Including Vital Statistics in the "Ecology of..." articles

[Ladislaus]

It would be helpful to receive additional information on races (especially those playable as PCs or as NPCs). For example, regarding the kenku described in Dragon #329 in "Ecology of the Kenku", it would have be helpful if the author provided a Chapter 6, Player's Handbook-style "Vital Statistics" sidebar including starting ages, aging effects, and height & weight tables. (These stats would respectively append data to tables 6-4, 6-5, and 6-6 in the Player's Handbook.)

For DMs designing NPC antagonists it would be helpful to know how old a villian might be, or perhaps what might outside the 'norm' with respect to physical size. For players, such information would help when determining background stories especial when age determines what a PC is or is not aware of historically. For example, an elven PC may know first-hand events that occurred 100 years ago, while a half-orc or human might not.

[DeadDMWalking]

I second this motion. I've thought that a number of times, but the last time I remember thinking that, I hadn't yet started posting to these boards.

So, yes, that would be a great change to any article featuring an EL +0 race. Heck, it would be great even for "non-standard" races.

[Ladislaus]

*bump*

[BOZ]

i third the motion!

[Saurstalk]

Not only that, but personally I'd love to see a monster variant included in the ecology ... something to insert directly into the game.

[F. Wesley Schneider]

DeadDMWalking wrote:

I second this motion. I've thought that a number of times, but the last time I remember thinking that, I hadn't yet started posting to these boards.

So, yes, that would be a great change to any article featuring an EL +0 race. Heck, it would be great even for "non-standard" races.

Sold. Whenever we do a EL +0 race from now on we'll try to work those charts in. It gets too cumbersome to do for every monster, but for those that lend themselves to being player races easiest, no problem.

[F. Wesley Schneider]

Saurstalk wrote:

Not only that, but personally I'd love to see a monster variant included in the ecology ... something to insert directly into the game.

Expect at least a stat block in every Ecology from now on. We'll always try to give you guys something that makes a cool encounter. For example, in "The Ecology of the Lizardfolk" in #333, that lizardfolk barbarian/fighter was meant to be a raid leader that--along with a handful of lizardfolk from the MM--would make for a pretty much pre-made warband encounter.

Advanced creatures won't be all we do though. "The Ecology of the Spawn of Kyuss" gives you a 3.5 Kyuss template and a fast, nasty ambusher its been applied to. We won't do new monsters like this all the time, but we plan to show that there's more ways to advance monsters than just adding Hit Dice and character levels. Be patient and you'll see what I mean.

[DeadDMWalking]

F. Wesley Schneider wrote:

Expect at least a stat block in every Ecology from now on. We'll always try to give you guys something that makes a cool encounter. For example, in "The Ecology of the Lizardfolk" in #333, that lizardfolk barbarian/fighter was meant to be a raid leader that--along with a handful of lizardfolk from the MM--would make for a pretty much pre-made warband encounter.

Advanced creatures won't be all we do though. "The Ecology of the Spawn of Kyuss" gives you a 3.5 Kyuss template and a fast, nasty ambusher its been applied to. We won't do new monsters like this all the time, but we plan to show that there's more ways to advance monsters than just adding Hit Dice and character levels. Be patient and you'll see what I mean.

I like the Mastiff of Kyuss, but I didn't look it over for mistakes.

Still, since you look like you're paying attention here and I didn't get any response on the thread discussing it, I have a question about the Lizardfolk. What's up with his alignment?

If I recall correctly, his alignment is lawful neutral, but his barbarian levels really make that problematic. So, is he supposed to be CN? Just N? Or is he not supposed to be able to rage, etc? Just wondering.

[F. Wesley Schneider]

DeadDMWalking wrote:

If I recall correctly, his alignment is lawful neutral, but his barbarian levels really make that problematic. So, is he supposed to be CN? Just N? Or is he not supposed to be able to rage, etc? Just wondering.

Maybe suboptimal, but meh. He’s yours--change that letter or his stats however you want. The point is that the heavy lifting is done already. Whether you have your MM handy or not you've got a lizardfolk to play with now. Keep him moist and walk him twice a day.