Imaginative use of spells

[JacktheRabbit]

I have a dwarven wizard who shall specialize in the creation of magical arms and armor.

Before he goes to his forge to work he casts the following spells:

Bulls Strength on self
Endurance on self.
Endure elements (fire) on self
Greater Magic Weapon on smithy hammer.

All of these spells are going to last hours when cast.

What kind of bonus to his craft check would you grant to him while under the effects of the spell? I ma thinking this should give him a +5 circumstance bonus. He can work longer and harder and is less bothered by the heat of the forge. Furthermore his smithy hammer can more easily pound the metal into shape due to its enchantment.

Would you consider this an imaginative use of spells outside of combat and allow it?

 

[nsruf]

I would not grant anything for Bull's Strength and Endurance, as he would not get a bonus if he had naturally higher scores. But the other two could give you +2 each for a total +4 bonus.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i would simply suggest having your dwarf build a Hammer of the Weaponsmith (Magic of Faerun) this masterwork tool gives the user a +10 circumstance bonus on Craft (Weaponsmithing) checks - Craft Wonderous Item, caster must be at least 6th level, 2055 gp market price, cost is 1055 gp + 80 xp

 

[Joshua Randall]

I think that's a great use of spells, and I would definitely grant the character a fairly sizable bonus. Any time the players come up with a non-violent use for something like Bull's Strength, you should reward them for their creativity.

 

[Dremen]

I would also award a 1 time XP bonus for creativity. Use your judgment. Depending upon level I would award bewteen 50-500xp. All depends upon the game.

-D

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I agree. Give them a one time xp bonus, or failing that some other sort of bonus for creativity. There is no reason not to allow it, certainly.

I wish I had the brains to come up with stuff like this sometimes...maybe my next character shall be a dwarven wizard!

 

[Mr Fidgit]

on second thought, i would give the circumstance bonus as long as the spells lasted for the entire work day (in one, or multiple castings). like Dremen, i would include an exp bonus (i'm playing a Transmuter created to build magic items, so i know how important experience points can be)

 

[Quickbeam]

That's the kind of clever spell use DM's love to witness. The one time XP award seems very reasonable, and a small circumstance bonus would just be icing on the cake at that point...and equally well-deserved IMO. When my players come up with cool spell combos, I'm willing to marginally bend the rules/adjust circumstances to reward their creativity.

I know consistency is paramount in running a game, but every so often you have to encourage players to step (and think) outside the box.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Thanks for the comments. I was actually just looking for ways to make it easier on my 6th level dwarf wizard when he decides to craft weapons and armor.

Since this character is a potential future cohort the one time XP bonus would be nice. Help offset the fact that he will rapidily fall behind everyone else and become less and less useful.

 

[Angelsboi]

well ... my old DM liked to screw with us alot. We ran into this young robust looking guy who claimed he was a god and wouldnt let us pass. We chuckled.

Then he said hed prove it. He waved his hand and mumbled something and out of the 6 party members, 1 still stood, the others fell down.

We were wiped out by a 1st level mage ...

another time ...

we were being chased by some orcs. So we ducked into the room and i quickly threw an illusion of a wall in front of us up. The room was clear and we all waited till things calmed down and then we ambushed their skanky little behinds!