[Fantasycraft] The Foul Tongue of Acheron

[Mister Andersen]

(click to show/hide)

          Foul Tongue of Acheron, larvae (Tiny Walking Animal Construct Horror — 90 XP). Str 14, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 1; Sz T (1×1, Reach 0); Spd 30 ft. ground; Init IV; Atk VII; Def V; Res III; Health II; Comp 0; Skills: Acrobatics III, Athletics VIII, Sneak V; Qualities: Aquatic II, battering, blindvision, class ability (Tomb Raider), damage immunity (acid), fearless II, feat (Ambush basics, Garrote basics), grappler, natural defence (acid), natural spell (Endure Elements), shapeshifter II, superior climber I, tricky (Mix-up: Grapple, Relentless attack).
     Attacks/Weapons: Facehug (Squeeze I/Stun III: 1d6+2 subdual + DC 20 Fort save or become stunned)
     Alternate Form: Egg (Small Immobile Construct — 20 XP). Str 0, Dex 0, Con 10, Int 0, Wis 10, Cha 0; Sz S (1×1, Reach 0); Init 0, Atk 0, Def 0, Res 0, Comp 0; Health: 0; Skills: Blend V, Notice VII; Qualities: Damage immunity (acid), death throes (acid), mook, natural spell (Endure Elements).
     Attacks/Weapons: None.
     Treasure: None.

     Foul Tongue of Acheron, runner immature warrior (Small Walking Beast Horror — 120 XP). Str 14, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 5, Wis 10, Cha 3; Sz S (1×1, Reach 1); Spd 40 ft. ground; Init V, Atk VI, Def VI, Res V, Comp V; Health IV;; Skills: Athletics IV, Notice IV, Sneak VI; Qualities: Aquatic I, blindvision, class ability (Very Very Sneaky), damage immunity (acid), damage reduction 1, death throes (acid), feat (Bushwack Basics, Ghost Basics), grappler, hivemind, natural spell (Endure Elements), shapeshifter II, superior climber II, superior jumper II, superior swimmer I, treacherous.
     Attacks/Weapons: Acid spit (Beam I: 1d4 acid per 2 threat levels); Claws (Claw I: 1d4+1 lethal, threat 20, AP 4); Piercing tongue (Bite I: 1d6+1 lethal, threat 18-20, AP 4, bleed); Tail blade (Talon I: 1d4+1, threat 20, AP 4).
     Alternate Form: Chestburster Hatchling (Tiny Burrowing Animal Horror — 70 XP). Str 12, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 3, Wis 10, Cha 3; Sz T (1×1, Reach 0); Spd 20 ft. ground; Init IV; Atk VI; Def V; Res III; Health III; Comp III; Skills: Acrobatics II, Athletics IV, Sneak V; Qualities: Aquatic I, banned actions (kick attacks, jump checks), blindvision, damage immunity (acid), death throes (acid), shapeshifter II, superior swimmer II.
     Attacks/Weapons: Acid spit (Beam I: 1d4 acid per 2 threat levels); Bite (Gore I: 1d3 lethal, threat 19-20, bleed).
     Treasure: None.

     Foul Tongue of Acheron, Warrior (Medium Walking Beast Horror — 155 XP). Str 18, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 3; Sz M (1×1, Reach 1); Spd 40 ft. ground; Init VI; Atk VII; Def VI; Res VI; Health V; Comp V; Skills: Athletics IV, Notice VI, Sneak VI; Qualities: Aquatic I, blindvision, class ability (Tomb Raider, Very Very Sneaky), damage immunity (acid), damage reduction 2, death throes (acid), dread, feat (Bushwack Basics, Ghost Basics), grappler, hivemind, natural spell (Endure Elements), superior climber II, superior jumper II, superior swimmer II, tough I, treacherous, tricky (Venom Master).
     Attacks/Weapons: Claws (Claw II: 1d6+4 lethal, threat 19-20, AP 6); Piercing tongue (Bite I: 1d8+4 lethal, threat 18-20, AP 6, bleed); Tail blade (Talon I: 1d6+4, threat 20, AP 6, venomous — knockout).
     Treasure: None.

     Foul Tongue of Acheron, Enthroned Queen (Huge Immobile Beast Horror — 185 XP). Str 20, Dex 1, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13; Sz H (3×6, Reach 1); Init VII; Atk VIII; Def V; Res VI; Health IX; Comp VI; Skills: Athletics V, Intimidate V, Notice V, Tactics V; Qualities: Aquatic I, banned actions (kick attacks, jump checks), blindvision, class ability (“...And One for All!”, Battle Planning I — Crush them! / I want them alive!, Tomb Raider), damage immunity (acid), damage reduction 5, death throes (acid), dramatic entrance, feat (Coordinated Attack, Coordinated Move, Horde Basics, Misdirection Basics), grappler, hivemind, improved stability, shapeshifter II, telepathic, tough III, treacherous.
     Attacks/Weapons: (Claw II: 1d8+5 lethal, threat 19-20, AP 6); Piercing tongue (Bite II: 1d10+5 lethal, threat 17-20, AP 6, bleed).
     Alternate Form: Queen (Large Walking Beast Horror — 170 XP). Str 20, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13; Sz L (2×2, Reach 1); Spd 30 ft. ground; Init VII; Atk VIII; Def V; Res VI; Health VIII; Comp VI; Skills: Athletics V, Intimidate V, Notice V, Tactics V; Qualities: Aquatic I, blindvision, class ability (Tomb Raider), damage immunity (acid), damage reduction 4, death throes (acid), dread, grappler, hivemind, lumbering, natural spell (Endure Elements), superior climber II, superior jumper I, superior swimmer I, tough II, treacherous, tricky (Venom Master).
     Attacks/Weapons: Claws (Claw II: 1d8+5 lethal, threat 19-20, AP 6); Piercing tongue (Bite II: 1d10+5 lethal, threat 17-20, AP 6, bleed); Tail blade (Talon I: 1d8+5, threat 20, AP 6, reach +1, venomous — knockout).
     Treasure: None.

Some XP values have been fudged down slightly for the sake of convenience and names changed to avoid copyright protect the innocent.

As written, Death Throes is somewhat harsh, especially as unlike virtually any other damage source it doesn't scale. As a rule of thumb, I think you can get away with implementing it as a Wounding (Acid damage) extraordinary attack with a grade equal to the Menace level of the mission and a blast radius of 5 ft.

My reading of the rules indicate you don't usually pay for a shapeshifter's other form(s), but I've noted the XP values of the alt forms for completeness sake, as  some GMs may find it useful when dealing exclusively with the alt form. For comparison, here's my original Spycraft 2.0 version -- higher initial cost but quite the saving at the end.

I've largely kept this faithful to the movies, though I've retained the sting attack from the novelisation that never made it to screen. The hatchling's spit attack might seem a little odd in light of that claim, but it strikes me that having such an option would allow it to get in and out of particularly thick-hided hosts whose ribcage it might not be able to chew through unassisted in addition to finding somewhere to curl up and hide while it matures.

In case you're wondering where the name Foul Tongue of Acheron and Murderous Abduction come from, they're the english dranslation of the dog latin taxinomic terms given by some comics and the Quadrology DVD respectively.

[Daedalus]

It's one of my favorite franchises...I have to find a way to get these into my campaign...MWAHAHA!

<---My avatar is an alien drone and a Predator playing pool, but the resolution is terrible...

[Mister Andersen]

They mostly come at night. Mostly.

[Aragathor]

Thanks!
Can you wikify it?


I can almost see an epic duel between a group of dark elves and a single warrior  .
"I like to keep this handy for close encounters."Pulls out a hand crossbow with poisoned darts.

[Mister Andersen]

Thanks!
Can you wikify it?

In a little while.

I can almost see an epic duel between a group of dark elves and a single warrior  .

The answer is Dwarves. Dwarves and their bad bad habit of diging mines into the dark places of the world. Just imagine the Mines of Moria sequence with these instead of goblins...

"I like to keep this handy for close encounters."Pulls out a hand crossbow with poisoned darts.

I see your action and raise it with this:

"I like to keep this handy. For close encounters."
Pulls out Tiny drake Personal Lieutentant named Lockheed...

[snake]

I think you're on the right track putting these creatures underground. Wasn't Acheron also the name of a river in the underworld in Greek myth ??

Its also the name of a evil empire of sorcerors which was raised to the ground by barbarians in Conan's Hyborean Age. Buried tombs and temples could still exist below the sites of these cities. And who knows what foul abominations or summoned creatures from the Outer Dark might lurk there ??  

Speaking of monsters, I'm trying to stat one out at the moment. All I have is an extract from my adventure where they will appear. Would anyone care to have a go at helping me turn my idea into flesh or ice even ??

Here's the extract. The PCs are on the trail of slavers who have taken Cimmerian captives to a Fortress of Ice seeming carved from the very mountainside itself:

As you enter the courtyard, you see mounds of drifted snow. The mountain winds cause swirls of white to float past you, obscuring your vision. Ahead, there seem to be figures of men. Make a Notice Check. The figures are stationary, covered in snow.

If PCs approach, the figures do not move. Make Medicine check. You gasp in horror at what you see. The figures are the frozen bodies of warriors, of the Vanir and of Cimmeria. There faces bear looks of terror, as if they died fighting some unnameable horror.  

Make another Notice check. As you inspect the bodies, you notice the swirls of snow around you become thicker. Before you can move, the swirls converge into clouds of snow. The clouds clear. Inside are forms, man-like, seemingly carved from ice. Their eyes flick open and they stumble forward, reaching at you with icicle-tipped claws.  

You fight bravely against these Golems of Ice but each touch of their claws not only tears at your armor but freezes the very flesh beneath, bringing you closer to the death suffered by your predecessors.......
  
I'm thinking that these creatures are Ice Golems, magically created by the leader of the Slavers - The Shaman of the Snows. The Golems icy bodies are tough but can be shattered with enough damage. Their touch inflicts Cold damage, eventually petrifying their victims.

Quick rough stab at stats:

Ice Golems (?? — ??XP):
A deadly predator, strong, tough and near fearless.
Init V; Atk IX; Def V; Resilience VI; Damage Save: VIII; Skills:Notice IV, Resolve V, Survival IV; Qualities: damage reduction VIII, fearless III, fearsome, natural attack (claw IV), hulking(large2x2, reach 2),  tough IV

Cheers.

[snake]

Here's a possible image of the Ice Golem:

http://ilovetheyeti.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html

[Desertpuma]

I'm loving the reference of your builds so I'll be using these in my home game at some point

[Mister Andersen]

     Winter Elemental (Large Walking Elemental Spirit — 155 XP). Str 10, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 4, Wis 10, Cha 10; Sz L (2×2, Reach 2); Spd 50 ft. ground; Init VI, Atk VII, Def VII, Res IV, Comp VII; Health V; Skills: Athletics V, Notice IV, Resolve V, Survival IV; Qualities: Achiles heel (fire), chameleon II (arctic), damage immunity (cold), damage reduction 5, dread, fearless II, feat (Ambush Basics), ferocity, grappler, superior traveller V, swift attack I, tough III.
     Attacks/Weapons: Avalanche (Squeeze I, Petrify II: 1d12 cold damage + 1/round DC 15 Fort save or become petrified); mighty blow (Slam III, Sprawl I: 2d8 cold + 1/round DC 15 Fort save or become sprawled, threat 19-20, AP 6, bleed, keen 4).
     Treasure: None.
     Tactics: Winter elementals typically remain incorporeal when not in combat, moving across the frozen wastes in the form of icy zephyrs or else laying in wait as snow drifts. Their speed and nature makes it easy for them to move ahead of their victims and lay a quick ambush. In the first round, a winter elemental will shift into its solid combat form (intangible) and attempt to deliver a mighty blows (via it's swift attack ability). At the beginning of the second round it will deliver another mighty blow; if the victim of this attack becomes sprawled, the elemental will collapse upon and attempt a grapple during which it will attemp tto freeze its victim to death (via its petrifying extraordinary attack linked to its squeeze grapple advantage). However, if the victim remains upright or the grapple attempt fails, the elemental will deliver another mighty blow at the beginning of its initiative count the following round and dissolve into a snow cloud (intangible) ready to begin the sequence again.


It's not an ice golem, but I think it's definitely more in line with what you've described of the set up, the setting and the description of the creature itself.

[snake]

I'm loving the reference of your builds so I'll be using these in my home game at some point

Cool, Desertpuma. No pun intended.  

As usual, Mr. A, you are spot on. The Winter Elemental is perfect. Having the creature as an elemental makes more sense, more a force of nature, like a will of the wisp. A golem would be more static and stick out like a large statue in the courtyard. My intention was to lure the PCs in with a false sense of security and then close the trap. Awesome. Thanks.

The fact that they are elemental spirits ties in the nature of the main foe the PCs face. As a Shaman, he would be a controller of spirits and user of nature magic (shapeshifts into polar bear) . I'm thinking of making him a bloodthirsty type who sacrifices victims to Ymir, God of the North, cutting their smoking hearts out with a dagger !!!!    

Let me have a stab at him:

The Shaman of the Snows (Medium Folk Walker — 45 XP). Str 10, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 15; Sz M (1×1, Reach 1); Spd 30 ft. ; Init:III ; Atk III; Def IV; Res IV ; Comp VII ; Health III ; Skills: Spellcasting V ; Spells: Chill Storm II, Cone of Cold, Conjure Elemental V ; Wealth ; Gear: ; Vehicle: Qualities: (to be continued)

[Desertpuma]

The great thing about the Alien conversion you posted is that you can use it to draft new players to either SC or FC by doing a demo involving them in a "bug hunt". Can you imagine the carnage?!

[snake]

The great thing about the Alien conversion you posted is that you can use it to draft new players to either SC or FC by doing a demo involving them in a "bug hunt". Can you imagine the carnage?!

For an FC Acheron adventure maybe farmers and their families, on the outskirts of a town, could go missing. The inside of the farmhouses would be all smashed up. The townsfolk hire the PCs to investigate and kill whatever did this. The Parties Scout could track the monsters back to their underground lair. There they find the remains of a Dwarven mine and the things they accidentally unleashed................ (Think 13th Warrior meets Fellowship of the Ring meets Aliens)

I'm still statting out the Shaman but now i'm confused about numbers and levels of Spells for NPCs. I believe NPCs get one spell for each rank they have in SpellCasting skill.

Do they get additional Spells for Positive Charisma Attribute Modifiers ?? So, if the Shaman has Spellcasting V and Wis 14, then does he get 7 spells total ?

If he wants a spell to be a higher level, does that cost more of his spell allowance ? For example if he wants Chill Storm I does that count as one spell, if he wants Chill Storm II does that count as two spells ?.

Another thing I was unsure about was whether is the NPCs XP total increases for each level in a spell he has ? If anyone has any ideas on this please let met know. Thanks.

[Mister Andersen]

In case folks don't read the PbP board, I'm putting together a Predator game where you get to kill thins and they'll be trying their damndest to kill you back.



This first hunt is your graduation exercise, where you earn you place as an adult by taking out these mean muthas -- by hand.

[Gouldan]

Awesome work with the Alien conversion Mister Andersen.  I love it!

Just a query in regards to the Predator game you are working on; are you looking at making Predator a playable race (I guess more like AVP), or just have them as NPC's killing the mookish humans?

Either way it sounds like the kind of game I would love one of our guys to run.

[Mister Andersen]

Thanks.

Yes, the Yautja are playable as a PC species.