Ask Arkanis

[DM Arkanis]

Got two questions here...

Crafting:
Would a weapon forged in hellfire possess special properties? I'm talking about hellfire warlock blacksmith.

Attributes (this one has been bothering me for a while):
A character is neutral on law/chaos axis while having high intelligence (16) and low wisdom (8). Not a wizard. Among other things low wisdom can cause character to be very prone to distractions, unreasonable and somewhat foolish. So, my guess is that character can be distracted from whatever it is she/he were doing by a shiny or valuable thing, for example, especially if greed is character's trait. "I wanted to go to.... *notices expensive shiny thing, fails dc15 will save and forgets everything* Oh, I want it, want to buy it! *runs off to buy it*". The problem is that such behavior looks chaotic to onlooker.

Does that mean character is chaotic?
And what would be a difference between neutral and chaotic character with the same stats and traits in this situation (both high int, low wis, greedy, prone to distractions, loves jewelry, notices something expensive in mid conversation)?

1. From my research hellfire is, "...a dangerous energy found only in the Nine Hells. By tapping into this infernal power, these characters learn to infuse their eldritch blasts and magic items that they wield with the dark power of hellfire." In essence hellfire grants their items, etc. temporary bonuses - like coating your sword in oil and lighting it on fire. I cannot find any references to it being used in crafting items and permanently imbuing them with specific powers. That said - if a warlock blacksmith (for example) had managed to tap into this energy, AND they had the proper rank in crafting they would indeed use the energy to create the magical item. My interpretation is that it is the energy, and not any form of fire itself, that gives the magical bonuses. Flames/eldrich blast are a RESULT of the energy being harnassed not in and of itself magical.

2. Remember that your character can do things outside of a rigid alignment without having to change it. In PnP I call it having "tendencies" - in the case of this situation the character could be neutral with chaotic tendencies, without having to be chaotic. This could be reflected on his character sheet in a sliding scale (when a DM looks at your allignment, there is a line from 0-100 for law/chaos and one for good/evil, and your character has points assigned which gives them the alignment. Slight adjustments can be made up and down depending on HOW chaotic (in this case) the character is acting, if required. I don't see any conflict for a neutrally aligned character to have some sort of disorder that makes them a little ADD...

[Valkyrie]

Are Baalor, Pit Feinds, and Lycnathropes considered (in setting) 'part of nature's Balance'? Recurring stance espoused has been: Hell, Abyss, etc. interact with the (our) Prime Material Plane. Interplanar interaction maintains the greater cosmos of the Balance. Therefore, opposing these beings is interfering in the natural balance. Do NPC's of nature deities commonly hold this view? No source material mentioned it.

[NegInfinity]

Aand another question.

Can druid in elemental wild shape speak common? I saw druids that didn't talk in that shape, and saw those that did. Which one is correct? While elementals - the ones encoutnered in the wild - can speak, they speak their own elemental language, and not common.

[DM Arkanis]

Are Baalor, Pit Feinds, and Lycnathropes considered (in setting) 'part of nature's Balance'? Recurring stance espoused has been: Hell, Abyss, etc. interact with the (our) Prime Material Plane. Interplanar interaction maintains the greater cosmos of the Balance. Therefore, opposing these beings is interfering in the natural balance. Do NPC's of nature deities commonly hold this view? No source material mentioned it.

There are a few different questions here and they are not all congruent:

1. "Nature's Balance" as to do with creatures and gods native to the plane of existance they are on. Gating in extra planar creatures can assist one faction to tip the scales in one or the other direction, but are not considered natural to the environment per say as;
2. Demons/devils/angels are creatures native to other planes.
3. Lycanthropy on the other hand is a disease. One bitten by a werewolf turns into a werewolf. One does not turn into a demon on the prime material plane without some wack magic going on and an incredible back story. Lycanthropes are not gated in as an extra planar ally.

NPC's or characters believing in nature dieties would view both extra planar creatures and lycanthropes as imbalancing forces. A bear is a predator who eats other animals. They can be hostile in their nature, but they are not destructive in terms of over-balancing the natural order. A lycanthrope on the other hand by attacking changes other creatures, has special powers, etc. and causes an imbalance of the natural order. Now, certain places may be over-run with lycanthropes, for a long period of time, and the perception could be that this then becomes the natural way of things. Again, lycanthropy is a disease, and not part of this natural order. Could the disease be used by a god to influence the balance? Yes. Are there 'static" areas on the server that have endless numbers of lycanthropes? Yes. Is there lore to support this? Yes. An evil NPC/character might view a lycanthrope as an ally or means to an end. A good aligned NPC/character might see them as an abomination to be killed lest they spread their dead disease. I think, it is a matter of perspective.

[DM Arkanis]

Aand another question.

Can druid in elemental wild shape speak common? I saw druids that didn't talk in that shape, and saw those that did. Which one is correct? While elementals - the ones encoutnered in the wild - can speak, they speak their own elemental language, and not common.

I think I have seen this batted around here and I am pretty sure the DMs have talked about this at some point. That said this is my opinion and not server lore/ruling.

I found, "Elemental Wild shape merges the magical properties of armor, shield, and helmets worn on the character into the Wild Shape and Elemental Shape forms. This feature however only merges the highest magical properties (they do not stack). Thus, if a druid is wearing Leather +1 and carrying a Small Shield +2, the total AC bonus brought over to the new shape is +2, not +3. Additional properties of these three item types are also brought over (concentration bonuses, damage reduction, resistances, etc.). However, castable spells are NOT able to be utilized while shifted. This can be overcome with the Natural Spell feat.

The druid retains her mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) while shapeshifted into these forms. However, her physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution) are over-written by the form's statistics..."

I would say that if the druid were transformed into a creature with no mouth of that possessed a natural language that they would not be able to speak at all. Transformed into a dog, they would bark. A horse, they would bray. etc. I can't find anything that says elementals can speak (they can understand commands if summoned tho.) Even though they are transformed they retain their mental abilities, their physical ones change to that of the creature. Therefore I would say that not only could you not speak common when transformed into an elemental, but you could not speak at all.

[mireigi]

Aand another question.

Can druid in elemental wild shape speak common? I saw druids that didn't talk in that shape, and saw those that did. Which one is correct? While elementals - the ones encoutnered in the wild - can speak, they speak their own elemental language, and not common.

I think I have seen this batted around here and I am pretty sure the DMs have talked about this at some point. That said this is my opinion and not server lore/ruling.

I found, "Elemental Wild shape merges the magical properties of armor, shield, and helmets worn on the character into the Wild Shape and Elemental Shape forms. This feature however only merges the highest magical properties (they do not stack). Thus, if a druid is wearing Leather +1 and carrying a Small Shield +2, the total AC bonus brought over to the new shape is +2, not +3. Additional properties of these three item types are also brought over (concentration bonuses, damage reduction, resistances, etc.). However, castable spells are NOT able to be utilized while shifted. This can be overcome with the Natural Spell feat.

The druid retains her mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) while shapeshifted into these forms. However, her physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution) are over-written by the form's statistics..."

I would say that if the druid were transformed into a creature with no mouth of that possessed a natural language that they would not be able to speak at all. Transformed into a dog, they would bark. A horse, they would bray. etc. I can't find anything that says elementals can speak (they can understand commands if summoned tho.) Even though they are transformed they retain their mental abilities, their physical ones change to that of the creature. Therefore I would say that not only could you not speak common when transformed into an elemental, but you could not speak at all.

Creatures that have no natural tongue or mouth or even spoken language, likely communicate via other means than sound and would not have any use for ears or similar, except for detecting noises around them.

Following that line of thought, a druid shapeshifted into an Earth Elemental would be unable to speak to you, or even understand what you're saying, unless Comprehend Languages was cast on the druid.

Is that a correct assessment as well?

[Valkyrie]

Are (Warlock) Fey pacts risk-free or lower risk than Infernal or Abyssal pacts in this setting? BGTSCC seems to have a number of characters (claim to) be of this variety, as assurance. But, reading the source material, both Courts seem to follow amoral extremes of passion. They will invite you to dance 'til you drop - literally.

The Seelie Court prizes giftedness, beauty, and decorum above all else. While this seems goodly, "Upon entrance to the court, visitors must be prepared with valuable and unusual gifts for the Queen of Light, or they might find themselves lost in an endless hedge maze."

The Unseelie Court prizes fitness, grace, and talent "For instance, a gifted bard whose playing impresses a fey nobleman might be invited to his castle as a guest. Once there, the bard will be feted and asked to play every night -- and never be permitted to leave."

Both Courts seem far too alien to D&D morality to be considered benevolent or benign. Is there any ruling on this?

[Deathgrowl]

Elementals (and druids in elemental form) can speak the language associated with that element. Fire = Ignan. Water = Aguan. Air = Auran. Earth = Terran. No other languages.

Ordinary or dire animals can't speak. And the animal language isn't an actual language, by the way. It's clicks and noices to utter simple commands such as "follow", "lie down", and such. I cringe every time I see people actually trying to TALK with animal language. It makes no sense.

Dragons, Treants and magical beasts (at least the winter wolf) can talk common. Dragons can talk any language, really...

[Hidennka]

*Throws together a whiskey on the rocks and slides it down the bar*

So, Ark! I was wondering if I could pick your brain regarding the recent degree of the Dukes (regarding land under their protection/jurisdiction) and how a Tyrran might act/react to such.

Priests and Paladin of Tyr serve as judge, jury, and executioner in wilderness areas where there is no law but that of the sword. When doing so, their code cleaves fairly close to "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," but does adhere to common trade custom leavened by "the mercy of ignorance." This last means that if a being is truly ignorant of the proper behavior, minor transgressions can be forgiven once with a warning, an explanation of the proper law—and a record of the warning being written down in the priest's Book of Lawgiving for later distribution to other Tyrrans so that the particular being will not be forgiven a second time.

In civilized areas, Tyrrans (inevitably called "tyrants" behind their backs by nonbelievers) become legal experts and serve as the lawyers of Faerûn by dispensing advice and "speaking for" accused persons in trials. The fees they charge go to the Church of Tyr.

Tyrrans often go about lecturing others on their shortcomings as to following laws, rules, and regulations, but they also serve to fearlessly take complaints about such formalities to the authorities who make such rules. No Tyrran will enforce a law that contradicts other laws or can be shown to be unjust. Note the concern is not that it is unfair, but unjust—defined in the Tyrran church as out of compliance with the principles and definitions adhered to by other laws in the body of legal doctrine of which it is a part. Paladin of Tyr also have the duty of delivering just vengeance as punishment on the part of those who cannot do it themselves. Tyrrans undertake formal missions to do this, making promises to those to be avenged and forcing open confrontations with those the vengeance is to be visited upon, rather than working behind the scenes or employing intrigue.

A few parts of the new decree leave me a little confused, so I just wanted to clear a few things up to make sure I don't step out of line anywhere.

Disputes and violence perpetrated outside of Flaming Fist oversight [read: no NPC Flaming Fist on the Map/Area], and in the lands of Tradeway between towns and cities, and in the lawless northern regions, as well in lands ruled over by autonomous entities or nation-states [read: Friendly Arm Inn, Candlekeep, Gullykin, Amn, Darkhold...], are under no lawful jurisdiction, or under private jurisdiction.

The Council of Four declares the current situation of the Tradeway south of of Wyrm's Crossing, to be thus: Baldur's Gate is in league, a friend, to Bentley and his wife, and their bold undertaking in providing a safe and secure Inn, for wayfarers upon the Tradeway. Though Bentley and Baldur's Gate have agreed to come to each others assistance in times of great need, Bentley operates his own guard force and upholds independent Laws within his guarded walls...and extending to the nearby fields that effect his business. Those Laws shall be posted outside his establishment. Violation of those Laws will be met by justice under Bentley himself, a famed wizard and true friend of this Council.

Does this effectively mean such places are now lawless (save for Amnian territory obviously) or merely subjected to their own laws and justice system. For example, someone caught practicing Necromancy in Beregost would obviously be taken to and judged by Antonio and/or the Countess, but places such as Candlekeep and the Tradeway nearby what would one do in these situations? Is there particular laws for these areas?

In regards to the Friendly Arm Inn, what would be the laws considered for this area as placed by Bentley? For example a "wanted" criminal in the area, or a scoundrel causing a disturbance outside the walls. What would be the correct procedure then when witnessing such acts, and as a Tyrran if such an act is not specifically mentioned or invoked by law would it be wrong to act then under the Court of Tyr as judge, jury and executioner?

Violence perpetrated in Ducal Lands in which Flaming Fist soldiers are present [read: Maps with Flaming Fist NPCs] is considered a violation of Ducal Law. Thus, unless combat is agreed upon in the tradition of the duel before by both parties [read: cannot use "Move away or die" as agreed upon means of lawful combat and following the Server PvP Rules], it is combat based in defiance of the Ducal Law to maintain lawfully protected peace. Those that force combat upon others that do protest it, are in violation, and subject to prison.

This one in particular, say someone has summoned undead in an NPC guarded transition (naughty naughty!) and you ask them to remove the creature and they refuse, you challenge them to a duel and they still refuse. . . what is to be done here? Judging by this law "Remove the creature or it will be slain and I shall have you turned over to the authorities by force" will not be the correct course of action as it may have once been, so does one simply walk away after the duel is refused? Take note of the person and their distinguishing features and notify the authorities (screenshots!) so that an arrest warrant might be obtained?

I'm sure I haven't put this into words very well.... end of a work day and I'm busting to get home. Heh. Hopefully it will make sense as to what I'm getting at. Apologies for the wall of text.

[dak12attack]

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[Wulfenote]

1. What do you enjoy most about BGTSCC?

2. Wildest/craziest DM plot/event on BGTSCC that you've DMed. Go.

3. Naturally, as the server ages, we get more and more Epic-levelled characters, and the proliferation of high-magic gear increases, particularly, +4 was a rare sight back in '10 (There were barely a handful of players who Epic, let alone had +4 gear, you could probably have counted them). As an oldie coming back, I'm slightly concerned. Thoughts on this?

[NegInfinity]

Few more questions.

1. How much strength does my character need to lift a person by the throat with one hand? It is said that character can lift as much weight over his/her head as its "maximum carrying capacity"... would that mean that medium-sized bipedal creature with 20 strength can lift weight up to 400lbs? (181kg)

2. What happens to a familiar when its master dies? hotU had intelligent rat, that was once a familiar of some wizard. Is that compatible with D&D lore?

[mireigi]

What would the implications, or RP benefit, be to picking the Leadership feat on any given character? Mechanically there is none, but what about RP, and how would one showcase having this feat to validate any RP that might spawn from it?

[blue_penguin]

I never understood why Burning Hands belongs to Transmutation and not Evocation

[DM Arkanis]

Aand another question.

Can druid in elemental wild shape speak common? I saw druids that didn't talk in that shape, and saw those that did. Which one is correct? While elementals - the ones encoutnered in the wild - can speak, they speak their own elemental language, and not common.

I think I have seen this batted around here and I am pretty sure the DMs have talked about this at some point. That said this is my opinion and not server lore/ruling.

I found, "Elemental Wild shape merges the magical properties of armor, shield, and helmets worn on the character into the Wild Shape and Elemental Shape forms. This feature however only merges the highest magical properties (they do not stack). Thus, if a druid is wearing Leather +1 and carrying a Small Shield +2, the total AC bonus brought over to the new shape is +2, not +3. Additional properties of these three item types are also brought over (concentration bonuses, damage reduction, resistances, etc.). However, castable spells are NOT able to be utilized while shifted. This can be overcome with the Natural Spell feat.

The druid retains her mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) while shapeshifted into these forms. However, her physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution) are over-written by the form's statistics..."

I would say that if the druid were transformed into a creature with no mouth of that possessed a natural language that they would not be able to speak at all. Transformed into a dog, they would bark. A horse, they would bray. etc. I can't find anything that says elementals can speak (they can understand commands if summoned tho.) Even though they are transformed they retain their mental abilities, their physical ones change to that of the creature. Therefore I would say that not only could you not speak common when transformed into an elemental, but you could not speak at all.

Creatures that have no natural tongue or mouth or even spoken language, likely communicate via other means than sound and would not have any use for ears or similar, except for detecting noises around them.

Following that line of thought, a druid shapeshifted into an Earth Elemental would be unable to speak to you, or even understand what you're saying, unless Comprehend Languages was cast on the druid.

Is that a correct assessment as well?

It is my understanding that a magically summoned elemental does the bidding of the summoner so there must be some form of communication for the elemental to be able to recieve commands. In the case of a polymorphed/shape changed character they gain the physical attributes of the creature they change into but not always all of the abilities (i.e. spell casting, innate abilities such as breath weapon, etc.) and while sensory organs may not be seen, they may be able to sense the world around them magically... Change into a creature that has no language ability (not sure elementals have their own language(s) per se?) and I would say it is a fair assumption that you cannot speak with magical assistance.