Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Corrections


Page 54 – Hob – Paragraph 5
Incorrect Save As for a 5 HD creature.
Currently: In its lair 1 in 20 will be a clan elder of 5-5 HD (350 XP) with AC 15 (11) and has a +1 bonus to damage due to strength.

Suggest: In its lair 1 in 20 will be a clan elder of 5-5 HD (360 XP) with AC 15 (11) and has a +1 bonus to damage due to strength.


Page 56 – Infernal, Hezrou – Paragraph 1
Since a Hezrou is 2 HD higher then a Vrock, ‘slightly more powerful’ doesn’t really cover it.
Currently: Cruel and somewhat stupid, a Hezrou is a demonic troglodyte-like humanoid slightly more powerful than a vrock (see Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 1).

Suggest: Cruel and somewhat stupid, a Hezrou is a demonic troglodyte-like humanoid.


Page 57 – Infernal, Malebranche – Stat block
Save As doesn’t match HD 5
Currently: Save As Fighter 6

Suggest: Save As Fighter 5


Page 57 – Infernal, Malebranche – Paragraph 3
Remove mention of alternate planes of existence.
Currently: As the malebranche is from another plane it can only be hurt by magical weapons (+1 or better).

Suggest: As the malebranche is an infernal, it can only be hurt by magical weapons (+1 or better).


Page 57 – Infernal, Shadow Fiend – Stat Block
Remove information that isn’t needed or mentioned in the description.
Currently: 1d6 or 2d6 (10 HD+)

Suggest: 1d6 or 2d6


Page 58 – Janni – Paragraph 2
Eliminating pronouns.
Currently: A janni is an expert horsemen and prefers to fight from horseback. Its uses large two-handed scimitars and longbows in combat. A janni will pursue its enemies over great distances and show little mercy to dishonorable combatants. It will sometimes ally itself with groups of desert-dwelling humans, and occasionally hire itself out as a mercenary.

Suggest: A janni is an expert horseman and prefers to fight from horseback using large two-handed scimitars and longbows in combat. A janni will pursue its enemies over great distances and show little mercy to dishonorable combatants. Janni will sometimes ally with groups of desert-dwelling humans, and occasionally hire out as a mercenary.


Page 59 – Jotenkin – Paragraph 3
Need XP for the advanced forms
Currently: One out of every five jotenkin will be a warrior of 5+5 HD and +2 damage bonus. Regular jotenkin gain a +1 bonus to their morale if such warriors are around to keep order. Each jotenkin longboat will be led by a chieftain of 8+8 hit dice, having a +3 bonus to damage due to strength.

Suggest: One out of every five jotenkin will be a warrior of 5+5 HD (XP 360) and +2 damage bonus. Regular jotenkin gain a +1 bonus to their morale if such warriors are around to keep order. Each jotenkin longboat will be led by a chieftain of 8+8 hit dice (XP 875), having a +3 bonus to damage due to strength.
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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Comments


Page 55 – 56 – Infernal, Eldri

I think this entire entry should be rewritten.
• Creature has 9 HD but is considered a Level 14 MU for Save As. Should it have a 15d4 HP?
• It is mentioned as being almost equal in power to a vega. The Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 1 has the Infernal, Vega and notes that it is very evil but not very noteworthy as a MU. The spell list for an Infernal, Vega would be equal to a level 9 MU. The Eldri, as a Level 15 MU, would get an additional 10 spells including 2 Level 6 spells.
• A spell list was not given, I would propose the following list: Charm Person, Detect Magic, Magic Missile, Protection from Good, Shield, Detect Good, Invisibility, Phantasmal Force, Web, Dispell Magic, Fireball, Hold Person, Lightning Bolt, Polymorph Other, Curse,Wall of Fire, Cloudkill, Magic Jar, Wall of Stone, Death Spell, Disintegrate
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Solomoriah
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by Solomoriah »

Providing a suggested spell list is not customary; however, if you guys think such a thing is a good idea, we should look at all relevant monsters and revise them.

No, the hit dice should not be changed. Since monsters have their own attack table, it's customary to leave hit points in d8's and figure AB from that, while spell ability can vary up or down from that number.

I'll admit I haven't looked closely at the Infernals because I don't use them very often. Other than succubi, who keep popping up because adventure authors keep using them...
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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

This question could be for any of the Field Guides.

Do we want to normalize which stats are updated when a creature has variations in HD?

Most put a HD change and AC change, but should we include Save As, XP in the descriptions too. Since they are generally based on the creatures HD. I also think that any Shaman Types should Save As Cleric and any Witch doctors would Save As MU at the appropriate level since they can have respective spells.
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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Corrections


Page 59 – Leoporid, Great – Stat block
Incorrect XP for an 3 HD creature.
Currently: XP 175

Suggest: XP 145


Page 60 – Leprechaun – Paragraph 5
Remove pronouns.
Currently: … i.e. “I wish for a mighty sword” results in a +3 sword made from the tooth of a demon, but for every enemy you kill with the sword there is a chance that the wisher will become a vampire.

Suggest: … i.e. “I wish for a mighty sword” results in a +3 sword made from the tooth of a demon, but for every enemy killed with the sword there is a chance that the wisher will become a vampire.

Page 62 – Loup – Stat Block
Save As doesn’t match HD 4 creature
Currently: Save As Fighter 3

Suggest: Save As Fighter 4


Page 62 – Maggot-man – Stat Block
XP doesn’t match HD 4* creature or level 8 MU creature.
Currently: XP 1,015 (MU-8 equivalent level)

Suggest: XP 945 (MU-8* equivalent level)


Page 63 – Monk-ee – Stat Block
Save As doesn’t match HD 4* creature
Currently: Save As Fighter 3

Suggest: Save As Fighter 4


Page 64 – Moon Goblin – Paragraph 5
Mention that Wyvern stats can be found in the Core Rules.


Page 65 – Moonlight Butterfly – Stat Block
Save As doesn’t match a HD 2* creature.
Currently: Save As Magic-user 1

Suggest: Save As Magic-user 2


Page 65 – Moonshiner – Paragraph 3
Remove unnecessary words.
Currently: The moonshiners will attack when they have the numerical advantage, attempting to rush at their foes with little regard to personal safety.

Suggest: Moonshiners will attack when they have the numerical advantage, attempting to rush their foes with little regard to personal safety.


Page 67 – Octopeople – Stat Block
Save As doesn’t match a HD 8 creature.
Currently: Save As Fighter 10

Suggest: Save As Fighter 8


Page 68 – Orog – Paragraph 1
Spacing.
Currently: An orog resembles an orc but is larger and more muscular, standing between 6 feet and 7feet tall and weighing 250 pounds on average.

Suggest: An orog resembles an orc but is larger and more muscular, standing between 6 feet and 7 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds on average.
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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Comments


Page 64 – Moon Goblin – Paragraph 2
Chain Mail vs chainmail and Plate Mail vs platemail both are used in the Core Rules and other documents using one version would make proofing easier. I know we’ve had this conversation about swords and axes, (swords one word and axes two words).
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Solomoriah
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by Solomoriah »

AlMan wrote: Thu Dec 02, 2021 3:02 pm This question could be for any of the Field Guides.

Do we want to normalize which stats are updated when a creature has variations in HD?

Most put a HD change and AC change, but should we include Save As, XP in the descriptions too. Since they are generally based on the creatures HD. I also think that any Shaman Types should Save As Cleric and any Witch doctors would Save As MU at the appropriate level since they can have respective spells.
I'm in favor of leaving this alone except where the "correct" decision isn't obvious to the GM. We don't nail everything down, and this is intentional.
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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Corrections

Page 69 – Owlwolf – Paragraph 3
Limiting pronouns
Currently: They are thus dangerous combatants in wide open spaces. When leaping in partially-obstructed areas such as forest or brush, this distance is halved. When gliding they are completely silent, thus surprising on 1-4 on 1d6.

Suggest: Owlwolves are thus dangerous combatants in wide open spaces. When leaping in partially-obstructed areas such as forest or brush, this distance is halved. When gliding owlwolves are completely silent, thus surprising on 1-4 on 1d6.


Page 69 – Pangotherium – Paragraph 2
Limiting pronouns
Currently: They can operate doors and other simple mechanisms, but they have no language, at least as humans would understand it. They are, however, extremely chaotic and unpredictable. Determine how each one reacts to the party by rolling 3d6. A score of 3-6 means it charges; a 7-8 means that it attacks; on a 9-12 it approaches without attacking; on a 13-14 it retreats; on a 15-17 it flees, and on an 18 it takes an immediate liking to the party and will roll on its back waiting for its belly to be scratched. In any case, if attacked it will certainly retaliate!

Suggest: A pangothrium can operate doors and other simple mechanisms, but have no language, at least as humans would understand it. Pangotheria are, however, extremely chaotic and unpredictable. Determine how each one reacts to the party by rolling 3d6. A score of 3-6 means the pangothrium charges; a 7-8 means that the pangothrium attacks; on a 9-12 the pangothrium approaches without attacking; on a 13-14 the pangothrium retreats; on a 15-17 the pangothrium flees, and on an 18 the pangothrium takes an immediate liking to the party and will roll on its back waiting for its belly to be scratched. In any case, if attacked the pangothrium will certainly retaliate!


Page 70 – Paper Tiger – Paragraph 2
Limiting pronouns
Currently: As soon as the paper tiger's transformation is complete it will attack. As a construct created to protect the library in which it is found, it will prefer to attack the character who activated it but it will continue attacking until it is destroyed or all possible opponents have left the area it protects. Note that it will not normally leave the vicinity of the library it wards, though if more than half of the books and/or scrolls are removed from the library it may choose to pursue the creatures who took them. Also note that if the paper tiger is taken away in book/scroll form without being opened, as soon as it is opened it will attempt to return to its library, attacking anyone who gets in its way.

Suggest: As soon as the paper tiger's transformation is complete it will attack. As a construct created to protect the library in which the paper tiger is found, the paper tiger will prefer to attack the character who activated it, and will continue attacking until the paper tiger is destroyed or all possible opponents have left the area of protection. Note that a paper tiger will not normally leave the vicinity of the library it wards, though if more than half of the books and/or scrolls are removed from the library the paper tiger may choose to pursue the creatures who took the items. Also note that if the paper tiger is taken away in book/scroll form without being opened, as soon as it is opened the paper tiger will attempt to return to the library, attacking anyone who gets in the way.


Page 70 – Paper Tiger – Paragraph 3
Limiting pronouns
Currently: It is especially vulnerable to fire, taking double damage from any fire-based attacks.

Suggest: A paper tiger is especially vulnerable to fire, taking double damage from any fire-based attacks.


Page 70 – Paper Tiger – Paragraph 4
Limiting pronouns
Currently: If all interlopers leave the library and remain out of the paper tiger's sight for at least a turn, the creature will resume its original form, hiding itself among the books or scrolls of the library. In this form the paper tiger is very nondescript; even those who know such a creature is present will not usually be able to identify it, though anyone who previously activated it has a chance equal to 1 on 1d6 to do so. Adjust this roll using the creature's Intelligence bonus (i.e. a 13 Intelligence gives a 1-2 on 1d6 chance, etc.). While in its book or scroll form, the paper tiger heals 1d6 points of damage each hour.

Suggest: If all interlopers leave the library and remain out of the paper tiger's sight for at least a turn, the creature will resume its original form, hiding among the books or scrolls of the library. In this form the paper tiger is very nondescript; even those who know such a creature is present will not usually be able to identify it, though anyone who previously activated the paper tiger has a chance equal to 1 on 1d6 to do so. Adjust this roll using the creature's Intelligence bonus (i.e. a 13 Intelligence gives a 1-2 on 1d6 chance, etc.). While in book or scroll form, the paper tiger heals 1d6 points of damage each hour.


Page 70 – Paper Tiger – Paragraph 4
Limiting pronouns
Currently: If a library contains the sort of knowledge that its curator believes is too dangerous to ever be revealed it may be warded by a Flash Paper Tiger.

Suggest: If a library contains the sort of knowledge that the curator believes is too dangerous to ever be revealed the library may be warded by a Flash Paper Tiger.


Page 71 – Phoenix – Paragraph 1
Limiting pronouns
Currently: It weighs just under a ton. A phoenix is intelligent and can telepathically communicate. It can only be harmed by magical weapons, and is immune to any charm effects, hold monster and similar spells, as well as all fire damage. A phoenix is a powerful ally to the forces of good, and it is sometimes said that it is a spirit of rebirth and renewal.

Suggest: A phoenix weighs just under a ton. A phoenix is intelligent and can telepathically communicate. It can only be harmed by magical weapons, and is immune to any charm effects, hold monster and similar spells, as well as all fire damage. A phoenix is a powerful ally to the forces of good, and is sometimes said to be a spirit of rebirth and renewal.


Page 71 – Phoenix – Paragraph 2
Limiting pronouns
Currently: When it is threatened, a phoenix cloaks itself in an aura of fire that deals 3d6 points of damage to any creature within 10 feet of it. If the phoenix dies, its body vanishes in a burst of flame that functions as a fireball spell, dealing 9d6 points of damage, half of which is divine spiritual radiance that cannot be resisted by any means.

Suggest: When threatened, a phoenix cloaks itself in an aura of fire that deals 3d6 points of damage to any creature within 10 feet. When a phoenix dies, its body vanishes in a burst of flame that functions as a fireball spell, dealing 9d6 points of damage, half of which is divine spiritual radiance that cannot be resisted by any means.


Page 71 – Pipe Beast – Paragraph 2
Spelling
Currently: everthing

Suggest: everything


Page 73 – Raggidy – Paragraph 1
Limiting pronouns
Currently: It is humanoid in appearance standing 7 feet tall, weighing 300 pounds, and is made out of crudely-stitched cloth stuffed with sawdust. It has buttons for eyes and a twisted grin sewn onto its face. However, the magic thread that animates the raggidy gives it the barest hint of sentience, allowing it to act semi-independently and follow orders better than most constructs. It does not speak but it understands the language of its creator.

Suggest: A raggidy is humanoid in appearance standing 7 feet tall, weighing 300 pounds, and is made out of crudely-stitched cloth stuffed with sawdust. The raggidy has buttons for eyes and a twisted grin sewn onto its face. However, the magic thread that animates the raggidy gives it the barest hint of sentience, allowing the raggidy to act semi-independently and follow orders better than most constructs. A raggidy does not speak but it understands the language of the creator.


Page 74 – Rock Bat – Stat Block
Mismatch between HD 2* and Save As
Currently: Save As Fighter: 1

Suggest: Save As Fighter: 2


Page 74 – Rock Bat – Stat Block
Mismatch between HD 4* and Save As
Currently: Save As Fighter: 2

Suggest: Save As Fighter: 4


Page 75 – Salamander – Paragraph 1
Since there has been an extensive discussion on the lack of other planes of existence in BFRPG, removing mention of elemental planes in the description, will just have as elemental beings.
Currently: Salamanders are large, lizard-like creatures from the elemental planes. They are sometimes found on the material plane, arriving through naturally-occurring dimensional rifts or summoned by high-level Magic-Users. Due to their highly magical nature, they cannot be harmed by non-magical weapons.

Suggest: Salamanders are large, lizard-like elemental creatures. They arriving through the conjuring of nature forces by high-level Magic-Users. Due to their highly magical nature, they cannot be harmed by non-magical weapons.


Page 75 – Lightning Salamander – Paragraph 1
Since there has been an extensive discussion on the lack of other planes of existence in BFRPG, removing mention of elemental planes in the description, will just have as elemental beings.
Currently: Lightning Salamanders come from the Elemental Plane of Air. … It is intelligent and can speak the language of the Plane of Air, and many will also know Elvish, Common, and/or Dragon.

Suggest: Lightning Salamanders are representative of the Element of Air. … It is intelligent and can speak the language of the Element of Air, and many will also know Elvish, Common, and/or Dragon.


Page 76 – Sand Salamander – Paragraph 1
Since there has been an extensive discussion on the lack of other planes of existence in BFRPG, removing mention of elemental planes in the description, will just have as elemental beings.
Currently: Sand Salamanders come from the Elemental Plane of Earth.

Suggest: Sand Salamanders are representative of the Element of Earth.


Page 76 – Sand Salamander – Paragraph 3
Since there has been an extensive discussion on the lack of other planes of existence in BFRPG, removing mention of elemental planes in the description, will just have as elemental beings.
Currently: It is intelligent and can speak the language of the Plane of Earth; many may also know Elvish, Common, or Dragon.

Suggest: It is intelligent and can speak the language of the Element of Earth; many may also know Elvish, Common, or Dragon.


Page 76 – Wind Salamander – Paragraph 1
Since there has been an extensive discussion on the lack of other planes of existence in BFRPG, removing mention of elemental planes in the description, will just have as elemental beings.
Currently: Wind Salamanders come from the Elemental Plane of Air.

Suggest: Wind Salamanders are representative of the Element of Air.


Page 76 – Wind Salamander – Paragraph 3
Since there has been an extensive discussion on the lack of other planes of existence in BFRPG, removing mention of elemental planes in the description, will just have as elemental beings.
Currently: Wind salamanders are intelligent and can speak the language of the Plane of Air, and many will also know Elvish, Common, or Dragon.

Suggest: Wind salamanders are intelligent and can speak the language of the Element of Air, and many will also know Elvish, Common, or Dragon.


Page 77 – Living Scarecrow – Paragraph 2
The farming tools mentioned in the paragraph are actually listed in the Equipment Emporium. Reducing pronouns.
Currently: While most are unarmed, some living scarecrows are equipped with a threshing flail (treat as a mace), a pitchfork (treat as spear), or a harvesting scythe (treat as a pole arm). It has a +1 bonus to both attack and damage rolls in melee combat due to its magical strength. It also has Darkvision out to 60 feet and is immune to fear.

Suggest: While most are unarmed, some living scarecrows are equipped with a threshing flail (treat as a mace), a pitchfork (treat as spear), or a harvesting scythe (treat as a pole arm). These farming tools are listed with stats as weapons in the Basic Fantasy Equipment Emporium. A normal living scarecrow has a +1 bonus to both attack and damage rolls in melee combat due to its magical strength. The living scarecrow also has Darkvision out to 60 feet and is immune to fear.


Page 78 – Serpentine Pseudodragon – Paragraph 1
Awkward sentence
Currently: Its neck and torso can each stretch up to a foot long and the rest of its body tapers down into a 4 foot long tail that is often patterned and tapers to an end.

Suggest: Its neck and torso can each stretch up to a foot long and the 4 foot long tail is often patterned and tapers to an end.


Page 78 – Serpentine Pseudodragon – Paragraph 2
Limiting pronouns
Currently: The serpentine pseudodragon is a very gentle animal despite its highly lethal bite (save vs. Poison or die), normally striking only in self-defense. It feeds primarily on mice and small insects and is nocturnal. It prefers to inhabit warm and humid climates such as tropical rain forests and jungles, as its normal coloration, which varies anywhere between emerald green and bright red, allows it to camouflage itself best among the wide variety of life that such climates normally teem with. It is highly valued by wizards and collectors as it is quite rare, and while lethal in a standard dose, its poison can also be used as a strong painkiller and has some potent hallucinogenic properties.

Suggest: The serpentine pseudodragon is a very gentle animal despite its highly lethal bite (save vs. Poison or die), normally striking only in self-defense. A serpentine pseudodragon feeds primarily on mice and small insects and is nocturnal. A serpentine pseudodragon prefers to inhabit warm and humid climates such as tropical rain forests and jungles, as its normal coloration, which varies anywhere between emerald green and bright red, allows it to camouflage itself best among the wide variety of life that such climates normally teem with. A serpentine pseudodragon is highly valued by wizards and collectors as it is quite rare, and while lethal in a standard dose, its poison can also be used as a strong painkiller and has some potent hallucinogenic properties.
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AlMan
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by AlMan »

Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Comments

Page 73 – Rakun
Since they are between a Dwarf and Halfling in size should they also have the prohibition on being able to use large weapons including Heavy Crossbows?
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SmootRK
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Re: Basic Fantasy Field Guide Volume 2

Post by SmootRK »

AlMan wrote: Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:50 pm Basic Fantasy Field Guide 2 – Comments

Page 73 – Rakun
Since they are between a Dwarf and Halfling in size should they also have the prohibition on being able to use large weapons including Heavy Crossbows?
Quick answer... yes, that would be appropriate.
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