Intelligent Item campaign-PCs play as the equipment! (D&D 3.5)

[ketaro]

Trivia: Exchew materials only ignores cheap spell components, not spell focus. But yes if you don't mind paying all that metamagic, it would work.



You'll have to be more specific about that. What curse would you want?

Is it too much trouble to have a bunch of spell foci hanging off the hat like a charm bracelet? 

Would it be so entirely terrible if the Curse I wanted was "Character cannot cast any spells"? 

Though I suppose I could suffice with just a combo of "Item looks ridiculous" & "Character is polymorphed into a specific creature (5% chance [01–05 on d%] each day)." (A Horrid Lion (Horrid template from ECS on a Dire Lion) would be beautiful :3 aaaaand considering it IS a spirit lion totem barbarian apparently.....but that is just a lovely coincidence as it's more because I am looking at the Alternate Form feat by Prime32 and picking a cat and the Horrid stuff at least gives me a decent image of something suiting the Scary theme of this hat! )

[Raineh Daze]

I hate 10th level.

Stupid round numbers not giving anything good (like 6th level stances). >:T

[Clanjos]

So, between the Large Ham thing which prevents me from making stealth-related checks, being a suit of full plate, and being a magic set of armor, I have decided that the Blur effect is just because the armor is so shiny that people can't look directly at it.

+1 enhancement, Blurring, Blurring (Greater): 16000
Deepdweller: 12000
Blueshine Armor: 1500
Landing: +4000
Commander: +2000
Ornate: +500

That gives me a total of 36000 gp spent of 49000. Anyone got 13000 gp of mundane enhancements that fit the theme of "loud, obnoxiously shiny armor"?

[ketaro]

Glassteel armor.

[skydragonknight]

Barbarians don't have Heavy Armor proficiency, so he's be taking an attack roll penalty if you're full plate. :/

It would be cool if you were made from adamantine so I could use this boost:

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Iron Skin
Adamant Soul (Boost) 1
When you initiate this maneuver, you gain damage reduction 5/adamantine. If you are wearing medium or heavy adamantine armor, you gain damage reduction 5/— instead. To gain this benefit, you must be wearing armor.

[Clanjos]

I'll grab Oerthblooded so I'm treated as Adamantine, cost permitting. What's the source for Glassteel again?

[Raineh Daze]

(Side note: main reason I want 6th level stances is the ability to grant 5'*IL melee range rather than an Unseen Servant effect'. Probably better we don't get it... if we want to take advantage of having a berserker's durability. )

[MrRoboto]

Since we actually have to share stances, we're not likely to have any shortage of strong options. There are several good lv5 ones.

[skydragonknight]

I plan on delaying in combat until right before the (most threatening) enemy's turn. At that point, if I haven't used a Counter, I'll swap stances for a defensive one.

[Raineh Daze]

Since we actually have to share stances, we're not likely to have any shortage of strong options. There are several good lv5 ones.

Whether this is practical depends on the possibility of using Mystic Dream. On top of the stance benefits, that would grant TWF and Improved TWF--which is good if I'm playing Youkai-Forged Blades, as this means: A) Two items, and B) lots of TWF-focused attacks.

Ancient Temple, even without the stance, is good for hitting enemies trying to kite you.

[ketaro]

I'll grab Oerthblooded so I'm treated as Adamantine, cost permitting. What's the source for Glassteel again?

Player's Guide to Faerun?
Or Races of Faerun.
It's Faerun somewhere.

It's like all the benefits of Adamantine & Mithril in one

[MrRoboto]

So, I've realized I have neither the time nor sufficient inclination to play a sentient Shax's Haversack at this juncture.

Therefore, Boots.

Kix, The Ironshod

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32 PB
Str: -
Dex: -
Con: -
Int: 14
Wis: 16
Cha: 18

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HD: 10d10+30 (89 hp)0ft
Saves: +0 F ,+0 R ,+ W
AC:  (10 ), touch , flat-footed
Initiative: - (+5 using Dwarf's Dex)
Speed: 0ft (30ft using Dwarf's speed)
Senses: Darkvision 120ft
BAB/Grapple: +
Attacks:
Defenses: Hardness 5,

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• No Constitution score.
• Low-light vision.
• Darkvision out t feet.
• Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects).
• Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and necromancy effects.
• Cannot heal damage on their own, but often can be repaired by certain spells. The DM may also allow the construct to be repaired with the use of the right skills with the right tools. A construct with the fast healing special quality still benefits from this quality.
• Not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain.
• Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
• Not at risk of death from massive damage. Immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less.
• Since it was never alive, a construct cannot be raised or resurrected except for limited wish, wish and miracle. The 1st makes the construct lose a level, the other two don't.
• However, it can be "repaired" if destroyed by spending 24 hours of work and 500 GP of materials, which make it lose a level.

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Masterwork Tool of Perform (Dance) and Tumble

Lesser Powers
Heal: Cure Critical Wounds (4d8+10) 3/day
Locate: Object 3/day, Creature 3/day, no uses to locate something previously touched

Greater Power
Wind: Gust of Wind 3/hr, Air Walk 1/hr, Control Winds 1/day (full round action)

All the stuff everyone else has

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Feats
1:
F:
F:
3:
6:
9:

Flaws
Inattentive (-4 to Spot and Listen)
Vulnerable (-1 AC)

Trait
Aggressive (+2 Initiative, -1 AC)

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Class Skills Appraise, Balance, Bluff, Decipher Script, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge(any), Listen, Perform (Dance), Profession (any), Search, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, Spot

Bluff 13 ranks: +17
Diplomacy 13 ranks: +17
Perform (Dance) 13 ranks: +19
Tumble 13 ranks: +??

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Enchants
Sandals of the Vagabond (6000)
Winged Boots (16000)
Boots of the Battle Charger (3000)
Anklet of Translocation x2 (4200)
Steadfast Boots (2100)
Quicksilver Boots (5250)
Sandals of Light Stepping (13500)
Boots of Stomping (900)

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Static: +2 Initiative, Exaustion downgraded to Fatigue, +10 speed, +4 vs trip/bull rush, ignore difficult terrain, pass without trace

Swift: Charge as Standard action 2/day, Teleport 10ft 4/day, move speed 2/day, Water Walk 1/day

Standard: 15 cone of tripping 3/day, Fly for 5 min 3/day

Total: 48,950
Remaining: 50 gp

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Schools: Iron Heart, Scarlet Rose

Maneuvers Known: 12
Readied: 5
Stances Known: 5

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Maneuvers
1:1
2:2
3:3
4:3
5:3

Stances
1:2
3:2
5:1

Recovery: Swift action to shine w/ Ego ability recovers 3 maneuvers. Cannot already be shining.

Maneuver List
1: Lightning Speed
2: Graceful Instinct, Wall of Blades
3: Iron Heart Surge, Rising Wind, Whirlwind Strike
4: Deadly Dance, Quick Momentum, Wall of Wind
5: Dazing Strike, Decisive Dance, Lightning Strike

Stances
1: Punishing Stance (+1d6 damage, -2 AC)
 Flowing Momentum (+1 dodge to AC/10 ft moved (max +3))
3: Lightning Skirmish (+10ft spd, can TWF as standard action)
Absolute Steel (+2 dodge to AC, +10ft spd)
5: Dancing Blade (+5ft reach on own turn)

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[Kasz]

Going to assume I'm Tiny? due to being book sized...

The Illiterate Frenzied Berserker's Spellbook

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32 PB
Str: -
Dex: -
Con: -
Int: 16
Wis: 14
Cha: (18, +1 at level 4, +1 at level 8) 20

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HD: 10d10+30 (89 hp)
Saves: +3 F ,+3 R ,+5 W
AC:  15 (10+4), touch 10, flat-footed 15
Initiative: +0
Speed: 0ft
Senses: Darkvision 120ft
BAB/Grapple:  +5
Attacks: -
Defenses: Hardness 5,

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• No Constitution score.
• Low-light vision.
• Darkvision out t feet.
• Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects).
• Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and necromancy effects.
• Cannot heal damage on their own, but often can be repaired by certain spells. The DM may also allow the construct to be repaired with the use of the right skills with the right tools. A construct with the fast healing special quality still benefits from this quality.
• Not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain.
• Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
• Not at risk of death from massive damage. Immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less.
• Since it was never alive, a construct cannot be raised or resurrected except for limited wish, wish and miracle. The 1st makes the construct lose a level, the other two don't.
• However, it can be "repaired" if destroyed by spending 24 hours of work and 500 GP of materials, which make it lose a level.

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Masterwork Tool of Knowledge (Arcana) and Knowledge (The Planes)

Lesser Powers: Image, Sensitive, Specialised Tool (Knowledge Arcana)

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Intelligent Items usually also have fancy magic abilities. At 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th pick one of the following options. They don't provoke attacks of opportunity. Unless otherwise noticed, each can only be picked once. Save DCs are 10+1/2 HD+highest mental stat mod.

Specialized Tool-Choose a skill in which the Intelligent Item has ranks. The Intelligent Item gains a racial bonus on  checks with that skill equal to 3+Intelligent Item level+1/2 other levels. This may be picked multiple times, each one choosing a new skill.

Sensitive-The Intelligent Item can use Detect Magic 1/minute. If it has 8 or more HD it can use Detect Thoughts 1/minute.

Image-The Intelligent Item can use Silent Image as a SLA 3/day. At 3 HD, upgrade to Minor Image. At 6 HD, upgrade to Major Image. At 9 HD upgrade to Persistent Image. At 12 HD upgrade to Permanent Image.

Greater Power: Vision

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At 8th level, plus at levels 12, 16 and 20, the Intelligent Item unlocks new abilities. They don't provoke attacks of opportunity. Unless otherwise noticed, each can only be picked once. Save DCs are 10+1/2 HD+highest mental stat mod.

Vision-The Intelligent Item can use Arcane Eye 1/hour. If it has 9 or more HD it can use Prying eyes 1/day. If it has 13 or more HD, the Intelligent Item can also use Plane Shift 1/day.

Arcane Item

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The Intelligent Item loses the Martial Purpose ability and no longer learns maneuvers or stances. Instead, they  become able to cast spells as a sorceror of their Intelligent Item level, but they must choose a school of magic besides Evocation from which they can't learn any spells. As with maneuvers, the Intelligent Item cannot cast spells by itself, it must be wielded by somebody to speak the words, do the movements, and sprinkle any needed components on the Intelligent Item. The Exception being an Intelligent Item transformed by Deceivingly Innocent Form. Any spells the Intelligent Item casts on itself benefit the wielder as well. Bab is reduced to poor.

Empathy

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At first level the Intelligent item can see and hear as a regular human, even if it has no discernible eyes, but cannot directly communicate with beings. It however can make the wielder feel urges and basic emotions, that are usually used to encourage or discourage certain courses of actions.

Ego

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As a fullround action the Intelligent Item may attempt to dominate the one wielding it, forcing a Will save with DC 10+1/2+HD+highest mental stat mod. Increase the DC by 4 if the wielder isn't proficient in the item, or doesn't have any ranks on the relevant skill. If it fails, the wielder is under a Dominate effect from the Intelligent Item that lasts 1 minute. If it succeeds, the Intelligent Item cannot attempt to dominate it again for 1 minute. Anyone who has ever lost at least one Ego save against an Intelligent Item cannot willingly leave it unless the Intelligent Item says otherwise.

In addition, if not being used by anyone, the Intelligent Item can project an aura that inevitably atracts a local commoner from a common local race of equal level to appear and pick up the Intelligent Item in 1d12 days.

Finally such is the Ego of Intelligent Items that as a swift action they can project light from themselves as a Light spell. The color of the light can be any, but the decision must be made at first level and can't be changed later on.

Darkvision

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At 2nd level the Intelligent Item gains Darkvision 60 feet, At 9th level the Intelligent item's Darkvision increases to 120 feet.

Speech

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At 3rd level the Intelligent Item can speak, or directly communicate with the wielder by telepathy.

Comprehend Languages

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At 4th level the Intelligent Item benefits from a permanent Comprehend Languages effect.

Read Magic

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at 6th level the Intelligent Item benefits from a permanent Read Magic effect.

Telepathy

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At 7th level the Intelligent Item gains Telepathy 100 feet.

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Feats
1:
F:
F:
3:
6:
9:

Flaws


Trait

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Class Skills Appraise, Balance, Bluff, Decipher Script, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge(any), Listen, Perform (Dance), Profession (any), Search, Sense Motive, Spellcraft, Spot

Knowledge (Arcana): 13 Ranks, 3 Int, 13 Racial = +29
Knowledge (The Planes): 13 Ranks, 3 Int = +16
Spellcraft: 13 Ranks, 3 Int = +16
Appraise: 13 Ranks, 3 Int = +16
Decipher Script: 13 Ranks, 3 Int = +16
 

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to-do

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Spells Per Day
0th - 6
1st - 6 + 2
2nd - 6 + 1
3rd - 6 + 1
4th - 5 + 1
5th - 3 + 1

Spells Known (Amount)
0th - 9
1st - 5
2nd - 4
3rd - 3
4th - 2
5th - 1

Spells Known (List)

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[MrRoboto]

Besides turning off the sun, Ironheart is seriously underwhelming me, and Wallace has balance covered anyway.

Would like to use Lightning Fox instead.

My other discipline is homebrew as well so throwing that out there also: Scarlet Rose

[ketaro]

Ugh, I'm becoming a tad disinterested after trying to shop for this type of character....... 

This is what I got

Bailey, the (Hopefully Cursed) Scary Hat

I am literally at a loss for stuff to buy. I've gone through like a dozen books and everything is lackluster shit or out of my price range or just straight up flowing against the theme hard.

[Raineh Daze]

You could've enchanted yourself to buff his con or something.

[ketaro]

That reminds me that I had a question about that skipped.

If I enchant myself with an enhancement bonus to a stat, does it only apply the boost to the person I am equipped to or both of us?

Some one else probably is having a Con boost....I'd want Cha but that decision relates to the question.

Also re-asking this one so as to avoid previous questions being lost again

Is it too much trouble to have a bunch of spell foci hanging off the hat like a charm bracelet? 

Would it be so entirely terrible if the Curse I wanted was "Character cannot cast any spells"? 

Though I suppose I could suffice with just a combo of "Item looks ridiculous" & "Character is polymorphed into a specific creature (5% chance [01–05 on d%] each day)." (A Horrid Lion (Horrid template from ECS on a Dire Lion) would be beautiful :3 aaaaand considering it IS a spirit lion totem barbarian apparently.....but that is just a lovely coincidence as it's more because I am looking at the Alternate Form feat by Prime32 and picking a cat and the Horrid stuff at least gives me a decent image of something suiting the Scary theme of this hat! )

[MrRoboto]

Can we enchant ourselves for bonuses to any stat, not limited by slot? If so, are other abilities limited by slot (eg could the boots be enchanted with the effect of a belt of battle)?

Ideas (all from the Magic Item Compendium)

Useful even if only the Dwarf can use the abilities
Horned Helm (8000): fluff it as the cat ears being really sharp. Dwarf has pounce so more attacks are always good.
Helm of Gazes (5000): Ignore 3 gazes/day. It could come up and it'd be really handy if it did.
Bear Helm (1500): Forget the description exists and you've got a solid counter to something that could really ruin our day
Mindvault (8000): Another counter for things that potentially make us all cry metal tears.
Scout's Headband (3400): True Seeing is good and I don't think we have it yet.

Useful if you can also use the abilities
Circlet of Mages (5000):  basically 3 spell levels of pearl of power/day  and +2 concentration.
Circlet of Rapid Casting (15000): Compares favorably with Lesser Metamagic Rod (Quicken) which is a good place to be.

[oslecamo]

Net time will be quite limited for me this week.

Sadly, one of the weapons has to be light, and it's the battleaxe that isn't. Can I just stick with the one school? :S

You can.

Relatedly: if I have the Ancient Temple tactical feats, would the dorf benefit? Especially where (I think) Mystic Dream is concerned so we don't eat TWF penalties all day.

No, but you can suggest feat swapping for the dwarf NPC, plus he can pick another flaw for another feat.

I'm going through Spells and am wondering if Spells that affect Weapons, Armour and other Items are fair game to use on other PCs.

Yes.

Eerr, it already says " As with maneuvers, the Intelligent Item cannot cast spells by itself, it must be wielded by somebody to speak the words, do the movements, and sprinkle any needed components on the Intelligent Item."

After reading this I'm still not sure whether you're saying "the whole ability works like Martial Purpose so spells use the items' actions not the wielders'" or "it states that the item needs a wielder without mentioning that it doesn't take actions for the wielder so it does."

Works like martial purpose. The item provides the action itself, it just needs to be wielded by someone that can make the gestures and sounds.

Trivia: Exchew materials only ignores cheap spell components, not spell focus. But yes if you don't mind paying all that metamagic, it would work.



You'll have to be more specific about that. What curse would you want?

Is it too much trouble to have a bunch of spell foci hanging off the hat like a charm bracelet? 

It is fine.

Would it be so entirely terrible if the Curse I wanted was "Character cannot cast any spells"? 

Considering that it would kinda block spell-granting items, yes.

Though I suppose I could suffice with just a combo of "Item looks ridiculous" & "Character is polymorphed into a specific creature (5% chance [01–05 on d%] each day)." (A Horrid Lion (Horrid template from ECS on a Dire Lion) would be beautiful :3 aaaaand considering it IS a spirit lion totem barbarian apparently.....but that is just a lovely coincidence as it's more because I am looking at the Alternate Form feat by Prime32 and picking a cat and the Horrid stuff at least gives me a decent image of something suiting the Scary theme of this hat! )

Despite what some media may make you think, transforming the wielder into a super strong creature isn't much of a curse.
Would also interfere with the wielding some of your allies bit.

Besides turning off the sun, Ironheart is seriously underwhelming me, and Wallace has balance covered anyway.

Would like to use Lightning Fox instead.

My other discipline is homebrew as well so throwing that out there also: Scarlet Rose

Yes to Scarlet Rose, no to Lighting Fox.

That reminds me that I had a question about that skipped.

If I enchant myself with an enhancement bonus to a stat, does it only apply the boost to the person I am equipped to or both of us?

Some one else probably is having a Con boost....I'd want Cha but that decision relates to the question.

Hmm,  ok, you benefit from whatever effects you grant to your wielder because of your own enanchments.

Can we enchant ourselves for bonuses to any stat, not limited by slot? If so, are other abilities limited by slot (eg could the boots be enchanted with the effect of a belt of battle)?

Ah, what the hell, I'll say yes to that as long as you can come with an half-plausible explanation better than "a wizard did it for the lulz".

[Raineh Daze]

Feat-swapping? Doesn't that take levelling up?

And the dorf couldn't get an ancient temple stance so can't take Mystic Dream. I think. He has enough Dex for TWF, I see. Dorf, take TWF! You have two axes in your appearance anyway! Take the flaw that lowers your will saves!