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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 6:06AM
#1
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- Forum Guide
- Hero Craftsman Gold Medalist
- Master Dungeon Master
Date Joined:
Jun 23, 2005
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#43
Create an Adjustable CreatureCreating a unique yet balanced monster is the province of Master DMs. Adding class levels to any monstrous NPC is also the province of Master DMs. Creating a unique balanced monster with class levels is the province of the most masterful of DMs. The purpose of this competition is to create a unique race of monster with a level adjustment, and to provide a sample of such a creature – suitable for use as an NPC – with class levels. To complete a submission to this contest, an entry must include the following:[list=A] A stat block for the monstrous race with a level adjustment of +0 or greater containing all the information found in a Monster Manual entry (including a name, organization entry and Challenge Rating).
A proper name, brief history, and personality description for an NPC of that monstrous race, which possesses at least one class level.
A stat block for the NPC containing all the information a DM would need (including a modified Challenge Rating) to use the NPC as an encounter (or part of an encounter).
At least one suggestion for how an adventuring party might come into contact with the NPC.
An entry must also attempt to meet at least 3 of the following 13 thematic elements:
[list=1]Mature individuals of the monstrous race are not Small, Medium or Large in Size Category.
One or more of the monstrous race’s abilities are more or less effective against one or more (but not all) races found in the Player’s Handbook (such as the ineffectiveness of a ghoul’s paralysis against elves and half-elves).
The entry contains all the information normally found in the Monster Manual for monsters suitable as player characters and the race has a Level Adjustment no greater than +2.
The monstrous race combines two or more of the monster functions found on page 302 of the Monster Manual.
The monstrous race has a lifespan of no more than five years and its Age Categories are described in the entry.
The monstrous race has a weakness against a specific, common non-magical material or energy (such as a vampire’s vulnerability to sunlight).
The monstrous race is "Always" a specific alignment.
The monstrous race is a Magical Beast, Ooze or Plant.
The monstrous race is naturally proficient with at least one exotic weapon found in the Player’s Handbook.
The monstrous race possesses a number of genders other than two as described (in a non-explicit manner) in the entry.
The NPC has a Challenge Rating of less than seven.
The NPC is willing to accompany the adventuring party as an ally.
The NPC possesses a magic item found in the Dungeon Master’s Guide that interacts in an interesting way with the creature’s own abilities.
The complete rules for the Master DM Competition can be found here (along with a lot of fascinating information about the competition’s history, its judges and past competitions and medal winners). All entrants should review these rules before submitting the entry. However there are some rules that seem to ensnare many first-time entrants. Please be cognizant of the following rules:
- Applicants are allowed a 15-minute period in which they are allowed to make edits to their entry. Any entry that has been noted as edited after this 15 minute period will be disqualified. This includes editing done by the board moderators, should the entry be in violation of the board’s code of conduct. It is recommended that an applicant use the board’s “preview post” function or write the entry off-line in a text editor to check the entry before posting. Once judging is complete, applicants are allowed to go back and edit their entry if they so choose.
- Your entry must fit in a single post. Each applicant may only submit one entry for judging. Submitting multiple entries results in the disqualification of every entry you submit. If you have more than one idea, please wait until after the competition closes to submit it. These subsequent entries will not be judged.
- All entries must be the original, exclusive work of the applicant. If an entry is found to be copying the work of another, or has been posted for review prior to the competition, it will be disqualified. However, entries may include a visual picture for the entry that is not the author's original work. Such non-original material will not be considered by the judges.
- Failure to include all the required elements results in a score of zero for Thematic Consistency. Contest rules vary from competition to competition. At the beginning of each competition, any special rules for that contest will be detailed. Make sure you understand all of the rules before posting.
- Please list the optional thematic elements you intend your entry to meet. This is not a strict rule, though failure to do so may mean your Clarity and Thematic Consistency scores may suffer.
The judges for this competition will be Another_Poet, Heros_Backpack, Sereno and wrecan, with wrecan coordinating. The competition will run from Friday, May 2 to Friday, May 16. The competition will close at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. Generally, a judge will declare the competition closed, although that is unnecessary.
Good luck and enjoy!
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 7:00AM
#2
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- Forum Guide
- Hero Craftsman Gold Medalist
- Master Dungeon Master
Date Joined:
Jun 23, 2005
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Questions and Answers
Q. What's a "level adjustment"?
A. Read the glossary entry here.
Q. Isn't a creature with a Level Adjustment of +0 a creature with no Level Adjustment?
A. No. Only creatures with a listed Level Adjustment of "—" lack a Level Adjustment.
Q. Thematic element four referemces "the monster functions found on page 302 of the Monster Manual." Can this be found in the System Reference Document or elsewhere?
A. No. This material is in the Monster Manual but is not part of the System Reference Document and cannot be reproduced here or anywhere else.
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 7:00AM
#3
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- Forum Guide
- Hero Craftsman Gold Medalist
- Master Dungeon Master
Date Joined:
Jun 23, 2005
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Entry List [list=1] Alexeduardo's War Sapiens (CR 6, ECL 11)
serpentcross' Quagh (CR 1, ECL 5)
Bronze Medalist! Ecalsneerg's Sassafrass (CR ½, ECL 2)
dawnbringer's Amorphous (CR 5, ECL 6)
TelinArtho's Zebroon (CR 1, ECL 7)
BattleofEvermore's Avegarn (CR 1, ECL 4)
Silver Medalist! JackSnape's Tikbalang (CR 1, ECL 6)
dulsi's Vine Serpent (CR ½, ECL 5)
ac_noj's White Lotus (CR ½, ECL 3)
Gold Medalist! Dragoncat's Ogiri (CR 2, ECL 4)
Post-Contest Entries:
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 7:55AM
#4
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Question: You say that we are to design a monster, that could be used as a NPC, with a level adjustment.
"The purpose of this competition is to create a unique race of monster with a level adjustment, and to provide a sample of such a creature – suitable for use as an NPC – with class levels."
But the mandatory rules, specifically A, call for a LA of +0 or higher:
"A stat block for the monstrous race with a level adjustment of +0 or greater containing all the information found in a Monster Manual entry (including a name, organization entry and Challenge Rating)."
A LA of +0 is a creature with no LA! However, I prefer designing creatures with an LA of 0, so I was just wondering if that is allowed, or does it have to have an LA as the purpose of the competition states (if not the rules of the competition).
Thank you in advance!
Rosisha, going for the Gold
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 7:58AM
#5
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- Forum Guide
- Hero Craftsman Gold Medalist
- Master Dungeon Master
Date Joined:
Jun 23, 2005
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A LA of +0 is a creature with no LA!
No, it is not.
Compare the Monster Manual Entry for the kobold with the Monster Manual entry for the kraken (chosen because they are next to one another in the Monster Manual). The kobold has a Level Adjustment of +0. The kraken has a Level Adjustment of "—".
The kobold has a Level Adjustment and the kraken does not. Thus the kobold would be eligible for the contest (except that it would be plagiarism), but the kraken would not be.
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 8:30AM
#6
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I think I'll make a Forthditionist. With bonus to damage against gnomes and a lifespan of less than 5 years. The NPC will be willing to accompany the adventuring party as an ally, for its own secret agenda... 
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 8:59AM
#7
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Date Joined:
May 23, 2007
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I missed the previous two contests. But the Sneerg returneth, likely to once again use material perceived as not 100% adaptable (psionics has been around since 1st edition! What more do you people need? :P ). Elements I'm considering: 3. The entry contains all the information normally found in the Monster Manual for monsters suitable as player characters and the race has a Level Adjustment no greater than +2. 4. The monstrous race has a lifespan of no more than five years and its Age Categories are described in the entry. 8. The monstrous race is a Magical Beast, Ooze or Plant. 11. The NPC has a Challenge Rating of less than seven. 12. The NPC is willing to accompany the adventuring party as an ally. Now, a question! The monstrous race is naturally proficient with at least one exotic weapon found in the Player’s Handbook.
Is this weapon familarity, or proficiency pure and simple?
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 9:29AM
#8
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Date Joined:
Dec 18, 2003
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Off-track complaint: could you make the shiny new MDMC image a little smaller? Its wider than my screen, which means I have to scroll left-right to read some people's posts.
That's Someone, with a capital S.
"Cat's out of the bag on that one, isn't it? Who puts cats in bags, anyway? Cats hate bags." -Sheogorath, Oblivion
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 9:30AM
#9
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- Forum Guide
- Hero Craftsman Gold Medalist
- Master Dungeon Master
Date Joined:
Jun 23, 2005
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mtbOgre, could you give us a reduced logo? (Until then, I'll replace the logo with regular words.)
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5 years ago ::
May 02, 2008 - 9:32AM
#10
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- Forum Guide
- Hero Craftsman Gold Medalist
- Master Dungeon Master
Date Joined:
Jun 23, 2005
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Is this weapon familarity, or proficiency pure and simple?
Oooh. Good question. I hadn't considered weapon familiarity, but would be willing to add that into the optional element if the other judges concur.
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