Patsy
2012-11-14, 04:13 AM
The Berbelang is a folkloric creature of Filipino origin. They are said to be human-like, with the eyes and claws of cats, and sometimes wings. They stalk travellers through the jungle paths at night. If you encounter one, the only way to survive is to carry a dagger soaked with lime juice, and use it to slash wildly behind you- they are tricky beasts, and never where they seem to be.
They've always been a favourite of mine, and I wanted to use them in an upcoming one-shot- level 10, low optimization, a vaguely horror/investigation type game. If the players trust the wrong people, they get led into a swamp full of these things. three or four would jump them at once, more if they've drawn too much attention to themselves.
Therefore, I want something stealthy, that packs a punch when it attacks with surprise, and is difficult to land a blow on.
So, advice- is Sudden Strike and poison excessive? I like poison to get the players' attention, since it damages them in a more serious way than HP damage. Still not sure if it's needed here.
Also, something I've not included in the stat-block below- how best to replicate the "never where you expect them to be" ability? A straight 50% miss chance? Maybe Greater Invisibility, with a permanent illusion of being five feet in the wrong direction? That might either make a memorable fight, or just make my players hate me. This would also give them their bonus damage on every attack, unless the players have True Seeing.
Either option will hopefully mean the players will panic and spam their area spells, making the later fights of the adventure a little tighter.
Berbelang
medium aberration
Hit dice: 8d8 (52HP)
AC: 18/22 (+5 dodge, +3 natural, +4 mobility)
Initiative+7
2 claws+9 (d6+3 plus 2d6 sudden strike plus poison)
Str 16 Dex 18 Con 16 Int 8 Wis 12 Cha 14
Fort+5 Ref+5 Will+7
Feats: Improved initiative, Dodge, mobility
Skills:
Tumble +8
Move Silently +15
Hide +15
Jump +14
Disguise+6
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Evil
Challenge Rating: 8
Poison: DC 17 (d3 Dex/d3 Dex)
Sudden strike:+2d6 damage against a flat-footed enemy
Light As Air: The Berbelang may walk unimpeded over marshy or broken ground, and jump double the usual height and distance with a successful jump check.
Skills: The Berbelang gets a +4 bonus on Jump and Tumble checks, and Disguise checks to pass as human.
These nocturnal predators work in small groups to stalk and devour isolated creatures, lost in their marsh and jungle lairs. They eat any living thing, but they value the thrill of hunting intelligent creatures above all else.
The Berbelang is around five feet tall, and weighs no more than eighty pounds. Their skin is a dark, purplish colour, and their eyes are bright amber.
They've always been a favourite of mine, and I wanted to use them in an upcoming one-shot- level 10, low optimization, a vaguely horror/investigation type game. If the players trust the wrong people, they get led into a swamp full of these things. three or four would jump them at once, more if they've drawn too much attention to themselves.
Therefore, I want something stealthy, that packs a punch when it attacks with surprise, and is difficult to land a blow on.
So, advice- is Sudden Strike and poison excessive? I like poison to get the players' attention, since it damages them in a more serious way than HP damage. Still not sure if it's needed here.
Also, something I've not included in the stat-block below- how best to replicate the "never where you expect them to be" ability? A straight 50% miss chance? Maybe Greater Invisibility, with a permanent illusion of being five feet in the wrong direction? That might either make a memorable fight, or just make my players hate me. This would also give them their bonus damage on every attack, unless the players have True Seeing.
Either option will hopefully mean the players will panic and spam their area spells, making the later fights of the adventure a little tighter.
Berbelang
medium aberration
Hit dice: 8d8 (52HP)
AC: 18/22 (+5 dodge, +3 natural, +4 mobility)
Initiative+7
2 claws+9 (d6+3 plus 2d6 sudden strike plus poison)
Str 16 Dex 18 Con 16 Int 8 Wis 12 Cha 14
Fort+5 Ref+5 Will+7
Feats: Improved initiative, Dodge, mobility
Skills:
Tumble +8
Move Silently +15
Hide +15
Jump +14
Disguise+6
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Evil
Challenge Rating: 8
Poison: DC 17 (d3 Dex/d3 Dex)
Sudden strike:+2d6 damage against a flat-footed enemy
Light As Air: The Berbelang may walk unimpeded over marshy or broken ground, and jump double the usual height and distance with a successful jump check.
Skills: The Berbelang gets a +4 bonus on Jump and Tumble checks, and Disguise checks to pass as human.
These nocturnal predators work in small groups to stalk and devour isolated creatures, lost in their marsh and jungle lairs. They eat any living thing, but they value the thrill of hunting intelligent creatures above all else.
The Berbelang is around five feet tall, and weighs no more than eighty pounds. Their skin is a dark, purplish colour, and their eyes are bright amber.