I Want To Play An Intelligent Mouse

[Deset Gled]

Hmm... I don't know if there's a great way to implement this with the core rules, but...

What if the mouse caster were to make some sort of construct, and use magic to convince foes that the construct was the actual caster? The construct could easily carry the mouse around with him, eliminating a lot of the movement problems, and shield the mouse from a lot of attacks as well. It may be difficult to work out, but would be very fun to play.

Another point about mice: unless I am mistaken, mice don't have any sort of opposable digit, which (according to Savage Species) will limit them a lot in what they can do with items.

 

[Artoomis]

Hmm... I don't know if there's a great way to implement this with the core rules, but...

What if the mouse caster were to make some sort of construct, and use magic to convince foes that the construct was the actual caster? The construct could easily carry the mouse around with him, eliminating a lot of the movement problems, and shield the mouse from a lot of attacks as well. It may be difficult to work out, but would be very fun to play.

Another point about mice: unless I am mistaken, mice don't have any sort of opposable digit, which (according to Savage Species) will limit them a lot in what they can do with items.

In the interest of supporting a cool character concept, I'd let the mouse have an opposable thumb.

The construct idea is a very cool concept.

 

[Wippit Guud]

Come along and sing this song and join our family.
M-I-C-K-E-Y- M-O-U-S-E
Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me?
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there! You're as welcome as can be.
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mickey Mouse... Mickey Mouse...

I'd almost be tempted to let them have it at +0 ECL. I mean... crows eat mice. How many crows are in your average town? I'd be constantly pestering a mouse PC with stuff like that. Just think of the plot hook when a wizard's owl familiar attacks the PC

 

[Wippit Guud]

What if the mouse caster were to make some sort of construct, and use magic to convince foes that the construct was the actual caster? The construct could easily carry the mouse around with him, eliminating a lot of the movement problems, and shield the mouse from a lot of attacks as well. It may be difficult to work out, but would be very fun to play.

It worked in Pinky and the Brain... but then, people think Bugs Bunny is good looking when he dresses in drag...

 

[mattcolville]

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that this is a bad idea.

Squee is, at heart, a kinda of over-the-top romantic hero. If he were a human, he'd be a cross between Errol Flynn and Don Juan. This, combined with his small size and the mouse-ness of him is what makes him fun to play. I picture him dressed in velvet and ruffles and a big floppy hat, with gloves and a rapier. Women, human women, swoon over him. And this freaks the players out. They'll be, like, "dood, what is it with you and the ladies?! I mean, you're a mouse, for Christ's sake!" And I'll respond, "A gentleman does not speak of such things, sir!" He's not a cartoon mouse, he's more a muppet.

However, once I seriously start working the angles, I find that either A: I'll be useless in combat if I stick with the "He's a mouse" angle and treat that realistically. B: I'll be unstoppable if I use the rules that makes sense.

I mean, my AC bonus from size, along with my ungodly dex, plus some armor, some magic...I'll have an AC in the mid 20's, I'll have normal hit points, I'll have a Hide total better than invisible people. My rapier does 1 point of damage, but with sneak attack and spells, I'll be pretty effective in combat. Hard to hit, hard to kill.

I feel, instinctively, that while I'll be limited in what I can carry and what I can use, my fellow players will not see that as much of a limitation.

I think Scrabble and the evasions make perfect sense for a mouse. Have you ever tried to catch one of these critters? They're ungodly fast and dextrous.

So, I'm not sure what to do. I'll raise the concerns with my GM, maybe the other players, see what everyone thinks. There's no point in playing Squee if he's just going to piss everyone off.

 

[coyote6]

Would it damage the concept too much to increase his size, to at least Tiny? He'd be an intelligent giant mouse, a veritable titan of his mousedom -- but I suspect he'd be a lot more playable.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Better check how your DM interprets the "must be able to reach vital areas" clause of Sneak Attack. Some impose a one- or two-size category restriction.

Not much fun having a +5d6 Sneak Attack... that only comes into play if your opponent is Tiny or smaller...

-Hyp.

 

[Spatula]

I mean, my AC bonus from size, along with my ungodly dex, plus some armor, some magic...I'll have an AC in the mid 20's, I'll have normal hit points, I'll have a Hide total better than invisible people. My rapier does 1 point of damage, but with sneak attack and spells, I'll be pretty effective in combat. Hard to hit, hard to kill.

Keep in mind that as a Fine creature, you have a reach of 0. That means you'll always be provoking attacks of opportunity whenever you close for melee, since you need to enter your opponent's space. Of course, Spring Attack or Tumble would negate that. Also, you have a -16 penalty to grapple checks, not including whatever your Strength penalty is. Because of your size you'll have a high touch AC, but even so if someone manages to grab you you're not getting away.

 

[mattcolville]

Would it damage the concept too much to increase his size, to at least Tiny? He'd be an intelligent giant mouse, a veritable titan of his mousedom -- but I suspect he'd be a lot more playable.

Mmm...yeah, I can picture this. No reason a race of intelligent Mice can't be larger than normal mice. Might be for the best.

 

[Hypersmurf]

No reason a race of intelligent Mice can't be larger than normal mice.

Reepicheep was, after all

-Hyp.