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So this thread is designed to be a discussion about creative and outside the box uses for wondrous items. If you have any in game experiences or perhaps some quirky ideas you have yet to try out, post them here.
Ill start us off with an example
A friend of mine theorizes that two decanters of endless water set to geyser could lift a goblin. So we cooked up a goblin alchemist and strapped two decanters to his back, and let him use mage hand to "steer" himself. He soared over the battlefield dropping bombs and massive amounts of water as he went.
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mage hand: Target one nonmagical, unattended object weighing up to 5 lbs.
But, if it works for your view of the game, go for it. I'm assuming the mage hand was for manipulating the decanters. Unfortunately, there are two of them, they are magical, and they are attended. If I've misunderstood how it's being used, happy to hear what other creativity you're talking about.
PUtting Quals feather token in the pants of enemies and saying the activate word.
mage hand: Target one nonmagical, unattended object weighing up to 5 lbs.
But, if it works for your view of the game, go for it. I'm assuming the mage hand was for manipulating the decanters. Unfortunately, there are two of them, they are magical, and they are attended. If I've misunderstood how it's being used, happy to hear what other creativity you're talking about
OUTSIDE the box, put the decanters on a light board and manipulate the board :D
Or is the board still attended?
Our GM is dead afraid of magical items, but we often use their flavour as bonuses to our intimidate/diplomacy (Celestial Armor flavors most people to start at friendly for us etc).
Our plan was to make a device involving levers or something , and that was to be manipulated with mage hand
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The decanter could certainly be used as the basis for a crude jetski.... just don't fall off because it doesn't stop.
I've seen lots of creative uses for immovable rods. Probably my favorite was the guy trying to figure out what to do when the character his dragon had swallowed whole activated an immovable rod.
I suspect the reason the rod is as expensive as it is is due to it's many uses.
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I've used the decanter as a small outboard motor: just get a clamp made to fix it in place on the back of a rowboat. Vrooom.
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On a plane-spanning 3.5 trip that we knew would take us to the Abyss, our party stopped off at Mount Celestia. You know, the place with the holy water ocean lapping against its shores? My forward-thinking wizard went and filled up a portable hole with the stuff.
We had one helluva stockpile for dealing with demonic hordes. Coupled with some judicious use of Greater Anticipate Teleportation from the ole Spell Compendium, we had a great time messing with the DM's minions.
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Also, on the topic of the Decanter of Endless Water, there's the potential for undermining earthworks. High-pressure water can demolish stuff very quickly.
And a single decanter, used underwater, can provide enough thrust to move most medium-sized creatures pretty rapidly. Attach some fins, and you could use it like one of those hydro-sled things divers use.
Two pair of ring gates were used on an airship to create a cannon by dropping a cannonball into one set and letting hit terminal before sliding the second into place while the party rogue aimed its paired ring at whatever needed high damage.
I made them roll a check each time to keep from hitting the ball and blowing it up.
P.S there is a good chance the guy who thought of this may have ripped it off of the WotC forums .
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A friend of mine filled a bag of holding with I don't know how much water from a river.
I have no idea what kind of effect that would produce if he tried to use it.
The decanter is an extremely powerful item in the hands of creative players.
One of my favourite tactics was reverse gravity to suspend foes mid-air, and using the decanter to push one at a time out of the spell area.
We always wanted to try to tame a dire bear or other beast by throwing a philtre of live into its jaws. The philtre is also a good way of interrogating prisoners, as long as you can handle the consequences.
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Bag of holding leads to all kinds of shenanigans. but an astute GM will limit you to the RAW limits of the bag. so its not as usefull in an open space. kicks but in a closed room or pit though.
I suspect the reason the rod is as expensive as it is is due to it's many uses.
I love the I-Rod. all kinds of uses. I play ranged classes a lot and my favorite use is as protection for my ranged class.
as soon as my ranger gets an I-Rod I buy a Mithreal tower shield, Glue tor rod to it.
then when ever I am in battle I put the shield-up facing the enemy and spam bow fire from behind the shield using the over the shoulder rule.
I get cover and cant be charged directly.
I dont remember the name of the item, but it is a small castle/keep, about 20x20x30 if I remember correctly, that would shrink to a size that you could carry it. If a someone was in the way when expanding the castle, they would take 10d? damage(I dont remember the size of the die atm) the character I had that used this item could sneak attack, and I recall more then once allowing myself to be swalloed just so I could pop that sucker open, and explode the baddy from the inside out. it would hurt, but I never died from it
In a game just a couple of weeks ago 3 of us had a large number of each of the feather tokens and spammed the message one that creastes a bird so that we could follow the bird to find our way through a maze.
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I had a group once use a Darn's Instant Fortress as a weapon, throwing the cube and activating it over an enemy's head.... splat!
Something tells me I didn't rule that right...
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I had a group once use a Darn's Instant Fortress as a weapon, throwing the cube and activating it over an enemy's head.... splat!
Something tells me I didn't rule that right...
by george, that sounds like the same one I used
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In a game just a couple of weeks ago 3 of us had a large number of each of the feather tokens and spammed the message one that creastes a bird so that we could follow the bird to find our way through a maze.
That's clever.
A friend of mine has envisioned an acrobatic monk who's fighting style would revolve (literally) around using a pair of a immovable rods as clubs. By clicking the rods on while moving she could use it as a solid pivot around which she'd swing her body so as to hit/kick with added force. Click off, click on the other quickly and pivot/kick in the opposite direction. Aside from pivoting around a rod, the rod could be clicked on at the moment of striking a foe; forcing him off balance for your next strike with the other rod. Quickly clicking the rods on and off while swinging around and striking would form the basis for a fluid, frenetic, bewildering and elegant three-dimensional fighting style.
Unfortunately, the rules don't support the lighting-fast activation/deactivation of paired items to make this acrobatic style really viable. That and the rods are simply too expensive to focus your whole character build around them at low levels. The idea is sound however. A bit of work, a house-ruled archetype, monk fighting style, and combat feat tree might make it viable for a higher level character though.
Dust of dryness + Water (maybe holy if you have enough). Condenses a crap ton of water into a tiny bead. You can throw the bead and explode large amounts of water (maybe holy) on something. They're holy water bombs to drop on undead armies.
Bag of holding leads to all kinds of shenanigans. but an astute GM will limit you to the RAW limits of the bag. so its not as usefull in an open space. kicks but in a closed room or pit though.
I suspect the reason the rod is as expensive as it is is due to it's many uses.I love the I-Rod. all kinds of uses. I play ranged classes a lot and my favorite use is as protection for my ranged class.
as soon as my ranger gets an I-Rod I buy a Mithreal tower shield, Glue tor rod to it.
then when ever I am in battle I put the shield-up facing the enemy and spam bow fire from behind the shield using the over the shoulder rule.
I get cover and cant be charged directly.
What is the "over the shoulder" rule?
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Long ago, in 1st edition, got a flying carpet and a portable hole. Spread the portable hole out atop the carpet. Stacked up crates inside the portable hole so it became a portable fox hole and flew the carpet around through the dungeon, flying under the cracks of doors, thus bypassing traps on the locks, just holding on to the fringe at the front of the carpet so the portable hole wouldn't roll up. The party called this "the convertible" and it was particularly excellent for flying overhead and shooting arrows too.
This trick still works in Pathfinder.
Feather Tokens are wonderful that way... tossing an Oak Tree token in through the gunports of a pirate ship was a real game-changer.
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* Oil of Sliperyness on the saddles and stirrups of the guard's horses before you steal the MacGuffin, and Sovereign glue on the reins.
* Jumping Caltrops and bits of flint mixed in with lamp oil.
* pasting explosive runes on the inside of a knight's helmet visor
... though I suppose those are not "not as intended" so much as "not as expected"
I like the 'explosive runes in the helmet' trick. That's really clever.
I like the 'explosive runes in the helmet' trick. That's really clever.
My arcane trickster is TOTALLY doing that!
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* Jumping Caltrops and bits of flint mixed in with lamp oil.
Man, I really like this visual...
People in pursuit.
One steps close enough to the trap.
Soundtrack goes mute and everything goes into slow motion as the first caltrop pops up and the guy that set it off has time to look at what's right next to his head.
Caltrops come down. Singular "TINK". FWOOOOSH.
You didn't. the Fortess doesn't exactly pop up like a crash air bag. It expands slowly enough that those who can can move out of the way. The save is for those caught unaware of the Fortress expansion. You also have to have the cube in hand to activate it.I had a group once use a Darn's Instant Fortress as a weapon, throwing the cube and activating it over an enemy's head.... splat!
Something tells me I didn't rule that right...
Ah, there it is. I knew there was something I missed about that thing. Still, most enemies were pretty unaware that a tower was about to spring up right where they were standing, so the Save bit still stands. The players just got liberal with the activation.
I'll definitely keep this in mind should that item appear again in a game. That time was a one-off casual game, so I'm not too pressed about it.
The entertainment value alone made it well worth the misruling; we were all rolling with laughter when they used it! You had to be there I suppose.
I like the 'explosive runes in the helmet' trick. That's really clever.My arcane trickster is TOTALLY doing that!
Most people can't focus close enough to read text placed an inch or so in front of their eyes. However, they may be curious enough to take the helmet off and try to read it. As a GM I don't think I'd allow this to work just by putting a helmet on. Dude couldn't read the runes.
Just have to write them REALLY small... Still, clever placement of Explosive Runes can turn any Rogue into a living nightmare.
I have to admit, though, I never even thought of the possible uses for the immovable Rod.
I've heard a story about someone activating a Swan Boat token after being swallowed by a purple worm. The token won.
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Most people can't focus close enough to read text placed an inch or so in front of their eyes. However, they may be curious enough to take the helmet off and try to read it. As a GM I don't think I'd allow this to work just by putting a helmet on. Dude couldn't read the runes.I like the 'explosive runes in the helmet' trick. That's really clever.My arcane trickster is TOTALLY doing that!
Just make them really small and paste them to the inside of the visor. When he flips it down he'll see a tiny note. It may take a second for him to read it, but still. Boom.
If not then put it crumpled into a glove. He'll feel it inside and pull it out to inspect.
Unless otherwise noted all of my explosive runes read "I prepared explosive runes today."
The size you write it is irrelevant.
Most people can't focus on something that close to their eyeballs.
Try putting you nose almost in contact with the computer screen right in front of you.
There is a very tiny percentage of people that can focus on something that close, but not many.
Also, there is no light to read by inside the helmet.
Instead of a spell written in a spellbook, have one page be marked with an explosive runes spell. Cast magic aura to hide the spell's aura and your set with a trapped spellbook.
EDIT: Portable Hole + Decanter of Endless Water = Swimming pool anywhere!
Instead of a spell written in a spellbook, have one page be marked with an explosive runes spell. Cast magic aura to hide the spell's aura and your set with a trapped spellbook.
I had an idea similar to this, but instead of one page, you fill every page of the spellbook with Explosive Rune.
Could also use the Message spell to remote-detonate the book, but I dunno if it could work like that.
Instead of a spell written in a spellbook, have one page be marked with an explosive runes spell. Cast magic aura to hide the spell's aura and your set with a trapped spellbook.
This is brilliant. Have a book that you over time add explosive runes to. Keep it visible, but protect it like it's your spell book.
If someone steals it they explode.
It's also a convenient A bomb if you need it. Just put it somewhere and dispel magic (intentionally failing your save)
Decanters of Enless Water are one of the best items for almost infinite odd applications. At least for the sake of PF DM's sanity they took out the old "will instantly kill vermin & small animals" bit it used have (was way too much fun when combined with polymorph effects or taking out high level druids or people you talked into trying out your cloak of the bat).
I remember setting up an uber efficient sewer system with multiple decanters of endless water & a sphere of annihilation once... going to show again that not all epic is about killing gods, sometimes it's about indoor plumbing and not having to smell [redacted].
Other fun not as intended things... beads of force as ingested poison, rods of lordly might for almost as many uses as immovable rods, merciful shocking/shocking burst weapons (or just use whips or nets) to give your charmed / dominated / or otherwise friendly shambling mound nigh infinite HPs (10 minutes of electrical damage for +100d4 CON which goes away at 1/ hour) , the list goes on and on and I should really finish at work so I can leave...
-TimD
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Assuming a Decanter has a nozzle of 1cm radius, at Geyser rate the water emerges at about 7m/s, producing a force of 164N, ie 36 lbs. It weighs only 2 lbs so if left unattended will accelerate at about 7g. With some suitable fins and balancing mechanisms, this will make it into orbit as it has effectively infinite Isp.
On the other hand, I shouldn't get too excited about using it to push a boat along. Any competent rower will beat that.
The size you write it is irrelevant.
Most people can't focus on something that close to their eyeballs.
Try putting you nose almost in contact with the computer screen right in front of you.There is a very tiny percentage of people that can focus on something that close, but not many.
Also, there is no light to read by inside the helmet.
I concede the point on the basis of the no light argument... unless you have Dark Vision, of course.
However, its not like Helmet visors are as close as Sunglasses or the end of your nose. there's a pretty good gap between your eyes and a helmet visor. Even if it wasn't readable, they'd probably tear it out and read it anyhow.
I always wanted a Wand of Explosive Runes... the Sharpie of DOOM. My rogue was kept far far away from such things, however.
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The size you write it is irrelevant.
Most people can't focus on something that close to their eyeballs.
Try putting you nose almost in contact with the computer screen right in front of you.There is a very tiny percentage of people that can focus on something that close, but not many.
Also, there is no light to read by inside the helmet.
I concede the point on the basis of the no light argument... unless you have Dark Vision, of course.
However, its not like Helmet visors are as close as Sunglasses or the end of your nose. there's a pretty good gap between your eyes and a helmet visor. Even if it wasn't readable, they'd probably tear it out and read it anyhow.
I always wanted a Wand of Explosive Runes... the Sharpie of DOOM. My rogue was kept far far away from such things, however.
Stealing that idea.
Stealing that idea.
And I, your idea of using a spellbook as a remote explosive...
Sharpie of Doom... stealing it like a caffeine fueled golem.
On the other hand, I shouldn't get too excited about using it to push a boat along. Any competent rower will beat that.
Up until you use it to knock him out of his boat.
I have seen the same player abuse a decanter of endless water and dust of dryness in the same way.
Early on, he got swallowed by a giant frog and dropped the entire bag of dust of dryness into the frog's stomach. The DM ruled that the frog....lost 100 gallons of water from its body as per the dust of dryness. (20 5-gallon Ozarka water bottles.) When the DM realized the consequences of this ruling the frog crumbled to bones and dust.
The same player was later eaten by a T-Rex, and popped his decanter of endless water. 30 gallons per round shot out (6 5-gallon Ozarka water bottles per round) After much discussion the damage done by being swallowed whole was negated completely after 3 rounds due to the fact that a stomach is essentially a big water balloon. The damage which is done by crushing is negated because the "big water balloon" expands and if it tried to contract it would pop. Damage done by stomach acid would be diluted within a round or two. The poor T-Rex was dazed as 300 gallons of water per minute spilled out of his mouth, the T-Rex drowned after several rounds, and the player saved himself by using an underwater breathing spell.
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Long ago, in 1st edition, got a flying carpet and a portable hole. Spread the portable hole out atop the carpet. Stacked up crates inside the portable hole so it became a portable fox hole and flew the carpet around through the dungeon, flying under the cracks of doors, thus bypassing traps on the locks, just holding on to the fringe at the front of the carpet so the portable hole wouldn't roll up. The party called this "the convertible" and it was particularly excellent for flying overhead and shooting arrows too.
This trick still works in Pathfinder.
This sounds like lots of fun until somebody forgets to leave their handy haversack outside.
What about painting holes in a wall, or at least an open door, with Marvelous Pigments?
Storing a large, fragile glass bottle holding 20 pounds of Black Lotus Extract in Gauntlets of Storing?
... and there has GOT to be some good uses for things like a Clamor Box.
Not sure if it was just my DM that ruled it this way... But universal solvent was a DISASTER for any form of building. "This substance has the unique property of being able to dissolve sovereign glue, tanglefoot bags, and all other adhesives. Applying the solvent is a standard action." Any form of tar, mud, or the cement to seal the rocks together, was deemed 'an adhesive'. Buildings, ships, and almost any man-made construction fell apart. Our rogue had endless fun with that until the DM determined all construction was done with hammers, nails, and or magic now, lol.
Ever get Swallowed Whole? Pop the cork on your Decanter of Endless Water, and make sure you have your Ring of Water Walking on! Or if you prefer the martyr route, just drop as many Anchor feather tokens as you can afford in the thing's stomach. I doubt it'll be going anywhere...
You can easily undermine ANY structure by using Tree Feather tokens in various strategic places. Slip them in select cracks or small areas in a castle, and watch the whole thing crumble!
For some more mischievous fun.... Use a Clamor box during an important Royal Ball, set to Riot. Probably place a few more around town, and watch the mass chaos ensue.... Oh, and if you're at war with whoever you're doing this to, time it so that a person who can Fly can litter the castle and town with leaflets proclaiming "Oh look! Explosive runes!" from the sky. For even MORE mischievous fun, do this in Galt! Just make sure you run away as fast as possible.... Not sure if it's an "not intended" effect of inciting riots....
Of course, who can't forget the Portable Hole half full of Caltrops and Firefoot Powder?