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{{PageSeo | {{PageSeo | ||
| title = Strange Ox | |||
| description = The Strange Ox is a recurring Beast that appears in all three acts of the game. | | description = The Strange Ox is a recurring Beast that appears in all three acts of the game. | ||
| image = Strange Ox.png | | image = Strange Ox.png | ||
| Line 5: | Line 6: | ||
{{Infobox creature | {{Infobox creature | ||
| name = Strange Ox | | name = Strange Ox | ||
| image = | | full name = Zlorb | ||
<gallery> | | va = | ||
| image = <gallery> | |||
Strange Ox.png|In-game | Strange Ox.png|In-game | ||
Portrait Ox.png|Portrait | Portrait Ox.png|Portrait | ||
| Line 18: | Line 20: | ||
| wis = 10 | | wis = 10 | ||
| cha = 4 | | cha = 4 | ||
| race = Beast | | role = [[Attached Follower]] | ||
| type = Beast | | race = [[Beast]] | ||
| type = [[Beast]] | |||
| hp = 15 | | hp = 15 | ||
| t hp = 15 | |||
| e hp = 15 | |||
| ac = 10 | | ac = 10 | ||
| size = Large | | size = [[Large]] | ||
| movement m = 9 | | movement m = 9 | ||
| movement ft = 30 | | movement ft = 30 | ||
| Line 30: | Line 35: | ||
| passives = Blindsight, Darkvision, Opportunity Attack | | passives = Blindsight, Darkvision, Opportunity Attack | ||
| t passives = Blindsight, Caustic Strikes, Darkvision, Extra Attack, Opportunity Attack | | t passives = Blindsight, Caustic Strikes, Darkvision, Extra Attack, Opportunity Attack | ||
| uuid = 49eb5b4b-c6ed-4d37-8f68-97b1128b7d56 | |||
| uid = S_GLO_DevilishOx | |||
| stats = HAV_Phasm | |||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Strange Ox''' is a mysterious ox first encountered in [[ | The '''Strange Ox''' is a mysterious ox first encountered in the [[Emerald Grove]] in [[Act One]]. | ||
{{ | {{Q|Hail Cyric!|The real meaning of 'Moo'}} | ||
== | ==Involvement== | ||
=== Act One === | === Act One === | ||
Walking past the Strange Ox | Walking past the Strange Ox prompts a {{Ability Check|Insight|10}} to notice its odd behavior. A character who passes the check can talk to the Strange Ox via {{SAI|Speak with Animals}} or {{SmRarityItem|Potion of Animal Speaking}} and make a {{Ability Check|Arcana|10}} to investigate further. Passing this check confirms the creature is not what it appears to be.{{ref|If the player character is a [[Druid]], or possibly a [[Ranger]], speaking with the Strange Ox may reveal it was discriminating in its choice of what kind of animal to present as: a rare Red-Backed River Ox.}} | ||
[[File:An_Authentic_Red-Backed_River_Ox.png|left|alt=A picture of The Strange Ox, standing in a stable at the Last Light Inn during Act Two. It is speaking with the player character, choosing to keep its secrets.|thumb|The mysterious creature presents as a rare Red-Backed River Ox.|250px]] | |||
The party must | The party must successfully pass a {{Ability Check|Persuasion|10}}, {{Ability Check|Intimidation|10}}, or {{Ability Check|Deception|10}} to pressure the Ox into revealing its secret. On success, the Ox tells the party that it is heading to Baldur's Gate but refuses to elaborate further. | ||
Attacking the Strange Ox in Act One | Attacking the Strange Ox in Act One causes its caretaker, {{CharLink|Toron}}, and neighboring oxen to become hostile. The ox drops pools of {{Area|acid}} when damaged. On death, it drops a {{SAI|Glyph of Warding: Acid}} that immediately explodes for {{DamageText|8d8|acid}} damage. | ||
If completing {{Quest|Raid the Emerald Grove}} and attacking the refugees, the Strange Ox disappears with the other oxen when the grove prepares for the siege, and can be encountered later on. | |||
=== Act Two === | === Act Two === | ||
| Line 55: | Line 65: | ||
| wis = 15 | | wis = 15 | ||
| cha = 14 | | cha = 14 | ||
| race = [ | | race = [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Phasm Phasm] | ||
| type = Ooze | | type = [[Ooze]] | ||
| hp = 132 | | hp = 132 | ||
| e hp = 116 | | e hp = 116 | ||
| Line 68: | Line 78: | ||
| t passives = Blindsight, Caustic Strikes, Darkvision, Extra Attack, Opportunity Attack | | t passives = Blindsight, Caustic Strikes, Darkvision, Extra Attack, Opportunity Attack | ||
}} | }} | ||
Walking towards the Strange Ox in the stables of the [[Last Light Inn]] | Walking towards the Strange Ox in the stables of the [[Last Light Inn]] prompts a {{Ability Check|Insight|10}} to recall whether the player character has seen it before. Passing this check is not necessary to talk to the Strange Ox. With {{SAI|Speak with Animals}}, the party can continue the conversation from the [[Emerald Grove]]. Regardless, the interacting party member must pass a {{Ability Check|Persuasion, Perception, Nature|14}} to continue. | ||
On success, the Ox telepathically shows images of disfigured corpses with the sound of screaming in the background. Failing the check causes the conversation to end, but it is still possible to continue speaking with the Ox, essentially skipping the check. | |||
Pressuring it to reveal its true identity results in the Ox threatening | Pressuring it to reveal its true identity results in the Ox threatening the party. The conversation can either end here or the interacting party member can continue asking questions. Questioning the Ox further causes it to deform into a cyan [[Ochre Jelly|Phasm Ooze]] and enter combat with the party {{ref|The Strange Ox has a hidden passive that generates a {{dist|m=3}} radius {{Area|Acid}} surface when struck.}}. Before doing so, it tells the player character that it was seeking a simple life of hay and a clean stable to live in. Alternatively, telling the creature its secrets are safe ends the conversation peacefully ({{Approval|Shadowheart|+1}} {{Approval|Astarion|+1}} {{Approval|Minthara|+1}}). | ||
[[The Dark Urge]] may relate to the ox's revelations and can tell it about their own murderous nature, to which it remarks they may be a kindred spirit, but it only wishes to be an ox. The player character can either respect or chastise it for not giving in to its bloodlust - the latter option causes the Dark Urge to brutally attack the creature mid-dialogue, killing it without initiating combat as it struggles to retain its ox form until the very end.{{ref|If killing the Ox using [[The Dark Urge]], no XP is gained aside from inspiration.}} | |||
Alternatively, The Dark Urge can, after sharing its violent visions, choose to respect its wishes by answering, "I don't care what you might be behind it all; you're an ox to me." The Strange Ox responds to the Urge's discretion by regurgitating an {{SmRarityItem|Onyx}} as a gift. | |||
{{ | |||
=== Act Three === | === Act Three === | ||
If the Strange Ox survives into [[Act Three]], it can be encountered in [[Rivington]] at {{Coords|36|-149}} on a hill west of the requisitioned barn. Approaching it triggers a {{Ability Check|Insight|10}} check to confirm its likeness. This time, the Ox is glad to see the party. It was worried about the party's mental health since the previous encounter, but perhaps it is just faking it because it needs something from them. | |||
If | |||
As previously, the Ox can be questioned about its true nature and, like before, doing so causes it to deform into his natural shape and become hostile. Any other conversation path leads to initiating {{Quest|Help the Devilish Ox}}. If deciding to help, it turns into an apple on the stable floor that can be picked up. The moment the party enter the [[Lower City]] with it inside a party member's inventory, the quest ends and it disappears, leaving behind his {{SmRarityItem|Shapeshifter's Boon Ring}} and a {{SmRarityItem|Slightly Slimy Note}}. If entering the Lower City before speaking to the Ox, it disappears and the quest cannot be started. If the quest was not previously started, the Ox cannot be recruited for {{Quest|Gather Your Allies}}. | |||
Completing | Completing {{Quest|Help the Devilish Ox}} allows the party to summon it using a {{SAI|Gather Your Allies (class action)}} during {{Quest|Confront the Elder Brain}}. It reveals its true form as [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Phasm Phasm], a type of [[Ooze]] with a true form similar to an [[Ochre Jelly]] which can shapeshift into different monsters with unique abilities during combat.{{ref|The tooltip on the summoning action {{SAI|An Apple a Day}} reveals the Phasm's name to be '''Zlorb'''.}} | ||
{{Infobox creature | {{Infobox creature | ||
| Line 97: | Line 105: | ||
| wis = 15 | | wis = 15 | ||
| cha = 14 | | cha = 14 | ||
| race = | | race = [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Phasm Phasm] | ||
| type = Ooze | | type = [[Ooze]] | ||
| hp = 212 | | hp = 212 | ||
| e hp = 196 | | e hp = 196 | ||
| Line 111: | Line 119: | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Attacks and | == Combat == | ||
{{Feature box|Ochre Sputum}} | === Attacks and abilities (Act 2) === | ||
{{Feature box|Ochre Sputum (acid)}} | |||
=== Attacks and abilities (Act 3) === | |||
{{Feature box|Alternate Form: Dire Wolf}} | |||
{{Feature box|Alternate Form: Minotaur}} | |||
{{Feature box|Alternate Form: Phase Spider}} | |||
{{Feature box|Alternate Form: Shadow Mastiff}} | |||
{{Feature box|Ochre Sputum (acid)}} | |||
{{Feature box|Pseudopod}} | {{Feature box|Pseudopod}} | ||
=== Notable loot === | |||
* | * {{MdRarityItem|Hat of Fire Acuity}} (only if killed in Act Two or Act Three) | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Shapeshifter's Boon Ring}} (if killed or traded with in any Act or as a reward in Act Three) | |||
{{ | |||
* | |||
{{ | |||
== | == Related literature == | ||
* {{ | * {{MdRarityItem|Slightly Slimy Note}} | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{notebegin}} | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{noteend}} | |||
{{Emerald Grove}} | {{Emerald Grove}} | ||
| Line 154: | Line 155: | ||
[[Category:Beasts]] | [[Category:Beasts]] | ||
[[Category:Oozes]] | [[Category:Oozes]] | ||
[[Category:Attached Followers]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:19, 25 January 2025
The Strange Ox is a mysterious ox first encountered in the Emerald Grove in Act One.
DC 10 Insight check to recall whether the player character has seen it before. Passing this check is not necessary to talk to the Strange Ox. With 
, the party can continue the conversation from the Emerald Grove. Regardless, the interacting party member must pass a DC 14 Persuasion, Perception, or Nature check to continue.
| “ | Hail Cyric! |
„ |
| — The real meaning of 'Moo' |
Involvement[edit | edit source]
Act One[edit | edit source]
Walking past the Strange Ox prompts a DC 10 Insight check to notice its odd behavior. A character who passes the check can talk to the Strange Ox via or 
Potion of Animal Speaking and make a DC 10 Arcana check to investigate further. Passing this check confirms the creature is not what it appears to be.[1]
The party must successfully pass a DC 10 Persuasion check, DC 10 Intimidation check, or DC 10 Deception check to pressure the Ox into revealing its secret. On success, the Ox tells the party that it is heading to Baldur's Gate but refuses to elaborate further.
Attacking the Strange Ox in Act One causes its caretaker, Toron, and neighboring oxen to become hostile. The ox drops pools of 
Acid when damaged. On death, it drops a 
that immediately explodes for 8d8
acid damage.
If completing 
and attacking the refugees, the Strange Ox disappears with the other oxen when the grove prepares for the siege, and can be encountered later on.
Act Two[edit | edit source]
Walking towards the Strange Ox in the stables of the Last Light Inn prompts a DC 10 Insight check to recall whether the player character has seen it before. Passing this check is not necessary to talk to the Strange Ox. With , the party can continue the conversation from the Emerald Grove. Regardless, the interacting party member must pass a DC 14 Persuasion, Perception, or Nature check to continue.
On success, the Ox telepathically shows images of disfigured corpses with the sound of screaming in the background. Failing the check causes the conversation to end, but it is still possible to continue speaking with the Ox, essentially skipping the check.
Pressuring it to reveal its true identity results in the Ox threatening the party. The conversation can either end here or the interacting party member can continue asking questions. Questioning the Ox further causes it to deform into a cyan Phasm Ooze and enter combat with the party [2]. Before doing so, it tells the player character that it was seeking a simple life of hay and a clean stable to live in. Alternatively, telling the creature its secrets are safe ends the conversation peacefully (
+1 
+1 
+1).
The Dark Urge may relate to the ox's revelations and can tell it about their own murderous nature, to which it remarks they may be a kindred spirit, but it only wishes to be an ox. The player character can either respect or chastise it for not giving in to its bloodlust - the latter option causes the Dark Urge to brutally attack the creature mid-dialogue, killing it without initiating combat as it struggles to retain its ox form until the very end.[3]
Alternatively, The Dark Urge can, after sharing its violent visions, choose to respect its wishes by answering, "I don't care what you might be behind it all; you're an ox to me." The Strange Ox responds to the Urge's discretion by regurgitating an 
Onyx as a gift.
Act Three[edit | edit source]
If the Strange Ox survives into Act Three, it can be encountered in Rivington at X: 36 Y: -149 on a hill west of the requisitioned barn. Approaching it triggers a DC 10 Insight check check to confirm its likeness. This time, the Ox is glad to see the party. It was worried about the party's mental health since the previous encounter, but perhaps it is just faking it because it needs something from them.
As previously, the Ox can be questioned about its true nature and, like before, doing so causes it to deform into his natural shape and become hostile. Any other conversation path leads to initiating . If deciding to help, it turns into an apple on the stable floor that can be picked up. The moment the party enter the Lower City with it inside a party member's inventory, the quest ends and it disappears, leaving behind his 
Shapeshifter's Boon Ring and a 
Slightly Slimy Note. If entering the Lower City before speaking to the Ox, it disappears and the quest cannot be started. If the quest was not previously started, the Ox cannot be recruited for .
Completing allows the party to summon it using a 
during . It reveals its true form as Phasm, a type of Ooze with a true form similar to an Ochre Jelly which can shapeshift into different monsters with unique abilities during combat.[4]
Combat[edit | edit source]
Attacks and abilities (Act 2)[edit | edit source]
)
Range: 18 m / 60 ft Attacks and abilities (Act 3)[edit | edit source]
)
Recharge: Per Turn 
Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft Notable loot[edit | edit source]
Hat of Fire Acuity (only if killed in Act Two or Act Three)
Shapeshifter's Boon Ring (if killed or traded with in any Act or as a reward in Act Three)
Related literature[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ If the player character is a Druid, or possibly a Ranger, speaking with the Strange Ox may reveal it was discriminating in its choice of what kind of animal to present as: a rare Red-Backed River Ox.
- ↑ The Strange Ox has a hidden passive that generates a 3 m / 10 ft radius Acid surface when struck.
- ↑ If killing the Ox using The Dark Urge, no XP is gained aside from inspiration.
- ↑ The tooltip on the summoning action
reveals the Phasm's name to be Zlorb.