[OOC] General Chat

[Phil]

There are two issues here subject to interpretation, so they'll both require DM adjudiction: these are just my own opinions.

So what if I were to use wrist razors from DSCS (light blade, off-hand)?

Here, the issue is whether you feel the parentheses at the end of the class feature indicate rules text specifically pertaining to the feature at hand, or simply restating the normal definition of "free hand" for convenience. I fall into the latter camp: I think the feature requires that your hand be free, fullstop, and the rest is just a reminder what that usually means. Wrist Razors have a specific rule that says your hand is free while you wield them, so the combo appears to work fine, on this level.

However, the first school of thought, that the class feature specifically prohibits the use of a shield or weapon, does have support. In the FAQ for the Dark Sun Campaign Setting, they rule that a gauntlet axe, which also comes with similar text leaving the hand free "would not work with the class features due to it's benefits as a shield."

So it's not clear.

I'm specifically thinking of the Rhythm Blade from AV2:
Quote:
Weapon: Light Blade
While you wield this weapon in your off hand, your Shield bonus to AC and Reflex increases by 1.

Two opinions on this as well.

1. That every character by default has a shield bonus of 0, and 0+1 is 1.
2. That without first having some sort of shield bonus (such as the one provided by Two-Weapon Defense) there is nothing to increase, just as you cannot add bonus damage to an attack that doesn't deal any damage to begin with.

I'm actually of the second school of thought here, that you don't have a bonus to increase, and therefore the item's property doesn't function for you. However, good news! Shielding Blade, from Dragon 391, has a propery which reads: "Property: You gain a +1 shield bonus to AC"

So the issue is moot: in my opinion a Shielding Blade Wrist Razor will do what you want, just make sure Aary agrees with my on the "free hand" issue.

[Aary]

A couple things to go over.

1) Any object in the offhand slot (regardless of unarmed, free hand, etc) negates the class feature.
2) Wrist razors, when enchanted, are an arm slot item. This would stack with the class feature.
3) Wrist razors are a Dark Sun item, and do not currently exist in Eberron.
4) The Rhythm Blade enchantment is for hand slots only. I've double checked this in the character builder.

Let's look at balance issues. At level 1, you would have an AC of 22. I've never heard of a defender with an AC higher than 20 at level 1. This is incredibly overpowered at low levels, and negligible at higher levels.

So yes, it would work but there are two lore problems to overcome and one balance issue to deal with. Wrist Razors are native to Dark Sun, and do not exist in this game. "Rhythm Blade" is not a normal enchantment for an arms slot item. The item bonus is overpowered.

Verdict Yes it would work, but you will never find this item in game. It doesn't exist, yet. A talented crafter could make it. A smith will need to forge the wrist razors (Easy), and a magic item enchanter will need to bend the magical limits of Eberron (moderate difficulty).

[reivision]

Well, I wasn't intending to have them at level 1 anyway; I was just looking for maybe an interesting alternative to magic armor, and I'm really hoping to do something interesting with the warforged components or attached/embedded items. I'll put something else on the wishlist.

[Coalesce]

Okie Dokie Everyone...

I have posted my character background. Feel free to read it in your spare time.

Thanks,

Coalesce

[Coalesce]

Hey Aary-

"The next round will start before midnight [PDT] tomorrow."

Does this mean we have right up to midnight to post for this round? If not, what would be the earliest you would post if everyone has not went?

Thanks,

Coalesce

[Aary]

Please, please, please post before 9PM, PDT. If you wait until midnight, I will include your turn. But I will have to redo all of the work on my end.

[Coalesce]

Copy that.

Thank you

[Aary]

Part 2 will drop tomorrow night. You still have time to submit feedback before the game starts.

I'm so excited to see how you all react to what's coming next.

[Aary]

I apologize for not updating you sooner, but I'm extremely busy right now. I hope things will settle down by tomorrow night, but it's been a rough couple of days.

I appreciate your patience while this gets sorted out.

[Paladin of Light]

[Coalesce]

Hi Aary-

Hope your busy schedule isn't driving you bonkers.

Next time you log on could you please indicate the status of the game. I have to plan time into my day to participate so I would like to know what is going on.

Thank you,

Coalesce

[Paladin of Light]

We seem to have lost Aary . . .

[Aary]

It's been two months, and I hope you'll forgive me for being so rude and inconsiderate about not checking in with you before now. There is no excuse I can offer. I screwed up and I'm sorry.

I freelance for CAL FIRE, BLM, and the USFS. This means for about 8 months of the year I'm on call. Although working on wild fires involves being away from an internet connection for weeks at a time, there were opportunities to update you guys that I didn't take. Once again, I'm sorry.

The game threads are an awesome read. It blows me away how high the quality of your posts were. This was a great group, and easily the best game I've been part of. If you would like to continue the campaign, or start a new one, I'm open for it. I just want to play with you guys again as a DM or player.

You've all logged in during the past week. I've sent private messages to everyone. So hopefully in a few days we'll know what's going on.

[Phil]

I'm still good to go, if the campaign picks up again.

[Paladin of Light]

I'm still here but it will take me a couple days to remember what's going on.