...at least, not in the books I personally own or have looked over. :)
Premise: There seemed to be a need for something akin to this, and I liked it as a paladin-themed spell. Paladins are supposed to adhere to the idea of mercy in addition to their military focus and this may fit that theme.
This spell is based off of magic weapon with the target changed, casting sped, and duration dropped from minutes to rounds to reflect the last-minute nature of the spell.
Merciful Blade
Transmutation
Level: Pal 1
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level
Sometimes, mercy is called for in the martial field. With this prayer, the paladin asks his or her deity to dull the edge of a weapon so it inflicts subdual damage instead of lethal damage. This does not alter the weapon's damage type, or otherwise change the weapon in any way. Despite the name of the prayer, any sort of weapon wielded by the paladin may be affected. If the paladin drops or otherwise loses the weapon, the spell ends.
I'm of a mind that this wouldn't work with a bow, but up to you, personally. Conceptually, I like it for what I see the paladin as, and believe it fills a hole in their prayerlist. YMMV.
|
I love the flavor of the spell, but worry that it being a swift action doesn't help much when it requires somatic component. This means you'd have to have a free hand to be able to cast the spell, implying that the paladin is missing either a shield or a weapon. That doesn't really fit with the "at the last moment of combat" purpose of the spell.
Removing the somatic component, though, it would be quite useful in some campaigns.
Lastly, given that it is restricted to fairly limited usage (compared to magic weapon) I'd recommend giving it the 1min/level duration back and allowing the paladin to choose per-hit whether or not it inflicts nonlethal damage. Remember that you already can do this by simply taking a -4 to your to-hit roll, and paladin spell slots are at a premium.
Well he can chose to deal non leathal damage by takind a -4 penalty to damage as per pg 191 of PFRPG core.
However, in my games this is really a mute point as the paladins have true strike in their arsenal of spells. The spell just screamed paladin to me and my group, so it was house ruled in.
I love the flavor of the spell, but worry that it being a swift action doesn't help much when it requires somatic component. This means you'd have to have a free hand to be able to cast the spell, implying that the paladin is missing either a shield or a weapon. That doesn't really fit with the "at the last moment of combat" purpose of the spell.
Removing the somatic component, though, it would be quite useful in some campaigns.
Lastly, given that it is restricted to fairly limited usage (compared to magic weapon) I'd recommend giving it the 1min/level duration back and allowing the paladin to choose per-hit whether or not it inflicts nonlethal damage. Remember that you already can do this by simply taking a -4 to your to-hit roll, and paladin spell slots are at a premium.
Consider the Somatic removed, then. I'm less sure about increasing the duration--the swift lets them save their standard or full-round action, and so it became a trade for me and an effort to keep balance. We're also now removing the Somatic, and so it becomes somewhat easier to cast.
...balance is such a fickle thing, game to game, though, so the 1/min per level may just work fine. :)
Strongblade: I'm glad you like it. I do too, but I'm biased... :)
|
Consider the Somatic removed, then. I'm less sure about increasing the duration--the swift lets them save their standard or full-round action, and so it became a trade for me and an effort to keep balance. We're also now removing the Somatic, and so it becomes somewhat easier to cast.
Maybe state in the text that the somatic component is 'wielding the target weapon'.
No extra hand required.
There is a weapon quality called 'merciful'. You could use that for the basis of a spell.
I think this probably should be some sort of Paladin Mercy character ability.
S
|
Well he can chose to deal non leathal damage by takind a -4 penalty to damage as per pg 191 of PFRPG core.
However, in my games this is really a mute point as the paladins have true strike in their arsenal of spells. The spell just screamed paladin to me and my group, so it was house ruled in.
I've seen this a couple of times on the forums (not sure if its been strongblade both times), and thought I'd point out:
It's not "mute" point, it's "moot" point.
:) Sorry! It's been bothering me!
Well...
PF Paladins can bond their own equipment. Why not just add the Merciful enhancement?
Divine Bond (Sp): Upon reaching 5th level, a paladin forms a divine bond with her god. This bond can take one of two forms. Once the form is chosen, it cannot be changed.
The first type of bond allows the paladin to enhance her weapon as a standard action by calling upon the aid of a celestial spirit for 1 minute per paladin level. When called, the spirit causes the weapon to shed light as a torch. At 5th level, this spirit grants the weapon a +1 enhancement bonus. For every three levels beyond 5th, the weapon gains another +1 enhancement bonus, to a maximum of +6 at 20th level. These bonuses can be added to the weapon, stacking with existing weapon bonuses to a maximum of +5, or they can be used to add any of the following weapon properties: axiomatic, brilliant energy, defending, disruption, flaming, flaming burst, holy, keen, , and speed. Adding these properties consumes an amount of bonus equal to the property's cost (see Table: Melee Weapon Special Abilities). These bonuses are added to any properties the weapon already has, but duplicate abilities do not stack. If the weapon is not magical, at least a +1 enhancement bonus must be added before any other properties can be added. The bonus and properties granted by the spirit are determined when the spirit is called and cannot be changed until the spirit is called again. The celestial spirit imparts no bonuses if the weapon is held by anyone other than the paladin but resumes giving bonuses if returned to the paladin. These bonuses apply to only one end of a double weapon. A paladin can use this ability once per day at 5th level, and one additional time per day for every four levels beyond 5th, to a total of four times per day at 17th level.
*SNIP*
Well he can chose to deal non leathal damage by takind a -4 penalty to damage as per pg 191 of PFRPG core.
However, in my games this is really a mute point as the paladins have true strike in their arsenal of spells. The spell just screamed paladin to me and my group, so it was house ruled in.I've seen this a couple of times on the forums (not sure if its been strongblade both times), and thought I'd point out:
It's not "mute" point, it's "moot" point.
:) Sorry! It's been bothering me!
Lol. This would be my first. Yeah, I know its spelled moot. I was at work, on lunch, having 3 different conversations.
...at least, not in the books I personally own or have looked over. :)
Premise: There seemed to be a need for something akin to this, and I liked it as a paladin-themed spell. Paladins are supposed to adhere to the idea of mercy in addition to their military focus and this may fit that theme.
This spell is based off of magic weapon with the target changed, casting sped, and duration dropped from minutes to rounds to reflect the last-minute nature of the spell.
Merciful Blade
Transmutation
Level: Pal 1
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/levelSometimes, mercy is called for in the martial field. With this prayer, the paladin asks his or her deity to dull the edge of a weapon so it inflicts subdual damage instead of lethal damage. This does not alter the weapon's damage type, or otherwise change the weapon in any way. Despite the name of the prayer, any sort of weapon wielded by the paladin may be affected. If the paladin drops or otherwise loses the weapon, the spell ends.
I'm of a mind that this wouldn't work with a bow, but up to you, personally. Conceptually, I like it for what I see the paladin as, and believe it fills a hole in their prayerlist. YMMV.
now that i'm home.....
i have a nice book from Fast Forward Entertainment called 'Book of all Spells'. its 450 pages of nothing but spells. the book contais a spell usable by paladins (actually all spell casters, for paladins its a 1st lvel spell) called 'Merciful Weapon'. the spell write up is different from yours, and lasts a long time.
the book is OGL, and sites many D20 game books as source material, but not sure that i can post on here. sure someone will let me know if its possible.
Well, I love all the suggestions. :)
Strongblade: No, utterly unaware of the book. I love the idea of this spell, though. I'm just surprised we don't have something like that on their list...and so set out, like any gamer would, with my own ideas and a carpet bag. :)
I'm not too surprised at the longer duration--the swift action here has to come with some penalty.
Here's a version with all of the edits, above. Again, YMMV, and you may prefer the earlier version, or prefer to alter it in some other way.
Merciful Blade
Transmutation
Level: Pal 1
Components: V, DF
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level
Sometimes, mercy is called for in the martial field. With this prayer, the paladin asks his or her deity to dull the edge of a weapon so it inflicts subdual damage instead of lethal damage. This does not alter the weapon's damage type, or otherwise change the weapon in any way, although the weapon deals an extra 1d6 in a divine effort to end the struggle quickly. This added damage is also nonlethal. Despite the name of the prayer, any sort of weapon wielded by the paladin may be affected. If the paladin drops or otherwise loses the weapon, the spell ends.
Optional: The spell has a Somatic component, and state that it is "wielding the target weapon."
Honeycutt: With the changes to divine bond, I /think/ a paladin can cast this on his or her mount. I may be wrong, though, and the memory's gotten fuzzy over the years, but I think this is the case. :)
Lokie: Merciful should have been added to that list, yeah. It probably got overlooked with all the changes, I imagine. Paizo's had alot going on.
|
Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
|
Actually, Lokie is correct.
Merciful is an enhancement available at 5th level when you select Divine Bond.
So, while I like your paladin spell idea, it has sort of been factored in to the class.
Plus, merciful works in that you can turn it on and off with a command word...really making it "on the fly" as far as a last minute decision.
Actually, Lokie is correct.
Merciful is an enhancement available at 5th level when you select Divine Bond.
So, while I like your paladin spell idea, it has sort of been factored in to the class.
Plus, merciful works in that you can turn it on and off with a command word...really making it "on the fly" as far as a last minute decision.
Yes but not all paladins take divine bond with a weapon and not all weapons are under a divine bond.
|
Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
|
Yes but not all paladins take divine bond with a weapon and not all weapons are under a divine bond.
This is true....some will take the mount.
Regarding "not all weapons are under a divine bond", the PRD states:
The first type of bond allows the paladin to enhance her weapon as a standard action by calling upon the aid of a celestial spirit for 1 minute per paladin level. When called, the spirit causes the weapon to shed light as a torch.
Note it does not state just one weapon. You are basically calling the celestial spirit down to imbue the weapon you are holding with enhancements. So, if I'd like to add the Holy Zing to my warhammer, good! If I would rather have it add to the +1 longsword, making it +2, fine! If I'd rather forego that +1, I could choose merciful.
But, that said.....I do like the spell. I just wanted to point out that the ability the OP was looking for is indeed there in some form.
What would be interesting is if it was not limited to "self", but could be cast on others, providing a save of some sort. Sort of a "Swords into Plowshares" thing.
What would be interesting is if it was not limited to "self", but could be cast on others, providing a save of some sort. Sort of a "Swords into Plowshares" thing.
the merciful weapon spell in the Book of All Spells has a range of close (can be cast on enemy weapons also) and is available to all core spell casters.
the merciful weapon spell in the Book of All Spells has a range of close (can be cast on enemy weapons also) and is available to all core spell casters.
The spell also has a duration of 1 min per level.
(It ate this part of my post. Don't know what happened)
Note it does not state just one weapon. You are basically calling the celestial spirit down to imbue the weapon you are holding with enhancements. So, if I'd like to add the Holy Zing to my warhammer, good! If I would rather have it add to the +1 longsword, making it +2, fine! If I'd rather forego that +1, I could choose merciful.
That is your interpretation of the power. I know others who require the Paladin to build a single weapon that may, or may not be the weapon at hand.
Sigurd
Note it does not state just one weapon. You are basically calling the celestial spirit down to imbue the weapon you are holding with enhancements. So, if I'd like to add the Holy Zing to my warhammer, good! If I would rather have it add to the +1 longsword, making it +2, fine! If I'd rather forego that +1, I could choose merciful.
That is your interpretation of the power. I know others who require the Paladin to build a single weapon that may, or may not be the weapon at hand.
Sigurd
Then that is a house rule that the DM is imposing on the Paladin.
What would be interesting is if it was not limited to "self", but could be cast on others, providing a save of some sort. Sort of a "Swords into Plowshares" thing.
It's taken care of for the mount through the Share Spells feature. Others...I imagine it as something more pre-planned, less "last minute," and so maybe a "sister spell" would be appropriate.
"The priest blessed the weapons, marking them with the gods' touch of Mercy. They lie in a pile, quickly prepared before the battle, with the warriors' hands joined over them."
Etc. I'd imagine it a cleric or a paladin spell at that point, something cast in a quick-and-dirty, before-battle ceremony that changed a number of weapons and had a longer duration.
So maybe a 1 round casting time, but a 1 hour duration, can be cast on a number of weapons at once (with the traditional limit by caster level).
I like the concept. :)
Strongblade: There has to be a penalty for it being a swift action, though (unless that spell is swift, and in that case, my point is moot :) ). For a single, longer-duration casting, it'd be simple enough to change casting to a standard action and alter the duration to minutes.
Admittedly, I'm personally a little less fond of that, style-wise: it loses the last-minute and personal nature and flavor. A paladin taking a sudden, personal stance to not kill an enemy, for instance--is a stance a paladin might make through oath, belief, etc. To a barbarian or rogue, this is less intrinsic to their nature, though it /could/ be. Too, swift spells are really nice for them, as they do a mixture of fighting and casting.
I suppose flavorwise, I'd rather have a swift spell they can use in battle, and then a slightly longer, ceremony-type spell that can catch a group of people at once. ...and give it that "we're doing this for a reason" flavor. So a quick-and-dirty pre-battle ceremony over a quick pile of weapons and joined hands. A 1 round casting time or so, and a 1 hour duration.
They're both flavorful, and don't tie him/her up in the heat of battle. One becomes a personal decision, the other, the Warrior's Agreement. And...flavor. I like that. :) Mechanically then, we get both effects, but seeped in flavor, story, and reason-for-existing.
Anyhow, I'm sorry for the tangent. I hope that sums up my view though, and well now, others are going to be different. :) Thank you for the work you've put into the thread, by the by. I truly didn't know about the other version.
A sister spell, with a longer duration. I imagine it needs tweaking moreso than the other. It comes with the standard, use-and-tweak disclaimer. :)
Merciful Oath (or "Swords into Plowshares")
Transmutation
Level: Paladin 3, Cleric 3
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 round
Range: See text
Target: 1 weapon/level
Duration: 1 hour
A group of warriors gathers before battle, and clasp hands over a pile of blades and soldiers' polearms. Nodding, a man steps forward and calls on a prayer for them to show mercy on their oncoming foes.
This prayer may be cast on a number of weapons at once, who represent the people who wield them. The weapon then deals subdual damage (although without the added d6 of Mercy--otherwise this is a free "group add 1d6 buff") for one hour. This effect is in place only so long as the weapon is wielded by its intended warrior, who must be present during the ceremony.
If one of the participants does lethal damage during the 1 hour period, the prayer ends for him or her.
I'm less certain of the spell levels: bulk spells are harder to gauge. I love the concept, though.
The participant nature may be less of a focus for some folks: that can be altered. Removing it alters the oath/group nature of the spell, however, and opens up a potential trick/abuse, which would be to cast this on an enemy's stockpile before battle.
Then again, that's probably what some priestly orders /would/ do. So, YMMV, as always, and flavor should fit a game.
|
|
Note it does not state just one weapon. You are basically calling the celestial spirit down to imbue the weapon you are holding with enhancements. So, if I'd like to add the Holy Zing to my warhammer, good! If I would rather have it add to the +1 longsword, making it +2, fine! If I'd rather forego that +1, I could choose merciful.
That is your interpretation of the power. I know others who require the Paladin to build a single weapon that may, or may not be the weapon at hand.
Sigurd
No, I'm pretty sure Timitius is right and that IS the way it works. It isn't an interpretation. In fact, the actual text pretty much supports it. If a DM is requiring the paladin to specify only one weapon (kind of like a wizard's arcane bond item) then the DM is going down the house rule road...
No, I'm pretty sure Timitius is right and that IS the way it works. It isn't an interpretation. In fact, the actual text pretty much supports it. If a DM is requiring the paladin to specify only one weapon (kind of like a wizard's arcane bond item) then the DM is going down the house rule road...Note it does not state just one weapon. You are basically calling the celestial spirit down to imbue the weapon you are holding with enhancements. So, if I'd like to add the Holy Zing to my warhammer, good! If I would rather have it add to the +1 longsword, making it +2, fine! If I'd rather forego that +1, I could choose merciful.
That is your interpretation of the power. I know others who require the Paladin to build a single weapon that may, or may not be the weapon at hand.
Sigurd
Oof. I don't mind the discussion, but it is moving away from this thread's original focus. If this is a topic that folks would like to continue, perhaps it could be moved to another thread?
After some research, the final Merciful Blade spell is as follows:
Merciful Blade
Transmutation
Level: Pal 1
Components: V, DF, S
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 minute/level
Sometimes, mercy is called for in the martial field. With this prayer, the paladin asks his or her deity to dull the edge of her blades so any weapon she wields inflicts subdual damage instead of lethal damage. This does not alter the weapon's damage type, or otherwise change the weapon in any way. Despite the name of the prayer, any sort of weapon wielded by the paladin may be affected. If the weapon is dropped or otherwise discarded, the spell ends for that weapon until it is wielded again by the paladin.
For the purposes of this last-minute spell, the wielding of the weapon is considered its Somatic component. The effect may be dismissed at any time.
...the +d6 is removed as it lets a level one spell emulate a +1 enchantment, and I'm not comfortable with that. :) The ability to dismiss was also added (in case some bigger threat arrives), and the ability for it to affect any weapon currently in the paladin's hands. Duration increased.