Anuvin's page

It's on page 296 of the Bestiary:

Step 3: Ability Scores
Once you have determined the number of additional Hit Dice
possessed by the creature, use this number to modify its other
statistics. Start with ability scores. For every 4 additional Hit
Dice gained by the monster, add 1 to one of its ability scores.
In addition, make any modifications to its ability scores
based on an increase in size, as noted on Table 2–2.

That is what I found too, but it says additional, and that is where I am getting tripped up. I can't decide if that means that the stats are spot on, or one off. If you are right Russ, then the stats are indeed right on.

Sam,
Your concept is great and your execution is solid. He isn't multiclassed or especially complex in build, and I really like that. I really enjoy this villain, even if I don't really care that much for another dashing rogue. Alternatively, this villain uses that aspect of his character for a deeper, truer evil, and I like that very much. Burn Taldor to the ground!

Rereading the rules I now see that ability bonuses only come for additional hit dice. But if this is a mistake then it's a mistake I probably would have made too.

I did make this mistake when trying to go over Trevor's stat block, and I can see why you and he also made this mistake. Like you, I am not even sure if this is a mistake. Upon rereading the rules I still cannot figure it out, because the rules on this matter are a little vague, or maybe I am not understanding them correctly.

John,

We have been having a discussion about derro stats over in Ankradula's thread. I just wanted to say here that I really enjoy a difficult stat block like this and you get major points with me for having taken on a challenging build with a fun execution. As we found, derro with class levels are complex and hard to get exactly right, and I commend you for having done it anyway. Good luck, and you have a vote from me!

Rereading the rules I now see that ability bonuses only come for additional hit dice. But if this is a mistake then it's a mistake I probably would have made too.

I DID make this mistake as well. I thought the 8th level hit die would confer the ability score that is missing, but upon rereading, I found the rules on this matter to be vague, as many game rules at this level of complexity seem to be. I am still not sure what the rule is supposed to be.

Neil, thanks for taking the time to go through that with me. I really appreciate it.

Standback, thank you for your kind words. I am just part of a group of dudes who are very rules conscious, and in building a somewhat similar character I ran into the same issues that required a fair amount of referencing rules again and again. I am betting that Trevor had to go through similarly horrible rule decisions and I wanted to see that his work had been recognized for it's complexity.

Trevor, good luck with this submission. As Neil, Meneena's creator John Bennet, and myself now know, you must have really worked hard to make this work out as well as you did.

I'll check this one, too. I usually started adding up the gear costs one item at a time and once I outstripped the "Wealth by CR" value, I stopped counting. I'm not sure which item put this one over the top for me. But it should be recorded in my analysis somewhere.

I went back to check these figures. I don't know which item pushes it over, but if you find it, please let me know.

Still, I think there's some value in making sure designers (and hence, RPG Superstar competitors) have a feel for the underlying rules mechanics and number-crunching so they can get a sense when something is off in their work.

Thanks for taking the extra time to check me. I would have been really surprised if everything I checked was absolutely perfect. And I knew the voters would have a lot more time to verify and validate than the judges get.

I couldn't agree with you more about developers and RPG Superstar contestants needing to have an exceptional understanding of the rules. I have to quadruple check things when I make anything because my memory of the rules gets muddy sometimes. I do have lots of time to make sure that the stats are good, and I vote based on mechanics, but that is what stopped me. This entry, despite a couple errors, is by and large mechanically excellent, as far as I can tell with the rulebooks I have.

I wouldn't say this if I didn't think the entry was solid. I also wouldn't waste my time telling you if I thought you wouldn't care, or couldn't take the criticism. I respect that you must have a fantastic grip of the rules and I respect you as a fellow rules-lawyer. But I do want to know what the numbers really are, because that is how I vote.

@ Neil - So I looked up the stats on the derro, and looked at page 297 of the Bestiary to check class levels as they are applied to monsters and it would seem that the bonuses are +4,+4,+2,+2,+0 and -2. Add in the stat bonus from Hit Die 4 and 8 and you get Str -2, Dex +4 (and +1 from Hit Die 4), Con +0, Int +2. Losing Madness drives Wisdom up +6 (+4, and +1 from Hit Die 8) and Cha -6 (+2). His stats appear to be right on. I believe you also said this about the other derro, Meneena, on the list, but I think you may be using the conversion rules from 3.5.
The AC is indeed busted, but her hp is spot on. 4.5 multiplied by 10 is 45, plus 57 (4 Con times 10 hit die, 10 from toughness and 7 from Favored Class), is 102. This appears, again, to be correct.
I also looked up the gear. She gets 10,050. That is EXACTLY how much she has in gear. I ran the calculation, but I can put it here if you like. How did you get a couple thousand less? Heroic level CR 9 creatures get 10,050, according to table 14-9, pg 454.

@Sean K Reynolds -

Her speed is 30 feet, but derro have speed 20 ft. I'm not seeing any items or class abilities that improve her speed.

You spelled longstrider wrong in the Before Combat section.

I don't mean to point out the obvious, especially with rules master Sean, but....I believe longstrider makes up for the 10 speed you are missing.

Also, I do not think there is any question whether or not Freedom of Movement makes you immune to paralysis.

This spell enables you or a creature you touch to move and attack normally for the duration of the spell, even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement, such as paralysis, solid fog, slow, and web.