pseudodragon's page

This is shaping up to be a perfect Father's Day gift (for me!).

I'm an old time role player at heart and I must say that I have been somewhat turned off from PFS play due to the emphasis placed on tactics. For example, at times I have been criticized for not setting up an opponent to be flanked by another player, like it's an expectation that every character is going to act like a GI Joe operative.

I don't mind people wanting to improve their chances to succeed, but let it go. Rarely is one maneuver so critical that it requires this kind of discussion. Play the game. Have fun. Don't worry about every little detail at the cost of breaking character.

If everyone acts and fights as a highly trained, well oiled machine, then the characters cease to be individuals, with all the quirks and foibles that entails. That's where the real enjoyment is for me, the characters and their unique interactions with each other and the environment. A little unexpected randomness or contrary thinking injects surprise and excitement into an encounter. Approaching every encounter like a military operation is a buzz kill for me and the game quickly loses its allure at that point. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. Just putting in my two cents.

The Honeyed Ring (D&D 3.5)

The rusted iron and crude amber stone in this ring belie the mystic power it possesses. Crafted by a high shaman of the Tsugala tribe in the Many-Fingered Marsh, the honeyed ring exerts great influence over insects and arachnids. Such creatures will not antagonize the wearer except in the most dire circumstances (repel vermin, unlimited use, self only, 1 foot radius). Thrice per day, the ring will even summon a swarm of spiders (or insect vermin, at the DMs option) (summon swarm) to attack enemies. Lastly, the honeyed ring can cause a normal insect or arachnid to grow to huge proportions (giant vermin). This most feared ability is granted but once per day.

Moderate abjuration and transmutation, faint conjuration; CL 15; Forge Ring, summon swarm, giant vermin, repel vermin; Price 49,500 gp.

What time stamp is being used on the submissions posting? I posted my entry last night at about 10 PM PST, but it says 04:52 AM on the time stamp. Is that GMT? Also, when does the contest end? The first post I saw said 12 PM October 22nd, which I would take to mean Noon today. Then I saw a post indicating Midnight October 22nd, which would seem to have been 12 last night, but now I see another entry in the postings from this morning (if the time stamp is to be believed), so is it Midnight tonight? I'm just curious so that for the contests going forward I won't miss any deadlines. Thanks!

Gary

Redeemer
+3 Holy Longsword (3.5 D&D)
This blessed sword is carefully crafted of (alchemical) silver and gold with angelic wings making up the quillions. Weighing only half as much as might be expected, Redeemer bestows feather fall on the sword bearer for any fall greater than 10 feet. The virtuous blade shines with a soft starlight glow upon command. In the presence of undead, the radiance flares unbidden, shifting to a flickering crimson hue that inflicts 1d6 points of damage per round to all such creatures in a 30-foot radius. Redeemer's greatest powers manifest when it strikes a critical hit. Against undead, such a blow requires a will save vs. disruption (as the spell disrupting weapon). Evil outsiders failing the same save face dismissal (as the spell of that name). A feathered scabbard once accompanied the blade, which bestowed the gift of flight (as a fly spell 1/day) on its wearer, but the redeemer's nest vanished in battle with a clutch of erinyes seven decades past and hasn't been seen or heard of since.

Moderate evocation (good, light), transmutation, abjuration; CL 9th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor; holy smite, celestial brilliance, dismissal, disruptive weapon, feather fall; creator must be good; Price 82,605 gp; Cost 41,303 + 3,326 XP.

History: Redeemer first appeared a little more than a century ago. When good men began dying of a wasting sickness that seemed to strike them in their sleep, Lord Nerod Heartfell made a pilgrimage to the mysterious oracle of dreams, a celestial shrine high in the Everdawn Mountains. A paladin of some small renown, Nerod sought a way to battle the spirit haunting these men. The priests of the shrine burnt incense and prayed over the young paladin as he passed into enchanted slumber. In his dreams, he was visited by a celestial ghael who tested him with many questions. Convinced of the man's virtue and conviction, the ghael bestowed the sword Redeemer on him. Thus armed, Nerod stalked his barony under the cloak of dreams until he discovered his foe, the night hag Pyrlessa. The battle was long and bloody. The priests at the shrine were appalled to see bloody slashes burst from the young man's body as he tensed and screamed beneath the silken sheets they had placed him in. They feverishly applied healing ointments and wards of protection upon Nerod. By dawn the battle had ended and Nerod slept peacefully. He awoke with Redeemer girded to his side. This was only the first of many great adventures Nerod and Redeemer would share as the paladin grew into a champion of the people. The sword passed on to others after his death and has been lost for a time, but may soon turn up in a dusty catacombs or ancient battlefield as part of some forgotten hoard, and a new legend will begin.