DracoDei
2020-04-15, 10:52 PM
Wiki-like cross-indexing: The 3.x/PF version may be found HERE (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?609816-(Pathfinder-also-given-a-nod)-Let-us-laugh-at-our-fears!-Monster-(P-E-A-C-H-)).
MONSTER EDIT NOTE: Dropped speed to 20'.
The major purpose of this monster is to help us laugh* at the worries for the future, and fear for our bodies that many of us share at this time.
*Less "ROFL-copter" type humor, and more analogous to how Potter-verse boggarts (https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Boggart) are defeated by transforming them into something silly via the riddikulus spell. Unlike a boggart, corona virus is dangerous even after such a (mental) transformation.
When I have posted similar creatures in the past the feedback I have gotten was that the players would find them humorous, while the characters might be horrified and/or disgusted.
Perhaps more importantly, some players might find them cathartic to beat down with blade and spell. A more viscerally satisfying* catharsis against the frustrations and worries of this specific time.
*With authentic viscera!
Disclaimer: This is based on the D&D rules for disease. It only REMOTELY resembles real world medical science. On your Wisdom+Intelligence < 10 head (or rather lungs...) be it if you try to extrapolate any course of action in the real world from this.
Finally, in addition to the normal request for honest feedback on the design of a creature, I would deeply appreciate knowing if this had the intended effect of brightening anyone's day, or, conversely, if anyone personally found it to be distressing.
Coughing Lungs
Tiny Undead (Organ Undead), Neutral Evil
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Armor Class 13
Hit Points 5 (3d4-3)
Speed 0, Fly 20 feet
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STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
3 (-4)
16 (+3)
8 (-1)
6 (-2)
4 (-3)
5 (-3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skills Stealth +3 (Disadvantage on sound based stealth checks, even when not moving)
Saving Throws Wisdom +0*
*It is very hard to get a Coughing Lungs to keep its distance. It gains advantage on saves against any turning save that wouldn't destroy it if it fails.
Damage Vulnerabilities Fire, Radiant, Slashing
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning from Non-Magical Non-Silver Weapons, Necrotic, Piercing (EVEN from magical weapons and spells!)
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 7
Languages Understands the languages the creature it is from spoke in life, PLUS one additional language picked by their creator from among the languages said creator speaks. Can not speak.
Challenge 1
Actions
Cough. The coughing lungs cough out infectious droplets in a 10-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 11* Constitution saving throw. On a failure they contract the disease specific to the particular coughing lungs, but show no symptoms (and thus suffer no penalties, and can not make any progress towards natural recovery) for 1d6+1 days.
Any humanoid creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of an infected creature must succeed on a DC 11* Constitution saving throw or also become infected with the disease. This is negated if the infected creature has its mouth covered(a hand, elbow, or cloth mask will do). A successful save does NOT grant immunity to the disease!
There are two diseases currently known that coughing lungs can inflict. They share many properties, but their distinctive properties will be addressed first.
Mindfire. The creature’s mind becomes feverish. The creature has disadvantage on Intelligence checks and Intelligence saving throws, and the creature behaves as if under the effects of the confusion spell during combat.
Severe coughing spasms (mechanically identical to the seizures the Contagion spell can cause). The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity checks, Dexterity saving throws, and attack rolls that use Dexterity.
The common properties relate to long-term recovery and worsening of condition are as follows:
At the end of each long rest after the end of the incubation period*, an infected creature can make a DC 11* Constitution saving throw. On a successful save, the DC for this save drops by 1d6. When the saving throw DC drops to 0, the creature recovers from the disease. A creature that fails three of these saving throws has its constitution permanently reduced by 1d4 points upon each failed save past the second. Any spell that can cure more normal diseases can cure this disease PROVIDED it is cast from at least a 5th level spell slot. Restoration, Greater Restoration, or Heal cast on the victim after the disease is cured restores all lost constitution points.
* 1d6+1 days, in case you had forgotten.
** This uses the ABSOLUTE VALUE of the Constitution modifier of the coughing lungs.
Creation
The creatures the lungs are harvested from must have been an small or medium humanoid, and must have been symptomatic for the variant of the disease the specific coughing lungs made for the individual corpse will transmit. A DC 15 Wisdom[Medicine] OR a DC 17 Wisdom[Butcher's Tools] check is required on each creature to extract the lungs in good enough condition to be animated. Note that since a coughing lungs is two lungs and the associated (primary) bronchea and larynx, and a bit of trachia above the larynx, only a single undead can be made from each corpse.
Before Animate Dead may be used the following spells must be cast.
Contagion (1/each)
Fly OR Wind Walk (Same number of targets as usual, including for using higher slots)
EDIT: For further humor, see my puns about plagues (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?610654-Puns-about-plagues-to-lighten-moods-(Probably-my-1st-post-in-this-section-)&p=24459164#post24459164) in the Friendly Banter section.
MONSTER EDIT NOTE: Dropped speed to 20'.
The major purpose of this monster is to help us laugh* at the worries for the future, and fear for our bodies that many of us share at this time.
*Less "ROFL-copter" type humor, and more analogous to how Potter-verse boggarts (https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Boggart) are defeated by transforming them into something silly via the riddikulus spell. Unlike a boggart, corona virus is dangerous even after such a (mental) transformation.
When I have posted similar creatures in the past the feedback I have gotten was that the players would find them humorous, while the characters might be horrified and/or disgusted.
Perhaps more importantly, some players might find them cathartic to beat down with blade and spell. A more viscerally satisfying* catharsis against the frustrations and worries of this specific time.
*With authentic viscera!
Disclaimer: This is based on the D&D rules for disease. It only REMOTELY resembles real world medical science. On your Wisdom+Intelligence < 10 head (or rather lungs...) be it if you try to extrapolate any course of action in the real world from this.
Finally, in addition to the normal request for honest feedback on the design of a creature, I would deeply appreciate knowing if this had the intended effect of brightening anyone's day, or, conversely, if anyone personally found it to be distressing.
Coughing Lungs
Tiny Undead (Organ Undead), Neutral Evil
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 5 (3d4-3)
Speed 0, Fly 20 feet
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
3 (-4)
16 (+3)
8 (-1)
6 (-2)
4 (-3)
5 (-3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skills Stealth +3 (Disadvantage on sound based stealth checks, even when not moving)
Saving Throws Wisdom +0*
*It is very hard to get a Coughing Lungs to keep its distance. It gains advantage on saves against any turning save that wouldn't destroy it if it fails.
Damage Vulnerabilities Fire, Radiant, Slashing
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning from Non-Magical Non-Silver Weapons, Necrotic, Piercing (EVEN from magical weapons and spells!)
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 7
Languages Understands the languages the creature it is from spoke in life, PLUS one additional language picked by their creator from among the languages said creator speaks. Can not speak.
Challenge 1
Actions
Cough. The coughing lungs cough out infectious droplets in a 10-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 11* Constitution saving throw. On a failure they contract the disease specific to the particular coughing lungs, but show no symptoms (and thus suffer no penalties, and can not make any progress towards natural recovery) for 1d6+1 days.
Any humanoid creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of an infected creature must succeed on a DC 11* Constitution saving throw or also become infected with the disease. This is negated if the infected creature has its mouth covered(a hand, elbow, or cloth mask will do). A successful save does NOT grant immunity to the disease!
There are two diseases currently known that coughing lungs can inflict. They share many properties, but their distinctive properties will be addressed first.
Mindfire. The creature’s mind becomes feverish. The creature has disadvantage on Intelligence checks and Intelligence saving throws, and the creature behaves as if under the effects of the confusion spell during combat.
Severe coughing spasms (mechanically identical to the seizures the Contagion spell can cause). The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity checks, Dexterity saving throws, and attack rolls that use Dexterity.
The common properties relate to long-term recovery and worsening of condition are as follows:
At the end of each long rest after the end of the incubation period*, an infected creature can make a DC 11* Constitution saving throw. On a successful save, the DC for this save drops by 1d6. When the saving throw DC drops to 0, the creature recovers from the disease. A creature that fails three of these saving throws has its constitution permanently reduced by 1d4 points upon each failed save past the second. Any spell that can cure more normal diseases can cure this disease PROVIDED it is cast from at least a 5th level spell slot. Restoration, Greater Restoration, or Heal cast on the victim after the disease is cured restores all lost constitution points.
* 1d6+1 days, in case you had forgotten.
** This uses the ABSOLUTE VALUE of the Constitution modifier of the coughing lungs.
Creation
The creatures the lungs are harvested from must have been an small or medium humanoid, and must have been symptomatic for the variant of the disease the specific coughing lungs made for the individual corpse will transmit. A DC 15 Wisdom[Medicine] OR a DC 17 Wisdom[Butcher's Tools] check is required on each creature to extract the lungs in good enough condition to be animated. Note that since a coughing lungs is two lungs and the associated (primary) bronchea and larynx, and a bit of trachia above the larynx, only a single undead can be made from each corpse.
Before Animate Dead may be used the following spells must be cast.
Contagion (1/each)
Fly OR Wind Walk (Same number of targets as usual, including for using higher slots)
EDIT: For further humor, see my puns about plagues (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?610654-Puns-about-plagues-to-lighten-moods-(Probably-my-1st-post-in-this-section-)&p=24459164#post24459164) in the Friendly Banter section.