I hate armor

[jdrakeh]

As I hinted at above, if you're really concerned about that kind of issue, you could introduce something like magebane- an achemical potion that dulls a spellcaster's ability to cast- or spellchords- enchanted ropes or other bindings that prevent hostile casting.

They seemed to work pretty well in the fiction I'm lifting them from...

Threat of death seems to work just fine for me. Only because the players know I'll follow through, though.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Threat of death seems to work just fine for me. Only because the players know I'll follow through, though.

Well, even with magebane or spellcord, the threat of death is still there.

1) If you don't submit to it (whichever one you're using) and you're found out to be a spellcaster, the penalty is harsh, up to and including death.

2) If you do submit...suddenly, you're in the same boat as everyone else, and if the fit hits the shan, you may not be able to defend yourself. Consider the Archmage from out of town who fears no evil takes his dose at the city gates. After he conducts his Very Important Business, he goes out on the town...and strolls drunkenly down an alley confident in his powers only to be very surprised when the muggers AREN'T turned into toads.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Yeah, and as soon as the poor shmuck takes his armor off some ninja will pop out of his beer (as someone said) and attack him. That's the real problem.

That's a dm problem, not an armor problem.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

I'm not quite clear on why you'd restrict people from wearing armor. Turning in your weapons, sure, but why would the guards give two craps about who wears their armor in? It's not like you're going to stab someone with your chain shirt.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm not quite clear on why you'd restrict people from wearing armor. Turning in your weapons, sure, but why would the guards give two craps about who wears their armor in?

Depending upon the armor type, it is potentially a way to hide something on your person, making it even more possible for contraband or an illegal weapon to be carried about the city.

In addition, armor adds mass, which is in itself a potential weapon.

And a person wearing armor may be more inclined to start trouble, especially against unarmed and unarmored foes. Psychologically, he may feel virtually invulnerable. "A guy in platemail walks into a bar..."

It's not like you're going to stab someone with your chain shirt.

Improvised Weapon Feat! *hwaaaaaa-CHA!*

 

[jdrakeh]

I'm not quite clear on why you'd restrict people from wearing armor. Turning in your weapons, sure, but why would the guards give two craps about who wears their armor in? It's not like you're going to stab someone with your chain shirt.

I was a little tired when I typed that. Armor is not restricted but when weapons are, wearing armor everywhere is not necessary.

 

[Oni]

I'm not quite clear on why you'd restrict people from wearing armor. Turning in your weapons, sure, but why would the guards give two craps about who wears their armor in? It's not like you're going to stab someone with your chain shirt.

Unless it's 3e, in which case you might accidentally impale someone just turning around what with all the spikes.














*I kid*

 

[Rechan]

Contributing to the thread derail about weapons in town, there's another way to deal with spellcasters:

Peace Bond.

I've seen where in several places, instead of confiscating your weapons, they tie a leather cord between your hilt and your scabbard. Thus, if you intend to pull your weapon, it takes a little work to get the thing out. At which point, whoever you're about to attack can get the hell out of dodge. It's an "I attack you in anger" prevention that you see in Barfight circumstances.

The same method is used on spellcasters - they tie the cord to their belt, and the other end to the spellcaster's thumbs. This hampers Somatic component spells. (Now, it'd do little against the Silent Spell metamagic feat, but c'mon. )

 

[Andor]

The same method is used on spellcasters - they tie the cord to their belt, and the other end to the spellcaster's thumbs. This hampers Somatic component spells. (Now, it'd do little against the Silent Spell metamagic feat, but c'mon. )

Does the peace bond come with some kind of servant to help you hold your beer, or use the bathroom, or any other day to day task that might require the use of opposable thumbs?

 

[kevtar]

How about just have the PC spend the appropriate gp in "training" that would equal the armor bonus of armor that cost the same amount. Then, apply any penalties that would apply to a PC wearing that armor and call it good. You could rationalize that the such training causes the PC to make some trade offs. Then again, you don't really need to justify it at all, as Morrus pointed out, the rules don't care. There... problem solved. The PC has spent appropriate money and is incurring appropriate consequences as if it was wearing armor, but it's not wearing armor.