Bonded objects and familiars. Are they balanced?

[TanisFrey]

"Well, if the Queen wants something from me, she can come find me in the inn."

And now the DM needs to think. Let you get away with it. Or are you force-able relieved of it and tossed in chains. That really depends what kingdom, how powerful is it, and the Queens motives towards the wizard in question.

 

[TanisFrey]

Wizard: Surely you wouldn't force an old man to part with his walking stick?

Remember the origin of this quote is from Tolkien's Middle Earth. The world only had 5 wizards total in to EVER. Gandolf only cast 4 or 5 out-rite magic spells thrown at will over the coarse of the 4 major books.

The elves' magic was of a healing nature or only could be bound in other things. They could control they home lands to a supernatural level.

Very few Gamers play in this world with out changing it to up the magic levels.

 

[EroGaki]

So how are these guards going to recognize Mr. Wizard anyhow? Unless he is impersonating Gandalf, I mean. If a PC wizard is dressed like a commoner, and has an arcane bond with a ring, how could the guards tell the difference?

 

[ruemere]

So how are these guards going to recognize Mr. Wizard anyhow? Unless he is impersonating Gandalf, I mean. If a PC wizard is dressed like a commoner, and has an arcane bond with a ring, how could the guards tell the difference?

Detect Magic. One would think that in a world where magic is common, a guard educated in a use of such spell should be a staple of any organization.
Kings and Queens would probably invest in a full-time diviner to watch their back, one who would know whether inviting certain guests is going to cause trouble.

Regards,
Ruemere

PS. Right now, my players find themselves in a Venice-like city, where Peacekeepers protect ruling class. The Peacekeepers are military intelligence agency consisting of spies, informers, diviners, archivists, enforcers who attempt to detect murders or major crimes in time to prevent them. They are not very reliable, but their reputation, contacts and resources make most major NPCs feel safer.

 

[EroGaki]

Detect Magic. One would think that in a world where magic is common, a guard educated in a use of such spell should be a staple of any organization.
Kings and Queens would probably invest in a full-time diviner to watch their back, one who would know whether inviting certain guests is going to cause trouble.

Regards,
Ruemere

PS. Right now, my players find themselves in a Venice-like city, where Peacekeepers protect ruling class. The Peacekeepers are military intelligence agency consisting of spies, informers, diviners, archivists, enforcers who attempt to detect murders or major crimes in time to prevent them. They are not very reliable, but their reputation, contacts and resources make most major NPCs feel safer.

Detect Magic would identify magic items, yes. But not wizards. Not unless the wizard was shrouded in wards.

Even then, any wizard who wishes to go undercover would have a Nondetection cast before hand. I would, anyway.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

So how are these guards going to recognize Mr. Wizard anyhow? Unless he is impersonating Gandalf, I mean. If a PC wizard is dressed like a commoner, and has an arcane bond with a ring, how could the guards tell the difference?

Because he has the big bag filled with bat droppings and sulfur, and his staff is covered in mystical arcane runes. Also, chances are, his clothing is much nicer then the nobility, but he's not wearing armor. In fact, that's a point right there - in the group of plate, chain shirts, and breastplate wearing people, he's wearing a robe.

Speaking of which, taking the staff is old hat. Take their bag of components. That'll hit them where it hurts.

Detect Magic would identify magic items, yes. But not wizards. Not unless the wizard was shrouded in wards.

Even then, any wizard who wishes to go undercover would have a Nondetection cast before hand. I would, anyway.

The funny thing about both wizards and their players is that they start to think ONLY in terms of magic. If I can't be divined, I can't be detected! Meanwhile he dresses outlandish and weird and carries items that, sure, don't detect as magic, but sure do look like it.

 

[ruemere]

Detect Magic would identify magic items, yes. But not wizards. Not unless the wizard was shrouded in wards.

Even then, any wizard who wishes to go undercover would have a Nondetection cast before hand. I would, anyway.

Detect Magic is about detecting magic. Taking pains to avoid detection of that type could be most certainly a viable course of action for a character.
Just as using a more powerful form of detection employed by guards.

In other words, I am not disagreeing with you. Merely pointing out, that it is quite likely that NPCs in a perilous situations are likely to try to protect their hides.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Nikosandros]

Yes, as I stated in my OP there are indeed scenarios in which the bonded object might be a liability.... but it is equally easy to present scenarios in which life can become very dangerous for a poor familiar.

 

[Trihelios]

Wizard: Surely you wouldn't force an old man to part with his walking stick?

These are not the droids you're looking for.

 

[Scott DeWar]

I have a wizard with a bonded object who is a member of a mercenary unit. He wears light armor just to look like he is not a wizard.