I will respond to Maddok's and Yahirma's posts later tonight or tomorrow; I haven't forgotten you, just trying to figure out what a knowledge check of 45 might grant, and what sort of 'useful-but-not-overpowered' bonuses the metals could provide :)
Yahirma would be up for creating another something that would facilitate the elemental's return, though the Well of Many Worlds would be as likely to flush the poor thing into the negative energy plane or the Abyss as it would go to the elemental plane of water. If there is such a device that could gate or banish a willing creature to its native plane, she would leap to craft it; I suspect she would find cause to use it again in the future.
As for metals, I can see the blue metal having a slightly blurred outline that makes it easier to feint in combat or slightly reduce the cost of the defending, cunning, dueling (APG version), or "sword of subtlety" enhancements - perhaps even some type of "sheath of bladestealth" effect.
Given the red metal's ties to warding, summoning of multiattacking monstrosities, and infernal energies, I can see a minor reduction in the cost of the defending, guardian, axiomatic, speed, or dancing enhancements. Actually, using the metal that binds outsiders might actually be anathema to said outsiders; it would make a natural bane (evil outsiders) weapon. Instead it might grant bonuses against summoned or called creatures.
Just a few thoughts
I like Yahirma's ideas. Discounts on predetermined enchantments and related specific items could represent an affinity the metal has for certain magics.
I would add glamoured to the list of enchantments the blue metal is useful for.
To represent the red metal's power over outsiders I think a small damage bonus when wielded as a weapon against extraplanar creatures would be appropriate. I believe Starmetal weapons back in 3.5 did an extra 1d6 against extraplanar foes.
I know what could be cool for the metals, how about it mimics the powers of "The sword of Babette Maelstrom"?
Every time you score a critical hit, you become the centre of a 200D6 fireball?
Lovely sword that, no wonder it won a TSR fan prize.
But seriously, I'm curious about what kind of damage reduction they could possibly ignore?
Starmetal that hurts extraplanar and also either count as silver or cold iron would be a grand thing.
A lot of magical weapons get famous based on chance, The Sword of Ogram Giantslayer would have been a powerful weapon as a +2 giantslayer two handed sword back in 2nd Ed, but it wouldn't have achieved nearly as much fame if it had been carried by a hero working in Shadowdale instead of the kingdom of Hartsvale (surrounded by angry giants on all sides).
I found a number of old character sheets from back when we played 2nd Edition every weekend, took me back, hence all the references. Forgive an "old" man his musing eh?
I based the pricing of the fork on a 4th-level-equivalent spell, as the effect seems about on par with dismissal. I'm certainly willing to discuss it if you think it's too expensive :)
(if based on a 3rd-level-equivalent spell, the price would be 10,800 gp instead).
Cool stuff Are.
How much of each material does Maddok have access to? I'm planning on making a couple weapons from the red metal.
Also, both materials need cool names!
Also, both materials need cool names!
May I suggest "Randium" and/or "Apparium"?
;)
Blue: Deceptivite
Red: Anathemium
Haha, hmm, illusions and variation of it, like a mirage...Miragium?
I like that.
Miragdium - Blue metal
Anathemium - Red laced metal
I think I've decided what my next big projects are going to be. How much was Derek looking to spend on his new weapon?
It looks like I need to wait for Are to catch everyone else up in the IC thread before I can post again.
I know, but it felt so right :)
How much of each material does Maddok have access to? I'm planning on making a couple weapons from the red metal.
Let's say enough for two weapons of the red metal. The blue metal is more forgiving, and Maddok will be able to harvest more if needed, so it's essentially unlimited (to a point, and given time).
It looks like I need to wait for Are to catch everyone else up in the IC thread before I can post again.
Coming up within the hour, hopefully :)
How about one large weapon? I'm looking at making a weapon for the Beast.
One weapon is certainly possible, considering you have enough for two weapons :)
I actually meant one large weapon.
I'm kind of torn on which weapon though, greatsword and greataxe kind of feel overdone. I'm leaning towards halberd.
Fine, fine. One large halberd and one 1-handed <something>, then. Just don't go overboard and make a huge weapon now ;)
Hmm huge weapon. Tempting...
I'm thinking that second one-handed weapon is going to end up being Derek's Falcata.
For those who want to see what Westcrown looks like, here's a great map made by one of the forum posters. I posted this link once before, but it would be buried somewhere deep in this thread. I'll copy the link to the campaign info page too, for easy access.
(Note: There are two Walcourt's on the map; disregard the one marked as #29)
I wonder if anyone remembers that gathering information takes 1d4 hours per check.. With Appario's original 5 rolls, and the new 5 rolls each for Derek and Appario, that's a total of 15d4 hours spent gathering information! The average of which is 37 hours, which makes the total time spent 4-and-a-half days, assuming a normal 8-hour working day :)
I'm simply going to assume that you're not planning to spend that long, and only use the first roll or two from each set.
I assumed the entire day would be doing this (as mentioned before to give Yahirma a day to play devil binder). So 10d4 hours for Appario seems high, but somewhat right. He'd probably give up after 15 hours or so.
As for Derek, I think he's just 'helping' in the sot-houses and could be 5d4 overlapping hours, probably in a different part of the bar(s).
Hmm, I might need to find something for Maddok to do in the meantime.
Okay, so if the last two sets of rolls are overlapping, I'll cut them off after three rolls each and consider that plus the original five rolls the entire day from sunrise to sundown :)
That works. Crisis averted.
Okay, so if the last two sets of rolls are overlapping, I'll cut them off after three rolls each and consider that plus the original five rolls the entire day from sunrise to sundown :)
Fair enough and whatever works.
I just like rolling dice. :)
Haha, and I didn't remember that but of information. Once again Are enlightens me.
Hmmm, not a vicious weapon I think, if Derek will stand in the front a bit more then it would whittle away his hitpoints a bit faster than I'm comfortable with.
Did we agree back somewhere that a Shock/Flame/Cold weapon could later on (when the funds are available) be upgraded to Shocking burst or the equivalent?
I've used Vicious in quite a few games and the 3.5 damage isn't that bad. I thought it would fit the new darker edgier Derek better.
That said, it's your coin. I can do Shocking/Shocking Burst.
Did we agree back somewhere that a Shock/Flame/Cold weapon could later on (when the funds are available) be upgraded to Shocking burst or the equivalent?
I agreed with that, at least, and still do :)
I've also used Vicious and the drawback is very minor. You also have a lot of hp. If I had the money, I would go for it.
I'll give it some thought, your counsel is appreciated. I'll weigh that against the temptation of a burst power seeing as a Falcata is an x3 weapon.
Fair enough. I'll give you some math to think about.
Shocking Burst is an extra ~11 average damage on a crit (20% chance with improved crit). Assuming you confirm all your crits, that's 2.2 more damage in the long term.
Vicious is an average 7 damage all the time.
I have considered houseruling summon spells to give a fixed number of summons instead of rolling (when summoning from a lower-level list), but I want the input of those who would use them before doing that. If you like to roll, that's what we'll keep doing :)
The change, if implemented, would be to always summon 2 creatures from the next lower-level list, or always 4 creatures from a list below that. So Summon Monster 4 would give you 1 creature from Summon 4, or 2 from Summon 3, or 4 from Summon 2 and lower (they'd still have to be the same kind of creature).
What do you think?
Sounds good to me. I'm always in favor of less dice rolling.
Yes, true enough, and since shocking burst is +2 and vicious is only +1, that leaves more room for other things.
Right, so +1 Vicious evil outsider bane it is.
I have deducted the gold.
As the summoning, as long as it applies to the badguys as well I'm all for it haha.
Without Semenya, I guess I'll have to look elsewhere to comission a ring.
Yea, sorry I only wear bling. I don't make it. I'm okay with the summoning rules either way. Good choice on the weapon.
I know they're not traditionally made of metal, but would it be alright if Maddok made a quarterstaff out of miragdium?
I suppose so. I can't think of any real reason to disallow it.. It would be a bit heavier than a wooden quarterstaff, though.
By the way, the following items still need identifying:
1 warhammer
1 banded mail
2 wines
3 ioun stones
Both Derek and Yahirma are capable of identifying items, so Derek could get "his" items identified without aid :)
Not Dereks best skill, but why not have a try.
Ok, in order as presented.
I will be out of town this weekend (back on Sunday evening), but I expect to have an internet connection for at least part of the trip. If in doubt, Yahirma is prepared to throw skill checks using Natural Divination at Appario's document search.
I suspect Yahirma will not have access to the magical items until the end of the day, but here are some Spellcraft checks:
The following items are identified:
+1 warhammer
+1 banded mail
wine of cure serious wounds
wine of protection from arrows
flawed pale ruby trillian ioun stone (+5 Stealth, -2 Dexterity; 1,600 gp)
***
I've been having a hard time coming up with inspiration for Nonon-rants and insane rumors today.. Perhaps due to lingering effects from yesterday's celebration of our "4th of July"-equivalent. Hopefully I'll have something worth posting later tonight :)
I updated the loot sheet again.
I just realized with my last post I may have setup Maddok as the mentor figure that dies tragically to empower the hero. =/
That can be arranged :)
It would be pretty funny if we all play the roles of mentors, thinking WE are the heroes, but really just setting up the stage for the REAL ones to fix everything over our cold corpses.
Oof! It was a long weekend helping out at a convention, and the internet proved more elusive and sluggish than advertised by word of mouth. I'll be catching up and posting something in short order.
Speaking of long weekends: I'll be out of town from friday morning until sunday evening this week, and likely won't have proper internet access during that time.
Let's try to get to a good cliffhanger before this Friday then!
That's one possibility. Another is to use one of the five leather bandoliers you recovered during your second trek to Delvehaven (which allow for up to six scrolls/potions/etc):
Yahirma determines that the bandoliers, when worn, allow for easy access to any item in the six small pouches (each suitable for a potion, a scroll, or similarly-sized items). Since the pouches are always within easy reach, items within can be fetched as a free action.
It's amazing what one can forget over the course of 5,000 posts! That bandoleer would be a great choice.
Yahirma determines that the bandoliers, when worn, allow for easy access to any item in the six small pouches (each suitable for a potion, a scroll, or similarly-sized items). Since the pouches are always within easy reach, items within can be fetched as a free action.
Holy Piddlespot.
Appario grabs his bandolier from his bedpost where it had been gathering dust for ages and puts it on.
Duh.
"Say, this piece of clothing is not only stylish but also very practical. Must be why I did not notice it before."
I'm not planning to abduct Derek on this particular day, so you can feel free to roleplay the meal with Millech, Nonon, and Amaya simultaneously with meeting the rest of the group at the safehouse later in the evening :)