Another beasty from Monster Hunter World and the first elder dragon I've done! Tread carefully, try not to breathe in the effluvium, and check out the vaal hazak!
I'm gonna keep it up with a mix of original and franchise monsters, but I do want to look at doing some older MH monsters though I've only ever played World. But that will take a lot more research on my part. For the vaal hazak, I decided to mimic its effluvium abilities with negative energy and its ability to lower a character's total health with negative levels. I also feel like I came up with a good idea for its ability to control 'effluvium-infused' creatures.
Pathfinder 1e
I wanted to have the vaal hazak inflict actual decay and rot, which is why I made it so that it doesn't affect undead. I am going to be the first to admit that I don't have a full grasp of traits in 2e, so please point out any mistakes I might've made here because I'm a little unsure of this. The minute duration of the critical failure effect of call to the grave, might be a bit much but it never ended up being an issue in my testing.
Pathfinder 2e Version
Blue found some recently awesome art for the vaal hazak from a game called Teppen that I had never heard of before and still don't entirely understand. Looks awesome though.
Blue's D&D 5e Version (https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/XSVlrnPq):
ENCOUNTER HOOKS
Wake the Dead: Recent tremors have shaken a vaal hazak from its traditional subterranean home, driving it to the surface where its effluvium is blighting the land. The adventurers can face the deadly beast in battle – or track down the villain who stirred up the creature in the first place. Once the mastermind behind the plot, possibly a necromancer seeking a way to create fodder for a grander scheme, is defeated, the heroes can potentially relocate the lethal but guileless dragon.
Cradle of the Grave: A foolhardy thief and poacher stole the eggs from a vaal hazak’s nest, stirring her from her caverns. The draconic mother tears through the countryside, searching for the thief who is trying to take the stolen eggs to an exotic underground market where he can sell to buyers of the bizarre. Even if the thief manages to sell the eggs, few are properly prepared for the care of even an infant vaal hazak and those that rarely have good intentions.
This was a fun one to do, but please lemme know what you think of it. Have a Monstrous Monday!
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