Rathan's Problem Down Under [3.5 OOC/Recruiting One More: Need Arcane Type]

[ethandrew]

I do have a general question, I'm assuming we're using the core deities?

 

[Rathan]

well the main reason in because it's a powerful attack to me to just engulf someone then earth glide and then leave them in the earth.... that to mean means instant kill... no air.. nothing to dig yourself out with.... no room to move really either... it's a death sentence... too powerful in my mind....

Other factors would include armor you're wearing.. kinda hard to envelope people with a giant slab of metal lodged in your torso... of course then there's rules for doing it when not in armor... or how fast an earth elemental can shed armor of the nature you're wearing it as.... a whirlwind of rules that is going to give me a headache lol...

Here's how this will be clarified then:

You can envelope a creature one category size less than yourself unwillingly... they are trapped unless they can overcome an escape artist check DC 25.... while you have someone unwillingly enveloped.. you cannot earth glide as it's too much of a distraction as they try to escape for you to do so and pay attention to where you are going as well.

This is rough draft of this.... if you feel there is something I'm overlooking please feel free to offer counterpoints here

 

[Rathan]

Ethandrew: Core Deities yes..... thankyou for asking

 

[Ambrus]

Ambrus I have updated Lidia's background. Check you have a quick check and let me know if this is what you had in mind.

I read through it. It seems fine to me, though I imagine my character's name was likely given to it after its incarnation rather than it declaring it the way you described. I imagine most elementals don't really have much need for names except when dealing with humanoids. And if they do, it likely wouldn't be in the common tongue.

The elemental bursts out of the ground and declares in a booming voice *sound of nails on a chalkboard*. The lead druid uncovers his ears, turns to his flock and translates the odd creature's terran speech: "I think it said it's name is... uhm... Tim?"

 

[Ambrus]

This is rough draft of this.... if you feel there is something I'm overlooking please feel free to offer counterpoints here

Well, in all honesty, I think you may be overcomplicating the matter. My approach is to use the existing rules rather than inventing new ones whenever possible. I agree that earth gliding with opponents is overpowering balance-wise; frankly I'm surprised you'd allow it. If I were DMing I'd likely take it one step further and say that it's likewise not possible even with most willing subjects.

I'd rationalize it by saying that it's only earth elementals that are capable of passing through the earth unharmed via their earth gliding ability. Any other creature without the ability would experience going through the earth about as well as if it were being physically dragged down into a collapsing sinkhole. Only the most robust creatures, perhaps those with a burrowing speed, could likely survive being pulled through the earth. An earth elemental wanting to drag a creature underground would simply end up crushing them flat on the ground while trying to plunge beneath the surface; a maneuver which can be managed handedly with existing grapple rules, including the various means of resisting and escaping.

Likewise, "enveloping" an opponent (as you describe it) is nothing more complicated than a straightforward grapple attempt with various options to crush or pin the opponent if it succeeds and clearly detailed consequences if it fails.

Similarly, I'd tie how much the elemental can subsume into its body to its encumbrance rather than its weight. Your figure of 50% is as good as any other.

That's just my two cents though. As always, I'll abide by whatever you decide.

 

[ghostcat]

I read through it. It seems fine to me, though I imagine my character's name was likely given to it after its incarnation rather than it declaring it the way you described. I imagine most elementals don't really have much need for names except when dealing with humanoids. And if they do, it likely wouldn't be in the common tongue.

The elemental bursts out of the ground and declares in a booming voice *sound of nails on a chalkboard*. The lead druid uncovers his ears, turns to his flock and translates the odd creature's terran speech: "I think it said it's name is... uhm... Tim?"

Good one I like it. Consider it incorporated.

 

[Rathan]

Ambrus: Hmmmmm... you're right I'm over complicating things more than I need to.... taking people on a ride through the earth is more of an advanced power and shouldn't come into play until later levels if at all.. so we're going to scrap that idea for now...

You will still be able to subsume items up to your max medium encumbrance rating.. it's different for inanimate objects... they have a hardness and aren't squishy and fleshy like most living beings heh. Though things like paper and other fragile things like potions and the like might break if you try such a procedure... just keep that in mind. As well you can keep your awesome idea for wearing and fashioning equipment such and armor and weapons that actually 'graft' into the elementals body.... there's really no difference mechanics wise there at all.. it's just a flavor text kinda thing...

 

[Ambrus]

taking people on a ride through the earth is more of an advanced power and shouldn't come into play until later levels if at all..

I figure it's the type of maneuver that elementals could develop through the acquisition of successive feats if one was of a mind to design them; Ferrying Earth Glide, Greater Ferrying Earth Glide, Sinking Earth Glide, Entrapping Earth Glide, Entombing Earth Glide, etc.

it's different for inanimate objects... they have a hardness and aren't squishy and fleshy like most living beings heh. Though things like paper and other fragile things like potions and the like might break if you try such a procedure...

That's along the same lines as I was thinking.

 

[ethandrew]

Okay, here is a real quick draft of a human cleric I've put together. It is incomplete as I don't have a background or equipment or even a name, but this way it can have eyes on it.

I'm also considering the flaw Slow in order to gain an extra feat that gives me additional healing powers (it allows the character to heal others or himself up to the highest level spell he has (2nd level heals 2hp) for free each round up to a maximum of half), but I can't think of the name and I don't have my books at work.

Anyway, without further adieu...

[sblock=Cleric]Male Human Cleric
Alignment: NG
ECL: 3
Deity: Pelor

Abilities: (25)
STR - 12 (4 Points)
DEX - 8 (0 Points)
CON - 13 (5 Points)
INT - 10 (2 Points)
WIS - 16 (10 Points)
CHA - 12 (4 Points)

HP: d8 = 25
Speed: 30ft
Initiative: -1
EXP: 1/1000

AC: 9 (-1 Dex + 0 )
Flat Footed AC: 9
Touch AC: 1

Saves:
Fort: 4
Reflex: 0
Will: 6

BAB/Ranged/Grapple: +3/+1/+3

Weapons:

Class Abilities:
Turn Undead
Aura of Good
Proficient with simple weapons
Proficient with all armor
Proficient with all shields except Tower

Racial Abilities:
Extra feat at 1st Level
Extra 4 Skill points at 1st Level
Extra Skill Poin each level
Multiclass: Any

Skills:
Concentration – 7 (6 Ranks + 1 Con)
Heal – 9 (6 Ranks + 3 Wis)
Knowledge Religion – 6 (6 Ranks + 0 Int)

Feats:
1st – Healing Devotion
1st – Augment Healing
3rd –

Spells per day:
Orisons – 4
1st – 3+1
2nd – 2+1

Domains:
Healing: You cast healing spells at +1 caster level.
Granted Spell: 1st: Cure Light Wounds 2nd: Cure Moderate Wounds

Strength: You can perform a feat of strength as a supernatural ability. You gain an enhancement bonus to Strength equal to your cleric level. Activating the power is a free action, the power lasts 1 round, and it is usable once per day.
Granted Spell: 1st: Enlarge Person 2nd: Bull Strength

Save DC: 14 for 1st Level Spells

Languages:
Common
Orc

Equipment: Cost

Total Money: 4000gp

Physical Appearance:

Age: 23
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 168
Eyes:
Hair:
Skin:

Background:
From Lorken to the Southeast
Has Gout in the knee
Drinks a little bit of distilled alcohol to alleviate the always dull and sometimes sudden pain

Personality:[/sblock]

Edit: Oh Shenanigans! I already found my first error. The feat Elemental Healing isn't open to my character. So maybe I won't take that flaw.

 

[Rathan]

Ethandrew: So far it looks good but it looks like you have a bit of work to do still as well... keep up the good work!