Druid 'Forbidden Weapon' Question

[Malin Genie]

1. Can a driud use flaming oil, alchemist's fire, holy water and suchlike without violating her vows, or are they considered 'weapons' that are not on her list?

2. What about shield bashing - a druid can use shields, but if he attacks with one, is it considered a 'weapon' that's not on the list?

3. If a druid picks up a chair in a bar-fight and smashes it over the head of an opponent, has she violated her vows by using an (albeit improvised) 'weapon' that's not on the list?

4. Are there any 'general' Sage (or other) rulings on this issue?

 

[Artoomis]

These are very much campaign-specific questions. One would need to know what the vows specifically to know if they were violated.

For example:

I swear to never attack with anything except <insert druid list here> prevents you from using shields, chairs, etc.

I swear to never use any weapons besides <insert druid's list here> probably allows the use of a shield and/or chair, etc. to attack, though it may be splitting hairs a bit.

 

[Hejdun]

By the rules, she would lose her powers for using alchemist fires, burning oil, shields, chairs, etc. ONLY what's on her list, that's it. Anything else is a house rule.

 

[Gromm]

I don't see alch fire as a weapon per say, as much as a misc item myself (its not on the weapons list in the PHB). The druid's weapon list is a list of weapons, as in those that require weapon profs.

Isn't there a spell that makes a wooden shield a powerful weapon on the Druid spell list (thorns or something)? Why give it to druids if they can't use the shields? And chairs are clubs, odd looking fragile clubs, but clubs nonetheless.

In the end its your DM's call, but druids got screwed bad enough on weapons to not allow shields. After all I don't see "claws", "bites", or "unarmed attacks" on the list. Does that mean a druid in bear form can't attack people without violating his ethos? Doesn't make sense from a roleplaying or balance aspect.

 

[Xarlen]

Oil is a natural substance. As is Acid (Well, from certain creatures atleast). Alchemist's fire... Eeeeh, that's pushing it. But I'd have to say these are atleast some natural things, and they should get the use of 'em. I mean, what do Druids *do* about trolls? No acid, no fire, they're out've luck. They're basicly items you just...throw at somebody.

Chairs = Clubs.

I don't think that you should be so finicy that a shield used as a shield bash strips someone of their power, even if they can use a shield. Hey, it's *wood*, isn't it?

For that matter, a Druid doesn't have 'Rock' on their weapons list, but by jove, you have to be quite the hair splitter to say they loose their powers for using a *rock*.

 

[Malin Genie]

These are very much campaign-specific questions. One would need to know what the vows specifically to know if they were violated.

I suppose to some extent that's true - but if possible I was after an 'official' interpretation (should such a thing exist) as I participate in a Living Greyhawk campaign...

 

[Artoomis]

I looked through the Living Greyhawk materials and found no help there.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Druids are proficient with the following weapons: club, dagger, dart, halfspear, longspear, quarterstaff, scimitar, sickle, shortspear, and sling. Their spiritual oaths prohibit them from using weapons other than these.

A druid who wears prohibited armor or wields a prohibited weapon is unable to use any of her magical powers while doing so and for 24 hours thereafter. (Note: A druid can use wooden items that have been altered by the ironwood spell so that they function as though they were steel.)

I suggest you write up your spiritual oaths and record them officially. Then follow your oath as it is written. That should help you get definitive guidlines for your character, at least.

I think that non-routine use of non-metal improvised weapons would be okay, and I think the shield would be okay as well, but that's just my opinion of the intent of the class. Though I also think it is considerably beneath the diginity of a Druid to actually get into a situation where he'd need to use a bar stool in his defense.

You should also try and get an official "Living Greyhawk" ruling, if you can.

 

[Taloras]

There is a type of wood in the Arms & Armor (i think called steelwood) that functions as iron (except its hardness is reduced by 2 and its hit points are reduced also i think), that might work if a druid needed a weapon other than those listed.