Converting Al-Qadim creatures

[Cleon]

Any reason that all three Feats shouldn't be Skill Focus... perhaps Skill Focus: Craft (specific type) or Perform (specific type), Profession: artist or craftsman, and Alertness.

I don't think Alertness is quite right, they seem too focused on their Craft/Art to be alert about their general surrounding.

Giving them Skill Focus (Craft) or Perform (Art) for the first feat and Profession (artist or craftsmen) on top of that makes good sense.

They'll also be fine judges of their profession, so maybe Skill Focus (Appraise) for the last feat?

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

Since they originally derived from djinn and dao stock, I'd recommend "Elemental Plane of Air and Elemental Plane of Earth" for the Environment, and swap out Aquan for Auran in the languages.

Any reason that all three Feats shouldn't be Skill Focus... perhaps Skill Focus: Craft (specific type) or Perform (specific type), Profession: artist or craftsman, and Alertness.

No reason at all. I think Skill Focus (Craft [any]), Skill Focus (Perform [any]), and Skill Focus (Profession [any]) works fine.

I think you talked me (and yourself) out of Alertness.

Combat: Although their professional skills vary, all artist genies have a set of spell-like abilities in common. They are able to use each of the following spell-like abilities twice per day: duodimension, mirror image, illusion, polymorph self, and stone shape.

Polymorph can be replaced with the common genie trait of change shape. For "illusion", we can either give them a single SLA or several. Djinn have persistent image, so it should be at least that good. Anyone remember what "duodimension" does?

The illusions of artist genies create both tactile and visual components which last without concentration until dispelled or touched with cold iron. These are often used to give visible form to mental models and ideas before a final, lasting product is produced. It may also be used by the less scrupulous artist genies to satisfy their patrons without a great deal of effort being expended in actual work.

Perhaps we should give them a racial bonus on save DCs of their illusions?

 

[Cleon]

Added to Homebrews.

Since they originally derived from djinn and dao stock, I'd recommend "Elemental Plane of Air and Elemental Plane of Earth" for the Environment, and swap out Aquan for Auran in the languages.

No reason at all. I think Skill Focus (Craft [any]), Skill Focus (Perform [any]), and Skill Focus (Profession [any]) works fine.

That'd be all right as far as I'm concerned.

Polymorph can be replaced with the common genie trait of change shape. For "illusion", we can either give them a single SLA or several. Djinn have persistent image, so it should be at least that good. Anyone remember what "duodimension" does?

Duodimension is a high-level AD&D spell (it's in the 1E PHB, but I don't recall offhand where else) that turns the caster 2 dimensional. Basically the caster is immune to attacks from the sides because they "simply aren't their", but can attack and be attacked normally from the front. So all they have to do to become immune to an attack from a particular direction is turn "sideways" to it.

Plus, the caster can walk through the cracks around doors and, presumably, stand against a wall and pretend to be a very good painting.

As far as I know there's no official 3E equivalent, but I'm sure we can come up with some Su power that does the same job.

 

[Shade]

Heh. I'm suddenly envisioning an ability called "Paint Itself Into a Corner" for the artist genie.

It sounds like we could capture a similar effect with displacement and/or blur, perhaps?

 

[freyar]

Displacement seems like a good fit for duodimension. I also like permanent image, so they can leave some illusory artwork behind (perhaps less often than persistent image).

The feats are good with me.

 

[Cleon]

Heh. I'm suddenly envisioning an ability called "Paint Itself Into a Corner" for the artist genie.

It sounds like we could capture a similar effect with displacement and/or blur, perhaps?

Displacement seems like a good fit for duodimension. I also like permanent image, so they can leave some illusory artwork behind (perhaps less often than persistent image).

I don't like the idea of displacement/blur. That would seem to make it a combat defense ability, and these fellows are artists, not fighters.

How about a statue-like ability to turn itself into an 2D image of itself, becoming a painting or relief carving on a wall, man-high vase or the like. It could be effectively incorporeal while in "flat form".

 

[Shade]

I don't like the idea of displacement/blur. That would seem to make it a combat defense ability, and these fellows are artists, not fighters.

How about a statue-like ability to turn itself into an 2D image of itself, becoming a painting or relief carving on a wall, man-high vase or the like. It could be effectively incorporeal while in "flat form".

I'm not 100% opposed to that idea, but I fail to see how it's any less "combat defensive" than those other spells (or mirror image, for that matter)?

Also, these fellow are haughty and arrogant, and not listed as cowardly, so I'd think they'd want to flaunt their "artistic merits" even in battle.

Finally, they are big on illusions, and blur and displacement are both illusion spells.

It might be fun to create an ability that allows them to quickly draw, sculpt, or otherwise craft an ally in battle. Perhaps they can create animated objects "on the fly" that quickly fall apart (a few rounds)?

 

[Number 6]

For your review, the seventh level Wizard spell Duo-Dimension from the 2nd-edition Player's Handbook (page 184)...

Duo-Dimension (Alteration)

Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level
Casting Time: 7
Area of Effect: The caster
Saving Throw: None

A duo-dimension spell causes the caster to have only two dimensions, height and width, with no depth. He is thus invisible when turned sideways. This invisibility can be detected only by means of a true seeing spell or similar methods. In addition, the duo-dimensional wizard can pass through the thinnest of spaces as long as these have the proper height--going through the space between a door and its frame is a simple matter. The wizard can perform all actions normally. He can turn and become invisible, move in this state, and appear again next round and cast a spell, disappearing on the following round.

Note that when turned, the wizard cannot be affected by any form of attack, but when visible, he is subject to double the amount of damage normal for an attack form; for example, a dagger thrust would inflict 2d4 points of damage if it struck a duo-dimensional wizard. Furthermore, the wizard has a portion of his existence in the Astral Plane when the spell is in effect, and he is subject to possible notice by creatures there. If noticed, it is 25% probable that the wizard is pulled entirely into the Astral Plane by any attack from an astral creature. Such an attack (and any subsequent attack received on the Astral Plane) inflicts normal damage.

The material components of this spell are a flat ivory likeness of the spellcaster (which must be of finest workmanship, gold filigreed, and enameled and gem-studded at an average cost of 500 to 1,000 gp) and a strip of parchment. As the spell is uttered, the parchment is given half a twist and joined at the ends. The figurine is then passed through the parchment loop, and both disappear forever.

While Cleon makes a good point, the spell certainly has defensive combat applications... it's duration is measured in mere rounds, it protects the subject totally on the sides (but has a clear Achilles' Heel in terms of damage taken from the front and back), and surely it would make fighting in narrower passages and fleeing through gates and gaps much easier.

It looks like the spell was not included in 3rd edition for a good reason. One of our options is to sh*t-can this ability for the Artist Genies, or at least substitute other, more reasonable abilities.

I'm not sure... it could simply boil down to giving the genie a great Hide bonus when impersonating a painting or a relief, a great dodge bonus (because of the very flat surface), and/or allowing it to squeeze through smaller areas that are up to two sizes lower without penalty.

We're going to need to chew this one over a little.

 

[Number 6]

One important point regarding Duo-Dimension that just came to mind...

Character/Creature facing in combat is no longer much of an issue, is it? That might have been one of the main reasons the spell doesn't appear in 3rd-edition, right?

 

[freyar]

One important point regarding Duo-Dimension that just came to mind...

Character/Creature facing in combat is no longer much of an issue, is it? That might have been one of the main reasons the spell doesn't appear in 3rd-edition, right?

Yes, and I think the concealment miss chance is about the closest thing to this spell as 3e has (esp if you added in a double-damage when hit).

I'm really inclined to stick to displacement or blur.

If we want to go the "draw ally" route Shade suggests, we might draw inspiration from the fantastic machine (I think) spells from FR (I think Magic of Faerun). I don't have my books at work, but I could look these up tonight if no one has it handy.