Author Topic: Better Monster: The Tarrasque  (Read 17273 times)

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« on: May 06, 2004, 07:07:49 PM »
I've always thought that most BGII battles are a bit too easy, (an exception being the final ToB battle) so I've looked through this book (Dungeon Dragons Monster Manuel Core Rulebook III) to find a monster worth fighting. The monster's name is the tarrasque, and it seems VERY powerful. Scaryingly powerful if you ask me.

Book description:

Quote
The legendary Tarrasque--fortunantly, only one exist--is possibly the most dreaded moster of all (except for the largest dragons). None can predict where and when the creature will strike next.
   The location of the tarrasque's lair is a mystery, and the beast remains dormant much of the time. Its torporous slumber usually last 6d4 months before it leaves its lair for a brief hunting foray lasting 1d3 days. Once every decade or so, the monster is particularly active, staying awake for 1d2 weeks. Thereafter, it slumbers for at least 4d6 years unless disturbed.
   When active, the tarrasque is a perfect engine of destruction. It rampages across the land eating everything in its patch, including plants, animals, humanoids, and even towns. Nothing is safe, and entire communities prefer to flee the ravening tarrasque rather than face its power.
   Many legends surround the tarrasque's origins and purpose. Some hold it to be an abomination unleashed by ancient, forgotten gods to punish all of nature, while others tell of a conspiracy between evil wizards or merciless elemental powers. These tales are mere speculation, however, and the creature's true nature will probably remain a mystery. The tarrasque isn't in the habit of explaining itself, and it rarely leaves any living witnesses in its wake.
   The tarrasque is a scaly biped 70 feet long and 50 feet tall, with two horns on its head, a lashing tail, and a reflective carapace. It wieghs about 130 tons.

A bit of things for abilities for the tarrasque

Quote
HP:840 | AC: -35 | Damage:.... *BLEEP*

BLEEP: I want to post more, but I really don't want to waste my time if people think it's a stupid idea.

So.. .feedback please?
« Last Edit: May 06, 2004, 07:22:59 PM by discharger »

Offline Lord Doomhammer

  • Overlord of Fools
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 113
  • Gender: Male
  • bruce Willis is an ugly, ugly man
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2004, 07:15:43 PM »
Quote
[HP:840 | AC: -35 | Damage:.... *BLEEP*

AC: -35?

Wow, i dont think Ive ever had a THAC0 high enough to hit that...
So full of hate!

"I.. have.. come.. to.. em.. ploy.. you.. in.. my.. fac.. tory.. in.. starns.. bury."

Also answers to 'Lord Schicksalhammer'

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2004, 07:26:05 PM »
Quote
[HP:840 | AC: -35 | Damage:.... *BLEEP*

AC: -35?

Wow, i dont think Ive ever had a THAC0 high enough to hit that...

Well the book says 35, but seeing as how IWD goes the other way (up) I assume this is the same. So I just reversed it.

Offline Lord Doomhammer

  • Overlord of Fools
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 113
  • Gender: Male
  • bruce Willis is an ugly, ugly man
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2004, 07:39:59 PM »
Well,i imagine what would happen if I tried to fight that thing with my Lvl 17 Monk.

I invented a new word for it "Splatternation"
So full of hate!

"I.. have.. come.. to.. em.. ploy.. you.. in.. my.. fac.. tory.. in.. starns.. bury."

Also answers to 'Lord Schicksalhammer'

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2004, 07:46:04 PM »
Did I mention this would be before the final ToB fight?

Offline Lord Doomhammer

  • Overlord of Fools
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 113
  • Gender: Male
  • bruce Willis is an ugly, ugly man
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2004, 07:52:58 PM »
Heh, with my fantastic battle strategies it would still be splatternation.
So full of hate!

"I.. have.. come.. to.. em.. ploy.. you.. in.. my.. fac.. tory.. in.. starns.. bury."

Also answers to 'Lord Schicksalhammer'

Offline Galactygon

  • Modding since 2002
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 378
  • Gender: Male
  • Creator of spells
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2004, 09:03:17 PM »
This is 3rd edition, I suppose. The Demogorgon is more powerful than the Tarrasque, regarding HPs, etc. Since everything in 3rd edition has 4x as much HP as in 2e, Tarrasque can be managable by a solo level 15 character.

If you mix 2e and 3e monsters, you will have truly wierd encounters.

-Galactygon

Offline Mongoose87

  • Brain Specialist
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 426
  • Gender: Male
  • Not dead, yet
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2004, 09:13:09 PM »
If we mixed 3e and 2e most of my anti-mage strategies would be done for.

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2004, 09:15:18 PM »
This is 3rd edition, I suppose. The Demogorgon is more powerful than the Tarrasque, regarding HPs, etc. Since everything in 3rd edition has 4x as much HP as in 2e, Tarrasque can be managable by a solo level 15 character.

If you mix 2e and 3e monsters, you will have truly wierd encounters.

-Galactygon

Even so, can't we just buff him up a bit? I mean, he IS supposed to be some huge giant hellish beast. He looks much more tough then demogorgan.

Offline Galactygon

  • Modding since 2002
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 378
  • Gender: Male
  • Creator of spells
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2004, 10:11:44 PM »
Tarrasques are unintelligent ravaging brutes who have a lot of might. In case you don't know much about the story behind BG2 Watcher's Keep, Demogorgons are one of the most powerful creatures within the abyss: a demon prince. Combatwise, such creatures not only excell at hacking and slashing, but they are also topped with magic and anti-magic capabilities. Also, these creatures are intelligent and don't necessarily destroy everything (if they can use charming/compulsion/diplomacy, they will use it before resorting to combat).

Discharger, you should really find either:

a.) a 3rd edition source for Demogorgons
b.) OR a 2nd edition source for tarrasques

Now compare your results with the appropriate edition, and you will find out that Tarrasques are only powerful for a weak/medicore adventuring party (so non-ToB party).

Please do it for us, it will save everyone a lot of headaches ~ including you. ::)

-Galactygon

Offline Kish

  • HEROISM OK
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 790
    • Oversight mod.
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2004, 10:26:14 PM »
Quote
[HP:840 | AC: -35 | Damage:.... *BLEEP*

AC: -35?

Wow, i dont think Ive ever had a THAC0 high enough to hit that...

Well the book says 35, but seeing as how IWD goes the other way (up) I assume this is the same. So I just reversed it.
3ed AC, like 2ed AC, starts from 10, not 0.  The 2ed equivalent of 35 AC would be -15, not -35.

Demogorgon is singular--there's only one of him; it's a name, not a species.  Talking about "Demogorgons are one of" is like saying, "Galactygons are one of."
Beauty standing amidst fiery destruction.

Offline Galactygon

  • Modding since 2002
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 378
  • Gender: Male
  • Creator of spells
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2004, 10:33:22 PM »
I must've slightly confused it with Demon Lords or Balor Lords... Creatures of the Abyss are a but vague to me. :)

-Galactygon

Offline Caedwyr

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 433
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2004, 11:38:17 PM »
Second Edition Tarrasque:

Quote
Tarrasque
Climate/Terrain: Any land
Frequency: Unique
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: See below
Diet: Omnivore
Intelligence: Animal (1)
Treasure: See below
Alignment: Nil
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: -3
Movement: 9, Rush 15
Hit Dice: 300 hp (approx. 70 HD)
THAC0: -5
No. of Attacks: 6
Damage/Attack: 1-12/1-12/2-24/5-50/1-10/1-10
Special Attacks: Sharpness bite, terror
Special Defenses: See below
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: G (50' long)
Morale: Champion (15)
XP Value: 107,000

The legendary tarrasque, for there is fortunately only one known to exist, is the most dreaded monster native to the Prime Material plane. The creature is a scaly biped with two horns on its head, a lashing tail, and a reflective carapace.

Combat: The tarrasque is a killing machine and when active (see below) eats everything for miles around, including all animals and vegetation. Normal attacks are with its two forelimb claws (1d12 points of damage each), a sweeping tail lash (2d12 points of damage), a savage bite (5d10 points of damage plus acts as a sword of sharpness, severing a limb on a natural attack roll of 18 or better), and two thrusting horn attacks (1d10 points of damage each).

Once every turn, the normally slow-moving tarrasque can rush forward at a movement rate of 15, making all horn attacks cause double damage and trampling anything underfoot for 4d10 points of crushing damage.

The mere sight of the tarrasque causes creatures with less than 3 levels or Hit Dice to be paralyzed with fright (no saving throw) until it is out of their vision. Creatures of 3 or more levels or Hit Dice flee in panic, although those of 7 or more levels or Hit Dice that manage to succeed with a saving throw vs. paralyzation are not affected (though they often still decide to run away).

The tarrasque's carapace is exceptionally tough and highly reflective. Bolts and rays such as lightning bolts, cones of cold, and even magic missiles are useless against it. The reflection is such that 1 in 6 of these attacks actually bounces directly back at the caster (affecting him normally), while the rest bounce off harmlessly to the sides and into the air.

The tarrasque is also immune to all heat and fire, and it regenerates lost hit points at a rate of 1 hit point per round. Only enchanted weapons (+1 or better) have any hope of harming the tarrasque. The Tarrasque is totally immune to all psionics.

Habitat/Society: It is fortunate that the tarrasque is active only for short periods of time. Typically, the monster comes forth to forage for a week or two, ravaging the countryside for miles around. The tarrasque then seeks a hidden lair underground and lies dormant, sleeping for 5d4 months before coming forth again. Once every decade or so, the monster is particularly active, staying awake for several months. Thereafter its period of dormancy is 4d4 years unless disturbed. The ratio of active to dormant states seems to be about 1:30.

Ecology: Slaying of the tarrasque is said to be possible only if the monster is reduced to -30 or fewer hit points and a wish is then used. Otherwise, even the slightest piece of the tarrasque can regenerate and restore the monster completely. Legend says that a great treasure can be extracted from the tarrasque's carapace. The upper portion, treated with acid and then heated in a furnace, is thought to yield gems (10d10 diamonds of 1,000 gp base value each). The underbelly material, mixed with the creature's blood and adamantite, is said to produce a metal that can be forged by master dwarven blacksmiths into 1d4 shields of +5 enchantment. It takes two years to manufacture each shield, and the dwarves aren't likely to do it for free.

It is hoped that the tarrasque is a solitary creation, some hideous abomination unleashed by the dark arts or by elder, forgotten gods to punish all of nature. The elemental nature of the tarrasque leads the few living tarrasque experts to speculate that the elemental princes of evil have something to do with its existence. In any case, the location of the tarrasque remains a mystery, as it rarely leaves witnesses in its wake, and nature quickly grows over all remnants of its presence. It is rumored that the tarrasque is responsible for the extinction of one ancient civilization, for the records of their last days spoke of a "great reptilian punisher sent by the gods to end the world."

Note: Creatures with a minus THAC0 can only be hit on a 1.
"Knowledge is Power.  Power Corrupts.  Study Hard.  Be Evil."  - Mikka

PnP Celestials
Geomantic Sorcerer Kit

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2004, 06:22:00 AM »
Well there has to be some creature more powerful then Demogorgan.

Offline Nesquaam

  • MoD (Master of Disaster)
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 160
  • Gender: Male
  • Per solitudinem ardere
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2004, 09:53:15 AM »
If there's only one known existing Tarrasque, wouldn't it be weird that this beast is at the exact sma place, at the exact same time as the PC
« Last Edit: May 07, 2004, 09:55:35 AM by Nesquaam »
...Smile, Tomorrow Will Be Worse

Offline Andyr

  • Dance Commander
  • PPG
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 3178
  • Gender: Male
    • The Gibberlings Three IE mod community
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2004, 11:50:24 AM »
There was a big running joke at Interplay about fighting the Tarrasque at the Oasis in ToB, though not true. :)

I think the Tarrasque is meant to be the most powerful creature native to the Prime Material Plane - as Caedwyr says, to kill it you need to reduce it to -30 HP and cast a Wish.
"We are the Gibberlings Three, as merry a band as you ever did see..." - Home of IE mods

<jcompton> Suggested plugs include "Click here so Compton doesn't ban me. http://www.pocketplane.net/ub"

I am unfortunately not often about these days so the best way to get hold of me is via email.

Offline SimDing0™

  • Back In Black
  • Global Moderator
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 3496
  • Gender: Male
  • Word Enhancer
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #16 on: May 07, 2004, 12:01:57 PM »
There was a big running joke at Interplay about fighting the Tarrasque at the Oasis in ToB, though not true. :)
Yes, lots of threads seemed to degenerate into "hahahahaha tarasque llol", although as far as I could tell it really wasn't very funny at all. SlidMang0 may well plagiarise Improved Oasis and add the Tarrasque in one day.

Offline Galactygon

  • Modding since 2002
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 378
  • Gender: Male
  • Creator of spells
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #17 on: May 07, 2004, 12:27:20 PM »
Yeah, I once saw a screenshot (I don't know how real it is) with a horde of bodies and a ravaging Tarrasque. Was it BG1? I don't remember exactly.

Af first I thought is was an actual, existing creature. But then I realized it was a joke. :(

-Galactygon

Offline mcruz

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 171
  • Gender: Male
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2004, 12:05:18 AM »
Yeah, I once saw a screenshot (I don't know how real it is) with a horde of bodies and a ravaging Tarrasque. Was it BG1? I don't remember exactly.

Af first I thought is was an actual, existing creature. But then I realized it was a joke. :(

-Galactygon

I also remember seeing that very same picture myself.......but I can't remember where...
"Somethings are worth waiting for"

Offline Ghreyfain

  • PPG
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 4705
  • Gender: Male
    • Pocket Plane Group
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #19 on: May 08, 2004, 03:32:20 AM »
I think it was the now defunct IPlay boards.  It was a scene of the Oasis with a bunch of corpses, and the Tarrasque's pic from the monster manual spliced in over it all.  Amusing, in a way, I suppose.
Earn Money Sleeping.

Offline Andyr

  • Dance Commander
  • PPG
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 3178
  • Gender: Male
    • The Gibberlings Three IE mod community
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #20 on: May 09, 2004, 06:46:36 AM »
There was a big running joke at Interplay about fighting the Tarrasque at the Oasis in ToB, though not true. :)
Yes, lots of threads seemed to degenerate into "hahahahaha tarasque llol", although as far as I could tell it really wasn't very funny at all. SlidMang0 may well plagiarise Improved Oasis and add the Tarrasque in one day.

If so, I hope he puts in the additional requirement that you need to use the Infravision spell to see him.  ;)
"We are the Gibberlings Three, as merry a band as you ever did see..." - Home of IE mods

<jcompton> Suggested plugs include "Click here so Compton doesn't ban me. http://www.pocketplane.net/ub"

I am unfortunately not often about these days so the best way to get hold of me is via email.

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #21 on: May 09, 2004, 09:39:08 AM »
There was a big running joke at Interplay about fighting the Tarrasque at the Oasis in ToB, though not true. :)
Yes, lots of threads seemed to degenerate into "hahahahaha tarasque llol", although as far as I could tell it really wasn't very funny at all. SlidMang0 may well plagiarise Improved Oasis and add the Tarrasque in one day.

If so, I hope he puts in the additional requirement that you need to use the Infravision spell to see him.  ;)

I've never used infravision  :P

It's just not worth trading for magic missle.

Offline Mongoose87

  • Brain Specialist
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 426
  • Gender: Male
  • Not dead, yet
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #22 on: May 11, 2004, 04:43:13 PM »
SOmething I found on some website
Don't you hate it when... You realize that the halflings you offered to help weren't fighting "th-the
rats," but "the Tarrasque."

Offline Nesquaam

  • MoD (Master of Disaster)
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 160
  • Gender: Male
  • Per solitudinem ardere
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #23 on: May 12, 2004, 10:40:57 AM »
There was a big running joke at Interplay about fighting the Tarrasque at the Oasis in ToB, though not true. :)
Yes, lots of threads seemed to degenerate into "hahahahaha tarasque llol", although as far as I could tell it really wasn't very funny at all. SlidMang0 may well plagiarise Improved Oasis and add the Tarrasque in one day.

If so, I hope he puts in the additional requirement that you need to use the Infravision spell to see him.  ;)

I've never used infravision  :P

It's just not worth trading for magic missle.
Don't you have elves in your pary with infravision?
...Smile, Tomorrow Will Be Worse

Offline mcruz

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 171
  • Gender: Male
Re: Better Monster: The Tarrasque
« Reply #24 on: May 13, 2004, 12:33:34 AM »

If so, I hope he puts in the additional requirement that you need to use the Infravision spell to see him.  ;)

I've never used infravision  :P

It's just not worth trading for magic missle.
Don't you have elves in your pary with infravision?

I think if you have one person with infravision in your party then you can enable "group infravision" in the game settings and then your whole party gets infravision.....which kinda makes you wonder about the usefulness of the spell and the ring that grant it ;D
"Somethings are worth waiting for"

 

With Quick-Reply you can write a post when viewing a topic without loading a new page. You can still use bulletin board code and smileys as you would in a normal post.

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

Name: Email:
Verification:
Type the letters shown in the picture
Listen to the letters / Request another image
Type the letters shown in the picture:
What color is grass?:
What is the seventh word in this sentence?:
What is five minus two (use the full word)?: