Phase Porcupine

[Barrok]

Phase Porcupine
Type: Large Magical Beast
Hit Die: 5d10+10
Initiative: +1 (Dex)
Speed: 35’
AC: 18 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +8 Natural)
Attacks: 2 Claws , 1 Bite
Damage: Claws 1d6+1, 1d8+1
Face/Reach: 10'*5'/5'
Special Attacks: Ethereal Jaunt, Poison, Quills
Special Qualities:
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 13 Dex 13 Con 15 Int 10 Wis 11 Cha 10
Skills: Spot +8
Feats: Alertness
Climate/Terrain: any Temperate or tropical terrain/ ethereal plane
Challenge: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral
Advancement: Large (6-9HD)

These giant porcupines were a magical accident by a mad mage rumoured to be Barrok. The porcupines have been crafted to have deadly poison and to travel to the ethereal plane, fortunately they are not as fierce as phase spiders.

Combat
The Phase Porcupine if attacked will try to phase into the ethereal plane and flank their opponent to fire quills at them. As soon as an opponent falls victim to the poison the porcupine will run away unless its family is still being threatened.
Ethereal Jaunt: A Phase Porcupine from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane as a free action, and sh*t back again as a move equivalent action (or during a move equivalent action). The Ability is otherwise equivalent to Ethereal Jaunt cast by a 17th level sorcerer.
Poison: Fort save (12DC) or be Staggered (as per effect) for 1 hour: the individual must make a secondary save or die by their internal organs liquefying.
Quills: Every 1d4 rounds the Phase Porcupine can shoot poisoned quills at a foe. The porcupine must make a range attack (max range 50’ Quill +7; damage 2d6 + Poison)

[Barrok]

this is a big problem I have with poisons. Poisons do kill therefore some have death effects, just have a look at cyanide which when administered kills a person (with no save!!)
same as if you cut up pigs hairs and put it in someones foos.. there stomach lacerates and you die (again no save)

I think the DMG leavesa lot to the DM to mess around with, and therefore poisons like everything else is open to interpretation

[Barrok]

I know you are looking at the mechanics of it but ability damage to me, whilst it can show a severe handicapping does not reflect some of ewhat I was writing about. Personally I think death effects should be more prevalent in D&D to make players a bit less head strong and prone to be power gamers, the4refore bring a certain realism to the fact that the world is indeed deadly and a sting from a scorpion rabbit (new monster being written just for kicks) can have an effect to demolish epic characters.

I think as some poeple have problems with death effects (you are talking to someone who religously played 1st edition AD&D) I have certain reservations about ability damage but have included it so it will stay in line with the people who have only invested their time with 3.x editions.

In fantasy setting why can't there be a poison which sloughs of a person's skin, or makes them explode? Surely its another take on what can be accomplished by ingenious people without relying on mages.#

But hey everyone is allowed an opinion and I have stated mine. Though I shall look over what has been written so far and try to balance it. (maybe hand it to acolyte as he is the balancing expert)

[Ark]

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[Barrok]

*faints*
Acolyte is on my side?
*faints again*

Thanks will send the doc over for you two to mess around with, to be honest im leaving it alone for a bit so anything you can think of reworking it would be good.