Dominant Weapons (some spoilers)

[Matt Filla]

Hi all,

I am running the AE of RotRL, and our next session should see the final battle with Karzoug. The party all have dominant weapons, and the description in the module reads: "As long as the weapon is carried, it can absorb up to three harmful transmutation effects (such as baleful polymorph or petrification) inflicted on the wielder per day."

My question is, does the transmutation spell have to target the PC in order to be absorbed (so that area effect spells would not be)? The reason I ask is that Karzoug has a lot of transmutation spells on his list (disintegrate, flesh to stone, temporal stasis) which will get absorbed, and since he knows the party has dominant weapons, it seems likely that he would avoid spells that will just get absorbed by the weapons. I'm using all kinds of non-Paizo sources for spells for Thassilonian spellcasters (I like the idea of them having spells that the party/players have never ever heard of), and there are some area effect transmutation spells that I would like to swap in on his prepared spell list in place of the ones listed above, but if they aren't going to be any more effective then it's less interesting to do so.

If Karzoug didn't know that they had these weapons, I'd let him find out the hard way, but it was the creation of those weapons that causes him to take possession of the statue in the Runeforge in the first place, so he has to be aware that they have them, and I can't believe he doesn't know what they can do.

[Mudfoot]

You could make it some manner of opposed roll; the weapon wielder can try to destroy the spell as it's cast (maybe an attack roll vs AC 30+spell level?) if he's within the area of effect.

[Matt Filla]

I'm considering having the weapons of anyone in the area of effect protect those individuals, but it counts as one of their 3 for the day - a few area effect spells would basically suck up the 3/day limit for the party pretty quickly, and would still be more efficient for Karzoug than a single targeted transmutation spell - save those for after all the weapons have exhausted their protection... <evil grin>.

[Tangent101]

I'd have Karzoug know of the limitation to the Dominant weapon and thus spam Transmutation spells on the fighters to try and take them out rapidly. Probably give him a second Rod for additional Swift spells (or alternatively one Mythic Tier for Archmage and the ability that still provides Swift spells).

[Misroi]

I like Matt's solution - Karzoug knows the party is knocking on his door, he knows they have weapons that are enchanted to specifically counter him, and he knows they're shielded from his specialty school as well. Why not hit them with AoE transmutation spells, or, better yet, have one of his spellcasting minions target them with transmutation spells earlier in the day? The weapons aren't intelligent, and they aren't activated by the PC, so they probably just prevent the first three spells from working. The only problem I'm seeing is that there's not that many AoE transmutation spells. Reverse gravity is the only one I'm seeing that's rather high up the list.

[Matt Filla]

Misroi wrote:

The only problem I'm seeing is that there's not that many AoE transmutation spells. Reverse gravity is the only one I'm seeing that's rather high up the list.

If you are limiting yourself to Paizo products, yes. :) I have been giving the Thassilonian spellcasters spells from other sources that my players are not familiar with, since I think it makes sense that they would have access to magic that the PCs would not. Of course, my wizard has happily added some of those spells to his spellbook as he has found the Thassilonian wizard's spellbooks (Runeforge was a treasure trove for him).

[mln84]

Matt Filla wrote:

I'm using all kinds of non-Paizo sources for spells for Thassilonian spellcasters (I like the idea of them having spells that the party/players have never ever heard of)

Matt,

I love this idea. Can you list some of the sources you are using, or maybe some specific spell examples? Also how the fight went, after you run it?

My group is only in HMM now, so they won't be getting to the K-man anytime soon, but they are getting close to spellbooks that might have been influenced as you mentioned.

Thanks.

[Matt Filla]

Sure. My primary source has been 1001 Spells - I'd have to go look up the other ones I've used. Our next session isn't until Jan 7, but I'll post an AAR of some sort here.

My party consists of:

Human Paladin of Iomedae 17
Human Wizard (Evoker) 17
Gnome Cleric of Irori 17
Human Monk 17
Dwarf Fighter 1/Ranger 16

I've just had them level up to 17th level for the final battle - none of them have ever run 3E/Pathfinder PCs at this high of a level before and I thought they should at least get to use 9th level spells. :)