Will we see phanatons in the next adventure path?
Have there been any 3.5/d20 conversions of phanatons?
I made the following conversion based on the Hadozee from Stormwrack. I shrunk the gliding monkey men to small size, removed their affinity for sailing, replaced their bonus dodge feat with brachiation, and retained their 30' land speed. Does this look like a balanced +0 LA creature? Can anyone double check the stats for mistakes? Please note that I'm not making their tails prehensile as suggested in the original X1 module.
The phanaton looks like a cross between raccoons and monkeys.
Phanatons as Characters
-+2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma.
-Small Size: As a Small creature, a phanaton gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but she uses smaller weapons and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
-A Phanaton's base land speed is 30 feet. Phanatons are unusually fast for their size.
-+4 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. Phanatons do not lose their Dexterity bonus to AC while climbing and can climb unimpeded while holding something in one hand.
-Bonus Feat: Brachiation. Phanatons can move through wooded areas at their base land speed, ignoring any effects on movement due to terrain. They must be at least 20 feet from the ground to use this ability. This ability works only in medium and dense forests.
-Automatic Languages: Common, Phanaton. Bonus Languages: Aquan, Abyssal.
Favored Class: Rogue
Typical Tree Leaper EL 1/2
Male phanaton warrior 1
N Small Humanoid (Phanaton)
Init +7; Listen +2, Listen +2
Languages Phanaton
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AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12
hp 5 (5 HD)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0
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Spd 30 ft.
Ranged spear +4 (1d4)
Base Atk +1; Grp -3
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Abilities Str 11, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 7
Feats Brachiation (B), Improved Initiative
Skills Balance +6, Climb +4, Hide +4, Listen +2, Spot +2
Possessions leather armor
Demogorgan's Branches of Raining Fury (3) EL 8
Male phanaton rogue 2 warlock 3
CE Small Humanoid (Phanaton)
Init +7; Listen +5, Spot +5
Languages Phanaton
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AC 18, touch 18, flat-footed 15
hp 25 (5 HD); DR 1/cold iron
Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +2
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Spd 30 ft.
Ranged eldritch spear +7 (2d6)
Base Atk +3; Grp -1
Attack Options Sneak Attack +1d6
Combat gear potion of mage armor*, necklace of fireballs type 1
Invocations (CL 3rd)
Least - Eldritch spear
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Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 8, Cha 14
SQ trapfinding, evasion, detect magic
Feats Brachiation (B), Improved Initiative
Skills Balance +12, Bluff +7, Climb +9, Concentration +5, Hide +12, Listen +4, Spot +4
Possessions combat gear
Phanatons will appear in Savage Tide; they've been updated to 3rd edition already. The lastest appearance is in the Dragon Compendium.
Cool I'll have to check out my copy later tonight when I can get to it.
I'm guessing Kopru will play a significant role? MMII suggests they are related to mind flayers. Will this be explored in the new AP?
Will the Ixitxachitl make an appearance? For Eberron I'm assuming these manta ray creatures will worship the Daelkyr.
What about rakastas riding sabre toothed tigers? Have rakastas been updated to 3.5? Are they really so different from catfolk that they need to be a new creature?
Phanatons will appear in Savage Tide; they've been updated to 3rd edition already. The lastest appearance is in the Dragon Compendium.
eh - really? i know that they were in Dragon #339, like the fellow in my avatar though. ;)
Creative Director
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Kopru: Yes; they're inexoribly tied to the Isle of Dread mythos and will play an important role in Savage Tide. MMII's suggestion that they're related to mind flayers can stay a suggestion, though; Kopru are not related to mind flayers (at least, not in Savage Tide).
Ixitxachitl: I hope they'll be in the campaign at some point. They worship Demogorgon (and have done so since the early days of D&D), so it makes sense that they'll show up at some point even if they aren't specifically tied into the overall plot at this time.
Rakastas: Will probably not be appearing in Savage Tide. The Isle of Dread is already pretty full of intelligent creatures, and rakastas seem a little "tacked-on" to the island. Especially since there's not a heavy mammal-based theme for most of the isle. There's a chance they may show up in a cameo, but we won't know for sure for some time.
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Creative Director
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Phanatons will appear in Savage Tide; they've been updated to 3rd edition already. The lastest appearance is in the Dragon Compendium.eh - really? i know that they were in Dragon #339, like the fellow in my avatar though. ;)
That's probably what I'm thinking about. It's tough to keep track of stuff in that OTHER magazine...
Ixitxachitl: I hope they'll be in the campaign at some point. They worship Demogorgon (and have done so since the early days of D&D), so it makes sense that they'll show up at some point even if they aren't specifically tied into the overall plot at this time.
According to MMII only Erythnul is specifically mentioned. 114 added a great deal of new lore surrounding the Greyhawk version of the IoD, the manifest zone with the Abyss and Demogorgon right?
For Eberron I'm hoping they worship the daelkyr, if only to tie in a Cult of the Dragon Below vs Lords of Dust struggle that's greater than the specific agendas of the two races. In 114 the Ixitxachitl and Kopru are depicted as having a long history of conflict; it would be nice if this conflict had some greater meaning than simple territorial struggles or simply to amuse the two headed demon prince. The daelkyr and rajahs of Khyber are at odds with one another, fighting unfathomably destructive wars for the last hundred thousand years deep underground. Having this conflict spill out into the ocean floor would be very interesting.
Rakastas: Will probably not be appearing in Savage Tide. The Isle of Dread is already pretty full of intelligent creatures, and rakastas seem a little "tacked-on" to the island. Especially since there's not a heavy mammal-based theme for most of the isle. There's a chance they may show up in a cameo, but we won't know for sure for some time.
It would be nice to see some type of catfolk encountered before reaching the Isle of Dread. Perhaps in Sasserine? They should be somewhat wild and have sabre tooth tigers as companions.
For Eberron it would be neat to see half-rakshasa catfolk. If there are demons involved in Eberron the Lords of Dust should play a cameo role.
Heck, the Isle of Dread would be a great getaway for the minions of Ashtakala. It's a fiendish pleasure paradise! Breed a few nearby catfolk natives to serve as "guides" for adventuring parties. Rakshasas in human form could pose as adventurers and pretend they're hiring their rakasta thralls as guides. Imagine finding a group of adventurers led by catfolk and discovering that they're actually rakshasa lords on a routine trip to visit their Abyss/Shavarath/Khyber/Lammania allies! Sounds like a good misdirection side-trek similar to the Hall of Harsh Reflection.
Phanatons will appear in Savage Tide; they've been updated to 3rd edition already. The lastest appearance is in the Dragon Compendium.
I'm probably blind, but I can't find Phanatons in the Dragon Compendium and I don't remember seeing them in there.
I found them in 339. Wow. These things are supposed to be 4 feet tall? From the picture they look like the size of my cat. Compared to the Hadozee these flying ewok-mogwai clones are pathetic, and don't seem at all like the creatures described or pictured in X1.
Regardless of the name of the creature, can anyone check the monster I posted and let me know if it looks like a balanced +0 LA character?
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I found them in 339. Wow. These things are supposed to be 4 feet tall? From the picture they look like the size of my cat. Compared to the Hadozee these flying ewok-mogwai clones are pathetic, and don't seem at all like the creatures described or pictured in X1.
Not to be a killjoy or nothin, but X1 came out before either of those movies, so I doubt seriously the phanaton is a clone of either one of those creatures.
Not to be a killjoy or nothin, but X1 came out before either of those movies, so I doubt seriously the phanaton is a clone of either one of those creatures.
You misread my statement. They "don't seem at all like the creatures described or pictured in X1". X1 came out before RotJ and Gremlins, but 339 did not. The art and puny stats in 339 are ewok-mogwai clones.
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Funny, the X1 phanaton and the Dragon #339 phanaton look identical to me, just the newer picture is in color.
The new phanaton even has a whole d8 for hit points, in stead of 1-1 hit dice. They're buffer, I tells ye. One whole hitpoint per die. Also, halflings averaged 3foot height in the Basic rulebook from 1980. Now they're 2foot 8, with +2d4 which gives you average 3'1". The only reference I see anywhere to a phanaton being 4 feet is its tail, in X1.
Funny, the X1 phanaton and the Dragon #339 phanaton look identical to me, just the newer picture is in color.
They don't like alike IMO. In the X1 illustration the face is thinner and the ears larger, making the face not as small in comparison to the body. The head is freakishly huge in 339. My biggest peeve though is in the arms; in X1 they are very long like a monkey's arms and muscular and in 339 they're proportionally shorter than most humanoids and seem fat and weak. They also don't match the common description in the Mystara books: "A phanaton's coloration resembles a raccoon, with a dark mask over the eyes, gray-brown fur, and a ringed tail. "
I also don't like how they're portrayed as attackers. They're supposed to use simple wooden tools and according to their stats they can't use their tails to hold objects yet they're wielding fine metal daggers. These creatures should be attacking from the air, using their tails to secure a climbing position while throwing spears or rocks from above. The last thing these guys should be doing is engaging in melee. Here's a quote from the 2nd edition Mystara campaign book:
"As a rule, phanatons will not opt for direct attacks on bigger or more numerous foes. Phanatons use the forest setting in order to launch harrying sneak attacks: they are naturally quiet, which gives opponents a -3 penalty to surprise rolls. "
The new phanaton even has a whole d8 for hit points, in stead of 1-1 hit dice. They're buffer, I tells ye. One whole hitpoint per die. Also, halflings averaged 3foot height in the Basic rulebook from 1980. Now they're 2foot 8, with +2d4 which gives you average 3'1". The only reference I see anywhere to a phanaton being 4 feet is its tail, in X1.
Natives also have 1-1 hit dice, which is typical for your basic humanoid-as-monster listing. The listed stats in 339 are for warriors, which are listed in x1 as having d6+4 hit points. If you listed phanatons as commoners they would typically only have 1-3 hp in 3.5 depending on where you place the stats.
I'm sorry, I made a mistake on the 4' reference. However, the phanatons pictured in 339 are still very small in comparison to a halfling. I can't see a halfling laying on Regdar's head.
Does anyone have any comments on my suggestion for phanatons? Is this a balanced +0 LA race that captures the same flavor as X1?
114 added Demogorgon and the Abyss to the Isle of Dread. Using the stats above you could make a moderately challenging encounter with corrupted phanatons. Using the stats in 339 it would be a little more difficult to do this. These guys are supposed to be able to take out bugbears and areneas. They live on the freaking Isle of Dread for Pete's sake...
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Your version generally looks good to me Takasi - if anything, I think you could add low-light vision and still be comfortably within +0 LA.
The only other comment I would make is about brachiation as a feat. Did you make that ability a feat because it actually exists somewhere? It strikes me as an odd feat because I can't picture non-ape humanoids taking it (or, if they do, only taking it at 1st level). Seems like that should be a racial ability rather than a bonus feat.
The only other comment I would make is about brachiation as a feat. Did you make that ability a feat because it actually exists somewhere?
It's from Complete Adventurer. I could have made it a racial ability, but I figured it would work better as a bonus feat (like Dodge for Hadozee) in case there are future feats that have brachiation as a prerequisite.
As for the logic behind it, it's all about Tarzan baby! :) I think he assumption is that characters can learn to use branches and vines in the forest to swing from tree to tree, which basically gives you some of the tactical benefits of flight in forested areas.
Did you mean to make the typical tree leaper 5 hd, or I think that was just a typo(?)
That was a typo, thanks!
Also, can anyone confirm if phanatons are in the Dragon Compendium? I still can't find them.
IMC I may call these jungle phanatons and the ones in 339 forest phanatons. Do you think adding a bite attack and low light vision would break the +0 LA balance?
Also, is it OK to have a small race that doesn't take -2 Str? Maybe I should add that penalty.
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Creative Director
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IMC I may call these jungle phanatons and the ones in 339 forest phanatons. Do you think adding a bite attack and low light vision would break the +0 LA balance?
Also, is it OK to have a small race that doesn't take -2 Str? Maybe I should add that penalty.
Phanatons are not in the Dragon Compendium; they're in issue #339.
Can anybody tell me some typical Phanaton names?
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Rakastas: Will probably not be appearing in Savage Tide. The Isle of Dread is already pretty full of intelligent creatures, and rakastas seem a little "tacked-on" to the island. Especially since there's not a heavy mammal-based theme for most of the isle. There's a chance they may show up in a cameo, but we won't know for sure for some time.
That's also kinda too bad. But I understand the "tacked-on" assertion. The rakastas kind of seemed tacked on in X1 come to think of it. They're still cool, though. If I ever run Savage Tide, I'll have to succeed a WIL save not to sit down and figure out how to tack them on myself.
Kopru: Yes; they're inexoribly tied to the Isle of Dread mythos and will play an important role in Savage Tide. MMII's suggestion that they're related to mind flayers can stay a suggestion, though; Kopru are not related to mind flayers (at least, not in Savage Tide).
Ixitxachitl: I hope they'll be in the campaign at some point. They worship Demogorgon (and have done so since the early days of D&D), so it makes sense that they'll show up at some point even if they aren't specifically tied into the overall plot at this time.
Rakastas: Will probably not be appearing in Savage Tide. The Isle of Dread is already pretty full of intelligent creatures, and rakastas seem a little "tacked-on" to the island. Especially since there's not a heavy mammal-based theme for most of the isle. There's a chance they may show up in a cameo, but we won't know for sure for some time.
Phanatons = check
Kopru = checkIxitxachitl = check
Rakastas = nope
Plus...
Tyrannosaurus (one really, really tough one)
Araneas
Were-jaguars
Leech Swarms
Couatl
Dragon Eel
An Avatar of Camazotz, the Olman bat god
And much, much, more...
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Can anybody tell me some typical Phanaton names?
There are a few literary references to draw from.
I was thinking of introducing one in our Age of Worms Campaign, just for the sake of even more weirdness. I toyed variations of REEPICHEEP from the Narnia chronicles and RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI from the story of the same name.
From that you can get names like:
Rikka-tiva
Rakka-tivi
Tikka-peechee
Pichi-ravi
and so on...you'll eventually find something you can live with.
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Still, rumor is there is at least one rakasta weredeinonychus slinking about in the primordial jungle of the Isle of Dread.
But it was a feverish one eyed, one legged, 7-fingered dropsy-bellied jaundiced lush that told me that, for the price of a cup of grog.
Camazotz, though. That's gonna rock. Thanks for the salivation-inspiring preview, Steve. I am reminded of taking a walk under the bridges in Austin, Texas. Thousands of lairing bats, and flapping swarms departing in the sunset, trickling out into the twilight sky on their nightly forays. And the mammalian barnlike funk that hangs heavy in the air under the bridges. As a visitor to some new place, it made me a little paranoid to know that there was a nation of bats handing some 30 feet above me, chittering their odd choruses among the girders and crannies. It seemed irrational, a fear that a flapping screeching mob of rabid skyrats could descend upon me.
As a visitor to some new place, it made me a little paranoid to know that there was a nation of bats handing some 30 feet above me, chittering their odd choruses among the girders and crannies. It seemed irrational, a fear that a flapping screeching mob of rabid skyrats could descend upon me.
But alas they would only be interested in you if you were a mosquito or a peach...being Mexican fruit bats. A handful of them end up in our yard a couple of times a year (usually nursing mothers with too many babies...which they carry with them as they fly). If you think they stink from under the bridge, try it when your kid brings one in the house in a cardboard box...Yech!
As for ST... can't wait. I was a big fan of the Isle of Dread.
hmm.. multi-empowered awakened T-rex, int 40+.. cha 30 etc..
"civilisation, isnt that what every sentinent being desires?" ;)
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Phanatons = check
Kopru = check
Ixitxachitl = check
Rakastas = nopePlus...
Tyrannosaurus (one really, really tough one)
Araneas
Were-jaguars
Leech Swarms
Couatl
Dragon Eel
An Avatar of Camazotz, the Olman bat god
And much, much, more...
YAY!
and better yet, i have miniatures for almost all of these creatures.
this is turning out to be exactly what i was hoping for!
namaste'
the hamster
As long as there is a stoned ankylosaurus, I'll be happy. (Or was it stegosaurus? I canna' remember...)
If I play in this campaign instead of DMing it, I'm definitely playing a phanaton rogue/sorcerer.
Let's hope that you're DMing it then, monkey-racoonboy ;)
I believe it starts next Spring ;) Happy hunting!
Phanatons = check
Kopru = check
Ixitxachitl = check
Rakastas = nope
This sounds really promising! I agree with others that it would be cool to see some appearance of Rakasta even if not as natives of the Isle of Dread.
The Phanatons are a cool race, I would love to play one myself, though I will probably more likely DM this adventure path.
I am also looking forward to seeing what will be done with the Kopru. This race has alot of potential, though the artwork from MM2 doesnt really do it justice!
Håvard
Takasi, I like your phanaton but it's ability scores are unbalanced. A bonus to a physical ability score needs minuses to 2 mental abilities or 1 other physical one.
My suggestions would be:
Drop the -2 to Cha
Give them a -2 to Str
Give them Low-light vision
Give them a +2 to Jump.
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Creative Director
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Takasi, I like your phanaton but it's ability scores are unbalanced. A bonus to a physical ability score needs minuses to 2 mental abilities or 1 other physical one.
My suggestions would be:
Drop the -2 to Cha
Give them a -2 to Str
Give them Low-light vision
Give them a +2 to Jump.
I'd disagree with that, actually. Sure, the DMG suggests it, but the Dwarf sets the precedance against it with his +2 CON and –2 CHA. Personally, I think the suggestions in the DMG about how to balance ability scores seem silly—I don't buy the theory that (with the excption, possibly, of CON) any one ability score is better than the other, since there are so many different character classes and each has different types of needs as far as those ability scores go.
I'd disagree with that, actually. Sure, the DMG suggests it, but the Dwarf sets the precedance against it with his +2 CON and –2 CHA. Personally, I think the suggestions in the DMG about how to balance ability scores seem silly—I don't buy the theory that (with the excption, possibly, of CON) any one ability score is better than the other, since there are so many different character classes and each has different types of needs as far as those ability scores go.
I agree with this part. However, with the Core races there also seems to be a precedance that races dont get an ability score bonus to an ability associated with their Favored Class.
Håvard
Kopru: Yes; they're inexoribly tied to the Isle of Dread mythos and will play an important role in Savage Tide. MMII's suggestion that they're related to mind flayers can stay a suggestion, though; Kopru are not related to mind flayers (at least, not in Savage Tide).
Ixitxachitl: I hope they'll be in the campaign at some point. They worship Demogorgon (and have done so since the early days of D&D), so it makes sense that they'll show up at some point even if they aren't specifically tied into the overall plot at this time.
Rakastas: Will probably not be appearing in Savage Tide. The Isle of Dread is already pretty full of intelligent creatures, and rakastas seem a little "tacked-on" to the island. Especially since there's not a heavy mammal-based theme for most of the isle. There's a chance they may show up in a cameo, but we won't know for sure for some time.
Phanatons = check
Kopru = check
Ixitxachitl = check
Rakastas = nopePlus...
Tyrannosaurus (one really, really tough one)
Araneas
Were-jaguars
Leech Swarms
Couatl
Dragon Eel
An Avatar of Camazotz, the Olman bat god
And much, much, more...
What, no Oonga the Giant Ape? I feel gipped! ;)
What, no Oonga the Giant Ape? I feel gipped! ;)
Check out the Farshore backdrop article in issue 143 for something close.
Check out the Farshore backdrop article in issue 143 for something close.
I'm sorry. I cannot accept any pale imitations when it comes to giant apes. There is only one Oonga! ;)
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Funny, the X1 phanaton and the Dragon #339 phanaton look identical to me, just the newer picture is in color.They don't like alike IMO. In the X1 illustration the face is thinner and the ears larger, making the face not as small in comparison to the body. The head is freakishly huge in 339. My biggest peeve though is in the arms; in X1 they are very long like a monkey's arms and muscular and in 339 they're proportionally shorter than most humanoids and seem fat and weak. They also don't match the common description in the Mystara books: "A phanaton's coloration resembles a raccoon, with a dark mask over the eyes, gray-brown fur, and a ringed tail. "
You probably own the later, 1983 reprint (with the orange cover) on the Isle of Dread. Heathansson probably has the original 1981 printing of X1 (with the blue cover), because the illustration in Dragon 339 looks like it was based off the 1981 illustrations.
I also don't like how they're portrayed as attackers. They're supposed to use simple wooden tools and according to their stats they can't use their tails to hold objects yet they're wielding fine metal daggers. These creatures should be attacking from the air, using their tails to secure a climbing position while throwing spears or rocks from above. The last thing these guys should be doing is engaging in melee.
The illustration in Dragon 339 is pretty much a tip o' the hat to the frontispiece of the original '81 X1--where a group of five phanatons are attacking an adventurer while wielding metal daggers with their prehensile tails.
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Regardless of the name of the creature, can anyone check the monster I posted and let me know if it looks like a balanced +0 LA character?
Balance-wise, it looks okay from where I stand, but I've got to quest two aspects of your conversion...
1) Why a -2 Cha as opposed to Str, Con, Wis or even Int?
2) Why Aquan and Abyssal for bonus languages? Considering their ties to treants and dryads and being friendly with elves, I would have gone with Sylvan and Elven.
But those aren't really a big deal as far as mechanical balance.