What does On The Ground mean to you?

[DM_Jeff]

"On the ground" should mean that your feet are planted on a stable surface capable of supporting your weight. Not more and no less.

Hmm, after checking a bit I too shall follow this lead. The PHB supporting text under Dwarves helps me see better what the rules intended. Thanks!!

• Stability: A dwarf gains a +4 bonus on ability checks made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground).

-DM Jeff

 

[lukelightning]

"On the ground" should not be confused with "on the grounds" which is a slang term meaning you are on a caffeine high.

 

[irdeggman]

Looking over the Bo9S information it specifically states this school (unlike the others) has the user draws power from earth and stone.

Since this is a player choice for his character and the obvious intent is to tie this school to earth and/or stone - somehow the character should be in contact with earth and/or stone (which to me is the context that on the ground is refering to here).

As far as making the PC useless in certain circumstance (well not benefits from his school abilities) - that is the price to be paid for making that choice in the first place IMO.

Dwarven stability has nothing to do with their connection to the earth, it has a lot to do with the physical build (low center of gravity, short stumpy legs, etc.)

 

[DM_Jeff]

Looking over the Bo9S information it specifically states this school (unlike the others) has the user draws power from earth and stone.

Right, so would you allow a character to use the ability on level 4 of a stone tower?

Dwarven stability has nothing to do with their connection to the earth, it has a lot to do with the physical build (low center of gravity, short stumpy legs, etc.)

Agreed, I was justing useing the definition of 'ground' as listed in the PHB as a rule to use for some commonality.

-DM Jeff

 

[irdeggman]

Right, so would you allow a character to use the ability on level 4 of a stone tower?

Stone or earth type floor - yes it would meet the intent (contact with the earth (as in stone of earth (dirt)) to me.

But I would be very careful to not let the player's try to find ways out of this. They "knew" what it said when they made that choice, allowing work-arounds with the intent of bypassing this restriction is just poor gaming (role-playing) in my opinion.

 

[Wolfwood2]

Stone or earth type floor - yes it would meet the intent (contact with the earth (as in stone of earth (dirt)) to me.

But I would be very careful to not let the player's try to find ways out of this. They "knew" what it said when they made that choice, allowing work-arounds with the intent of bypassing this restriction is just poor gaming (role-playing) in my opinion.

Or you could just rename it the stability school and state that the maneuvers draw their power from the Stability Force. It's just flavor text!

 

[lukelightning]

the user draws power from earth and stone.

Clerics draw their power from the gods, but you don't insist that they stand on 'em.

 

[irdeggman]

Clerics draw their power from the gods, but you don't insist that they stand on 'em.

Well the racial substitution levels for dwarf clerics and sorcerers from Races of Stone would differ with this. Earthen spell power ( cleric - pg 146 and arcane earthbond, power of stone and earth meditation substitution levels for sorcerer (pg 147)

As I've stated before these are similar issues and should work the same IMO.

 

[irdeggman]

Or you could just rename it the stability school and state that the maneuvers draw their power from the Stability Force. It's just flavor text!

I disagre with it being simply flavor text. It explains where the power comes from and it contains a "condition" that must be met to gain the benefits. This to me is not flavor.

 

[lukelightning]

I disagre with it being simply flavor text. It explains where the power comes from and it contains a "condition" that must be met to gain the benefits. This to me is not flavor.

Fine. Put dirt in your shoes. Then you are "standing on ground."

Are the abilities of these stances so powerful that they warrant such a substantial drawback?