Ask the Sage: Quick Rules Questions volume 6 - DnD 3.5 and Pathfinder)

[ArcaneLizard]

Question here. I think I remember some Barbarian abilities that can only be activated while raging, or "consume" rages (as divine metamagic and such). Can't think of any right now, but it hardly matters.
The question is, would casting the Rage spell qualify for such abilities?

[NEON725]

I believe that technically speaking, raging refers to the barbarian's abilities, not a magically induced anger. Now, on the other hand, that's a very creative way for the paladin to buff certain players, and DMs usually reward such things. Still, it might be a bit overpowered, so your DM would have to approve it. (How many times has that been said here?)

Bottom line? Rules say no, but we all know DND is more than that.

[ArcaneLizard]

Yeah. I was mostly saying it because the mechanical effects are roughly the same, minus the fatigue. And I think there's a feat to cancel the fatigue anyways.

It would be an interesting way of keeping the barbarian going. Specially if you make a gestalt barbarian/wizard who just prepares Rage in each and every slot.

[NEON725]

You'd have to be a sorceror, Wizards are more composed than that. XD

[ArcaneLizard]

Yeah, but a sorcerer would ruin the background. Sorcerers get more spells just because, and need not choose them. It would be virtually impossible for him to really do nothing else.
A wizard has to research them, so I can just say mine doesn't.

[NEON725]

It's my house rule that so long as you follow the character creation rules, you can make up whatever reason you want for having it. A druid I know literally pulls magic out of nowhere and doesn't follow a deity. This is cool because the background (a dreamscape) allows for such nonsense. I also had a character design once that was a multiclass sorceror/paladin, and his divine spells were pulled from a demonic/sorcerous manifest. Basically whatever you can sneak into the game is cool, and roleplaying it with the proper personality and character growth wins bonus points in the end.

[jj_wolven]

You couldn't use the rage spell for that. Those abilities use "daily uses of the Rage ability", which is specifying the barbarian's rage ability.

-me

[TheChuck]

Do the effects of Flurry of Blows and the Haste spell stack? I thought I remembered seeing somewhere that they don't, but I can't recall where or find it again.

[jj_wolven]

Yes, they stack. Flurry of Blows is not a "speed effect", such as haste + speed weapon property (which don't stack).

-me

[TheChuck]

Thanks jj.

[GeoAvanti]

Is there a duration for the use of Diplomacy to alter an NPCs attitude?

The RAW reads that only the Fanatic state reverts to an "original" attitude after a set time, but there doesn't seem to be any similar rules on the SRD for duration of normal uses (Hostile <-> Helpful). Is it assumed to be permanent (barring further action by PC/Antagonists)?




Also, completely unrelated to DnD, why are 'Martial' and 'Marital' spelled so similarly? Is there any irony to draw from this, or am I simply mad?

[ArcaneLizard]

No, they are not magical effects, it lasts until it reverts for whatever reason. Only the fanatical runs out because it's an adrenaline rush or something.

Also, that joke is very very old, you know. For the record, "martial" stems from Mars, the roman god of war. Marital I think is from Mare, some daughter of Hestia, or something like that.

[GlueDuck]

Hello! I'm completly new to both the game and this site and decided to try a few games as from what I've heard the queues for solo games are usually pretty long. I've been applying to a few games but haven't gotten in any yet. Now to my question, in some games I see people talking about ECL, which in my understanding is effective character level. Just to be sure I wanted to have some things clarified to me. Is it correct that ECL is only necessary when you use monsters as a PC and how is ECL calculated? Thanks for your help.
Edit: I have checked the explanation in the help section but I have some problems understanding it.

Post moved from Site Discussion > I'm Confused to Game Rules > Ask the Sage. - Toad`

-Grave

[jj_wolven]

ECL can come various places, but usually it is from playing a monster or using a template.

ECL = LA + racial HD + class levels

ECL = Equivalent Character Level = power of character compared to another character using a base race and class.

LA = Level Adjustment = calculated power of special abilities and bonuses for game balance.

racial HD = Hit Dice originating from a creatures race (vs. levels)

class levels = levels in PC classes

-me

[ArcaneLizard]

Got a question.
Assume I have a Fireball stored in a Sword of Spell Storing. Can I just wave the sword at the air and release the fireball in that direction? Or does it have to hit something (and thus scorch me)?