So what about those staves?

[The_Universe]

So....uh...what about those staves?

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Like I was saying in the other thread... you know the one that isn't as cool as this one:

We need to assess whether or not we can afford to dispense the necessary magic to make those staves. Right now, we have to assume that our high-ish level spell casters (and our low level casters, for that matter) are a wee on the busy side. The Phoenix Kingdom is no longer just on the defense - we have taken land and claimed part of our kingdom. Everyone that is amongst our ranks is fighting a war...

With that in mind - do we think we can afford to have the staves made? If we do, I say go for it. But, I know very little about the subject of making magical items... just something I think should be thought about.

[Xath]

Nothing says we have to buy the staves from our own magic users. Even though he's on our side, the head of the Phoenix Kingdom spy network still has some networking for item purchase...if you don't mind where your stuff comes from.

And before we go all high and mighty about this, keep in mind that at least one of our bags of holding has a bright blue star on it. As do many of our other magical items.

[Xath]

Started a House Rules thread on it.

Rate My Staves!!!

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Originally Posted by Xath

And before we go all high and mighty about this, keep in mind that at least one of our bags of holding has a bright blue star on it. As do many of our other magical items.

I don't think anyone was getting high and mighty - nor do I think they will.

As I said - I don't know a lot about it, so I am *asking* for input. I didn't even say anything about purchasing from other sources.

However, my concerns here are two fold: first, even things with a big blue star are going to be hard to come by because he's fighting the war, too; second, how would we go about purchasing from another non-rebel aligned source without drawing attention to what we're having made? KoA isn't exactly a world with magic item shops and peddlers of questionable legality - especially considering the current situation. Our spy network may be useful, but is it so far-reaching that we can engage in activity that would almost indefinately draw the attention of authorities we may not want our spies dealing with?

[Xath]

But we know there are mages (like Cawys) who keep stocks of magic items in their secret basement, along with some....other commodities. I don't expect that Cawys was the Bluestar's only dealer.

We have 2-3 contacts in every major city and one in most villages/towns. Someone should be able to figure out if there's a dealer.

Also, once this current campaign is done (not the Campaign, but the march on Prydein) we should take some time to solidify our newly found lands before immediately trying to acquire more. This could give some of our major spellcasters the break they need to focus on item creation.

[The_Universe]

Item creation is costly to all of the spellcasters, as it takes not only a great many monetary resources, but personal power (in the form of Experience Points), as well. As a result, there is a limit to how much any spellcaster can help you with item creation, no matter how much they might want to.

That being said, during less violent times, one could probably have such an item created with ease.

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Originally Posted by The_Universe

Item creation is costly to all of the spellcasters, as it takes not only a great many monetary resources, but personal power (in the form of Experience Points), as well. As a result, there is a limit to how much any spellcaster can help you with item creation, no matter how much they might want to.

That being said, during less violent times, one could probably have such an item created with ease.

But the question is - can we afford to do it now?

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Queen_Dopplepopolis

But the question is - can we afford to do it now?

Objectively, sure. It's possible to send a message back through the ring gate and have one started right now. The question is really if you're willing to delay whatever else that person may have been working on.

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Originally Posted by The_Universe

Objectively, sure. It's possible to send a message back through the ring gate and have one started right now. The question is really if you're willing to delay whatever else that person may have been working on.

That's exactly what I just asked. By "afford" I mean - what are we willing to give up in order to get the staves?

An excellent re-phrasing of my original question!

[The_Universe]

It was the only answer I could give. The real decision has to come from the PCs.

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Originally Posted by The_Universe

It was the only answer I could give. The real decision has to come from the PCs.

Well - since Kat and Gertie are really the only other two PCs that use the boards with any frequency - what do you guys think?

Is it worth it right now to have our magic uses stop doing whatever it is they are doing to spend their spell slots and experience on staves? I really don't know how I feel about it.

[Laurel]

For something that could keep us fighting it would be worth it. As a group we can do more destruction and damage then a single spell caster under us (now that we have Jansten I feel VERY confident saying this)
So I am for asking someone to create the healing staff for us (or whatever version is approved)

Since the stat staff we can manage at a lower level ourselves I am not so keen on that being acquired. It may take time, but I don't see the trade off of a high powered spell and loss of xp for that magic user for +4 to dex (or whatever the spells give).

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

If any staff is made, I think it should definately be the healing staff... but - realistically - if we're not all fighting together, I don't know if it's worth it right now, anyway... because only one person could use it, and we're not all going to be within staffing range...

What about spending the time/experience/money on something that could increase the range on Xath's healing song? Is that even possible? Or does the staff do something in a massive range that I have forgotten?

When would we have the staff? What level spell caster has to make the staff?

[Xath]

The staff is set at caster level 15. And realistically, most of the time we play, we're together. And and time the staff would be needed would be when we were actively playing. The 1on1 combat is cool, but is certainly not how the circle spends most of their time *while we're actively playing* So I think the staff is a good idea.

But to get full perspective...Kennon, who would we be displacing to get the staff, and what are they currently working on?

Also, I may tweak the staff a bit. Add Restoration and Mass Cure (Something) to jack up the price, and take away Cure Critical.

Any item that would increase the range of Xath's songs would have to be a vest/vestement of some kind.

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Originally Posted by Xath

The staff is set at caster level 15. And realistically, most of the time we play, we're together. And and time the staff would be needed would be when we were actively playing. The 1on1 combat is cool, but is certainly not how the circle spends most of their time *while we're actively playing* So I think the staff is a good idea.

But to get full perspective...Kennon, who would we be displacing to get the staff, and what are they currently working on?

Also, I may tweak the staff a bit. Add Restoration and Mass Cure (Something) to jack up the price, and take away Cure Critical.

Any item that would increase the range of Xath's songs would have to be a vest/vestement of some kind.

Would that vest or vestment provide more benefits than the staff? It would increase the range of all of her songs.. *shrugs* something to think about.

[Laurel]

Originally Posted by Queen_Dopplepopolis

If any staff is made, I think it should definately be the healing staff... but - realistically - if we're not all fighting together, I don't know if it's worth it right now, anyway... because only one person could use it, and we're not all going to be within staffing range...

Random: love the single combat and wouldn't mind seeing it again

On topic: We normally are all together, and even if not as we saw last game Kareth, Jansten, Xath and Justice all have ways to teleport/dimension door closer to others. If say Xath holds the wand when in combat we still have the oath which lets us, if concentrating, know the status of each individual. If one of us needs super help -poof- teleport takes her there. it is not one we would be waving around all the time, more for those dire need cases- example in the middle of combat enemies look only scratched yet we have someone at -1. It obviously does not have to be that drastic, but something calls for no time to heal regularly and needs massive healing.

[Xath]

Ok, so I think Heal needs to be on the Staff of Healing (Greater.) But regular cure spells probably aren't necessary. Mass cures perhaps. Restoration, perhaps.

What spells do you want to see on a custom healing staff?

[The_Universe]

Originally Posted by Xath

Ok, so I think Heal needs to be on the Staff of Healing (Greater.) But regular cure spells probably aren't necessary. Mass cures perhaps. Restoration, perhaps.

What spells do you want to see on a custom healing staff?

Mass cures and restoration are a good idea. Mass cures let you use the staff as a battlefield aid, not just as a group aid.

Restoration is useful, as well - more as a Circle-centered ability, though.

[Xath]

Well, Mass spells only cure 1 creature/level. So their massive battlefield use is also limited. I remember there used to be a spell....Healing Circle? that cured everyone in a specific radius. Anyone know where that spell is from?