[OOC] The Officers' Mess

[zarzak]

No good touch spells? I admit that there are easier ways to cast touch spells at range, but that seems to be the only decent use for it? I don't know which first level spells would be relevant off the top of my head (and I'd likely mix up 3.5 and pathfinder anyways ).

Henry, should I assume that the RHC quartermaster (if there is such a being) would have things like masterwork weapons/armor?

[HenryLockwood]

Zarzak: yes, MW equipment is available.

Still_Pond: in terms of actually being useful, I'd say Magic Missile would be least situational, due to its high range.

[Still_Pond]

Ya, how to get an enemy to reach down and touch it though? And I'd have to be ready to cast the spell, which would mean a ready action probably.

If it could re-load and thus be a remote crossbow, that might be useful. What say you DM, can it re-load?

I had assumed it could be moved around using mage hand, but then it says that when it is activated, it becomes a small creature. Mage hand can only move objects, so I could only move it with mage hand while it was deactivated. It doesn't say I have to be standing next to it to activate it, however, though that seems implied. If not, then mage hand would be handy to move it someplace, flip the switch and activate it. Could I do that or not?

Right now I'm thinking my favorite options are the following:

1. Crossbow turret: Basically act like me firing a crossbow. If it can re-load it makes this option much more appealing. Not sure how many bolts it could carry. It says it is 5lbs, and my crossbow with twenty bolts weighs three, so that might be good. (Two pounds for assorted gadgetry).

2. A color spray dispenser: If I can move it around using mage hand, this option gets better. Either way, it could be used to cast that powerful spell next to me or remotely as part of an ambush or setup, keeping me a bit further away. If I can't move it, it's use is pretty limited. Also, if I rely on it for the spell and don't memorize it, then I can't cast it without my machine - which limits my mobility in casting one of my most powerful spells at 1st level.

3. Grease Cannon: If I can't move it around, this might be a good option. I could plop it down, maintain my ability to move within 30' of it, and still have the ability to cast grease anywhere withing 30' of the contraption, which would be a handy battlefield control option. Out of combat, grease helps with escape artist checks and other things.

4. Missile Launcher: Has a long range, so position is less important. Would allow me to memorize other spells that I could then sacrifice in favor of more missiles if necessary.

Opinions?

My current spell selection is as follows btw:

All Cantrips, Magic Missile, Color Spray, Mage Armor, Silent Image, Grease, and Sleep.

Evocation is my school, Necromancy and Abjuration are my forbidden schools.
-------------
Edit: I was

Magic missile has a long range, and having a little missile cannon could be handy, freeing up a spell slot for something else. I get six little missiles anyway from my evocation focus. So, I'll add that as number for to my list above.

[HenryLockwood]

I think getting it to cast Magic Missile is attractive - it means that you can effectively convert spells into MM (like a 3.5e cleric does with healing).

Also, rules as written say: At the GM’s discretion, it can also take closely related minor tasks, like reloading a ranged weapon, but otherwise the contraption can take no other actions on its own.

I say: "Yes, it can reload, because otherwise it would be entirely pointless".

Did you think of having a crossbow launcher that could fire around corners from where you are?

[TheDarkFuzz]

I like the idea of it being a rainbow grenade. You just toss or roll it around a corner, bam, color spray to the face, then the melee shock troops (read: Annie and Dominik) move in. Plus color spray is soooo much better than magic missile at this level, and it benefits from superior positioning. Unconscious, blind, and stunned for 2d4 rounds? And then stunned for another 1d4+1 rounds? Are you kidding me? Any enemy that fails that will save is basically KO'd as far as combat is concerned.

The only other option I would consider is obscuring mist, which also benefits from good positioning (20 ft burst around cast point). A smoke grenade that creates concealment for everyone with no save is pretty powerful - it can give the group a good escape, save a companion in trouble, mess up ranged enemies, or prevent large groups from fighting effectively by splitting them up.

[HenryLockwood]

"The Rainbow Grenade" sounds like a Gay Pride weapon. It would possibly detonate and release different coloured streamers.

... my brain goes to strange places sometimes!

[Still_Pond]

DarkFuzz, I can't roll it or toss it - at least I don't think I can. I think I have to set it down, activate it and then let it work. If I can remotely activate it, then I could maybe toss it though that might damage it, falling damage at the very least. Mage hand could move it though. I agree, color spray is the most powerful combat spell at 1st level.

I thought of Obscuring mist, but I didn't choose that spell and I'd have to give up one of my other choices, and I like them all. Also, if I use it to get away, I leave my cool machine behind, and that would suck.

I figured I could use silent image to create illusionary walls or mist the same way, and didn't need obscuring mist. It has a longer range and wider area and can't be dissipated with wind. They'd have to go walk into it and 'interact' with it to get a save.


As for a crossbow that shoots around corners? No, and I don't know what you mean, other than having the device set up down one hall and myself down the other. The appeal to a crossbow shooter is it doesn't cost me a spell to use. I don't have to take time to change out weapons, and could fire and shoot every other round. If I could remotely activate it, I could use mage hand to lift it up onto ledges or other places one might want a crossbowman.

I agree, the appeal to magic missile is it basically allows me to spontaneously cast that spell as needed. Like a cleric's heal spell, magic missile is a staple that one doesn't know how much one will need until the day is over. the long range and auto hit means it doesn't matter as much where I set up the contraption, I could hide it in some bushes maybe. (think it needs line of sight though, not sure). Grease is attractive for this reason as well, color spray less so because of the limited positioning. Even if I can use mage hand to move it, and I'm not sure I can, that would take a round to do and then I'd have to attack the following round. The target would have moved by then, most likely, and I'd be two rounds wasted.

So my next set of questions for you, HenryLockwood are:

1. Can I activate it from a distance or do I need to activate it with my own two hands?

2. Does it need line of site on a target it is attacking?

[HenryLockwood]

From the rules:

"As a standard action you can activate it and place it in an adjacent empty square". I think that means you have to activate it by hand (especially as you're using your own magic to power it up).

"The contraption acts as if you were performing the task in its square". So yes, you need line of sight for it to cast MM on your behalf (for example).

[Still_Pond]

Well, I found a snag with the magic missile idea. I get a bonus spell slot from my school, but I have to plug an evocation spell in there. As it is, I only have one evocation 1st level spell, magic missile. So a spell slot is tied up by that spell anyway. True, if I need more, I could use the machine to spontaneously cast more.

I'm liking the idea of a crossbow machine. It doesn't draw from my limited magic power; she isn't too bad with a crossbow so my attack roll with it is reasonable. It could be placed someplace high and behind cover ahead of time, so if I didn't want to move or cast that round, I could choose to shoot a bolt from my sniper-bot 3000 instead. I can spread out my damage dealing a bit better, shooting and casting every other round - there would be no rounds lost due to drawing/sheathing a crossbow, not until my little machine got taken out that is. I could tack on an illusion of a team of crossbowman up on the ledge if I wanted to make the enemy re-think attacking.

It doesn't use my weapon, it simulates me using my weapon. So does that mean that I don't actually have to possess said weapon? For example, could I have it use the stats of a heavy crossbow, gaining that extra range and damage without gaining the extra cost and weight? Not sure I want to do that, as it would be slower to reload. I could take rapid reload and make it possible to fire a heavy bolt every round, (move action to load, standard to fire). Might be better to be able to move around and still have the thing fire though, as I could do with that feat and a light crossbow mechanism.

[HenryLockwood]

Ultimately, it's your choice - I'm willing to house-rule additional feats to let it have more options, etc., if you want to go that way (e.g. make it like a sort of robotic "animal companion").

Zarzak, please tell me exactly what Lionel's aiming for with his oracular dream. Remember, the rules say:

Originally Posted by Skyseer

Immediately prior to a period of extended rest (8 hours minimum) during which the night sky is visible, you may focus your mind on the future and receive a prophetic dream regarding one question. Upon completion of your rest you awaken with insights into the future as though you had cast an Augury spell and received a meaningful reply.

I'll add the results to the game post (which will exist soon, i.e. once I write it!)

[Still_Pond]

I'm done. I'll post my character info in the character thread soon. I'm going with a crossbow machine and a rapid reload feat. That way she's decent with a crossbow when she doesn't want to cast her limited spells, and she can still move and have the machine fire. Plus, there is something very steampunky about a gnomish crossbow contraption.

As for how to spend my 1000 gold, I mostly bought a bunch of scrolls and scroll-making supplies with the idea of adding them to her spell book as time allows. Is that appropriate? Again, playing a wizard is new to me so if any of you think I'm doing something stupid, let me know.

[HenryLockwood]

Scrolls and supplies are pretty useful gear for a wizard, especially at low levels.

I'll tell you if you're about to do something stupid, but I'll let you make non-optimal choices of your own. Everyone, for example, is allowed to put ranks in Profession: Bartender...

[Outcast]

Welcome aboard, guys.



Couple of points for Still Pond:

1) Don't worry in the slightest about being a better technologist than Domnik. I have the impression that having more than one technically-competent person in the group is likely to be useful. And it might give something for the pair to bond over. Or squabble about. Or both.

2) We get average starting gold. You get to increase your remarkably poor gold roll.

[Still_Pond]

Ooo, more gold. That's good. I figured her rich daddy was denying her funds as a matter of principle. (Probably still is, but his girl has to have her necessities covered, like a proper feather pillow).

As for her and Dominik, they should work well together, covering different aspects of techno-craft. If she levels, I may take knowledge engineering, perhaps he'll teach her.

[TheDarkFuzz]

Pond, you drew that portrait right? It's awesome! The sweet frame and oil painting finish totally sells it.

I'm working on one for Annabelle, I'ma try and do it tomorrow when the library is closed. I can't even come close to that coloring job though. Or the linework. Or the smoke effects and cool filters. Um ok so I'm just gonna draw a smiley face with a triangle dress and write Annie on the forehead in big letters.



PS who's holding on to all that extra fancy gear, the sunrods and the potions and the super scrolls?