Thundermare
There's a blog bandwagon with topic of "elements" that I wasn't planning on participating in because I didn't have any posts planned that fit the theme. In the interest of just getting things done, Prismatic Wasteland's Beta Manifesto, "practicing writing", etc., I've decided to give myself 30 minutes to bang out a blog post.
I used to play a lot of Magic: the Gathering. Shocking, I know. It's a game that will always be special to me, even if I never play it again. It can however, still be useful and fun! I can make a monster in a very short time given a bit of inspiration and MtG has a ton of inspiration. Especially the older, cooler sets with more interesting art (pause for laughter). So I:
- Open up Gatherer
- Select the "Search card: types" check box and type "elemental" for the search term.
- In the Card Set drop down select "Tempest" and hit search.
- Repeat with various other sets "Stronghold, Exodus, Mirage, Visions" and finally "Weatherlight".
- Thundermare looks cooooooooool.
OK, I have a magic card to inspire my elemental monster design. It's an elemental horse made out of thunder(?).
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HD: 6*** (just using the mana cost of the card [6])
AC: 14 (as chain) (this is my default for non-humanoid monsters, the Thundermare is fast and slightly amorphous)
Att: 2 x Hooves +6 (1d8)
MV: 300' (100') (faster than a regular horse)
Saves: D13 W12 P12 B10 S13
ML: 7 (this creature is generally flighty and rarely committed to a fight)
AL:Chaotic
XP: 950
NA: 1d2 (-)
TT: (-)
> Thunderclap: The Thundermare appears with a flash of light and a deafening boom. All creatures in the area must save vs paralysis or be stunned for 1d6 rounds, after the stun wears off they take -2 to AC and attack rolls. (This is based on the magic cards second ability)
> Lightning Speed: The Thundermare is always treated as rolling a 6 (on a d6) for initiative. If the PCs also roll a 6 then roll off.
> Mundane damage immunity: may only be damaged by magical attacks, this ability may be negated by throwing soil on the Thundermare (I don't generally like damage immunities, there's probably a more thematically appropriate key out there to bypass than dirt, but whatever)
OK, I'm over time. The hide of the Thundermare is worth 1000gp, and it's hooves are prized for alchemy/spell components!