Magic ... Gourds?

Enig · Post by **Enig** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:47 pm

I had another strange sort of idea while I was at work the other day, and I'm curious as to whether or not you lot would think it appropriate. Sort of like a warrior's version of a wand with some added defects. It would still be highly expensive, with a price comparable to a wand with the same spell, but it would only be one-use.

Best idea for how to do it would be to make a weapon, something like 'A hollowed out pumpkin with magical runes enscribed upon it.'. The warrior fellow who wants to use it would wield it and swing it as his targets head, doing some damage (not much) and applying whatever spell would be appropriate. Like say a gourd of armour or for a fight, maybe a gourd of curse. After hitting the bad/good guy, the gourd would self-destruct (junk? sac?) and the spell would be applied.

Random thought that occured to me as I was typing this and is thus not entirely formed yet, but maybe spellcraft could be used, somehow, to decipher the runes on the various gourds, if the character wasn't a wizard/priest/bard/druid/etc. Warriors and co. have the skill, and it would be a fun way for the more experienced of their ilk to show off their broad array of life experience?

Anyways, thanks in advance for your thoughts

Oghma · Post by **Oghma** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:50 am

Could be set up like vials of holy water, where you fling them at opposing forces once you have brewed the curse or spell inside.

Kelemvor · Post by **Kelemvor** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:23 am

A program on a drink container object would meet all these ideas I think.

Ifcheck the Spellcraft skill to decipher the runes - though I would include an intelligence/wisdom check also as it is not difficult for non-casters to get a high Spellcraft score.

Intercept on drink to prevent the obvious

Intercept on the word USE or TOSS or BREAK or similar which would cast the spell, echo the action and junk the item.

I'm not sure how easy it is to target a spell on an opponent, you may want to check the various target identifiers.

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:20 pm

It wouldn't need to be a drink_con at all.

Oghma is right: it would work like the holy water.

Code: Select all

>intercept_prog throw~
if wear_loc($o) != -1
   if pos($n) == 8
     if charinroom($n) == $1
       if isundead($1)
         mpechoat $n You throw the vial of holy water on the undead.
         mpechoaround $n @N throws a vial of holy water on the undead.
         mpecho The undead quavers as the holy water burns it.
         mpmadd $f currhp -100
         mpjunk $o $n
       else
         mpechoat $n You throw the vial of holy water on your opponent.
         mpechoaround $n @N throws a vial of holy water on $s opponent.
         mpecho It does not seem affected by the holy water.
         mpjunk $o $n
       endif
     else
       mpechoat $n You do not see that here.
     endif
   else
     mpechoat $n You should be fighting to throw the vial of holy water.
   endif
else
   mpechoat $n You should hold the vial of holy water before trying to throw it.
endif
~
|

Alternatively, you could check that $n is fighting and use "$f" to designate his/her opponent, but that might require some additional testing.

Kelemvor · Post by **Kelemvor** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:52 pm

It wouldn't 'need' to be drink container, but that's what a gourd is

What item type would be your preference Dal? Trash? Treasure?

Dalvyn · Post by **Dalvyn** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:46 pm

Yes, they would be gourds ... but gourds you can't drink from (if people had to be able to drink from them, it would most likely be a good idea to make them drink countainers).

Another problem with making them drink countainers is that you would then be able to sell them to innkeepers, tavern keepers and barkeepers.

I'd use 'treasure' I think.

Trash is better avoided, except for worthless debris or trash items.

Enig · Post by **Enig** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:56 pm

Sorry if it was a bit misleading, but the truth is I only mentioned a gourd because, at the time, I thought it was hilarious to imagine some evil PC chucking jack-o-lanterns with glowing red eyes as 'curse grenades'

Anyways, any sort of vegetable would be appropriate and although I do think a pumpkin/squash/etc would fit the role best, they'd either have the magic 'grown' in or they'd be sealed up tight so drinking wouldn't be an option without smashing it first (and then you'd probably get it all over you and be cursed).

About the scripting, I can't really comment just yet. I still have a lot of lessons to read from the builder help files before that.

Elenthis · Post by **Elenthis** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:03 pm

All in all, I rather like the idea of one-use spell grenaides. Especially along the lines of them doing a small amount of damage when they hit. (I've always been a fan in tabletop D&D of giving my players items that both help and hurt. Can anyone say 'throwing axe of stoneskin?'

I do have one question though. How would they be made? Would they be makable by PC's and if so would a new trade be implemented?

Raona · Post by **Raona** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:13 am

It would be neat if druids could grow them (over the course of a year). They have a patch to guard or hide, and a substitute for scribe. (Or do they have access to scribe?) Neat idea, Enig!

I could see flameberries, leeks of sluggishness, Brussels sprouts of blindness...yes, the possibilities are endless!

Vibius · Post by **Vibius** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:21 pm

This is screaming creating thunderstones and bags of tanglefoot