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Sorry if this has been asked somewhere else.
One of my players recently noticed that the Jabberwokky is on the front of Bestiary 2. He is quite the Lewis Carrol fan, almost hardcore, and he pointed out that he was somewhat sad that it no longer had it's waistcoat, (link) so I told him that I'd be more than happy to add it's waistcoat if when I used one.
Then I got to thinking:
So since I'll be using this creature at some point in a campaign, what, if anything, should the waistcoat do? At first I thought a simple bonus to AC, but that's hardly fun. Then I thought it should be a Waist coat of the Archmage, then I realized that's too powerful.
Any ideas from some diehard Alice fans or perhaps some snide remarks?
Sorry if this has been asked somewhere else.
I'd frankly be amazed if someone had thought to ask this question before.
I'd hazard to guess that Tenniel's (the original artist) intention was that the Jabberwock, though a monster, was still possessed a sense of propriety and fashion in keeping with victorian ideals. Alternatively, the Jabberwock was merely afraid of catching a chill while whiffling through the tulgey wood and so worn sensible clothing to prevent such an unfortunate eventuality. Yeah, I'm a hardcore Lewis Carrol fan. ;)
Once, after harvesting the claws and teeth of a slain jabberwock, one of my players crafted himself a pectoral which I decided granted him some measure of the jabberwock's trademark abilities. IIRC it granted him a +5 to hit and damage when making unarmed attacks or granted him an equal bonus on grappling checks twice a day; "the jaws that bite, the claws that catch". When activated his eyes would burn like flames, he'd burble deafeningly and his hands would be sheathed in huge spectral "catching" claws until he made his attack roll. It worked for him since he was a monk.
Alternatively it could simply grant its wearer the ability to "whiffle" like a jabberwock; i.e. fly as per the spell one or more times a day.
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Once, after harvesting the claws and teeth of a slain jabberwock, one of my players crafted himself a pectoral which I decided granted him some measure of the jabberwock's trademark abilities. IIRC it granted him a +5 to hit and damage when making unarmed attacks or granted him an equal bonus on grappling checks twice a day; "the jaws that bite, the claws that catch". When activated his eyes would burn like flames, he'd burble deafeningly and his hands would be sheathed in huge spectral "catching" claws until he made his attack roll. It worked for him since he was a monk.Alternatively it could simply grant its wearer the ability to "whiffle" like a jabberwock; i.e. fly as per the spell once a day.
A lot of cool stuff up there, definetly something I'll use if they make something from the Jabberwock (my players are always playing the "make stuff from monsters" card).
However, I'm still wondering if the jacket would give the Jabberwock some additional abilities, perhaps like being able to shake off a critical hit though being raged afterward (one use item, you destroy it, the owner becomes angry at being defrocked, as he's either cold or now not following Victorian ideals)
I think it'd be more in keeping with the whimsy of the waistcoat if it didn't give the Jabberwock a mechanical bonus in combat; not everything has to be geared for combat after all. I'd prefer to surprise my players with something unexpected though in keeping with the Jabberwock's First World Origins. I'd merely treat it as a waistcoat of alluring charisma +2 with the addional benefit of a continual endure elements spell effect.
Cause, lets face it, when looking at Tenniel's drawing the only effect that waistcoat seems to be having in the battle is that it gives the Jabberwock added air of distinction and panache. No self-respecting First World Tane would be caught dead without a proper waistcoat. =)
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Cursed Waistcoat of the Gentleman Knave
Aura: moderate conjuration; CL: 9
Slot: Shoulders; Price: 10,800 GP; Weight: 1 lb.
Description:
On command, this rather dapper green and gold buttoned waistcoat allows the wearer to use the magic of the dimension door spell once per day. When one disappears one leaves behind a puff of smoke, appearing in a similar fashion at one's destination.
Once a character uses the Cursed Waistcoat, each morning one wakes up with a compulsion to don the waistcoat, requiring a DC 19 Will Save to resist the malodorous effect. So long as a character wears the Waistcoat one must always talk like a dandified gentleman of most impeccable breeding.
Construction:
Requirements: Craft Wondrous Item, dimension door; Cost: 5,400 GP
(Basically a cursed cloak of the montebank with a hilarious, negligible drawback).