Expedition to the Barrier Peaks Dark Sun Adaptation

Setting
#7

All lighting within the ship is not only the original blue color of the sun, but also has most of the same properties. This is because the ship absorbs radiation from the outside and selectively admits it into the ship. Lights can be activated or deactivated by using the light switches at the doors. These can vary the light admited to the room according to the will of the user. Normally, the ship does not allow the light in a particular room to reach dangerous levels. However, the ship has been malfunctioning, and in some rooms the light is permanently stuck off, or worse at dangerously high levels. The second case (referred to as “blue zones”) deals 1d4 fire damage per round to those in the room or standing at the doorway, and those without proper eye protection must take a DC 15 save vs blindness upon first exposure, DC 10 the next round, and DC 5 each round thereafter spent in the zone.

Sun Clerics and beings with the sun descriptor are effected interestingly while the lights are on. Sun Clerics are treated as being one level higher for purpose of domain spells and powers. Creatures with the sun descriptor gain a temporary hit die which also counts when determine the effect caster level of their powers (if any). Both cases rise to 2 in a Blue Zone. However, they are subjected to a blue colored Faerie Fire spell of their cleric level or equivalent caster level while in lighted regions or blue zones. All clerics and templars are treated as one level higher for the purpose of turning and rebuking undead, and this is again doubled in a blue zone.

Beings which utilize photosynthesis regenerate at one HP per round in lighted portions of the ship, and 2 per round in blue zones. However, since most being that utilize photosynthesis are plants, which are often vulnerable to fire, they tend to avoid Blue zones. Interestingly, blue zones are free of Guthay Fungi, and the heat produced purifies the air within. As such, DC saves against the disease in such regions are reduced to 10

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#8

Symbiomech
Usually Medium Construct (Life-Shaped Construct)
Languages: Understands host’s commands
AC 22
(+2 Dex, +9 natural)
hp 40 (5 HD); DR 5/slashing
Immune poison, disease, paralysis, sleep effects, stunning
Fort +5, Ref +2, Will -1
+4 Listen, +2 Spot
Weakness vulnerability to defiling
Speed (with host only) 20 ft. land, 20 ft. water, 5 ft. space (but not air)
Melee (with host only) slam (1d8+9)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +8; Grp +13
Abilities Str 20, Dex 15, Con 20, Int 8, Wis 8, Cha 8
SQ empathic link, life-shaped construct traits, photosynthesis, Life Support, shared will, graft compatible, senses, war-machine

  • The Symbiomech grants a +10 racial bonus on Hide checks due to active camouflage

Empathic Link (Ex) The mech has an empathic link with its host. The mech can perceive what the host perceives using its sight, hearing, taste, smell and vice-versa.
Photosynthesis (Ex) As a full-round action, the mech can sink roots into the soil to extract water and nutrients. An hour of being immobile this way is enough to feed itself and its host a day. Durring this time, it may also restore the hit points of the mech by 1d6 per minute. This ability can be used only in an area with sunlight. The restoration is modified as follows: for each terrain level lower than abundant -1 (lowest 0), for ark lighted regions +2, for blue zones +4, for the paraelemental plane of sun +3. The Mech can root itself anywhere on the ark.
Life Support: The Symbiomech is equipped with an organ which can create and store breathable air. By entering photosynthesis mode, the mech can produce the equivalent of 3 hours worth of breathable air per hour. If the host is in the mech, one of these is used to provide air to it for that hour, reducing productivity to 2 per hour. It can only store up to 16 hours worth of air this way. Alternatively, if in an area with breathable air that it contaminated somehow (Guthay Fungus, Grey Death), the suit can passively filter the air. This ability allows the host to share the Mech’s immunities while inside, and also allows the character to breath normally while in the suit in conditions it would normally be unable to (deep space, under water, ect)
Shared Will (Ex): Both the mech and its host use either the mech’s Will save or the host’s, whichever is better.
Graft Compatible: A symbiomech is compatible with any life-shaped grafts appropriate to it’s size.
War-machine (Ex) The Symbiomech always gains the maximum hit points possible per Hit Die.
Senses: low-light and darkvision (30 ft.) improved vision, improved hearing and smell (Scent ability) and basic touch senses.

In order to be used, a character must get inside first. This is normally done by climbing its back. There is a seam running down its back, from its neck to the base of its spine. It can be open only if the Mech wishes it so, which it normally does unless occupied. Any Rhistuli, Rhul-Thuan, Halfling, Gnome, Pyreen, Goblin, Kobold, Shadow Giant, or Dwarf can operate it. Once inside, thousands of tiny tendrils penetrate the characters’ skin and join to his nervous system. The Symbiomech can communicate with its host directly through his nervous system. It’s a sort of biological, non-magic, non-psionic form of telepathy. A host does not need to breathe, eat or drink while inside the Symbiomech (see photosynthesis, above). The host provides the neural hookups that operate its muscles. Without a host, it is incapable of moving.

This is my first write up for a creature of any sort. Please look over it and provide critique. Specifically, if you see any glaring errors or things I missed, please tell me.

My next project is the Biodroid and Bioreplica stat write-ups.

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#9

Biodroids and Bioreplicas are to different variations of the same type of creature. They are, interestingly, fully sentient and capable of taking class levels, and yet a life-shaper can make them with some effort. A Bioreplica is a more advanced form of a Biodroid.

Biodroid:

  • +2 Constitution, –2 Charisma, -2 Str
  • Small: As a Small creature, a Biodroids 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 than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
  • Base land speed is 20 feet.
    • Tough Skin: +2 armor bonus. This plating is natural armor.
    • Light Fortification (Ex): When a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on a Biodroid, there is a 25% chance that the critical hit or sneak attack is negated and damage is instead rolled normally.
    • A Biodroid has a natural weapon in the form of a slam attack that deals 1d4 points of damage.
    • Graft Compatible: Biodroids are compatible with all forms of lifeshaping grafts.
    • Resilient: Biodroids are immune to all disease, poison, nausea, fatige, and exhaustion effects, and do not require air or food or sleep. It must still photosynthesize.
    • Lifelike Appearance. Distinguishing a life-shaped creature from an animal or magical beast requires a DC 20 Spot check.
    • Vulnerability to defiling. A life-shaped construct in a defiling radius suffers 1 damage per spell level due to its plant nature.
    • Rhulisti Master: biodroids are built to take orders from Rhulisti and Bioreplicas. A Biodroid must make a DC 20 will save to resist the commands of a Rhulisti. This save changes to DC 15 vs Rhul-Thuans and Bioreplicas, DC 10 vs halflings, shadow giants, and pyreens and DC 5 vs and Zik-Chil. The given creature must speak a language the bioreplica knows to benefit from this affect.
    • Can be affected by spells and powers that target living creatures as well by those that target constructs.
    • Photosynthesis (Ex) As a full-round action, the Biodroid can sink roots into the soil to extract water and nutrients. 8 hours of being immobile this way is enough to feed itself each day. During this time, it may also restore it’s hir points by 1d4 per minute. This ability can be used only in an area with sunlight. The restoration is modified as follows: for each terrain level lower than abundant -1 (lowest 0), for ark lighted regions +2, for blue zones +4, for the paraelemental plane of sun +3. The Biodroid can root itself anywhere on the ark.
    • Automatic Languages: Rhulisti. Bonus Languages: None.
    • Favored Class: Fighter. A multiclass Biodroid’s fighter class does not count when determining
    whether he takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

Bioreplica:

  • +1 Constitution, -1 Cha, -2 Str, +1 Wis
  • Small: As a Small creature, a Bioreplicas 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 than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
  • Base land speed is 20 feet. 20 ft. water, 5 ft. space (but not air)
    • Tough Skin: +2 armor bonus. This plating is natural armor.
    • Light Fortification (Ex): When a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on a Bioreplica, there is a 25% chance that the critical hit or sneak attack is negated and damage is instead rolled normally.
    • A Bioreplica has a natural weapon in the form of a slam attack that deals 1d4 points of damage.
    • Graft Compatible: Bioreplica are compatible with all forms of lifeshaping grafts.
    • Resilient: Bioreplica are immune to all disease, poison, nausea, fatige, and exhaustion effects, and do not require air or food or sleep. It must still photosynthesize.
    • Immune to fear effects
    • Lifelike Appearance. Distinguishing a life-shaped creature from an animal or magical beast requires a DC 25 Spot check.
    • Vulnerability to defiling. A life-shaped construct in a defiling radius suffers 1 damage per spell level due to its plant nature.
    • Rhulisti Master: bioreplicas are built to take orders from Rhulisti. A Biodroid must make a DC 15 will save to resist the commands of a Rhulisti. This save changes to DC 10 vs Rhul-Thuans and Bioreplicas, and DC 5 vs halflings, shadow giants, and pyreens. The given creature must speak a language the bioreplica knows to benefit from this affect.
    • Can be affected by spells and powers that target living creatures as well by those that target constructs.
    • Photosynthesis (Ex) As a full-round action, the Biodroid can sink roots into the soil to extract water and nutrients. 8 hours of being immobile this way is enough to feed itself each day. During this time, it may also restore it’s hir points by 1d4 per minute. This ability can be used only in an area with sunlight. The restoration is modified as follows: for each terrain level lower than abundant -1 (lowest 0), for ark lighted regions +2, for blue zones +4, for the paraelemental plane of sun +3. The Biodroid can root itself anywhere on the ark.
    • Senses: low-light and darkvision (30 ft.) improved vision, improved hearing and smell (Scent ability) and basic touch senses.
    • Automatic Languages: Rhulisti. Bonus Languages: Tohr-Kreen, Rhul-Thaun, Common, Gith, Halfling, Dromite, Diopsid, Lask, Polygot, Bvavnen, Silthilar, Psurlon
    • Favored Class: Fighter. A multiclass Biodroid’s fighter class does not count when determining
    whether he takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.
    Level Adjustment: +1

Next Project: the Guthay Fungi

#10

Apologies for the delay, in the case that anyone is still reading this. I’m approaching finals week, and so cannot afford spending as much time producing additional content as I did when I started this project. If anyone wishes to continue adaptations, or introduce a new spin on the adventure that I am not considering, please go ahead. I will attempt to begin again in two or three weeks.

#11

How interesting. I know a few anime that would be good sources for bio-weaponry.

How closely would you want to replicate the module?

#12

Go ahead and add some. I am finally finished with finals, so I will begin to add some creatures from Ral and Guthay as I can. Ideas:

Shipboard: Rhulisti, Biodroid, Bioreplica, Symbiomech

Athas: Kreen, Trin, Gith, Lask, Human, Athasian Elf, Athasian Dwarf, Athasian Goblin (Needs Stats), Athasian Pixie (Needs Stats), Athasian Gnome (Needs Stats), Kenku, Aarkrocka

Ral: Dromites, Psurlons, Elder Psurlons, Giant Psurlons, Tsochari, Abeil

Guthay: Shambling Mound, Udoroot, Black Pudding, Diopsid, Silk Wyrm, Silthilar, Myconid, Guthay Fungus

Outer Realms: Mozgriken (Rhulisti based illithid), Neothelid, Ustigilator, Intellect Devourer, Embrac, Kigrid, Saltor, Roper, Urophion, Illithid Larva, Cesserid, Umber Hulk, Truly Horrid Umber Hulk, Neogi, Neogi Spawn, Great Old Master, Flumph, Grell Hatching, Grell, Grell Philosopher, Grell Patriarch

I am open to suggestions

The Moons of Athas
#13

Vibro-blade

An enlarged modified tooth (small) or claw (large) made of a specialized mix of organic crystalline matrix and reinforced enamel grown from a major structural support bone in the body, typically one or more of the primary limbs, the Vibro-blade is joined to the bone with a loose socket well padded with specialized cartilage tweaked for a high rate of regeneration. Thousands of customized myomer-based muscle stands are attached via specially modified ligaments to enable the tooth or claw to vibrate at variable high speeds. Special organs excrete highly specialized carbon monofilaments along the cutting edges, bonded to the crystalline matrix underneath.

The biological costs include increased appetite, unusual food cravings for trace elements and minerals, early onset of bone deterioration, a sensitivity to certain resonant frequencies, and occasionally brain bruising after extended usage due to vibrations transmitted along the skeleton. Further modifications to the brain cavity, teeth, skeletal and muscular structures, digestive track, and hormonal balance to permit the organism to safely ingest the required supplements, and to withstand the vibrational stress, are also required.

Behavioral modifications include an aversion to the blood of the opposite gender to promote successful reproduction, as well as compulsive stropping of the blade-teeth and blade-claws, as these will grow constantly until death.

#14

Could you right up some weapons statistics for those? I am working on species right now.

#15

No need really. Just borrow the stats from the tech equivalent in d20 future and d20 future tech. As 3.x is d20, so is Athas. We can check the d20 modern srd and see if they have any stats.

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#16

Now that it has been brought up, some of the alien races might be useful sources of life shaped entities. Not to mention the powered armor fit the ones already mentioned above.

#17

I do already have symbiomechs. They work as powered armor.

#18

Yes, I saw that above. I was thinking it might be useful to compare, is all.

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#19

I see. I’ll take a look at my d20 manuals when I get the chance. The symbiomech is based off the Green Rhul artifact in the life-shaping handbook if you want to take a look at it.

#20

Amplified Bio-luminescence emitters:

This modification grows a specialized bio-crystal enshrouded by bio-luminescent organs tweaked to emit specific wavelengths of light; the whole contained in an armored carapace or skeletal cage.

Lesser versions are large enough to require shoulder or back mounted positioning. Greater versions are smaller and can be axially mounted along the bilateral symmetry, or even chest mounted with the most advanced versions. Special psi-active organs mixed in with the emitters provide various supports such as heat management, crystal regeneration, enhanced light production, force effect production, and light beam management functions.

Bio-energy costs are such that a single organism can seldom support more than two such modifications. Some of the elements required to grow the crystal are poisonous to host creatures, which design challenge has been handled with one of two approaches: secondary feeding mechanisms incorporated into the emitter itself (usually only found in the larger and lesser models), or a secondary discreet digestive system for handling the necessary foreign materials.

Behavioral costs include having to train the organism to ingest the craved raw materials in the proper manner to prevent accidental poisoning, until it is mature enough to distinguish the various hunger signals.

#21

Hey, could someone point me to a 3.5 source with Russet Mold? I have all the manuals, I just need some direction for where to look

#22

Looks like pathfinder converted it to 3.x.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/traps-hazards-and-special-terrains/hazards/environmental-hazards/russet-mold-cr-6

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#23

When a creature approaches within 5 feet of a patch of guthay fungus, it releases a cloud of spores in a 5-foot radius burst. Everyone in the area must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or the spores quickly take root in their victims, instantly causing 1 mutation on the first round and inflicting 2 points of Constitution damage per round. A new Fortitude save can be attempted each round to halt the growth. Failure by 10 or more results in the character gaining a more severe form of the disease. This form lowers their constitution by 3 per round and adds 1 additional mutation of a random kind for every minute after the incubation period has elapsed. Either form of the disease has a 6 hour incubation period. If the character reaches a constitution of 0, he immediately transforms into a Guthay Fungus. Although immunity to disease won’t protect against guthay fungus spores, the growth can be halted by remove disease and similar effects. Exposure to sunlight also halts the spores’ growth. Plants are immune to guthay fungus spores, as well as undead, constructs, and life-shaped constructs.
A patch of guthay fungus is unharmed by all effects save for acid, alcohol, or remove disease (or a similar magical effect, such as heal), all of which can kill a single patch of guthay fungus on contact. Sunlight doesn’t kill the mold, but does render it dormant and harmless as long as the sunlight persists.
The Arkship is permeated with the disease. As such, all areas within the ship act as if they were a massive guthay fungus, with a DC 5 fortitude save instead of 15, and must be made each round. The save increases to 10 when exposed to any fluids originating from the ship. Further, wounded creatures have the DC of the save increased by 5 permanently if the wound is from piercing or slashing damage, regardless of the source of the infection.
Guthay fungus looks like it’s previous victim in whatever position they died in, but horribly disfigured. Large, pulsing pustules appear and disappear over the surface of the corpse, and it often changes color to blend with the background, taking a DC 10 spot check to discover.

#24

You still wanting bio-weapons?

#25

yes please. I am teaching at a scout camp now, so it may take awhile to work on this again. Please take over where you can.

#26

VASER:

In-depth research has revealed that all things have a special note or tone to which they respond. The more complex the composition and structure the more unique the resonance pattern needs be.

Exhaustive testing has yielded a series of structures of sufficient durability, flexibility, and adaptability to properly induce saturation harmonic resonance exceeding the material load capabilities in a surprising array of materials, substances, and structures.

The real challenge, and subsequent biological costs, are the adaptions necessary to preserve sensitivity and responsiveness in the affected ranges of resonance, and structural integrity modifications of the host to enable it to survive exposures to harmonic resonance in the ranges compatible with its own structure.

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