)
Challenge Rating: 14
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Evil
Advancement: 16-19 HD (Large,), 20+ HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -

The snarling, blood-tinged abomination before you looks like it may have been some manner of giant praying mantis...once. Now, it has multiple scythe-like claws, glaring yellow eyes, and several gnashing mouths grafted onto its black-green carapace. A long spinal trunk protrudes from its back, forming a hard, crown-like horn. From its mouths pour dozens of spike-covered beetles that exude the same black slime that the swarmlord does.

Special Attacks and Qualities:

Glistening Oil (Su): The Swarmlord's bite attack transmits the Glistening Oil disease (Fortitude Save DC 26).

Improved Grab (Ex): A Swarmlord that hits with both claw attacks can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Carrion Call (Ex): Once per round as a swift action, the Swarmlord may call carrion bugs to fight alongside it. One bug appears in a space adjacent to the swarmlord, +1 additional bug for each diseased creature within 30'. The bugs act immediately after the Swarmlord on the initiative count.

Hivemind (Su): The Swarmlord commands carrion bugs; each carrion bug within 30' of a Swarmlord receives a bonus to attack rolls equal to the total number of bugs in that area (maximum bonus is equal to the swarmlords HD). For example, if there are four carrion bugs within 30' of the Swarmlord, they all have a +4 bonus to attack rolls.

Phyrexian Traits (Ex): The Swarmlord has a +5 bonus on fortitude saves (factored in above), and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, death effects, ability and level drain, and mind-affecting spells. It also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks. It is also immune to the effects of the Glistening Oil.

Hawk7915
2012-02-23, 03:42 PM
http://img.aegen.nl/SOM/Carrion%20Call.jpg
Carrion Bug
Size/Type: Tiny Vermin
Hit Dice: ½ d8+1 (3 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (+2 size, +5 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/-8
Attack: Bite +2 melee (1d3-3 + Glistening Oil)
Full Attack: Bite +2 melee (1d3-3+Glistening Oil)
Space/Reach: 2½ ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Glistening Oil
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., vermin traits, Phyrexian Traits
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +0, Will +0
Abilities: Str 5, Dex 10, Con 12, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 1
Skills: Hide +8
Feats: Weapon Finesse(B)
Environment: Forests and Marshes of New Phyrexia
Organization: Colony (8-16)
Challenge Rating: 1
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: —

Special Attacks and Qualities:
Glistening Oil (Su): The Carrion Bug's bite attack transmits the Glistening Oil disease (Fortitude Save DC 11).

Phyrexian Traits (Ex): The Carrion Bug has a +5 bonus on fortitude saves (factored in above), and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, death effects, ability and level drain, and mind-affecting spells. It also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks. It is also immune to the effects of the Glistening Oil.

Hawk7915
2012-02-23, 04:07 PM
ELESH NORN

http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/daily/stf/stf142_marrow.jpg
"May our blessings sever the tongues of the forsaken."

Size/Type: Large Aberration (Evil)
Hit Dice: 20d8+146 (236 HP)
Speed: 30'
Initiative: +5
Armor Class: 34; 10 Touch; 34 Flat-footed (10+24 Natural - 1 Size + 1 Dex)
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+23
Attack: Claw +18 melee touch (1d10+4)
Full Attack: 2 Claws +18 melee touch (1d10+4, Crit 19-20, x2)
Space/Reach: 10'/10'
Special Attacks: Flaying Strike, Marrow Shards, Spellcasting
Special Qualities: Blindsense 60', Damage Reduction 10/Bludgeoning and Good, Choking Fumes, Due Respect, Phyrexian Traits
Saves: +18/+7/+20
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 12, Con 24, Int 13, Wis 22, Cha 17
Skills: Concentrate +19, Knowledge: Religion +24, Knowledge: The Planes +13, Spellcraft +13, Sense Motive +17
Feats: Extend Spell, Improved Critical (Claw), Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (Claw), Iron Will, Toughness x2
Environment: New Phyrexia
Organization: Solitary (unique)
Challenge Rating: 18
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Advancement: -
Level Adjustment: -

Special Qualities and Attacks:


Flaying Strike (Ex): Elesh Norn's claws are particularly vicious, tearing through armor and rending the body. She makes all claw attacks as melee touch attacks.

Spellcasting (Su): Elesh Norn casts spells as an 10th level Cleric with the Law and Evil domains.


Typical Spells Prepared:
0th (6): Cure Minor Wounds x2, Detect Magic x2, Light, Read Magic
1st (5+1): Bane, Deathwatch, Divine Favor, Protection from Good (D), Sanctuary, Shield of Faith
2nd (5+1): Calm Emotions (D), Cure Moderate Wounds, Death Knell, Enthrall, Hold Person, Shatter
3rd (4+1): Blindness/Deafness, Cure Serious Wounds, Dispel Magic, Magic Circle Against Good (D), Prayer
4th (4+1): Cure Critical Wounds, Divine Power, Dismissal, Extended Protection from Energy, Unholy Blight (D)
5th (3+1): Dispel Good (D), Extended Freedom of Movement, Slay Living, True Seeing

Marrow Shards (Ex): Once every 1d4 rounds as an immediate action in response to being attacked, Elesh Norn can unleash a hail of razor-sharp porcelain shards. These shards target all enemies in a 60' cone, dealing 3d6 damage and imposing a -2 penalty on attacks, saving throws, and skill checks for one round. A reflex save (DC 26) halves the damage but not the penalty (the save DC is wisdom-based).

Choking Fumes (Su): Elesh Norn's presence chokes the life out o those she deems unworthy. All opposing creatures within 100' of her take a -4 penalty to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. No save is allowed, but the penalty is removed as soon as a creature is outside of the radius or if Elesh Norn is killed.

Due Respect (Su): Elesh Norn's presence emboldens her allies, calling them to glory and victory. All other allied creatures within 100' of Elesh Norn have a +4 bonus to Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity. These bonuses immediately fade if those creatures move out of range or if Elesh Norn is killed.

Phyrexian Traits: Elesh Norn has a +5 bonus on fortitude saves (factored in above), and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, death effects, ability and level drain, and mind-affecting spells. She also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks. She is also immune to the effects of the Glistening Oil.

JoshuaZ
2012-02-23, 06:26 PM
Obliterator should have Size/Type line that seems to be missing.

radmelon
2012-02-23, 07:39 PM
Now these are just terrifying. I have a sudden urge to use these as the BBEG in my next game. Too bad the setting doesn't fit. But I'll file it away...

Hawk7915
2012-02-23, 09:24 PM
Obliterator should have Size/Type line that seems to be missing.

Good catch, I'll update it :smallsmile:

Now these are just terrifying. I have a sudden urge to use these as the BBEG in my next game. Too bad the setting doesn't fit. But I'll file it away...

Terrifying good or terrifying bad? How are the CRs looking? I know CR is a crapshoot anyhow, but I'm trying to keep them reasonably accurate.

radmelon
2012-02-23, 10:05 PM
Terrifying flavour-wise. I haven't paid much attention to MtG lately, but this is good campaign fodder.

Curious
2012-02-23, 10:54 PM
To simulate the creature-killing power Elesh Norn has, might I suggest that she forces a fortitude/will save against death if her ability makes your Con fall below 10?

Hawk7915
2012-02-27, 06:20 PM
Urabrask, the Hidden

http://digital-art-gallery.com/oid/37/r169_457x256_7745_Magic_the_Gathering_Urabrask_the _Hidden_2d_fantasy_wizards_of_the_coast_monster_pi cture_image_digital_art.jpg

"All will be reforged in the fires of glory."—Urabrask the Hidden

Size/Type: Large Aberration (Chaotic)
Hit Dice: 15d8+75
Initiative: +26
Speed: 70’, Burrow 20’
Armor Class: 32 (-1 Size, +16 Natural, +6 Dex, +1 Dodge);
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+21
Attack: Claw +17 melee (1d10+6)
Full Attack: 3 Claws +17 melee (1d10+6)
Space/Reach: 10’/10’
Special Attacks: Pounce, Spell-like Abilities
Special Qualities: Evasion, Phyrexian Traits, Resist Fire 20, Victorious Destruction, Volt Charge, Volt Drain
Saves: +15/+14/+11
Abilities: Str 22, Dex 22, Con 20, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 22
Skills: Diplomacy +2, Hide +20, Intimidate +10, Listen +11, Move Silently +24, Spot +11
Feats: Dodge, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Quicken Spell-like Ability (Fireball), Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (Slam)
Environment: Mountains and Caverns of New Phyrexia
Organization: Solitary (Unique)
Challenge Rating: 15
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Advancement: -
Level Adjustment: -

Special Attacks and Qualities:

Evasion (Ex) - If Urabrask makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. He does not gain the benefit of this ability if Helpless.

Phyrexian Traits (Ex) - Urabrask has a +5 bonus on fortitude saves (factored in above), and a +5 bonus on saving throws versus fear, sleep, stunning, paralysis, fatigue, exhaustion, death effects, ability and level drain, and mind-affecting spells. He also has 50% fortification against critical hits and sneak attacks and is also immune to the effects of the Glistening Oil.

Pounce (Ex) - If Urabrask charges a foe, he can make a full attack, including his extra attack from his inherent Haste effect.

Spell-like Abilities (Sp) - At-will: Fireball (DC 19), Heat Metal (DC 18), Lesser Confusion (DC 17), Rage (DC 18), Scorching Ray, Lightning Bolt (DC 19); 3/day: Confusion (DC 20), Wall of Fire (DC 20), Major Creation, Stone Shape, Quickened Fireball (DC 19); 1/day: Dominate Person (DC 21), Chain Lightning (DC 22). Caster level 15. Save DCs are Charisma-based.

Victorious Destruction (Su) - Urabrask’s presence whips his followers into a blazing frenzy. Allied creatures within 100’ are Hasted (as the spell).

Volt Charge (Su) - Urabrask the Hidden has a +20 insight bonus to initiative, and acts as if permanently under the effect of a haste spell (the bonuses of which are factored in above).

Volt Drain (Su) - Urabrask presence brings about such an intense heat and sense of crushing fear that foes find it difficult to attack. Enemies within 100’ of Urabrask are Slowed (no save, as the spell). This effect is maintained only while enemies are within the radius.

Hawk7915
2012-02-27, 06:37 PM
To simulate the creature-killing power Elesh Norn has, might I suggest that she forces a fortitude/will save against death if her ability makes your Con fall below 10?

I'll consider it, but I'm not sure it's really necessary. Her aura + casting as a tenth-level cleric means that if she enters the same general area as a bunch of 3 and 4 HD mooks, they're probably all going to die horribly anyways :smalltongue:. Then again, the funny thing about her aura is that while it is statistically the same across hit dice for her foes, it almost 'feels' more impressive when she walks in against a party of 15th level adventurers and they all immediately lose 30 HP compared to the 2 a commoner lost. So maybe I'll work in either a CON or HD-based saving throw she forces...

Tarvon000
2012-02-27, 06:53 PM
I know it's a little bit late to be commenting about this, but it seems to me that the save DC against Glistening Oil transmitted by a creature should be 10 + 1/2 the creature's HD + the creature's Con modifier, just like any other disease.

Also, the Phyrexian Obliterator's armor of oblivion looks extremely annoying, and also encourages save-or-dies, which are both anticlimactic and simply not fun. I think you should allow a Fortitude save to prevent the negative level.

Hawk7915
2012-02-27, 09:52 PM
I know it's a little bit late to be commenting about this, but it seems to me that the save DC against Glistening Oil transmitted by a creature should be 10 + 1/2 the creature's HD + the creature's Con modifier, just like any other disease.

Also, the Phyrexian Obliterator's armor of oblivion looks extremely annoying, and also encourages save-or-dies, which are both anticlimactic and simply not fun. I think you should allow a Fortitude save to prevent the negative level.

I totally didn't know that's how save dcs are calculated for diseases :smallredface:. That makes me feel much better; it means that the bugs are a non-threat to anyone over 5th or so, while the Swarmlord is srs business, and the blight dragons will be the same when I get there. Thanks for the pointer, I'll be changing that soon!

As far as the Obliterator goes...yeah, that is really annoying and deadly (which is the point) but also really punishing for melee. In general it seems like the Phyrexians I've posted so far wreck melee far more than casters (Jin-Gitaxias is the exception that proves the rule). I think I'd be happy to offer a fort save so that multi-attackers don't suffer horribly, and casters possibly suffer slightly more (as they'll be unlikely to make the save). I might also focus my next few 'brews on thinks like the Psychosis Crawler, Whispering Specter, and Vorinclex who will specifically make life difficult for magic-slingers.

Larkas
2012-02-28, 12:26 AM
Hey, great work and great idea! While I do hate New Phyrexia (heck, I haven't liked Phyrexia since it first appeared in the game), they do make for great monsters and villains when played right (my issue, I think, arises exactly because they are way overplayed by now. Maybe it's because I've been playing MtG since the beggining, and, for me the death of Yawgmoth should have spelled the end of all things Phyrexian =D).

I didn't have much time to read everything, but one thing did catch my eye: Are you sure Urabrask would be portrayed as Chaotic Evil? He does represent volatile red mana, and does tolerate Mirranians in his layer, which goes against all Phyrexian plans and would certainly qualify as Chaotic. But that brings me to the next point: he does it out of compassion (well, not exactly (http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/stf/141), but...); enough so that I think he could be safely portrayed as Chaotic Neutral, the only non-evil praetor and the only glimmer of hope in the midst of the horror of New Phyrexia. IMHO, this is a REALLY neat plot point and could deserve a little attention :)

EDIT: A few thoughts on Glistening Oil:
-The damage shouldn't be healable by anything short of Wish and Miracle (and, well, Melira's intervention). In fact, it could be simply be referred as an Ability Drain (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#abilityDrain), though even more restrict.
-Likewise, the disease should only be curable through a Wish or a Miracle.
-The incubation period shouldn't be so short. In lore, things do take some time to be completely taken by the Oil, from several days (in the case of regular Mirrans) to several years (in the case of Karn, though he is, in all respects, a VERY specific case). I guess a reasonable incubation period could be something between one day and one week. (I think Glistening Oil does have more in common with other diseases than first meets the eye. If you have any questions, see if this (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#disease) helps!)
-"A character whose constitution drops to 0 as a result of the Glistening Oil rises the round, bearing the Phyrexian Template and completely subservient to Phyrexia." I think you mean the next round, right? Anyways, it rises with how much constitution, since the template does mention a change in Con? To tell you the truth, consider this: most Phyrexians are a cross between undead and golems, except for the "native" Phyrexians, the ones that were born Phyrexian, but they still are very "golemish". Maybe a good idea would be to simply give all Phyrexians a Con value of "—" and change their type to construct?

Anyways, good job with that too! Phyrexia certainly wouldn't be Phyrexia without Glistening Oil :)

EDIT2: Read the template, some thoughts on that:
-Scratch what I said before, not all Phyrexians should be constructs (newts, for example, certainly are not), but compleated phyrexians certainly could be. If you think so too, the template could change the creature type to construct instead, as apparently it is, indeed, to be applied to compleated creatures.
-I think it would make more sense if the template gave a choice from a list of natural attacks to choose from, as Phyrexia tries to give its creatures the most efficient killing means possible (debatable, but...). The list could contain claw, talon, bite, gore and perhaps sting, slap and slam. You could even gain an attack type you already have, increasing the damage of your own attack, if applicable, or even gaining more appendages that can do that kind damage (this last part have to be considered more thoroughly).
-On Phyrexian Traits: maybe that's flavorful enough to be a new subtype?
-"A Phyrexian cannot willingly harm another Phyrexian". This bothers me a little: while it is true that Phyrexians work towards a common goal, nothing suggests that some kind of mind compulsion makes so one cannot attack another. Indeed, everything points in the other direction, with the Machine Orthodoxy seen as an enemy by Sheoldred, the Seven Steel Thanes fighting among themselves for faction dominance and Vorinclex's underlings hunting Mirrans and Phyrexians alike, for example. Of course, individuals are not likely to attack another Phyrexian out of the blue (well, except for members of the Vicious Swarm, I guess), but the only thing stopping them, I think, is the "cannot resist the commands of its masters" part. Individuals obey the "Father of the Machines"/the will of Phyrexia, but if a higher ranking Phyrexian of the same faction tells that individual to attack their brethren, they will do so.
-Alignment should read "Any evil".

That's all I could gather about the template. Good work on this too :)

On a side note, I know Phyrexians have a penalty to Diplomacy, but, IIRC, a skill is only declared in the stat block if it is a class skill for that creature. Don't know if you should bother about that, though, neither do I know how to present it correctly.

radmelon
2012-02-28, 02:13 PM
Also, are you going to give Urabrask and Elesh descriptions? The way the first praetor's description was written gave me chills.