#Monster Conversion Guide
Contents
#§ Scent — Every Monster Is Translatable
D&D · OSR · the Chinese Shanhaijing · Cthulhu — monsters from other game systems can be brought into the Konsei Reiyotan yoma template. Conversion is not simple value mapping — it also includes the philosophy of how it settles into the core setting.
This guide complies with the core 08-02 yoma compendium format and this expansion's 00-05 own mechanics standards (Wounds recovery · Energy support · Barrier Wounds unit · morale/Cohesion handling · non-corporeal unification · Critical Expansion · 30-10 dependency).
#§ Law — The 5 Conversion Stages
#1. Grade Determination (D&D HD → Core Grade)
Aligned with the core 08-02 §Energy standard by grade — Mob = Wounds 0, no techniques, squad decoration.
| D&D HD (Hit Dice) | Core Grade | Core Definition (08-02) | This Expansion's Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 1 | Mob | Wounds 0, no Energy, no techniques, existence itself contributes to Domination | the weakest monster. Squad decoration. |
| HD 2~3 | Minion | Wounds 1, no Energy (triggers via squad command) | squad scope (4~5 entities). Energy 10 when wandering. |
| HD 4 | Minion · Veteran boundary | — | GM discretion — judge by squad scale · tactical value. |
| HD 5~6 | Veteran | Wounds 2~3, no Energy (squad command) | strong squad member. Energy 10 when wandering. |
| HD 7~10 | Veteran (strong) · Elite boundary | Wounds 3~4. Elite if a solo core, Veteran if a squad leader · strong individual | squad-leader grade or solo Elite. |
| HD 11~15 | Elite | Wounds 4~5, Defense 14~16, Energy 8~11 | boss grade. 4-slot techniques (attack A · B · defense · license). |
| HD 16+ | Lord | Wounds 6~10, Defense 16~19, Energy 12~15 | legendary grade. 4-slot techniques + Squad Command. |
OSR HD is the same. Description-based monsters such as Shanhaijing are GM-judged by descriptive intensity.
Mob-grade handling caution: mapping a D&D HD 1 monster directly to Minion overstates squad value. Core Mob (Wounds 0) mapping is appropriate in many cases — notate it as "no techniques, squad decoration."
#2. Attribute Conversion (Value Formula)
Core check formula = 2d10 + attribute + proficiency ≥ Defense. Core attributes use only the 6 types Courage · Finesse · Physique · Wisdom · Presence · Fate (invented attributes forbidden). This expansion's abstract "attack +N" conflicts with core notation, so it is forbidden.
Wounds = grade standard first (Mob 0 / Minion 1 / Veteran 2~3 / Elite 4~5 / Lord 6~10)
Energy = grade standard (Elite 8~11 / Lord 12~15) — Mob · Minion · Veteran have no Energy (squad command)
Defense = AC ÷ 2 + 1 (roughly, AC 14 → Defense 8 ※ aligned to the core Defense 10~19 range)
Courage/Finesse/Physique = HD ÷ 3 rounded (minimum +0, maximum +5)
Wisdom · Presence · Fate = description-based GM discretion (+0 ~ +5)
technique Energy cost = 1~5 (proportional to effect intensity, complies with the core standard breath limit of 5)Check notation: every attack technique uses the form 2d10 + attribute(+N) ≥ Defense (aligned with core 03-03 checks).
Examples (re-aligned):
- D&D goblin (HD 1, AC 15) → Mob: Wounds 0 / no Energy / Defense 12 / Courage+0 / Mob 5-entity squad recommended.
- D&D troll (HD 6, AC 15) → Veteran: Wounds 3 / no Energy (squad command) / Defense 13 / Courage+2 / squad of 3 entities, Domination +3.
- D&D dragon (HD 17, AC 22) → Lord: Wounds 9 / Energy 14 / Defense 17 / Courage+5 · Physique+4 / Domination +7 + Presence aura.
Adjustable at GM discretion (per campaign tone · PC count).
#3. Attribute · Resistance Preservation
- Preserve fire · water · wind · earth attributes. If the core yoma has the same attribute, treat identically.
- Preserve physical resistance (e.g., a D&D golem's fire immunity).
- Convert magic resistance (D&D magic resistance) into a core sorcery · exorcism -2 penalty.
- Preserve sight (D&D darkvision). Core night detection +2.
#4. Special-Ability Reinterpretation
D&D ability → core technique mapping (aligned with core 08-02 §stat-block format):
| D&D Ability | Core Technique Conversion |
|---|---|
| Breath Weapon (fire breath) | [Kata] Energy 3 / all enemies in 1 zone 2d10+Wisdom(N) ≥ Defense / 2 Wounds + flame |
| Multiattack (D&D 3 attacks) | core cap of 2 per round (00-05 §7) — cast distributed across two techniques (e.g., claw + bite), or a salvo by squad command (conversion to squad scope), or reduced to 1 |
| Spellcasting | [Kata] Energy N (spell grade ×1) / can use 1~3 of the 35 spells / Dispersed Casting possible (00-05 §1) |
| Regeneration | [upkeep] recover Wounds +N (1 lull 1 time) — aligned with this expansion's 00-05 §3 Category A. |
| Pack Tactics | [Tactic:stance] when squad members are adjacent, accuracy +1 |
| Charge | [Kata] Energy 3 / move 3 zones + accuracy +2 |
| Frightful Presence | [Aptitude] adjacent enemy squad Cohesion -1 (00-05 §12) — use of the "morale" notation forbidden. When used in a 1st-expansion campaign it auto-converts to domain morale, and when using the 30-03 variant to this expansion's squad morale (00-05 §12 table reference). |
| Petrifying Gaze (instant death) | [Kata] Energy N / Critical Hit + 2+ limiting conditions (00-05 §10) — simple instant-death mapping forbidden. |
| inflicting madness · trauma · nightmare · mental shock | depends on 30-10 grimdark or 30-03 variant B. Campaigns not using them: GM-discretion narrative handling (no mechanical effect). Aligned with 00-05 §12. |
Other abilities are GM-discretion converted into core technique form.
#5. Settling into the Core World
- Where in the core's Japan can the converted monster appear? (Spirit Realm · foreign lands · ancient ruins · outer trade, etc.)
- IP safety handling: public domain or media origin (99-07 guide).
- Weakness · efficacy: which core exorcism · divine item · school does it correspond to?
#§ Conversion Checklist
- [ ] grade mapping (HD → Mob/Minion/Veteran/Elite/Lord). Comply with Mob = Wounds 0, no techniques.
- [ ] core standard stat-block format (name · grade · Wounds · Defense · Energy · Courage/Finesse/Physique · 4 technique slots · special · Domination).
- [ ] use only the 6 attributes (Courage · Finesse · Physique · Wisdom · Presence · Fate). Invented attributes forbidden.
- [ ] use the check formula
2d10 + attribute + proficiency ≥ Defense. Abstract "attack +N" notation forbidden. - [ ] Energy notation — Mob · Minion · Veteran have no Energy (squad command), Elite 8~11, Lord 12~15.
- [ ] aligned with the Domination conversion formula (08-02 §Domination conversion formula).
- [ ] damage unit = Wounds. Aligned with 00-05 §3.
- [ ] recovery effect = "[upkeep] recover Wounds +N". Aligned with 00-05 §3.
- [ ] Multiattack is capped at 2 per round (00-05 §7).
- [ ] attack bonus +5 or more requires 2+ limiting conditions (00-05 §10).
- [ ] instant-death effects are Critical Hit + 2+ limiting conditions (00-05 §10 · 15).
- [ ] morale notation converts to squad Cohesion (00-05 §12).
- [ ] madness · trauma · nightmare effects state 30-10 grimdark dependency.
- [ ] Incorporeal · non-corporeal yoma get the [non-corporeal] tag + §exorcism-exemption table link (mandatory — see §8).
- [ ] avoid core same-name yoma collisions (see §5).
- [ ] attribute · resistance preservation
- [ ] convert 1~3 special abilities into core techniques
- [ ] settling into the core world (appearance location · cultural context)
- [ ] IP safety (public domain / altered name)
- [ ] state weakness · efficacy
#§ New 1 — Guide for Avoiding Core Same-Name Yoma Collisions
When colliding with a yoma name already listed in the core 08-02 compendium, apply the following principles:
| This Expansion's Name | Core Compendium Same Name | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| nine-tailed fox | core nine-tailed fox (Lord-grade, Tamamo-no-Mae) | integrate into core — deletion of this conversion entry recommended. If a separate name is needed, "Chinese nine-tailed fox" (state the 山海經 source) |
| nue | core nue (Elite-grade) | integrate into core — deletion of this conversion entry recommended. If a separate name is needed, "Shanhaijing nue" |
| gaki | core gaki (Minion-grade) | integrate into core — deletion of this conversion entry recommended |
Principles:
- Avoid using yoma names already in the core compendium.
- When a separate name is unavoidable, use a source · cultural-sphere prefix ("Chinese", "Shanhaijing", "Tibetan").
- When integrating into core, delete this conversion material. Update the integration index 99-04.
#§ New 2 — Multiattack Conversion Principles
D&D Multiattack is converted to fit the core cap of 2 per round (03-04 §Rule 3 + 00-05 §7).
3 conversion patterns:
| Conversion Pattern | Applicable Situation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A. Reduce to 2 per round | solo Elite · Lord yoma | choose two techniques, "lion claw + goat head-butt" or "tail + claw" |
| B. Dispersed Casting (00-05 §1) | multi-simultaneous such as a 5-headed hydra | prepare in one round + trigger next round, sum the Energy |
| C. Conversion to squad command | depicting many enemies | convert to squad scope — a Minion/Veteran squad's [Tactic:Kata] |
Forbidden: D&D-original notations as-is, "3 attacks" or "5 heads simultaneously."
#§ New 3 — Stating 30-10 Grimdark Dependency
The following effects depend on the 30-10 grimdark option or 30-03 variant B:
- inflicting madness (Insanity)
- inflicting trauma (Trauma)
- nightmare effect (Nightmare)
- mental shock (Mental Shock)
- hallucination (Hallucination)
- Fear → mechanical effect (a check effect rather than simple description)
Handling for campaigns not using them: GM-discretion narrative handling (no mechanical effect). Aligned with 00-05 §12.
Example notations:
- "inflict madness" → "madness when using 30-10 or 30-03 variant B / otherwise GM-discretion narrative"
- "inflict trauma" → "trauma when using 30-10 grimdark / otherwise GM discretion"
#§ New 4 — Mandatory Application of the Non-Corporeal · [Incorporeal] Attack Unified Rule
Core 08-02 §non-corporeal unified rule — mandatory application to all Incorporeal yoma.
Application targets (all of this expansion's Incorporeal · undead · spirit-body entities):
- zombie · wight · vampire · banshee · specter (55-03)
- vengeful ghost · shijie · green-robed ghost (55-09)
- nightgaunt (55-12)
- Spirit Realm entities · ghosts in general
Mandatory notation form:
Special: [non-corporeal] — nullifies physical attacks d10 1~5 (50%). Exempted by exorcism introductory (1 point)+. Exempted by `[Incorporeal]` attacks. See [§non-corporeal unified rule](../../co/co-08-gm-tools/co-08-02-monster-templates.md#비실체-통일-규칙).[Incorporeal] attack notation: use the [Incorporeal] tag from the 3 defense-bypass lines and auxiliary notation system (§defense · penetration system) for Incorporeal attacks. Handling on the receiving side mandates the §exorcism-exemption table link notation.
#§ Anti-Patterns
- Conversion that is too strong: overwhelms PCs. Mapping HD too high.
- Ignoring core techniques: original D&D effect as-is. Conflicts with core rules.
- Mixing Energy/Wounds: use only Wounds as the damage unit. "Energy -N" damage notation forbidden (00-05 §3).
- Using abstract attributes: "attack +N" notation forbidden. Use the core 6 attributes + check formula.
- D&D-style Critical Hit notation: notations such as "1d10 = 9-10" forbidden. Use core Critical Hit (2d10 double) or 00-05 §15 Critical Expansion.
- Unconditional use of morale · madness: forbidden without stating core Cohesion or 30-10 dependency.
- Multiattack as-is: violating the cap of 2 per round forbidden.
- Using core same names: collisions with core compendium names such as nine-tailed fox · nue · gaki forbidden.
- Ignoring IP safety: using media origins as-is. Legal risk.
- Ignoring the setting: forced appearances that cannot settle into the core's Japan.
"Translation is moving the original's soul into a new language. If the soul lives, the language may change."