Snoopy. Advanced White Hair Beagle (Animal Companion)

Should have wrote this beastie for my Candyland game I ran a few months back. But will be going into my random tables very soon!

Snoopy
Advanced White Haired Beagle

Small Sized Fae CR 3

AC 17 touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+4 Dex, +3 natural) 

HD 5D6+15 (32 hp)

Saves Fort +4 Ref +8 Will +4

Init +8

Speed 30 or 50 when running on four paws

BAB +2 CMB +2  CMD +16

Melee +6 bite (1d6) or by weapon +6 (Hammer, Dagger or Slingshot)

Special Attacks Backstab as rogue (Backstab damage as HD for = Rogue Level)

Special Defenses Dmg Reduction 5 / Magic

Skills Climb +7, Bluff +9, Perception +9; Perform (Dance) +8, Knowledge (Geography, Magic, Music) +10, Stealth +12, Swim +8

Feats Track, Dodge, Weapon Finesse, Imp Initiative

Str 11 Con 17 Dex 19. Int 13. Wis 11. Cha 15

Environment Garden or Candyland

Organization Solitary or Pair

Treasure Average (Coins or gems)

Advancement By HD

Many of my NPC ranger types will have an apparently simple white hound as a pet. They are often in the background, ready to do simple tasks for its master or their allies. Often a Snoopy will leave their master for short periods of time to help allies.

An advanced beagle hound - usually white haired dog with small black spots. They appears to be a hound that can stand upright, walk and run erect and manipulate items or devices with considerable skill with their front paws. They have strong connections with both mortals and fey, seemingly always wanting to help - ready in the background for their friends, watching and protecting when they can. Very well regarded by the Faerie in the Dreamlands, they often hang around portals waiting for their many mates. 

A Snoopy is poor in combat as they rarely use weapons and cannot utilize standard armors. But while not strong in direct confrontations they excel as rogues, having an excellent maneuverability, back stab and knowledge skills. A Snoopy does everything they can to help their allies, but is also willing to abandon them if unable to assist them. Most are careful, thoughtful allies trying to be prepared.

Non Target: A Snoopy cannot be specifically targeted by spells, any attempt to target him fails. They can be caught in an area of effect spell where the Snoopy is one of a number of non specified targets. But they cannot be individualized as the target such as with an aiming spell like magic missile.

Imagineering: A Snoopy can add +20 to any skill rolls every day. He can add these bonuses as an non-named adjustment bonus to single or multiple checks, as long as the cumulative adjustment total does not add to more than 20 in any given day.

Advancement A Snoopy gains 6 skill points and +2 DR every new HD, +1 AC every 2 HD. 
Bite damage is increased by dice every 3 HD to the next dice.

Special Attack Backstab : Their backstab attack is always a bite. 

Thorne-Kin (Plant HD character race)

Thornes are a naturally growing sentient plant race found in my game world, their natural colours mimic the natural foliage of the area they reside in.  They see themselves as kin to other plants, and do their best to help protect them. Have small thorns throughout their skin which is a key defense. They also get excellent grapple bonuses at higher levels.

After reviewing my initial racial creature had to adjust them to a higher HD - the base plant defenses made them very powerful for a playable-type race at lower levels.

Thorne-Kin

Abilities: Wis +2, Con +2
Medium Size
Speed 30
Special Abilities: Darkvision, Speak with plant 1/HD every day
Feats Unarmed Strike or Weapon Focus (Club, Mace or Short Sword)
Racial Skill: +2 Climb, +2 Stealth, +6 Knowledge (nature)
Special:  no need for food; need normal human half water requirements and sunlight
Weakness: 2 hour per day must bask in sun;
Weakness: Speed is reduced by 10 ft  during the night or when underground in excess of 12 hours
Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
Immunity to paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep effects, and stunning.
Languages: Common and Sylvan
Classes: Ranger and Druid are preferred classes
Alignment: NG or True N

Skills: Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Knowledge (nature, geography), Perception,                Sense Motive, Stealth, Survival,
Level Increase:  +4 Skill points, feats every other level, +1 AC every other level, +2 to any ability score every third level (3rd/6th/9th)

The Thorne are a plant humanoid race found in every forest on the realm but most common in areas that have a strong elven presence. They are medium sized green-skinned humanoid plant, but fully aware and capable of movement.

Most live quiet simple lives, tending not to get involved in political or commercial affairs. They reside in forests, and try to help their neighbours, especially to help keep balance in the area. Tend towards a passive lifestyle, uninterested in wealth or fame. Most Thorne think of all plants as kin, some are active and some more passive, though none are more important than anyone else. They come to their protection from over-eager lumberjacks. See the animal or avian inhabitants of their region as neighbours.

They do not tend to wear clothing in their rural habitat but may do so in urban areas to better fit in. Few use metal armor and shields, but they may use their feats to gain proficiency. They consume magical potions and use items created from plants, but will always make sure the plant was in its 'final cycle time' meaning if the plant was sentient (by their standards) it was willing to give of itself
as it didnèt have much time left. Some Thornes shy away from any object made from their related-kin but this is a minority. They fully understand the natural cycle and understand their least kin are consumed on a regular basis but since their cycle is short, this is normal and acceptable.

Thornes rarely come together in groups of more than ten except in times of danger. They realize they need to have their eyes and ears everywhere in order to better protect their kin. Have good relationships with elves, halflings, rangers but above all druids. Most quietly worship the gods, usually either the Lady of the Forest (Holon, N) or the Shining Light (Quanna, LG) most often both.

Thorne HD Advancement

4 HD: Skin of the forest, +1/ HD to stealth checks; Woodland Stride,
5 HD: Thorne Skin (+1 dmg for touch attack, +2 Grapple checks); Improved Grapple
6 HD: Animal friendship and Speak with Animals (1+1/charisma bonus/day)
7 HD  Plantspeech - non-verbal communication with any plant in a 500 ft radius (1 /day)
8 HD Thorne Skin (2-4 dmg for touch attack, +6 Grapple checks); Woodland Protector
9 HD Woodland Defenses
10 HD Throw Thornes (2-7 dmg / 50 foot area, 3+constitution bonus / day)
11 HD Hardened Thorne Skin (5-8 for touch attack; +12 to grapple)
12 HD Commune with Forest (500 mile radius; 1 /week );  +15 Skill points, Gain +3 to any 2 ability scores

Most Thorne that advance do so using this HD advancement table. If they take standard character classes before 12 HD, they cannot take new natural HD levels.

Skin of the forest: Their coloration matches the natural foliage of a forest, giving them a +1 bonus / HD to their stealth checks

Thorne Skin: Similar to many natural flowers, their entire body grows small defensive thorns. They cause damage by coming into contact with predators. This also gives bonuses to grapple checks.

Woodland Protector: Can infuse a small spark of their sentience to a plant defender. Must take 2 months to grow and teach the golem. Appear as a vaguely humanoid walking plant. Most are stationary, most do not travel with their Thorne, but stay in a primary lair. This is the base woodland protector, some get help from other Thornes or allies to grow larger and stronger versions.

AC           15   (+3 Natural, +2 Dex)    

Move       30    

HD           5 HD 

Attack       +6 / 2-8 dmg (Fist)

Str 15    Con 15     Dex 15     Int 5   Wis 10    Cha 5
Special Defenses: Regenerate 1 hp / hour

Woodland Defenses: Gain +3 on AC and saving throws when in natural foliage, as the plants help protect their kin. Gain this benefit (2+ charisma bonus/day)  

Throw Thornes: Have a 50 feet range, doing 2-7 damage

Winged Monkeys

Another one of the Candyland Monsters that will make an appearance at a local con I am doing very soon. This is a winged pest, that once served evil masters but today is mostly a nuisance.  They make a great companion for evil druids or witches.

Winged Monkeys

Small Sized Magical Beast

Init +1      
Senses low-light vision; Perception +3

AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+2 natural, +2 Dex, +1 Size)

HP 16 (3d8+3)

Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +0 DR 1/cold iron

Speed 30 ft. Fly 50 (Average)

Melee 2 claws +4 (1d3+1), Bite +4 (1d4+1)

Special Attacks Swoop

Str 12, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 5, Wis 9, Cha 8

Base Atk +5; CMB +3; CMD 15

Feats Weapon Focus (claw),Multi-Attack

Skills Fly+10 , Perception+3 Survival +4, Stealth+3; Bonus +8 on Fly

Alignment: Neutral (Evil)

Environment Candyland

Organization Small Flock (3-12) o Large Flock (30 - 120)

Treasure Quarter 

Advancement 4-6 HD (Medium); 7-10 HD (Large)

Swoop: Gain a +3 bonus on a single claw attack  if they are able swoop down ten feet down during combat. 

It is believed these creatures were an experiment in cross-breeding by one of Candyland's former Witch Mistresses. They have since escaped and bred wild. 

At one time, their flocks numbered in the hundreds, and they could turn the bright pink sky black as they descended to attack creatures or travelers. But when their masters lost access to the huge revell (corn) fields, they could not be controlled and the flocks broke apart to look for food on their own. Now they mostly survive by raiding or harassing farmlands or sniping travelers.. They can be quite cunning, using their stealth to sneak in and take small objects but they usually just us their numbers to take what they want by strength.

This is the typical specimen, there are more advanced versions that sometimes advance HD in fighter, rogue or druid levels. Some evil druids select these creatures as minions but only if they have been to Candyland previously.

Dral (Shadow Elves)

As much as I adored the Dark Elf stories, that's not really the type of elf I like to use. These forest elves are intelligent, hard-working and very social. They are unlikely to back down from an honorable duel. Their numbers are low but they have many allies willing to come to their aid - though they have never actually needed it.

Dral (Shadow Elves)

NG Medium Humanoid
Init +3 Senses Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 16 touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +3 Leafy Armour)
hp 9 hp (2d8)
Fort +3, Ref +3,Will +1

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee Scimitar +5 (1d6)
Ranged Long Bow +5 (1d6)

STATISTICS

Str 10, Dex 16, Con 10, Int13, Wis 11, Cha 15
Base Atk +1 CMB +2 CMD 15
Feats Point Blank Shot or Weapon Finesse
Skills: Craft (Any) +3, Perform (Any) +3, Knowledge (History) +3, Diplomacy: +3 Perception +4

Languages: Fey, Dral, Common
Location: Primarily Oromos Wood (Only known Homeland)
Organization: Pair, Patrol (3-9) or Tribe (600+)
Treasure: Standard

A dark hued elf with black hair, wearing dark green leafy armor and armed with a scimitar approaches.

Dral or sometimes Tree-Shadow Elves are dark-skinned elves with a deep interest in music, lore and all things fey. They collect books, scrolls and scrying devices, but pay most handsomely for diaries or other pieces of historical antiquity. Honorable to a fault, and have kept a 1,000-year pact with the Oromian monarchy. They resent intrusion into their forest-homes and repay it with deadly action. They sometimes invite bards, clerics or wizards into their homes to share or trade information. These elves are wonderful musicians – but they rarely perform for others.

Some humans who are unaware of Dral society and their honour-bound oaths sometimes get them mixed up with strange Fey stories of underground, evil savages living in huge cities. Drow society has never existed on Nyssa, although individual Dral may be evil.

Scimitar and bow are their primary weapons but they have the ability to manipulate sound. Due to their hiding skills, nobody can truly threaten a Dral in a forest if they want to remain hidden.

As Characters
+2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma, -1 Strength
+1 Scimitar or bow
Other abilities per standard elf

Preferred Classes: Bard, Druid, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard (Enchanter)

Dral usually have twelve levels in any one preferred class. If they deviate or take dual class, they are limited to 10th level.

1st level: Envelope in Shadow (+5 to Hide in Forest Shadows)
3rd level: Audible Glamour (1+cha bonus/day)
5th level: Audible Repetition  (1+cha bonus/day)
7th level: Audible Damper   (1+cha bonus/day)
9th level: Freedom of Movement

Audible Glamour: Create Sound; DC 12 to recognize fake sound
Audible Repetition: Repeat one word to create an Enthrall effect; DC 15 to avoid
Audible Damper: Reduce sound range by half; +10 on an opponent’s perception check DCs
Freedom of Movement: As per the spell of the same name in their natural terrain

Disenchanter Beast (multi-tiered template)

I have used these creatures a lot in my dungeons to explain why magic items can be rare. These creatures seek it out and feed on it, not evil creatures but natural ones who are following their instincts. They affect enchanted magic items only, so in my world that means created items. Many simple items are natural and these cannot be enhanced nor drained. These creatures are often raised by non-magic using species to temper the threat of spell-casters.

Disenchanter Beast (3 template bases - Lesser, Greater, Master)

Size and type: does not change
Hit Dice Adjustment: +2 HD or +6 HD or +10 HD
Speed: As original creature

Armor Class: +3 deflection bonus for Lesser, +6 bonus for Greater; +12 bonus for Master
Attack: As per the original creature plus HD bonus
Full Attack: As per the original creature
Spell resistance: SR 15 / SR 20 / SR 25
Special Abilities: Drain Magic, Sense Magic: Anti-Magic Aura, Awakened Ferocity
Special Qualities: Dmg Reduction 3/5/10

Abilities: As base creature plus  +2 / +4 / +8 on any three ability scores
Skills: +5 on perception checks and sense motive; +3 to skill checks for every additional HD attained

Environment: Remote locations
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually Neutral

Drain Magic: Magic items that touches a disenchanter beast must save vs Will DC 25 / 30 / 35 or be nullified. Items with charges lose all charges, if it is a permanent magic item, the lose it's magic properties for 1d12 hours / 1d3 days / 2d4 days.

Sense Magic: Can sense the presence of any magic (spells or items) in the radius of 500 feet.

Anti-Magic Aura: Magic has a hard time working in a disenchanters presence. Casters must make a concentration check DC 20/25 /30 to be able to cast spells within 50 ft of a disenchanter beast. Items with charges lose three times / five / ten the required charge every time they are used in the 50 ft radius.

Awakened Ferocity: Disenchanters gain a +5 morale bonus if disturbed from their sleep; this bonus applies to all saves, attacks and skills.

Reduced Stealth: When their scales flare due to the presence of magic, they suffer a -5 / -10 / -15 to their stealth checks as their blue scales flare brightly

These creatures were originally breed by the Society of  Contemplation - a neutral aligned cult dedicated to creating magic free areas but they eventually escaped to breed wild and true. Now they usually exist as wild creatures inhabiting herds of their base animal. Most common known herds include:snakes, gorillas, bears, wolves, ferrets and eagles

They are similar in size and shape with their base creature, except they always have light blue skin with dark electric blue triangles spot their body. When in the presence of magic their skin flares to dark blue. These creatures feed on magic items, which they can naturally sense up to 500 feet away.

Disenchanters are passive creatures, attacking only when other beings approach them. It is difficult for adventurers to approach them, as the presence of magic aggravates them to the point of aggression. Items left within 50 feet of the snake’s presence for more than 24 hours; permanently loses their dweomer without a saving throw. For this reason, adventurers avoid disenchanters whenever possible. If they snatch powerful items, they retreat to their lair, curl around it and sleep. In this hibernation, they are actually more aware of their surroundings then when awake as per their ferocity ability.

These creatures often run in the same packs that their base creature come from, with one or two members being of the disenchanter variety and the rest being standard beasts. They are fully compatible with non-magic versions of themselves but their offspring is 90% likely to have disenchanter abilities. Disenchanters, regardless of their type never attack other spell-draining creatures; few are able to communicate with each other but they inherently understand that they share a goal. Most of the oldest varieties haunt lonely tombs, spires and abandoned lairs.

There are a few places that successfully use these creatures to curb the presence of magic. Most fail as they cannot preserve the creatures ferocity with their need to control them. The best, such as the spire city of Lecenna, have wild disenchanter monkeys roaming around, stopping magical threats but limiting their own spell-casters capacities.

Holon - Goddess of Balance (Druids, Land, Nature the Holy Circle)

This is the druid`s goddess of life, whom many believe is the incarnation of the world itself.

Holon

Alignment: Neutral
Follower's Alignment: Any (Usually Neutral based)
Favored Color: Green,  Associated: White, Beige, Black
Holy Days: None - local fests are used to promote
Sacrifice: Time - payment is their primary payment
Patron: Druids
Familiar Form: Any animal
Domains: Animal, Community, Plant, Air, Earth, Fire, Water; 
Prohibited Domains: Evil, Good, Law and Chaos 
Titles: Brother or Sister (of the Land, of the Circle, of Balance)

Earth Mother. Druid Guide, Spirit of the land. Bosom of life. Lady of druids. Lady of balance. Blessed Lady. Cradle. Gaia. Holon has more names and titles than any other power on Nyssa, because many believe she is Nyssa herself. She is life, or perhaps better described, she is the cosmic balance that offers life. Law, Chaos, Good, Evil and all shades of neutrality exist inside of her, and she and her followers ensure that balance is always maintained.

Life and the living are her primary cause, especially creatures and plants with sub-intelligence. Druids, her direct and closest followers, say that animals and plants are more blessed because they do not rationalize their devotion to the mother goddess – for they are always beholden to her in all of their actions. Other beings – the civilized races and the most powerful monsters that pervert the blessings. Holon provides everything they need to exist, and while she doesn’t want payment or adoration, she does expect them to respect the balance. Anyone living their life in harmony with the land, and the creatures within it is following her ways, perhaps more than even the druids, who follow her by contemplating nature and how to best to serve her. True instinct, past the mind or will, is guided by her, or so, nysarians of all types believe.

When these intelligent races or creatures, pillage the land, the elements, and take more than they need, that the balance is tilted. Some might say she sends animals and elements to punish these intelligent creatures who would upset the balance, but this is not entirely true. She allows the balance to take care of itself, and the land does what it must. But even when the land is harmed, by beseeching to the eternal mother, many communities can save themselves from harm.

Because her worship is so all encompassing, there is little to distinguish her followers from each other. Their rituals, dress and prayer substantially vary according to the regions. Druids often wear green, with an assortment of other local colours. She is the only faith that doesn’t specifically require obelisks, but some do in fact create wooden obelisks as a way of explaining her devotion to others accustomed to these traditions. They are far from the only ones who worship her, some in fact claim that druids themselves are a civilized order and a much older faith truly represents the Blessed Lady.

Druids in her service, usually live communally, sharing their basic needs. They don't give titles based on power levels, rather its service and success, so in many groves, low level druids can lead the community. Unlike other religious communities, the faithful don't participate or lead in religious services with prayer or song, the faithful need only to meditate in any rural area to complete their daily devotional. Druids from every race openly welcome each other, and share information, gossip and spirit. Each may have distinct personal or local traditions, but druids never hold an ideal, knowing that all ways are true if they serve the balance, they change just as the seasons do. While many circles, as their communities are called, hold fests on certain days - especially during seasonal equinoxes, these are unofficial, the ideal is how you live your life, and taking time each day to cherish and promote balance.

Her familiar form is any animal, however, its eyes are totally a bright glowing green. Her avatar form is unique because she doesn’t really have a specific one. When she needs an avatar to act, she directly inhabits the body of the faithful. Because she is of the land, her spirit can not be dismissed or banished. However, death to the avatar means the spirit of the slain will be reborn within another, willing to serve the cause.

Her blessing is the ideal players should try to uphold. How they keep these ideals should be left to the player.


Holon’s Blessing
Life perseveres
The balance is a dance
And we all sing the music
Actions done or undone
Words spoken or left unsaid
The balance will be held
Raw emotion or calculated logic
Steps out of key
For balance is the way
Action, re-action a child’s game
Cause, effect played by the fool