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Stormthorn
2007-01-17, 11:56 PM
Here is the idea i had for an otherwordly monster loosly based upon the Psuedonatural template and somehting i read in an H.P. Lovecraft story.


“From Far Beyond” is a template (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#templates) that can be added to any corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A “From Far Beyond” is either created or born by means of extraplanar infection or magic that was long ago sealed away by the gods.
Size and Type

The creature’s type changes to outsider (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#outsiderType) (extraplanar (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/typesSubtypes.htm#extraplanarSubtype)). Do not recalculate base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged however the creature appears as a hideous unnatural mockery of its base form.
HD

A From Far Beyond creature always has maximum hit points.
Speed

A From Far Beyond creature’s speed doubles, for all movement types.
AC

From Far Beyond creatures gain a +15 natural armor bonus (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/theBasics.htm#naturalArmorBonus) and a +15 insight bonus to AC.
Attack/Full Attack

+5 luck bonus to all attacks
Damage

A From Far beyond creature deals an additional +5 points of Acid damage for all melee and thrown ranged attacks as well as all grapples.
Special Attacks

A From Far Beyond creature retains all the special attacks of the base creature and also gains the following.
Constant Insight (Su (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#supernaturalAbilities))

The creature makes all its attacks with a +15 insight bonus (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/theBasics.htm#insightBonus). The creature is not affected by the miss chance that applies to attacks against a concealed (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatModifiers.htm#concealment) target.
Soulless, Silent, Scream (Ex (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#extraordinaryAbilities))

A From Far Beyond creature will, when reduced to zero hit points, instantly perform this ability. All living creatures within 60ft. must make a fort save or be drained 2d4 levels. They must also make a will save or suffer a 3d6 point drain on Wisdom. Creatures without intelligence, wisdom, or charisma scores are immune to the secondary affect and constructs and creatures immune to critical hits are unaffected by the level drain.

Beyond Comprehension (Ex)

A From Far Beyond creature is so terrible a presence on the material plane that its mental proximity can destroy the will to fight in mortal creatures. If a creature native to the prime material plane moves within 10ft of a From Far Beyond creature that entity must make a DC 30 will save or be shaken. If a shaken creature is struck by an attack from a creature From Far Beyond then the entity struck automatically becomes panicked. Undead, constructs, and other creatures immune to fear are not affected. It is also a horrible thing to behold physically. Any intelligent creature able to feel fear and become sickened must make a DC 20 fortitude save or become sickened upon first observing a From Far Beyond creature. If the save is failed with a roll of 1 the creature instead becomes nauseated. Another save cannot be forced for 12 hours after the first one regardless of whether or not it was passed.

Spell-Like Abilities (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#spellLikeAbilities)

At will—blur (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/blur.htm), dimension door (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/dimensionDoor.htm), unhallow (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/unhallow.htm), dominate(person or monster or animal), crushing hand (once per day), symbol of insanity, hideous laughter, modify memory, nightmare (with an additional –5 will save modifier), rainbow pattern, touch of idiocy. Caster level 20th. The DCs are Charisma-based.


Hit Dice

Cold and
Acid Resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#resistanceToEnergy)

Damage
Reduction

1-3

15

5/epic

4-7

20

5/epic

8-11

25

10/epic

12-15

30

10/epic

16-19

35

15/epic

21-24

40

15/epic

each 4 more HD

+5

15/epic

Special Qualities

A From Far Beyond creature retains all the special qualities of the base creature and also gains the following.

Cold and acid resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#resistanceToEnergy) of a varying amount related to its Hit Dice (see table). If the creature already possesses such resistance, use whichever is better.
Damage reduction (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#damageReduction) of a varying amount related to its Hit Dice (see table). If the creature already possesses damage reduction, use whichever is better.
Spell resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#spellResistance) equal to the creature’s HD ×5. If the creature already possesses spell resistance, use whichever is higher.
A From Far Beyond creature’s natural weapons (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#naturalWeapons) are treated as epic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#damageReduction).
Immunity to all diseases and poisons
A From Far Beyond creature carries Slimy Doom and an injury based infection variant of Cackle Fever known as Dimensional Shrieks.If the creature already has one or more of these special qualities, use the better value.
Saves

Same as the base creature +5 insight bonus.
Abilities

Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +15, Con +20, Dex +10, Wisdom +15, Intelligence +15, Charisma +5.
Skills, Feats, Treasure, Alignment, Advancement, an Organization

Same as base creature
Climate/Terrain

Any land and underground. Outer space.
Challenge Rating

*I need some help on this one*

Rierdrex
2007-01-18, 03:34 PM
The best suggestion for the Challenge rating would be to apply the template on a weak creature (such as a goblin or orc) and see what level a standard four-character party needs to be to be able to fight such a creature. I remember an encounter with a rat paragon with a 15thl lvl party that was rather pointless. For actual numbers, start with a +20, which makes any creature epic (I don't know if that was your intention, but that's the feel I get from this template). I know that Lovecraft wrote a lot about overpowering ancient creatures, and if this template is to reflect that, then, in my humble opinion, it has succeeded.

Indon
2007-01-18, 04:08 PM
No Frightful Presence?

But I think Rierdrex has a good idea going on. Apply the creature to something and have a party fight it (The Goblin That Should Not Be, hmm...). I'd probably go with 15-20, myself.

Lord Iames Osari
2007-01-18, 04:56 PM
The table needs to be fixed.

Stormthorn
2007-01-18, 10:43 PM
Well, the suggestion for the challenge rating in good. As for the table, i dont know what to do to fix it. Also, i dont think these creatures need Frightful Presence, they have Beyond Comprehension.

MegasquidMan
2007-01-27, 12:18 PM
This does reminds me of the Half-Farspawn Template in Lords of Madness, except lacking in some areas, and beefed up in others.