3.5 question regarding Binders in Forgotten Realms

[gruegirl]

This is probably entirely the wrong forum to post this in, but if I were to play a binder in forgotten realms, what would their powers be in relation to the Weave?

I'm of the opinion that other then the actual manifestation, that they are "Outside the weave" and thus don't face any difficulty with dead magic zones. I've gotten into an argument with friends, I'd like to get people's opinions before I bring it up at gaming group.

 

[Tiberius]

Binders use arcane magic, right? It is my understanding that all arcane magic is dependent upon the Weave, except for magic using the Shadow Weave. Assuming this to be true, then I would conclude that binders are subject to dead magic zones just as much as anyone who isn't a thrall of Shar.

Mind you, my knowledge of and experience with the Realms is quite limited. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable could chime in?

 

[Sammael]

If we're talking about 3.x (pre-Spellplague) Realms, there are only two instances of magic that are "outside the Weave:" Shadow Weave magic and Spellfire. Divine magic uses Weave as the interface just as Arcane magic does. Thus, by the book, binders use either the Weave or the Shadow Weave.

If it were my game, I'd declare that Dead Magic Zones suppress the bound vestige, but do not dismiss it. The vestige is still there (and bound), but you are unable to use its power until you leave the dead magic zone.

A Binder works somewhat similar to a Sha'ir from Al-Qadim, so you may want to look into that source material to see if there are any clarifications in that respect.

 

[gruegirl]

A Binder works somewhat similar to a Sha'ir from Al-Qadim, so you may want to look into that source material to see if there are any clarifications in that respect.

I dissagree. Sha'ir get their powers by fetching it from the elemental planes. Binders get their powers from beings that exist outside the normal cosmology. From the "Space between planes" as it were.

 

[Derulbaskul]

Here's a free article about binders in the Realms that might be useful to you:

Class Chronicles: Binders