Magic Item Equivalent to Resist Age?

[flacciddong]

I was thinking about starting a character at old age, and I know that one of the ways to compensate for the physical penalties is the resist age spells. I was wondering if there is a magic item that would allow me to gain the effects of these spells? If there isn't, could anyone give me some guidance on how to design one that's balanced?

[Routamaa]

Ultimate Equipment - Mantle of Immortality p.221

[Claxon]

I would talk to your GM about this.

Rarely ever would I allow a character to actually start at advanced age to get the bonuses to mental stats, but especially so if they think they're going to just ignore it by buying a magic item.

I have allowed characters to "appear" old for RP purposes, but with no bonuses or penalties. Free bonuses to mental stats which stack with all the other bonuses is a big no no in my book.

Honestly, if your GM is wise they're going to tell you no.

[Gulthor]

I think a 50,000gp item that takes up an important slot is more than fair.

We use the aging rules in our group regularly, it's never been an issue. We even had a venerable wizard in our Wrath of the Righteous campaign who started with an adjusted 3 Strength and 6 Con. He used his first mythic ability to shed his age penalties, but he had to play very intelligently and cleverly to get there, was a great asset to the group, and burned an incredibly powerful boon (that first mythic ability) to essentially just get what amounted to a +3 Int (literally the only part he cared about) at the significant cost of having a -6 to all his physical attributes for the first 5 levels.

The same player is going to play an old aasimar monk in an upcoming game with the immortal spark alternate feature for lesser age resistance 1/d so that he can play a wise old master and only end up at -2/+2.

[Claxon]

Different people have different opinions. And that's fine.

The fact that the player was willing to go through so much trouble proves exactly how good it is for casting classes IMO, and they already break and dominate the game.

It's also worth noting the game does have rules for determining the age of your character, based on class and race. And as such, you can't even technically start your character at middle age or older.

[Varalash]

Or you can get a Nacreous Gray Sphere Ioun stone for 10k... doesn't get rid of penalties you already have, but prevents you from acquiring any as you age.

[Gulthor]

Claxon wrote:

Different people have different opinions. And that's fine.

The fact that the player was willing to go through so much trouble proves exactly how good it is for casting classes IMO, and they already break and dominate the game.

It's also worth noting the game does have rules for determining the age of your character, based on class and race. And as such, you can't even technically start your character at middle age or older.

I'll definitely agree with you that it absolutely requires DM approval.

[flacciddong]

Claxon wrote:

It's also worth noting the game does have rules for determining the age of your character, based on class and race. And as such, you can't even technically start your character at middle age or older.

"You can choose or randomly generate your character's age." Directly from the Additional Rules section of the Core Rulebook.

I did already ask my GM to make sure though. Thanks Routamaa for finding that item for me.

[Dastis]

My last character was a venerable age wizard. Gotta say it was great for RP purposes but garbage gameplay wise

-6 con and dex is rough to say the least
-6 str meant i had a quarterstaff and spellbook as my only items until we found a bag of holding
I was outgrappled by a child halfling... and a kobold......
Did I mention that I could barely carry the bag of holding
Couldn't even get positive con score till lv 4 using my next biggest number and racial mods

Keep telling yourself its worth +2 save dc and a couple of spell slots....

When I found the shirt of immortality(in game) there was a grand sermon on the greatness of RNJESUS. Overall its not worth it game wise but golden for RP

Also the dm has the option to kill the character off via old age at any point. Rude but if they ask for it....

[Mark Carlson 255]

IMHO,
If I were the GM I would say; "Ok I will see how the PC stacks up to others in the group and if it becomes unbalancing then I will ask you to play another PC. Is that ok?"

Now RP wise in a game I played in and decided not to continue we did have a player roll up a gnome that had a ST score of 4-6 (but I do not remember his con score) and it was a real challenge to play. He decided his PC was old but did not use any of the age rules or options just the stats as he rolled them to base his PC concept on.
I found out later he did die as his PC (stat score) were just so poor vs the rest of the group he was not a viable PC....but a very fun PC for RP'ing.

MDC