A brief explanation:
I've been a fan of Green Ronin Publishing's d20 line since the first Freeport adventure was released. However, I found a number of nitpicky problems, so started compiling lists of errata and related commentary to share with other fans on their boards (www.greenronin.com/phpBB/index.php ). So when d20 CoC came out, I felt a need to compile a similar file for this product, to share here.
I really love these products, and hope that my comments can help some other fans who might be confused by these problems. I'm doing this in the interest of constructive criticism, so if you have feedback, please note them here (or email me at time@sluggy.net), and I'll attempt to incorporate them into future updates.
My GRP and CoC errata are collected on my website at: www.geocities.com/thastygliax/d20errata/
[UPDATE 8/22/02: I have changed this URL in order to reflect the expanded scope.]
Tim Emrick
p.s. Special thanks to Erica Balsley [DnDChick] for the conversions that she's been sharing on these boards. Those allowed me to offer a few "quick fix" links rather than merely flagging every omission!
---------
ERRATA & NOTES: CALL OF CTHULHU D20
Throughout: Several gods, monsters and spells are missing; see the notes at the end of these errata.
The Dreamlands are mentioned in several places (pp. 178 [inferred], 184, 257, 296, 307, 309), but only Mordiggian's entry (p. 307) comes close to defining that realm. If they are to be mentioned at all, the book should at least offer a sidebar's worth of explanation.
p. 8, Intelligence: Delete the first bulleted item, about languages.
p. 82, Damage Reduction; Disease: [See "Missing Monsters" about vampires.]
p. 84, Poison: [See "Missing Gods" about Atlach-Nacha.]
p. 131, Banishment of Yde Etad: "Outsider" is a type, not a subtype. Outsiders appearing in the Creatures chapter (pp. 152-201) include: colour out of space, dimensional shambler, elder thing, nightgaunt, servitor of the Outer Gods, terror from beyond. This spell might also be effective on humanoids possessed by Yithians (pp. 171-172).
pp. 132-133, Call Deity: Call Azathoth requires pipes enchanted using an Enchant Item spell (pp. 140-141). [See "Missing Gods" about Nyogtha.]
p. 133, Cast Out Devil: [See "Missing Gods" about Y'golonac.]
p. 133, Cast Out Shan: The 1 Con drain should be mentioned under Cost.
p. 135, Contact Creature: Deep ones have 2 HD, so a 6th-level caster can summon three. [See "Missing Monsters" about sand-dwellers and star-spawn.]
pp. 135-136, Contact Deity: [See "Missing Gods" about Y'golonac.]
p. 137, Create Time Gate: No material component is described; see Create Gate, pp. 136-137.
pp. 137-138, Curse of the Putrid Husk: No material component is described.
p. 138, Darkness: Darkvision is not described in CoC; see D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.
p. 138, Death By Flames: No material component is described.
pp. 140-141, Enchant Item: The Enchant Pipes entry states that these pipes are required for Call Azathoth, but that god's entry under Call Deity (pp. 132-133) makes no mention of them.
p. 144, Locate Creature: No material component is described.
p. 144, Look to the Future: No focus is described.
p. 145, Mirror of Tarkhun Atep: Components should include "F," for the mirror used in the spell.
p. 138, Raise Night Fog: Darkvision is not described in CoC; see D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.
p. 150, Voorish Sign: Note that Voorish Sign raises the subsequent spell's DC by 3, but costs 2 Int, for a net increase of +2.
p. 151, Word of Recall: Mythos spells are not prepared, as are most D&D spells; designate the sanctuary when the spell is cast.
pp. 152-153, Size and Type: There is no entry for Elemental; see Lloigor, pp. 175-176, for Elemental traits. (See the D&D Monster Manual, p. 5, for more information.)
The Ooze example should be Formless Spawn (shoggoths are aberrations). Change the vermin example to The Worm that Walks (monstrous spiders do not appear in this book, and Leng spiders are magical beasts).
Darkvision is not explained. (See D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.)
pp. 155, Special Attacks: Improved grab should be explained here. See D&D Monster Manual, p. 9.
pp. 155-156, Special Qualities: Darkvision should be explained here. See D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.
p. 157, Advancement: No entry for Elemental is given; see D&D Monster Manual, p. 13.
The example in the first Size Increase table is incorrect; it gains -4 Dex. This error appears in the D&D Monster Manual, p. 12, and was apparently copied without correction.
pp. 166-168, Flying Polyp: The text describes them as incorporeal; add "(Incorporeal)" to its type entry. Polyps lack the prerequisites for the Whirlwind Attack feat (p. 156).
pp. 169-170, Ghoul: The "ghoul" template does not give a CR.
pp. 170-171, Gnoph-Keh: Damage from throwing an impaled victim across frozen plain is listed as "[1d6+4]x10 falling damage." "x10" should probably be "x1d6" instead.
pp. 185-187, Tcho-Tcho: [See "Missing Spells" about Contact Shantak.]
p. 189, Cultists: None have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat [Precise Shot?] or impose a -4 to attack.
p. 194, Sample Ghost: He does not have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat [Point Blank Shot?] or impose a -4 to his gun attack.
p. 196, Sample Loup-Garou: Initiative: +1 as human (+1 Dex), +7 in wolf or hybrid form (+3 Dex, Improved Initiative). Armor Class: 11 in human form (+1 Dex), 15 in wolf or hybrid form (+3 Dex, +2 natural). She does not have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat [Rapid Shot?], or impose a -4 to her weapon attacks.
p. 198, Sample Greater Mummy: She does not have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat or impose a -4 to her attacks.
pp. 199-201, Animals: CoC has no encumbrance rules, so Carrying Capacity loads (dogs, horses) need to be explained. (See D&D Player's Handbook, pp. 141-142.)
CoC does not fully explain Improved Grab (crocodile, leopard, lion/tiger). Per the D&D Monster Manual, p. 9, a grapple check is needed to hold. The other monster entries in CoC make this clear, but the Animals entry simply copies text from the Monster Manual.
p. 206, Y'golonac: [See "Missing Gods."]
p. 207, Others: [See "Missing Monsters" about shantaks.]
p. 266, Interview Frank Long: Long is apparently an Offense Option character (+1 base attack, -1 Str = +0). He should have one good save (+2), but only his stat modifiers are included.
p. 267, GM Map: No scale is given.
p. 268, The Book of Sound and Light: Contact Yog-Sothoth does not appear on pp. 135-136; Call Yog-Sothoth appears on pp. 132-133. [See "Missing Spells."]
p. 270, Confronting Jacobs: He is a Defense Option character, so both Atk should be +3 (+2 base, +1 Str or Dex). He has no Weapon Proficiency, so either replace a feat [Point Blank Shot?] or impose a -4 penalty on his pistol attacks. "Awareness" should be "Alertness." See the note to p. 268 about his spells.
pp. 277, Dr. Thomas Joshi; Dr. Melissa Corbitt; Dr. Edgar Roth: These three are Defense Option characters. Corbitt's Atk should be +0 melee (+0 base, +0 Str) or +1 ranged (+0 base, +1 Dex).
p. 278, Sam Brendel: He is an Offense Option character.
pp. 278-279, Charles Peal; Robert Nelson: Both are Offense Option characters. Peal's Atk should be +1 melee (base) or +2 ranged (+1 base, +1 Dex); his Will save should be +1 (Wis). Nelson's Atk should be +3 melee (+2 base, +1 Str) or +2 ranged (base). The Smith & Wesson Model 29 Revolver does not appear in the Specific Firearms tables (pp. 98-99); the GM should choose a listed pistol for any additional statistics needed, or use the Generic Handgun (p. 95) instead.
pp. 292-293, Cthulhu: [See "Missing Monsters" about star-spawn.]
p. 304, picture of Y'golonac: [See "Missing Gods."]
p. 315, Roger Zelazny: The correct title is A Night in _the_ Lonesome October.
p. 316, M.R. James: "Count Magnus" is listed twice.
MISSING GODS
Atlach-Nacha: Mentioned under Poison (p. 2
. Suggested fix pending official errata: Use a Leng Spider (pp. 183-184) of largest size, and add Divine Qualities (pp. 289-290).
Nyogtha: Mentioned under Call Deity (pp. 132-133), Clutch of Nyogtha (p.134) and Tsathogghua (pp. 311-312). Suggested fix pending official errata: Use a Formless Spawn (pp. 168-169) of largest size, and add Divine Qualities (pp. 289-290).
Y'golonac: Mentioned under Contac Deity (pp. 135-136) and False Gods (pp. 205-206), and illustrated on p. 304. (No suggested fix yet.)
MISSING MONSTERS
Moonbeast: Mentioned under Noden (pp. 308-309) and described in sidebars on pp. 237 and 238. See members.aol.com/CountryGr...fcd20.html for a conversion by "DnDChick" (Erica Balsley).
Shantak: Mentioned under Tcho-Tcho (pp. 185-187), Nyarlathotep (pp. 295-297) and Nodens (pp. 308-309). See members.aol.com/CountryGr...fcd20.html for a conversion by "DnDChick" (Erica Balsley).
Sand-Dweller: Mentioned under Contact Creature (p. 135). See members.aol.com/CountryGr...fcd20.html for a conversion by "DnDChick" (Erica Balsley).
Star-Spawn: Mentioned under Contact Creature (p. 135) and Cthulhu (pp. 292-293). This creature's stats do not appear in the book, but do appear in the "Sample Creatures" excerpts on the Wizards website: www.wizards.com/default.a...x20020321f
Vampire: Mentioned under Damage Reduction (p. 82) and Disease (p. 82). Use the template in the D&D Monster Manual, pp. 221-222, or create your own.
MISSING SPELLS
Contact Shantak: Mentioned under Tcho-Tcho (pp. 185-187).
Contact Yog-Sothoth: Contained in the Book of Sound and Light (p. 26 , and known to Jacobs (p. 270). However, Contact Yog-Sothoth does not appear on pp. 135-136; only Call Yog-Sothoth is described (pp. 132-133).
I've been a fan of Green Ronin Publishing's d20 line since the first Freeport adventure was released. However, I found a number of nitpicky problems, so started compiling lists of errata and related commentary to share with other fans on their boards (www.greenronin.com/phpBB/index.php ). So when d20 CoC came out, I felt a need to compile a similar file for this product, to share here.
I really love these products, and hope that my comments can help some other fans who might be confused by these problems. I'm doing this in the interest of constructive criticism, so if you have feedback, please note them here (or email me at time@sluggy.net), and I'll attempt to incorporate them into future updates.
My GRP and CoC errata are collected on my website at: www.geocities.com/thastygliax/d20errata/
[UPDATE 8/22/02: I have changed this URL in order to reflect the expanded scope.]
Tim Emrick
p.s. Special thanks to Erica Balsley [DnDChick] for the conversions that she's been sharing on these boards. Those allowed me to offer a few "quick fix" links rather than merely flagging every omission!
---------
ERRATA & NOTES: CALL OF CTHULHU D20
Throughout: Several gods, monsters and spells are missing; see the notes at the end of these errata.
The Dreamlands are mentioned in several places (pp. 178 [inferred], 184, 257, 296, 307, 309), but only Mordiggian's entry (p. 307) comes close to defining that realm. If they are to be mentioned at all, the book should at least offer a sidebar's worth of explanation.
p. 8, Intelligence: Delete the first bulleted item, about languages.
p. 82, Damage Reduction; Disease: [See "Missing Monsters" about vampires.]
p. 84, Poison: [See "Missing Gods" about Atlach-Nacha.]
p. 131, Banishment of Yde Etad: "Outsider" is a type, not a subtype. Outsiders appearing in the Creatures chapter (pp. 152-201) include: colour out of space, dimensional shambler, elder thing, nightgaunt, servitor of the Outer Gods, terror from beyond. This spell might also be effective on humanoids possessed by Yithians (pp. 171-172).
pp. 132-133, Call Deity: Call Azathoth requires pipes enchanted using an Enchant Item spell (pp. 140-141). [See "Missing Gods" about Nyogtha.]
p. 133, Cast Out Devil: [See "Missing Gods" about Y'golonac.]
p. 133, Cast Out Shan: The 1 Con drain should be mentioned under Cost.
p. 135, Contact Creature: Deep ones have 2 HD, so a 6th-level caster can summon three. [See "Missing Monsters" about sand-dwellers and star-spawn.]
pp. 135-136, Contact Deity: [See "Missing Gods" about Y'golonac.]
p. 137, Create Time Gate: No material component is described; see Create Gate, pp. 136-137.
pp. 137-138, Curse of the Putrid Husk: No material component is described.
p. 138, Darkness: Darkvision is not described in CoC; see D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.
p. 138, Death By Flames: No material component is described.
pp. 140-141, Enchant Item: The Enchant Pipes entry states that these pipes are required for Call Azathoth, but that god's entry under Call Deity (pp. 132-133) makes no mention of them.
p. 144, Locate Creature: No material component is described.
p. 144, Look to the Future: No focus is described.
p. 145, Mirror of Tarkhun Atep: Components should include "F," for the mirror used in the spell.
p. 138, Raise Night Fog: Darkvision is not described in CoC; see D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.
p. 150, Voorish Sign: Note that Voorish Sign raises the subsequent spell's DC by 3, but costs 2 Int, for a net increase of +2.
p. 151, Word of Recall: Mythos spells are not prepared, as are most D&D spells; designate the sanctuary when the spell is cast.
pp. 152-153, Size and Type: There is no entry for Elemental; see Lloigor, pp. 175-176, for Elemental traits. (See the D&D Monster Manual, p. 5, for more information.)
The Ooze example should be Formless Spawn (shoggoths are aberrations). Change the vermin example to The Worm that Walks (monstrous spiders do not appear in this book, and Leng spiders are magical beasts).
Darkvision is not explained. (See D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.)
pp. 155, Special Attacks: Improved grab should be explained here. See D&D Monster Manual, p. 9.
pp. 155-156, Special Qualities: Darkvision should be explained here. See D&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 74.
p. 157, Advancement: No entry for Elemental is given; see D&D Monster Manual, p. 13.
The example in the first Size Increase table is incorrect; it gains -4 Dex. This error appears in the D&D Monster Manual, p. 12, and was apparently copied without correction.
pp. 166-168, Flying Polyp: The text describes them as incorporeal; add "(Incorporeal)" to its type entry. Polyps lack the prerequisites for the Whirlwind Attack feat (p. 156).
pp. 169-170, Ghoul: The "ghoul" template does not give a CR.
pp. 170-171, Gnoph-Keh: Damage from throwing an impaled victim across frozen plain is listed as "[1d6+4]x10 falling damage." "x10" should probably be "x1d6" instead.
pp. 185-187, Tcho-Tcho: [See "Missing Spells" about Contact Shantak.]
p. 189, Cultists: None have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat [Precise Shot?] or impose a -4 to attack.
p. 194, Sample Ghost: He does not have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat [Point Blank Shot?] or impose a -4 to his gun attack.
p. 196, Sample Loup-Garou: Initiative: +1 as human (+1 Dex), +7 in wolf or hybrid form (+3 Dex, Improved Initiative). Armor Class: 11 in human form (+1 Dex), 15 in wolf or hybrid form (+3 Dex, +2 natural). She does not have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat [Rapid Shot?], or impose a -4 to her weapon attacks.
p. 198, Sample Greater Mummy: She does not have Weapon Proficiency, so either replace one feat or impose a -4 to her attacks.
pp. 199-201, Animals: CoC has no encumbrance rules, so Carrying Capacity loads (dogs, horses) need to be explained. (See D&D Player's Handbook, pp. 141-142.)
CoC does not fully explain Improved Grab (crocodile, leopard, lion/tiger). Per the D&D Monster Manual, p. 9, a grapple check is needed to hold. The other monster entries in CoC make this clear, but the Animals entry simply copies text from the Monster Manual.
p. 206, Y'golonac: [See "Missing Gods."]
p. 207, Others: [See "Missing Monsters" about shantaks.]
p. 266, Interview Frank Long: Long is apparently an Offense Option character (+1 base attack, -1 Str = +0). He should have one good save (+2), but only his stat modifiers are included.
p. 267, GM Map: No scale is given.
p. 268, The Book of Sound and Light: Contact Yog-Sothoth does not appear on pp. 135-136; Call Yog-Sothoth appears on pp. 132-133. [See "Missing Spells."]
p. 270, Confronting Jacobs: He is a Defense Option character, so both Atk should be +3 (+2 base, +1 Str or Dex). He has no Weapon Proficiency, so either replace a feat [Point Blank Shot?] or impose a -4 penalty on his pistol attacks. "Awareness" should be "Alertness." See the note to p. 268 about his spells.
pp. 277, Dr. Thomas Joshi; Dr. Melissa Corbitt; Dr. Edgar Roth: These three are Defense Option characters. Corbitt's Atk should be +0 melee (+0 base, +0 Str) or +1 ranged (+0 base, +1 Dex).
p. 278, Sam Brendel: He is an Offense Option character.
pp. 278-279, Charles Peal; Robert Nelson: Both are Offense Option characters. Peal's Atk should be +1 melee (base) or +2 ranged (+1 base, +1 Dex); his Will save should be +1 (Wis). Nelson's Atk should be +3 melee (+2 base, +1 Str) or +2 ranged (base). The Smith & Wesson Model 29 Revolver does not appear in the Specific Firearms tables (pp. 98-99); the GM should choose a listed pistol for any additional statistics needed, or use the Generic Handgun (p. 95) instead.
pp. 292-293, Cthulhu: [See "Missing Monsters" about star-spawn.]
p. 304, picture of Y'golonac: [See "Missing Gods."]
p. 315, Roger Zelazny: The correct title is A Night in _the_ Lonesome October.
p. 316, M.R. James: "Count Magnus" is listed twice.
MISSING GODS
Atlach-Nacha: Mentioned under Poison (p. 2
. Suggested fix pending official errata: Use a Leng Spider (pp. 183-184) of largest size, and add Divine Qualities (pp. 289-290).Nyogtha: Mentioned under Call Deity (pp. 132-133), Clutch of Nyogtha (p.134) and Tsathogghua (pp. 311-312). Suggested fix pending official errata: Use a Formless Spawn (pp. 168-169) of largest size, and add Divine Qualities (pp. 289-290).
Y'golonac: Mentioned under Contac Deity (pp. 135-136) and False Gods (pp. 205-206), and illustrated on p. 304. (No suggested fix yet.)
MISSING MONSTERS
Moonbeast: Mentioned under Noden (pp. 308-309) and described in sidebars on pp. 237 and 238. See members.aol.com/CountryGr...fcd20.html for a conversion by "DnDChick" (Erica Balsley).
Shantak: Mentioned under Tcho-Tcho (pp. 185-187), Nyarlathotep (pp. 295-297) and Nodens (pp. 308-309). See members.aol.com/CountryGr...fcd20.html for a conversion by "DnDChick" (Erica Balsley).
Sand-Dweller: Mentioned under Contact Creature (p. 135). See members.aol.com/CountryGr...fcd20.html for a conversion by "DnDChick" (Erica Balsley).
Star-Spawn: Mentioned under Contact Creature (p. 135) and Cthulhu (pp. 292-293). This creature's stats do not appear in the book, but do appear in the "Sample Creatures" excerpts on the Wizards website: www.wizards.com/default.a...x20020321f
Vampire: Mentioned under Damage Reduction (p. 82) and Disease (p. 82). Use the template in the D&D Monster Manual, pp. 221-222, or create your own.
MISSING SPELLS
Contact Shantak: Mentioned under Tcho-Tcho (pp. 185-187).
Contact Yog-Sothoth: Contained in the Book of Sound and Light (p. 26
, and known to Jacobs (p. 270). However, Contact Yog-Sothoth does not appear on pp. 135-136; only Call Yog-Sothoth is described (pp. 132-133).-------------------------------
The Lair of Thastygliax:
http://www.geocities.com/thastygliax/
D&D, GURPS, Cthulhu, other games
"Unless you call it up, you'll never know if you can put it down, now will you?" --Kenneth Hite
The Lair of Thastygliax:
http://www.geocities.com/thastygliax/
D&D, GURPS, Cthulhu, other games
"Unless you call it up, you'll never know if you can put it down, now will you?" --Kenneth Hite
