Concealing Objects

[Samloyal23]

[MENTION=21432]Samloyal23[/MENTION] Take a quick look at Subdermal Implants on Google Images.
http://modblog.bmezine.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/note-implant.jpg

If you're looking, you'll see it.
Even IUDs are visible, if you're thoroughly searching.

You would be unable to hide a dagger at -all- under your skin. Every time you moved, you'd risk damaging tissue.

Interesting. I did not think the skin would fit that tightly over an implant. The dagger would need to be sheathed and padded, obviously, but it could be done. I think a -2 penalty on spot and search checks would be applicable, if you were intentionally placing the item to be discrete instead of decorative...

 

[Sekhmet]

[MENTION=29317]SamL[/MENTION]oyal I agree that the -6 (-4 for most small, hidden objects and -2 for being subdermal) would be accurate enough, just remember that most things cannot be hidden in that fashion.
Even the smallest knife, locked in it's sheath, could cause damage. Objects longer than about one or two inches cause problems with the muscle tissue underneath the skin, preventing them from fully flexing in some cases, or causing great pain as the tissue tries to stretch around it in others.

The other major issue is finding inert materials that won't cause infection or disease. Gold and silver, so long as they're pure, are good enough. A steel dagger would probably reject.
Diamonds and other very precious gems would probably be alright.

 

[Samloyal23]

[MENTION=29317]SamL[/MENTION]oyal I agree that the -6 (-4 for most small, hidden objects and -2 for being subdermal) would be accurate enough, just remember that most things cannot be hidden in that fashion.
Even the smallest knife, locked in it's sheath, could cause damage. Objects longer than about one or two inches cause problems with the muscle tissue underneath the skin, preventing them from fully flexing in some cases, or causing great pain as the tissue tries to stretch around it in others.

The other major issue is finding inert materials that won't cause infection or disease. Gold and silver, so long as they're pure, are good enough. A steel dagger would probably reject.
Diamonds and other very precious gems would probably be alright.

Okay, I'm thinking a object weighing a pound or less can be hidden on your body with a sleight of hand check against a spot or search check with a -4 penalty to anyone looking for it, with an additional -2 if it is subdermal. A hard metal object such as a dagger or shurikin, even if padded will have a chance to do minimum base damage to you if it is struck while under your skin, say if you fall and land on it or it gets hit by an opponent. How long before things like rejection take effect? How would that work in game?

 

[Sekhmet]

Rejection is pretty quick. You'll see it within a few days, usually.
Another worry is migration. You apply pressure bandages to the area to keep the item in place for the first few days to limit it's movement, which causes a great deal of discomfort.
You're right in assuming that if they receive a blunt force trauma that they're likely to impact the area underneath and immediately go into rejection, which means a nasty infection, a disgusting, puss filled pocket surrounding it, and eventually necessitate removal.

 

[Samloyal23]

Rejection is pretty quick. You'll see it within a few days, usually.
Another worry is migration. You apply pressure bandages to the area to keep the item in place for the first few days to limit it's movement, which causes a great deal of discomfort.
You're right in assuming that if they receive a blunt force trauma that they're likely to impact the area underneath and immediately go into rejection, which means a nasty infection, a disgusting, puss filled pocket surrounding it, and eventually necessitate removal.

Ick. So, you probably need to make a fortitude check each day to avoid rejection, and immediately if you're injured in a fall or if an enemy targets the packet and hits it. Failure means you've got an infection and have to remove the object to cure it. You could probably make a spell to protect against daily rejection and drift, but there would still be injury risk.

 

[Sekhmet]

Mm. Subdermal implants aren't exactly the most hygienic things, and typically not a great place to store a weapon anyway. Do what all the rogues used to do, swallow your most valuable gem and a couple of lock picks while they're taking you away.

 

[Samloyal23]

Skin Pouch (transmutation)
Level: brd 1, sor/wiz 1
Components: v,s,m
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: touch
Target: 1 creature
Duration: 1 hour/level
Save: will negats (harmless)
Spell Resistance: yes
Description: You make a blister or skin grow over a small object pressed against the subject. This allows the subject to carry the object without risk of it being dropped or stolen. The subject can open and close the pocket at will. The object cannot weigh more than a pound or be more than two inches thick. A sharp object inside a skin pouch may hurt the subject if struck. At the end of the duration the pocket releases its contents and the subject's skin returns to normal.

 

[dragonfriend7738]

I actually was thinking about something very similar to this mechanic myself a while ago. The idea that I came up with as the most viable way to get away with it and not have to worry about sharp things doing unwanted damage to the character was to use a Portable Hole in a fashion similar to a Bag of Holding (since the Hole doesn't have an added rule about sharp things being able to puncture the extra-space area) then folding it into its smallest size and slipping it into a hole that has been surgically placed in the character's skin.

 

[Samloyal23]

I actually was thinking about something very similar to this mechanic myself a while ago. The idea that I came up with as the most viable way to get away with it and not have to worry about sharp things doing unwanted damage to the character was to use a Portable Hole in a fashion similar to a Bag of Holding (since the Hole doesn't have an added rule about sharp things being able to puncture the extra-space area) then folding it into its smallest size and slipping it into a hole that has been surgically placed in the character's skin.

Excellent idea, you can put the hole inside the blister created by my spell and have a lot more carrying capacity...

 

[dragonfriend7738]

Excellent idea, you can put the hole inside the blister created by my spell and have a lot more carrying capacity...

Now, here's a question- could you get a Portable Hole that has the same amount of space in it as normal, but whose max opening size is, say, no larger than your hand?

If so, what's to stop someone from embroidering one into their gloves/gauntlets and slight-of-handing anything nearby of Tiny size or smaller into oblivion? (Imagine if it was on a Kender.)