Broom of Flying

[Thanee]

Can I command the broom of flying to slowly fly forward (half-speed, as necessary for the average maneuverability), while I'm riding on it, without having to spend actions to do so myself?

What do you think?

Bye
Thanee

 

[shilsen]

I'd allow it. The broom references the Overland Flight spell, which doesn't require one to use additional actions to fly at half-speed, and doesn't have any explicit restrictions about how it's commanded, so I think it's reasonable to allow it to work this way.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Can I command the broom of flying to slowly fly forward (half-speed, as necessary for the average maneuverability), while I'm riding on it, without having to spend actions to do so myself?

What do you think?

Is the broom already flying/hovering with you on it, and you want it to move forward? Or are you picking it up from being inert, and you want it to start flying slowly at half speed?

It's a Command Word activated item. If you've already activated it, then I'd say all you need are mental commands (free action) to control how it flies after that, until you get off it and stow it. But you do need to spend that one, initial action to kick-start the magic.

 

[Thanee]

Already in the air.

The question is because of average maneuverability, since it does not allow hovering and you have to spend some movement each turn to prevent stalling, whether the broom itself can do so.

And Overland Flight is also average maneuverability only, unlike Fly.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Ah.

I'd probably treat it something like being mounted. You'd get a full round of actions, but couldn't execute a full melee attack if you moved more than 5', while a ranged attack would be possible, adjudicated at the midpoint of your movement.

But that's just how I'm thinking I'd treat it atm. I'm not sure it's based on any rules, save for the fact that it seems similar to riding, IMO.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The only independent command of the broom is having it come to you. Otherwise, I believe the correct interpretation is that the broom is use-activated, meaning that you spend a move action to move with the broom, as you would normally expect. So, you can't move 40ft (under 200 pounds, minimum 20ft), and then take a full round action (such as a sorceress casting a metamagic spell*).

* Let me guess, is that what you're doing?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

The only independent command of the broom is having it come to you. Otherwise, I believe the correct interpretation is that the broom is use-activated, meaning that you spend a move action to move with the broom, as you would normally expect.

Except that the description of the Broom of Flying specifically mentions a Command Word. I've always assumed it operates similiarly to the brooms in Harry Potter. You have to command it "up" to start it working, otherwise it's just an inert broom.

And as far as spending a move action to move with the broom...I don't see a precedent. A PC doesn't have to spend a move action to move with a horse, why is riding a broom any different?

 

[Darklone]

Full ranged attack action while floating around... nice idea. My archer will love it.

From a ruleslawyers pov though I'd simply use the rules for mounted ranged attacks.

 

[Thanee]

* Let me guess, is that what you're doing?

We just found such a broom yesterday and so I wondered what it's good for.

Broom of Flying: This broom is able to fly through the air as if affected by an overland flight spell (average maneuverability) for up to 9 hours per day (split up as its owner desires). The broom can carry 200 pounds and fly at a speed of 40 feet, or up to 400 pounds at a speed at 30 feet. In addition, the broom can travel alone to any destination named by the owner as long as she has a good idea of the location and layout of that destination. It comes to its owner from as far away as 300 yards when she speaks the command word. The broom of flying has a speed of 40 feet when it has no rider.

Moderate transmutation; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item, overland flight, permanency; Price 17,000 gp;Weight 3 lb.

Interesting parts... "This broom is able to fly..." and the requirement for Permanency. Doesn't that mean, that it flies all by itself (yeah, kinda like a flying mount) and not just enables the user to fly like most other items, which grant fly?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Darklone]

Hmm, is sitting on your magic carpet any action at all either ?