The monster is temporarily in a PDF file here:
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Particularly as to whether the creature seems appropriately powered for its level.
Thanks!
While cool, Watery Grave seems overpowered for a standard level 5 creature. Fey laughter is an interesting power, but is within hearing a definable rule like within sight? Can the PCs pierce the Rusalka's illusion? Also, shouldn't the Rusalka have the aquatic sub-type and a swim speed?
While cool, Watery Grave seems overpowered for a standard level 5 creature. Fey laughter is an interesting power, but is within hearing a definable rule like within sight? Can the PCs pierce the Rusalka's illusion? Also, shouldn't the Rusalka have the aquatic sub-type and a swim speed?
Good points. I suppose I could give the fey laughter a defined range rather than saying in hearing, as that's rather vague and doesn't give as much guidance as it could.
I'm not sure about piercing the illusion. I'm not even sure how that works in 4E - have to get back to the rule book.
Aquatic and swim - I think you're right about that as well.
EDIT: Yeah, and Watery Grave - that's the one that is causing me the most concern. With saves as they are in 4E I think it's survivable, because even once you're dying you've got a decent chance to survive, but if the dice roll poorly it could be pretty destructive to the party.
The monster is temporarily in a PDF file here:
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Particularly as to whether the creature seems appropriately powered for its level.
Thanks!
1) C.J. Cherryh rocks
2) I would reduce the damage on force pulse and make it at will.
Yeah Cherryh is cool. This monster is also inspired by the 3.5E Rusalka from Iron Kingdoms, but I was thinking of Cherryh's book as well.
Not a bad idea on the force pulse. I'll think about that. Ensures that the Rusalka doesn't run out of stuff to do - we want it to have fun and be able to contribue meaningfully every round, after all :)
Your monster is actually my first exposure to the 4e monster set-up. It looks very interesting. I need to check 4th edition out, just to see how it works.
EDIT: Yeah, and Watery Grave - that's the one that is causing me the most concern. With saves as they are in 4E I think it's survivable, because even once you're dying you've got a decent chance to survive, but if the dice roll poorly it could be pretty destructive to the party.
It is definitely survivable given the way the saving throw mechanic works (you do have to fail 5 saving throws to eventually die), but it is a close burst six that automatically affects everyone within range, leaving them dazed for at least one round (with exceptions). I would dial the range back a bit and target the Will or Fortitude defense. It should probably be a standard action usable once per encounter, instead of a minor action useable once per encounter.
BTW, what are its stats, skills, alignment, and languages?
BTW, what are its stats, skills, alignment, and languages?
Haven't got that far yet. I wanted to make sure I get what I have more or less balanced, and then go from there.
I like your suggestions for Watery Grave. Have to do some tweaking on that power.
Your monster is actually my first exposure to the 4e monster set-up. It looks very interesting. I need to check 4th edition out, just to see how it works.
Cool. Check it out, you might like it. In my case, it doesn't replace 3.5 (and I'll be switching to Pathfinder). It's quite different. So I'm playing both :)
I really like the flavor of the monster, particularly the fae step which allows it to stay mobile on the battlefield.
As to the laugh, I'd crib the mechanic for other sonic attacks and holy words, etc. A ten square burst centered on the target.
I think the katar is a strange choice for a weapon. I'd either argue for something easy to hide and draw like a knife--or even teeth and claws maybe, or else something that feels more fey, like a sickle maybe. katars are a bit unweildy for a disguised enemy to don suddenly and convey a weird middle-eastern vibe.
As for the watery aura ability, you might count it as a choke ability (based off the choker) where it does a certain about of suffocation damage each round until you end the affect, which I would argue would leave the target prone and dazed in a coughing fit.
The shapechanging illusion would work off of both entries in the glossary at the end of the book. You'd get a will save to resist it, or else she would look physically however she wants, while retaining her same stats. She wouldn't be able to change the look of her gear or outfit.
As for the force pulse I wonder if having it be a blast is as fun as it would be if it were more of a single target at range thing. She's already got a lot of multi-target effects. It'd be nice to see her have something that could tag a foe across a map from her. I like the idea of little willow wisps of energy, like blown kisses, flying out of her open palm to blast people and knock 'em on their rears.
I really like the flavor of the monster, particularly the fae step which allows it to stay mobile on the battlefield.
As to the laugh, I'd crib the mechanic for other sonic attacks and holy words, etc. A ten square burst centered on the target.
Thanks, I'll take a look at those. I like the idea.
I think the katar is a strange choice for a weapon. I'd either argue for something easy to hide and draw like a knife--or even teeth and claws maybe, or else something that feels more fey, like a sickle maybe. katars are a bit unweildy for a disguised enemy to don suddenly and convey a weird middle-eastern vibe.
Yeah, I can't remember why I even picked that weapon to start with. It was one of the first things I added to the monster. Doesn't quite feel right, does it?
As for the watery aura ability, you might count it as a choke ability (based off the choker) where it does a certain about of suffocation damage each round until you end the affect, which I would argue would leave the target prone and dazed in a coughing fit.
I'll take a look at that one as well. As noted above, Watery Grave might be a bit much for a level 5 monster when it can end in death just from the effect. Got some thinking to do on that one.
The shapechanging illusion would work off of both entries in the glossary at the end of the book. You'd get a will save to resist it, or else she would look physically however she wants, while retaining her same stats. She wouldn't be able to change the look of her gear or outfit.
Cool. I'll look that up.
As for the force pulse I wonder if having it be a blast is as fun as it would be if it were more of a single target at range thing. She's already got a lot of multi-target effects. It'd be nice to see her have something that could tag a foe across a map from her. I like the idea of little willow wisps of energy, like blown kisses, flying out of her open palm to blast people and knock 'em on their rears.
I actually initially had it written as a single target, then changed it. But you're right - she's already get multi-target effects. I like the fluff too!
Good ideas.
This forum has been great - everyone in the thread has provided some nice feedback.
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm taking the monster down and heading to the drawing board :)
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm taking the monster down and heading to the drawing board :)
Im sorry if I missed this but, why not small humanoids? No sexy halfling lasses to lure the little rivermen from thier boats? In General I think it should affect both genders, but that is me.
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm taking the monster down and heading to the drawing board :)Im sorry if I missed this but, why not small humanoids? No sexy halfling lasses to lure the little rivermen from thier boats? In General I think it should affect both genders, but that is me.
Hmmm...yeah I suppose you could have a halfling version of the Rusalka - that's not a bad idea. I don't know about affecting both genres. Maybe it affects males and lesbians? :)
Hmmm...yeah I suppose you could have a halfling version of the Rusalka - that's not a bad idea. I don't know about affecting both genres. Maybe it affects males and lesbians? :)Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm taking the monster down and heading to the drawing board :)Im sorry if I missed this but, why not small humanoids? No sexy halfling lasses to lure the little rivermen from thier boats? In General I think it should affect both genders, but that is me.
Well, the idea would be that there are male ones as well.
Can't use the 'Fey Step' write up as it is. GSL thing, so it may not apply depending on what you want to do with it.
Huh? He's not a company nor is this for money. I don't see how the GSL applies.
In other words if he plans to publish this someday. I think he's just trying to look out for the guy and think ahead a little.