In Dungeon #118's adventure "Throne of Iuz", King Bog One-Eye's stats list him as an 'awakened' toad. Is 'awakened' a template from some source I'm not familiar with, or is it just the author granting intelligence to an otherwise unintelligent animal? I loved King Bog as a villian, either way.
In Dungeon #118's adventure "Throne of Iuz", King Bog One-Eye's stats list him as an 'awakened' toad. Is 'awakened' a template from some source I'm not familiar with, or is it just the author granting intelligence to an otherwise unintelligent animal? I loved King Bog as a villian, either way.
It's the result of a 5th-level druidic spell, Awaken. I'm more interested in the Horizon walker thing it's got going.
Hello, I'm the fellow who wrote "Throne of Iuz."
I'm glad you liked him. "Awakened" is indeed just a spell that's been applied to him. I didn't use any official template, but rather applied the results of the spell as best I could. I did consult the WotC messageboards where there is at least one or two threads attempting to push the spell results into a template. I honestly wish there was an official template for it.
By adding the Titantic template, Bog gained a huge amount of hit dice, which gave him added feats and skill points. The Awaken spell also added to his skill points. These in turn gave him access to the Horizon Walker prestige template. The awakening and titantic template were applied in a particular order as to not conflict with one another. (And since it was almost a year ago when I created him, I can't remember which order, but it did all work out.)
As for the "back story" as to why Bog even decided to be a Horizon Walker, it was because he ended up wandering Flaeness for a few years before returning to his original mission.
One thing to note that as a Horizon Walker he gets the neat ability of "terrain mastery." With this ability, he gets insight bonuses when fighting creatures from particular terrain types. I selected the terrain types that would get him this insight bonus against most of the basic PC types.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions about the adventure you may have.
Creative Director
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It'd be nice if awakened were indeed a template, since when you cast the spell it already modifies things the way a template does.
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME BONUS ROUND: Know what's fun? A druid with the Natural Spell feat can, in theory, cast awaken on himself while he's in wild shape form. HA! Of course... that's something that I wouldn't recomend any DMs out there ever allowing to work in your own campaign, since it's obviously not the intended use for the spell.
Still... spending 250 XP to gain +1d3 Charisma and two Hit Dice is kinda nice. You'll need to use a new wild shape each time to reset your type to "animal" from "magical beast," but eventaully you'll get that natural 18 for your new Intelligence score... :-)
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME BONUS ROUND: Know what's fun? A druid with the Natural Spell feat can, in theory, cast awaken on himself while he's in wild shape form. HA! Of course... that's something that I wouldn't recomend any DMs out there ever allowing to work in your own campaign, since it's obviously not the intended use for the spell.
Still... spending 250 XP to gain +1d3 Charisma and two Hit Dice is kinda nice. You'll need to use a new wild shape each time to reset your type to "animal" from "magical beast," but eventaully you'll get that natural 18 for your new Intelligence score... :-)
While this is possible, you often need help to accomplish it. Wildshape lasts for one hour per level, while awaken has a casting time of 24 hours. So unless you're talking about a 24th level druid, this combo requires a bit of help. That "help," of course, might be as simple as placing awaken in a staff so you can access it via spell trigger. :)
Hello, I'm the fellow who wrote "Throne of Iuz."
I'm glad you liked him. "Awakened" is indeed just a spell that's been applied to him. I didn't use any official template, but rather applied the results of the spell as best I could. I did consult the WotC messageboards where there is at least one or two threads attempting to push the spell results into a template. I honestly wish there was an official template for it.
I've got to go back and look at King Bog again, as I'm trying to create some awakened creatures. The thing that is tripping me up is whether to change the hit die from d8 to d10, change the BAB, etc as they become magical beasts. Any tips on how that works?
I've got to go back and look at King Bog again, as I'm trying to create some awakened creatures. The thing that is tripping me up is whether to change the hit die from d8 to d10, change the BAB, etc as they become magical beasts. Any tips on how that works?
It really would be nice to have some template info on this. But from what I have seen from multiple awakened animals in print (Throne of Iuz, Dungeon 118; Lost Temple of Demogorgon, Dungeon #120), the only part of being a magical beast they get is their new type (name only). They still have animal Base Atk, d8 for HD, and so on.
In my opinion, the spell description for Awaken should simply have the part about their type being changed to magical beast edited out. More confusing, is that trees are now constructs? A tree is a living creature. You're telling me it has no Constitution score? A very confusing spell description.
More confusing, is that trees are now constructs? A tree is a living creature. You're telling me it has no Constitution score?
Nope
An awakened tree has characteristics as if it were an animated object, except that it gains the plant type and its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are each 3d6. An awakened plant gains the ability to move its limbs, roots, vines, creepers, and so forth, and it has senses similar to a human’s.
Awakened trees get the plant type, so they get a Con score, although the spell doesn't say how to determine it.
If it were me, I would start with 3d6 Con for Medium sized tree, and give it +4 Con for each size catagory larger than Medium, per the advancement rules.
More confusing, is that trees are now constructs? A tree is a living creature. You're telling me it has no Constitution score?Nope
An awakened tree has characteristics as if it were an animated object, except that it gains the plant type and its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are each 3d6. An awakened plant gains the ability to move its limbs, roots, vines, creepers, and so forth, and it has senses similar to a human’s.Awakened trees get the plant type, so they get a Con score, although the spell doesn't say how to determine it.
If it were me, I would start with 3d6 Con for Medium sized tree, and give it +4 Con for each size catagory larger than Medium, per the advancement rules.
Thanks for clearing that up, Jeremy. Now stop wasting your time on these boards and look over my lastest proposals! ;)
It really would be nice to have some template info on this. But from what I have seen from multiple awakened animals in print (Throne of Iuz, Dungeon 118; Lost Temple of Demogorgon, Dungeon #120), the only part of being a magical beast they get is their new type (name only). They still have animal Base Atk, d8 for HD, and so on.
In my opinion, the spell description for Awaken should simply have the part about their type being changed to magical beast edited out.
I'm interested in sending some awakened animals in to Dungeon at some point, so it's good to know the Dungeon standard, at least. No darkvision 60 ft. either, then, right?
Well, that makes it easier to calculate the CR change. Improving an animal by 3HD is +1 CR, so adding 2HD, some intelligence, and changing the type (which insulates it from certain spells and class abilities) probably also warrants +1 CR. Adding 2HD of magical beast and darkvision would be better, but class levels and elite arrays ought to make up for that.
More confusing, is that trees are now constructs? A tree is a living creature. You're telling me it has no Constitution score? A very confusing spell description.
Which animated tree stat block below makes more sense (see hp, darkvision, SQ, and Con)?
Awakened tree (construct stats): CR 2; Medium plant; HD 2d10+20; hp 31; Init +0; Spd 40 ft; AC 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, slam); SA constrict; SQ darkvision 60 ft, low-light vision, construct traits, hardness 5; AL N; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con -, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Awakened tree (construct stats, plant traits): CR 2; Medium plant; HD 2d10; hp 11; Init +0; Spd 40 ft; AC 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, slam); SA constrict; SQ low-light vision, hardness 5, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Awakened tree (plant stats): CR 2; Medium plant; HD 2d8; hp 9; Init +0; Spd 40 ft; AC 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, slam); SA constrict; SQ DR hardness 5, low-light vision, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Wouldn't it be nice if WoTC had added a monster to the 3.5 MM called Awakened Tree, or shown an example of an awakened animal like they did with advanced monsters?
More confusing, is that trees are now constructs? A tree is a living creature. You're telling me it has no Constitution score? A very confusing spell description.Which animated tree stat block below makes more sense (see hp, darkvision, SQ, and Con)?
Awakened tree (construct stats): CR 2; Medium plant; HD 2d10+20; hp 31; Init +0; Spd 40 ft; AC 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, slam); SA constrict; SQ darkvision 60 ft, low-light vision, construct traits, hardness 5; AL N; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con -, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Awakened tree (construct stats, plant traits): CR 2; Medium plant; HD 2d10; hp 11; Init +0; Spd 40 ft; AC 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, slam); SA constrict; SQ low-light vision, hardness 5, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Awakened tree (plant stats): CR 2; Medium plant; HD 2d8; hp 9; Init +0; Spd 40 ft; AC 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp +2; Atk or Full Atk +2 melee (1d6+1, slam); SA constrict; SQ DR hardness 5, low-light vision, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Wouldn't it be nice if WoTC had added a monster to the 3.5 MM called Awakened Tree, or shown an example of an awakened animal like they did with advanced monsters?
Derek, Jeremy's reply cleared things up for me. Here's a more accurate stat block for an awakened tree using an oak as an example....
Awakened Oak: CR 5; Huge plant; HD 8d8+40; hp 76; Init –1; Spd 20 ft.; AC 13, touch 7, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +6; Grp +19; Atk/Full Atk +9 melee (2d6+7, slam); Space/Reach 15 ft./15 ft.; SA constrict; SQ hardness 5, low-light vision, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +11, Ref +1, Will +3; Str 20, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 14
Constrict (Ex): An awakened oak that succeeds on a grapple check against a creature up to one size larger than itself deals automatic slam damage. It can grapple multiple creatures at once as long as they are all at least two sizes smaller than it and can fit under it.
And, yeah, I agree that it would be nice to have these fleshed out for us already.
Derek, Jeremy's reply cleared things up for me. Here's a more accurate stat block for an awakened tree using an oak as an example....Awakened Oak: CR 5; Huge plant; HD 8d8+40; hp 76; Init –1; Spd 20 ft.; AC 13, touch 7, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +6; Grp +19; Atk/Full Atk +9 melee (2d6+7, slam); Space/Reach 15 ft./15 ft.; SA constrict; SQ hardness 5, low-light vision, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +11, Ref +1, Will +3; Str 20, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 14
Constrict (Ex): An...
Thanks, Greer. It looks like your example is similar to my third one (plant features like d8 HD and strong Fort save as well as plant traits), only with more variety on the mental attributes and Con.
My version of the same, using standard ability scores and adding skills/feats, turned out like this:
Awakened Pine: CR 5; Huge plant; HD 8d8+32; hp 68; Init -1; Spd 30 ft; AC 13 (-2 size, -1 Dex, +6 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +6; Grp +19; Atk or Full Atk +10 melee (2d8+7, slam); Space/Reach 15ft/15ft; SA constrict; SQ hardness 5, low-light vision, plant traits; AL N; SV Fort +10, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 20, Dex 8, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Focus (slam), Improved Natural Attack
Personally I like that choice, as it makes awakened plants like other plant creatures. The only thing that gives me pause is the wording of the Awaken spell, which seems to support my previous first option (an animated object with the plant type and mental stats tacked on).
Adding skills & feats is a big '?' for me. I suppose if it has HD, the plant type, and all of the attributes normal to a sentient being, there's no reason it shouldn't. I think I've still got "construct" on the brain. Thanks, Derek.