[3.5] Dean Hardscrabble

[Thurbane]

So, wife and I watched Monsters University recently, and while flicking through Savage Species, I had an idea.

Could Dean Hardscrabble be a Tauric Gargoyle/Monstrous Centipede? Or maybe Tauric Dragonkin/Giant Centipede?

https://i.imgur.com/B5rNrV8.jpg

Thoughts?

Cheers - T.

[NontheistCleric]

I believe a Tauric creature gets the base creature's (the lower half) movement modes, so you'd either have to apply the flying to the centipede or to the combined product after the merger.

Half-Dragon Tauric Human/Monstrous Centipede explains all aspects of the appearance, at least, but I'm not sure if Dean Hardscrabble can breathe fire (or acid or whatever).

[Bartmanhomer]

I wonder what's her alignment is. I'm guessing Lawful Neutral because she follows the rules and regulations and she runs a university. I saw Monster University as well. :smile:

[Thurbane]

I believe a Tauric creature gets the base creature's (the lower half) movement modes, so you'd either have to apply the flying to the centipede or to the combined product after the merger.

Half-Dragon Tauric Human/Monstrous Centipede explains all aspects of the appearance, at least, but I'm not sure if Dean Hardscrabble can breathe fire (or acid or whatever).

A few half-dragon varieties don't get breath weapons, so maybe Half-Fang Dragon?


I wonder what's her alignment is. I'm guessing Lawful Neutral because she follows the rules and regulations and she runs a university. I saw Monster University as well. :smile:

Yeah, I'd guess at LN.

[Thurbane]

Half-Fang Dragon Tauric Human/Large Monstrous Centipede?

So that means base HD would be 1 (for human) + 3 (for centipede)...then maybe levels in Expert (or factotum or whatever).

Another humanoid/monstrous might be better than human for this, to get extra HD and class skills for RHD.

This would be an NPC, so LA doesn't really matter.

[Bartmanhomer]

Half-Fang Dragon Tauric Human/Large Monstrous Centipede?

So that means base HD would be 1 (for human) + 3 (for centipede)...then maybe levels in Expert (or factotum or whatever).

Another humanoid/monstrous might be better than human for this, to get extra HD and class skills for RHD.

This would be an NPC, so LA doesn't really matter.

I agree. She would be a great NPC for it. :biggrin:

[Thurbane]

I agree. She would be a great NPC for it. :biggrin:

Max ranks in Intimidate I think :smallsmile:

[Bartmanhomer]

Max ranks in Intimidate I think :smallsmile:

Cool! She's very intimidating and should also include adding ranks for Knowledge. :smile:

[Toliudar]

+1 to giving her at least 3 levels of Factotum. For the aura of effortless cool and terrific physical skills.

[Thurbane]

OK, so this is what I'm working with so far (I decided to move away from human to get better ability scores and more "free" HD):

Half-fang Dragon Tauric Yuant-ti Halfblood/Large Monstrous Centipede

Large Dragon

Hit Dice: 10d10+10
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 19 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+19
Attack: Claw +14 (1d6+5)
Full Attack: 2 claws +14 melee (1d6+5) and bite +9 melee (1d8+2 + poison + Con drain)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Constitution drain, poison, produce acid, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Alternate form, chameleon power, darkvision 60 ft., detect poison, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, low-light vision, scent, spell resistance 16, vermin traits (?)
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +11
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 18, Cha 18
Skills: Climb +18, Concentration +14, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +12, Hide +23 (+33 when using chameleon power), Intimidate +10, Knowledge (history) +18, Knowledge (local) +18, Listen +19, Move Silently +8, Profession (dean) +10, Sense Motive +10, Spot +23
Feats: AlertnessB, Blind-FightB, (1), (3), (6), (9)
Environment: Urban
Organization: Solitary (?)
Challenge Rating: 4 (!?!)
Treasure: (?)
Alignment: Lawful neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: (?)

This is before selecting feats, and adding class levels...

[NontheistCleric]

If you're looking for a monstrous humanoid with Intimidate as a class skill, flipping through the Monster Manuals I see Hobgoblin Warsoul fits the bill. Not quite as wise or charismatic as the Halfblood, but it is tougher, smarter and gets some minions by default, fittingly for the mistress of a school.

It does have some spellcasting, but if you don't want to deal with that just give her the Arcane Strike feat and call it a day.

[Thurbane]

If you're looking for a monstrous humanoid with Intimidate as a class skill, flipping through the Monster Manuals I see Hobgoblin Warsoul fits the bill. Not quite as wise or charismatic as the Halfblood, but it is tougher, smarter and gets some minions by default, fittingly for the mistress of a school.

It does have some spellcasting, but if you don't want to deal with that just give her the Arcane Strike feat and call it a day.

Yeah, I did have a look at Warsoul...but I think I'll stick with Yuan-ti. It's a little less "complex", and somehow feels like a better fit to me.

For feats, I'm thinking:


City Slicker adds Disguise, Forgery, Gather Information, and Knowledge (local) as skills
Martial Study (devoted spirit X) to get Intimidate as a class skill
Frightful Presence
Imperious Command

Hit Dice: 10d10+10
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 19 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+19
Attack: Claw +14 (1d6+5)
Full Attack: 2 claws +14 melee (1d6+5) and bite +9 melee (1d8+2 + poison + Con drain)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Constitution drain, poison, produce acid, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Alternate form, chameleon power, darkvision 60 ft., detect poison, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, low-light vision, scent, spell resistance 16, vermin traits (?)
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +11
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 18, Cha 18
Skills: Climb +15, Concentration +14, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +19, Hide +23 (+33 when using chameleon power), Intimidate +17, Knowledge (arcana) +18, Knowledge (history) +18, Knowledge (local) +18, Listen +19, Profession (dean) +10, Sense Motive +10, Spot +23
Feats: AlertnessB, Blind-FightB, City Slicker, Martial Study (crusader's strike), Frightful Presence, Imperious Command
Environment: Urban
Organization: Solitary (?)
Challenge Rating: 4 (!?!)
Treasure: (?)
Alignment: Lawful neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: (?)

[Bartmanhomer]

Yeah, I did have a look at Warsoul...but I think I'll stick with Yuan-ti. It's a little less "complex", and somehow feels like a better fit to me.

For feats, I'm thinking:


City Slicker adds Disguise, Forgery, Gather Information, and Knowledge (local) as skills
Martial Study (devoted spirit X) to get Intimidate as a class skill
Frightful Presence
Imperious Command

Hit Dice: 10d10+10
Initiative: +2
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 19 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+19
Attack: Claw +14 (1d6+5)
Full Attack: 2 claws +14 melee (1d6+5) and bite +9 melee (1d8+2 + poison + Con drain)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Constitution drain, poison, produce acid, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Alternate form, chameleon power, darkvision 60 ft., detect poison, immunity to sleep and paralysis effects, low-light vision, scent, spell resistance 16, vermin traits (?)
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +11
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 18, Cha 18
Skills: Climb +15, Concentration +14, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +19, Hide +23 (+33 when using chameleon power), Intimidate +17, Knowledge (arcana) +18, Knowledge (history) +18, Knowledge (local) +18, Listen +19, Profession (dean) +10, Sense Motive +10, Spot +23
Feats: AlertnessB, Blind-FightB, City Slicker, Martial Study (crusader's strike), Frightful Presence, Imperious Command
Environment: Urban
Organization: Solitary (?)
Challenge Rating: 4 (!?!)
Treasure: (?)
Alignment: Lawful neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: (?)

That's awesome. I like it so far. :smile:

[NontheistCleric]

If you want to save on those feats taken to get class skills, you could replace Half-Dragon with one of the specific varieties of Half-Fiend. (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060630x&page=3) Nabassu seems like it might fit.