Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[freyar]

Sure thing.

 

[Cleon]

Sure thing.

Updating the Working Draft.

I'm wondering whether we should change the Environment, considering they lived in temperate and warm areas. Is "Temperate and warm plains" enough?

Apart from that, we just need some background text. . .

A massively built lion, its fur is dappled with spots.

Also known as cave lions, spotted lions are a prehistoric race of lion. They are bigger and more muscular than modern lions to cope with the more powerful prey of prehistoric times, but are otherwise similar in their habits to ordinary lions.

A spotted lion is 7 or 8 feet long, stands around 4 feet tall at the shoulder, and weighs 400 to 800 pounds.

 

[freyar]

I'd be fine with that environment.

Background text looks good.

 

[Cleon]

I'd be fine with that environment.

Background text looks good.

Updating the Working Draft.

Done?

 

[freyar]

Drop the red text, and yes.

 

[Cleon]

Drop the red text, and yes.

Ta-da!

 

[freyar]

All set, then.

 

[Cleon]

All set, then.

So, are we doing the Giant Lynx? That seems to be the only other Monstrous Manual great cat that's unaccounted for as far as official 3E stats go.

We've got a 3.0 version of the Giant Lynx in the Creature Catalog already.

Although I'm not that keen on that conversion, since the original did a lot less damage than a leopard (1d2 for both fangs & paws) I don't think the Enworld conversion deserves the 1d6 bite and 1d3 claw attacks.

Also, it should be better at Searching for traps, according to the original flavour.

 

[freyar]

Post the original stats, and let's see how we want to update the 3.0 CC version.

 

[Cleon]

Post the original stats, and let's see how we want to update the 3.0 CC version.

Very well, I have those handy.

Here's the 1st edition Monster Manual version from 1977...
​

[FONT=&quot]LYNX, Giant[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 12”
HIT DICE: 2 + 2
% IN LAIR: 5%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-2/1-2/1-4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Rear claws for 1-3/1-3
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Very
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

These forest cats prefer cold regions. They are aggressive and compete well with other predators because of their intelligence. If found in their lair there is a 25% chance that there will be 1-4 kittens there, 10% to 30% grown, with no effective attack. Giant lynx climb very well, swim reasonably well, and they can leap 15’. If the lynx strikes with both forepaws, it will then get two additional attacks, raking with the rear claws, each causing 1-3 hit points of damage.

Giant lynx speak their own language. They hove also learned to hide themselves in order to avoid detection (90% unlikely in normal circumstances) or surprise prey (surprise on 1-5). They are 75% accurate in detecting traps.[/FONT]

And this is the 2nd edition Monstrous Manual equivalent, vintage 1993..
​

[FONT=&quot]Cat, Great Giant Lynx[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
Climate/Terrain:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Subarctic forest
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Night
Diet: Carnivorous
Intelligence: Very (11-12)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1-4
Armor Class: 6
Movement: 12
Hit Dice: 2+2
THAC0: 19
No. of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attack: 1-2/1-2/1-2
Special Attacks: Rear claws 1-3 each
Special Defenses: See below
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: M (4½’ long)
Morale: Average (8-10)
XP Value: 175

Giant Lynx
The giant lynx is distinguished by its tufted ears and cheeks, short bobbed tail, and dappled coloring. It has a compact muscular body, with heavy legs and unusually large paws.

The giant lynx is the most intelligent of the great cats and uses its wits in combat. When hiding, a giant lynx will avoid detection 90% of the time. The lynx can leap up to 15 feet and imposes a -6 on the surprise rolls of its prey. It has a 75% chance of detecting traps. If a giant lynx strikes with both forepaws, it attempts a rear claw rake, causing 1-3 points of damage per claw. The giant lynx almost never attacks men.
The giant lynx prefers cold coniferous and scrub forests. They can communicate in their own language with others of its kind, which greatly increases its chances of survival. The nocturnal lynx stalks or ambushes its prey, catching rodents, young deer, grouse, and other small game. The cubs remain with their mother for 6 months.
The giant lynx has all the advantages of the great cats plus the added bonus of a high intelligence which makes it even more adaptable.

[/FONT]***

They're pretty much the same.