Semicorporeal Question - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Semicorporeal Question

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Shei-Nad
Sep 26, 2005 20:10:51 Simple enough:

Where did that come from?

Skimming through the Monstrous Compendiums and various DS books, I can't seem to find this caracteristic. For example, I'm bringing a Dwarven Banshee in my next session (That'll teach those players to abandon poor Paask to that Sinkworm :P), and after reading through the original Banshee description (Terrors of the Desert) I can't find any indication of it being semi-corporeal.

So, can I have the original reference?

Thanks
#2
Sysane
Sep 26, 2005 21:01:41
Simple enough:

Where did that come from?

Skimming through the Monstrous Compendiums and various DS books, I can't seem to find this caracteristic. For example, I'm bringing a Dwarven Banshee in my next session (That'll teach those players to abandon poor Paask to that Sinkworm :P), and after reading through the original Banshee description (Terrors of the Desert) I can't find any indication of it being semi-corporeal.

So, can I have the original reference?

Thanks

Try the 2e DMG. If you don't have it and can wait, I'll check mine when I'm home.
#3
Shei-Nad
Sep 26, 2005 22:08:34 There's a section on Undead, but no mention of semicorporeality. Aside from that I don't see where it's described.

hmm...
#4
Pennarin
Sep 27, 2005 0:58:40 I made a search of the latest TotDL version I have and it makes no mention of "semicorporeality" or "semicorporeal".

Page 6, under Categories of Undead, mentions that some undead have the following ability:
Temporary Corporeality (Su): The undead can become corporeal
as a standard action, seemingly becoming flesh and blood. In
corporeal form, it loses the incorporeal subtype, its deflection
bonus to armor class becomes a natural armor bonus, and it has a
Strength score (which varies by undead type). A corporeal undead
makes 2 claw attacks instead of an incorporeal touch attack, using
the same damage as its touch attack (adjusted by its Strength), and
it can still use special attacks, except for heart grip. It can grapple
creatures and manipulate objects. The undead can become
incorporeal again as a standard action.

#5
Kamelion
Sep 27, 2005 3:09:56 Earlier versions of Terrors of the Deadlands did feature the semicorporeal subtype (also detailed on page 6 in those earlier drafts), but this was replaced in the latest version with the temporary corporeality supernatural ability quoted above. You might be looking at an older version of TotDL, Shei-Nad.

Basically, the idea of undead with varying states of corporeality was introduced in order to reflect the capacities of the wraiths that appear in the Prism Pentad series of novels. The semicorporeal subtype was eventually ditched as this capacity could be better described through the use of a supernatural ability. Also, certain creatures that were previously listed as having the semi-corporeal subtype (such as the banshee) do not now possess the temporary corporeality ability; as Shei-Nad correctly points out, there is actually no real reason for them to have such an ability.
#6
Shei-Nad
Sep 27, 2005 11:32:26 Hmm... I really need to update my documents... second time this happens (first was with ToA).

Would it not have been simpler to have a manifestation ability (as the ghost in MM3.5), but instead being corporeal when manifested?

Anyways. Thanks for the help!
#7
Kamelion
Sep 27, 2005 12:43:51
Hmm... I really need to update my documents... second time this happens (first was with ToA).

Would it not have been simpler to have a manifestation ability (as the ghost in MM3.5), but instead being corporeal when manifested?

Well, this is pretty much what temporary corporeality does - we wrote it out as a separate ability for simplicity's sake to avoid having to reproduce a qualified verison of manifestation.

Anyways. Thanks for the help!

No worries - any time .

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Shei-Nad Sep 26, 2005 20:10:51	Simple enough: Where did that come from? Skimming through the Monstrous Compendiums and various DS books, I can't seem to find this caracteristic. For example, I'm bringing a Dwarven Banshee in my next session (That'll teach those players to abandon poor Paask to that Sinkworm :P), and after reading through the original Banshee description (Terrors of the Desert) I can't find any indication of it being semi-corporeal. So, can I have the original reference? Thanks
#2 Sysane Sep 26, 2005 21:01:41	Simple enough: Where did that come from? Skimming through the Monstrous Compendiums and various DS books, I can't seem to find this caracteristic. For example, I'm bringing a Dwarven Banshee in my next session (That'll teach those players to abandon poor Paask to that Sinkworm :P), and after reading through the original Banshee description (Terrors of the Desert) I can't find any indication of it being semi-corporeal. So, can I have the original reference? Thanks Try the 2e DMG. If you don't have it and can wait, I'll check mine when I'm home.
#3 Shei-Nad Sep 26, 2005 22:08:34	There's a section on Undead, but no mention of semicorporeality. Aside from that I don't see where it's described. hmm...
#4 Pennarin Sep 27, 2005 0:58:40	I made a search of the latest TotDL version I have and it makes no mention of "semicorporeality" or "semicorporeal". Page 6, under Categories of Undead, mentions that some undead have the following ability: Temporary Corporeality (Su): The undead can become corporeal as a standard action, seemingly becoming flesh and blood. In corporeal form, it loses the incorporeal subtype, its deflection bonus to armor class becomes a natural armor bonus, and it has a Strength score (which varies by undead type). A corporeal undead makes 2 claw attacks instead of an incorporeal touch attack, using the same damage as its touch attack (adjusted by its Strength), and it can still use special attacks, except for heart grip. It can grapple creatures and manipulate objects. The undead can become incorporeal again as a standard action.
#5 Kamelion Sep 27, 2005 3:09:56	Earlier versions of Terrors of the Deadlands did feature the semicorporeal subtype (also detailed on page 6 in those earlier drafts), but this was replaced in the latest version with the temporary corporeality supernatural ability quoted above. You might be looking at an older version of TotDL, Shei-Nad. Basically, the idea of undead with varying states of corporeality was introduced in order to reflect the capacities of the wraiths that appear in the Prism Pentad series of novels. The semicorporeal subtype was eventually ditched as this capacity could be better described through the use of a supernatural ability. Also, certain creatures that were previously listed as having the semi-corporeal subtype (such as the banshee) do not now possess the temporary corporeality ability; as Shei-Nad correctly points out, there is actually no real reason for them to have such an ability.
#6 Shei-Nad Sep 27, 2005 11:32:26	Hmm... I really need to update my documents... second time this happens (first was with ToA). Would it not have been simpler to have a manifestation ability (as the ghost in MM3.5), but instead being corporeal when manifested? Anyways. Thanks for the help!
#7 Kamelion Sep 27, 2005 12:43:51	Hmm... I really need to update my documents... second time this happens (first was with ToA). Would it not have been simpler to have a manifestation ability (as the ghost in MM3.5), but instead being corporeal when manifested? Well, this is pretty much what temporary corporeality does - we wrote it out as a separate ability for simplicity's sake to avoid having to reproduce a qualified verison of manifestation. Anyways. Thanks for the help! No worries - any time .