Osborn's page

No need. Between open spell slots, cheap scrolls he can scribe for himself, and a reasonable selection of offense/defense/utility spells prepared, a high-level wizard pretty much DOES have what he needs at all times.

No.

He has what he needs whenever he's had time to prepare. If we're even allowing scrolls the whole 'Class features only' thing falls apart. You have cheap scrolls, I have cheap potions. Problem solved.

[snip]

Regarding flexible rules, as DM I prefer to adopt more a "tour guide and referee" role and less of a "railroad conductor" role. Again, that's a difference in philosophy. It doesn't require that I use a board game, either -- houstonderek and I are quite pleased with our house rules.

I adopt the same role.

I haven't even mentioned how I run my own games nor what house rules I have. The Druid class is rebuilt entirely, Paladins and Clerics are rebuilt as well as any class that interacts heavily with a religion, Vancian spellcasting has never been a favorite so the entire spellcasting system is reworked, SR is more common but spells are more deadly etc. etc. etc.

My house rules fit my group and the style of game I run just fine. Even without all the changes to the base system the game runs fine, its more down to personal preference rather than system "fixes".

If I had a player that didn't have any means of dealing with an opponent I'm sending against him, it is first of all my problem since either I haven't given the player an incentive to seek out such tools or I haven't given him the opportunity to do so. Second...its a problem I can easily solve by setting the encounter in a place where the fighter can still do something useful, even though its not plinking the flying baddie for HP. Third...if your hands are tied on setup and setting perhaps this is an encounter he just has to sit out? Plenty of those in my games, where the brutish barbarian is NOT one to handle a delicate social situation.

Perhaps you missed the part where I explained how I cannot swim?

A canoe ride, while relaxing when done by a professional boatman in urban canals, is transformed into a harrowing and wobbly deathtrap when done in a wild and untamed place like the Mushfens.

Seeing as we have more Taldoran agents chiming in, please share your experience as well!
So far I've been commissioned to re-appropriate things and deliver letters. I forget when I last engaged in intrigue or socialized on the behalf of our beloved Empire.

My Lady,
I apologize profusely if my letter to you came off as flippant. I admit I had just had the misfortune of watching the attempts at diplomacy by our Osirion and Andoran colleagues, no doubt fulfilling some misguided aim of their faction.

Upon reading your message I simply felt that my talents were being underused. I admit my fascination with fungi and their applications, though I am no expert at ethnomycology.
I do profess a longing for the intrigue and society of Absalom and my prolonged stay at sea and here in Magnimar may indeed be getting the better of me.

Do not see my request in a negative light, my most gracious Lady. Please consider my humble request for reassignment to a more civilized field.

Your humble and loyal servant,
Osborn Gurble Esq.

(Sent following the faction mission from Rise of the Goblin Guild)

My most Esteemed and Gracious Lady,

As your loyal and eager servant I am ever willing to serve the Empire and her Grace to the best of my ability.
My many social talents are ever at your disposal as well as my considerable knack for the alchemyc and I hope I've proven to be both a capable and worthy subject.

However,
I must question this latest assignment just brought to me by courier. As I am sure her lordship is aware, the Mushfens, aside from their obvious assortment of deadly flora and fauna, are deep fens with sucking mires and lethal swamps.
As her lordship is no doubt also aware of, I, your loyal servant, am 3 ft. tall and am unable to swim.

I cannot help but suspect an error, surely not on your part my Lady, for any such mission is certainly a death sentence for someone of my stature. And while my reputation is, certainly, larger than life I can assure you that it does little to alleviate drowning in a swamp.

I humbly request a mission better fit for my skill at intrigue of one perhaps more suited to my alchemical talents.

Your humble and loyal servant,
Osborn Gurble Esq.