Sphinx

Ninja D! · July 22, 2006, 06:43:45 PM

What follows is a version of the sphinx created by me for a campaign in a homebrew setting. The setting is no/low-magic and the sphinx is a extremely rare creature there (in fact, there may only be one.) A lot of people will not agree with my taking away the magic but what I am asking for is more of a critique on the mechanics and maybe some advice on how to ad more flavor.

I know this is flawed. I have not tried creating a monster in a long time, so I will need some help fixing this one. Thank you.

Sphinx
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 6d10+5 (35hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 16 (-1 Size, +2 Natural Armor, +5 DEX)
Attack: Claw +5 melee (-1 Size, +6 Base Attack) (1d8+4)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Pounce (Ex), Rake (Ex), Roar (Su)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +11
Abilities: STR 18, DEX 20, CON 20, INT 18, WIS 20, CHA 16
Skills: Diplomacy +7, Hide +5, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Nature) +8, Move Silently +9, Sense Motive +9, Survival +9
Feats: Flyby Attack, Improved Natural Attack (Claw), Track
Environment: Any
Organization: Usually Solitary
Challenge Rating: 4
Alignment: Usually Neutral

Sphinxes appear to be large human-faced felines with giant, feathery wings. They are often over ten feet long and can stand over ten feet tall. They usually speak Sphinx and the language of the region they live in.

Combat
Sphinxes usually try to avoid combat by frightening away would-be attackers using their roar. If forced into combat that will pounce and do as much damage as they can quickly before backing away and giving their opponent a chance to flee.

Pounce (Ex): If a sphinx charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.

Rake (Ex): A sphinx that pounces onto a creature can make two rake attacks with its hind legs. Attack Bonus +5, Damage 1d8+4

Roar (Su): Three times per day a sphinx can loose a mighty roar. The first time it does this, all creatures within 500 feet must succeed on a DC 19 Will save or be affected as though by a fear spell for 2d6 rounds.

If the sphinx roars a second time during the same encounter, all creatures within 250 feet must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds, and all those within 90 feet are deafened for 2d6 rounds (no save).

If it roars a third time during the same encounter, all those within 250 feet must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or take 2d4 points of Strength damage for 2d4 rounds. In addition, any Medium or smaller creature within 90 feet must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or be thrown to the ground and take 2d8 points of damage. The force of this roar is so great that it deals 50 points of damage to any stone or crystalline object within 90 feet. Magic items and held or carried items can avoid damage with a DC 19 Reflex save.

Other sphinxes are immune to these effects. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

SDragon · July 22, 2006, 08:20:00 PM

my only question is, why is such a rare creature CR4?

keep in mind, though, im not good at working with mechanics, so i might not know what im talking about....

Numinous · July 22, 2006, 08:41:34 PM

Rarity should have no effect on the CR of a creature. The power of the critter is what matters in that respect.

Shouldn't the creature have some type of ability tied to riddles? And for that matter, more bonuses in knowledge skills? Or are you trying for a different theme fr this Sphinx?

Ninja D! · July 23, 2006, 02:54:44 AM

I didn't even think of the riddles. What would you suggest?

Tybalt · July 23, 2006, 04:07:38 AM

Here's a good riddle page, and was made for DMs.

http://www.gamewyrd.com/riddles/

SDragon · July 23, 2006, 12:37:32 PM

Quote from: Natural 20Rarity should have no effect on the CR of a creature. The power of the critter is what matters in that respect.

well yes, but generally speaking, the rarity of the creature is almost directly proportional to its power; kobolds are weak but plentiful, whereas purple worms are more powerful, but less plentiful.

edit- besides, as far as the story of the campaign is conerned, its a tad anticlimatic to have a creature so legendary to be killed off at level 4, then have the party go on for 16 more levels before becoming epic...

Ninja D! · July 23, 2006, 01:23:31 PM

My campaign won't go that high. Also, this creature isn't an enemy.

The reason I didn't think of the riddles was I was focusing on making it more cat-like.

Raelifin · July 23, 2006, 01:24:12 PM

Sphinx
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 6d10+5 <-- Wrong. +5 con for all 6 HD means +30hp. Actual entry should be 6d10+30 (33hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 16 (-1 Size, +2 Natural Armor, +5 DEX)
Attack: Claw +5 melee (-1 Size, +6 Base Attack) (1d8+4)
Full Attack: ???
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Pounce (Ex), Rake (Ex), Roar (Su)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision <-- All magical beasts have darkvison.
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +11 <-- Where does this come from? Base = +5 +5 +2 Stats = +5 +5 +5 Total = +10 +10 +7
Abilities: STR 18, DEX 20, CON 20, INT 18, WIS 20, CHA 16
Skills: Diplomacy +7, Hide +5, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Nature) +8, Move Silently +9, Sense Motive +9, Survival +9 <-- 48 skill points used. 6HD Magical beast with an 18 int = 54 skill points
Feats: Flyby Attack, Improved Natural Attack (Claw), Track

Challenge Rating: 4 <-- I'll wait on this one.

Lastly. I think you should read the entry for dire lioness.

Xathan · July 23, 2006, 01:47:57 PM

While this is interesting...I don't see the point. You could just as easily take the stats for a Griffin and change the appearance: voila, instant Sphinx. A creature that is legendary should have something...more legenary to it. I'm not sure, it's just underwhelming right now.

Ninja D! · July 23, 2006, 03:26:49 PM

Quote from: RaelifinSphinx
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 6d10+5 <-- Wrong. +5 con for all 6 HD means +30hp. Actual entry should be 6d10+30 (33hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 60 ft., fly 120 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 16 (-1 Size, +2 Natural Armor, +5 DEX)
Attack: Claw +5 melee (-1 Size, +6 Base Attack) (1d8+4)
Full Attack: ???
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Pounce (Ex), Rake (Ex), Roar (Su)
Special Qualities: Low-light vision <-- All magical beasts have darkvison.
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +11 <-- Where does this come from? Base = +5 +5 +2 Stats = +5 +5 +5 Total = +10 +10 +7
Abilities: STR 18, DEX 20, CON 20, INT 18, WIS 20, CHA 16
Skills: Diplomacy +7, Hide +5, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Nature) +8, Move Silently +9, Sense Motive +9, Survival +9 <-- 48 skill points used. 6HD Magical beast with an 18 int = 54 skill points
Feats: Flyby Attack, Improved Natural Attack (Claw), Track

Challenge Rating: 4 <-- I'll wait on this one.

Lastly. I think you should read the entry for dire lioness.

My bad on the HP, I see the mistake now.

I'm not sure if I want to include Darkvision or not. I left that out intentionally.

How do you figure there should be that many skill points?

The challenge rating was determined in a very scientific fashion, though. There's no way my guess with very little thought attatched to it can be wrong! :P

Ninja D! · July 23, 2006, 03:28:18 PM

Quote from: Captain Xathan RedclawWhile this is interesting...I don't see the point. You could just as easily take the stats for a Griffin and change the appearance: voila, instant Sphinx. A creature that is legendary should have something...more legenary to it. I'm not sure, it's just underwhelming right now.

The part that makes it not so underwhelming is how it will be presented in the game. It isn't meant to truly be magical or anything.

Raelifin · July 24, 2006, 01:06:20 PM

Yeah. If this is one of a few mythical beasts in a low-magic world, it will hardly be underwhelming even if encountered as a passing enemy.

The skillpoint formula is as follows:
(L + 3)(C + I) = Skill Points
L = Character Hid-dice
C = Skill points granted based on class
I = Int mod

Magical beasts have 2 skill points per HD, so we replace C with 2. It's int mod is +4 so we replace I with 4. It has 6 HD, so we replace L with 6.

(6 + 3)(2 + 4) = Skill Points
9*6 = 54 Skill Points

Remember to include the fact that at first level (HD) a character (or creature) receives 3 virtual levels of skill points.

SDragon · July 24, 2006, 02:01:51 PM

my point was, mythical creatures really shouldnt be treated as passing enemies.

that said, in the context of a low-magic setting, i can see how it wouldnt be as underwhelming.

Ninja D! · July 24, 2006, 02:33:23 PM

This sphinx will not be an enemy. Truthfully, it will not be used. An unique sphinx will, however, be made from this.

I see now where my mistake was with the skill points. I will probably update this tonight and post a new version of it by tomorrow. Thanks for the help. (I have gotten a lot more help here than on the WotC forum even though the have several times the amount of members. Thank you.)

Epic Meepo · July 24, 2006, 05:42:46 PM

Also, don't forget to check out the new and improved monster stat block. They've got an article about it somewhere over at WotC.

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Sphinx

Ninja D!

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SDragon

Ninja D!

Raelifin

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Raelifin

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