Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sajek 01-24-07, 06:30 PM	Yep. Looks like it's time for another 1001 thread. This one shall explore how many different ways a common item can be handeled by clever players. A "common item" includes items on the tables on pages 128-129 in the PHB, as well as anything that was not intended as a weapon or tool. I shall kick it off: 1. Tying a thunderstone to the tip of an arrow. 2. Imbed a thunderstone in the sole of someone's boot. The description says it goes off if it is struck with great force. I would think someone running counts as "great force." Anyone else have some?
Sajek 01-25-07, 06:05 PM	Come on, no one can think of some? :bump:
SeptimusMagistos 01-25-07, 06:09 PM	3. Use dilluted alchemical fire as lantern fuel.
Tempest Stormwind 01-25-07, 06:16 PM	4: True story from a few sessions ago. Wineskin cork + a bit of string + fireplace bellows + readied action = escaping vampire trap. The DM's told me that it's the last villain I defeat that easily; any further MacGyver solutions will have to involve at least a lawn mower. I'm working on that.
skywyze 01-25-07, 06:30 PM	5. Using a thunderstone to cause a rockslide, avalance, etc. Hopefully followed by some kind of escape plan. 6. Endless decanter of water to scare off lesser fire elementals. 7. Steel/adamantine arrow + Bow + Rope = Grappling hook. Works with regular arrows too, assuming you can get them to pierce stone somehow. 8. Light Spell + Arrow = Flare. 9. A horse can be used as a thrown weapon if the character is strong enough. Sure, it only has a 10ft range increment, but at 1d6 per 25 lbs, it can really, really hurt to be hit with one. And there's often one around, too! 10. Bell + Fishing line = Alarm spell for non-casty types. Just surround your camp with nigh-invisible fishing line tied to a bell. The moment someone steps near the line, the bell rings. Bigger bells work better, but it doesn't matter so long as it's placed close to someone's ears. 11. Grappling Hook + Silk rope = Hook for fishing REALLY big fish. 12. Small steel mirror for looking around corners. Big ones for reflecting gaze attacks. (Up to DM, really) 13. A whole bunch of torches = delayed smoke grenade/tear gas. Torches make a lot of smoke, depending on the wood and fuel used. Just throw them burning into a room with no water, slam the door shut and enjoy the screams of your enemies.
skywyze 01-25-07, 06:31 PM	4: True story from a few sessions ago. Wineskin cork + a bit of string + fireplace bellows + readied action = escaping vampire trap. The DM's told me that it's the last villain I defeat that easily; any further MacGyver solutions will have to involve at least a lawn mower. I'm working on that. Explain further please.
Tempest Stormwind 01-25-07, 06:39 PM	Explain further please.Vampires go into gaseous form when reduced to very low hit points or when he needs to make a getaway through cracks in the floor (or something). These (http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=bellows&btnG=Search+Images) are fireplace bellows. They suck gas. The sequence of events roughly goes: *pssh* *SHOOMPFH* *cork*. Need I say more?
skywyze 01-25-07, 07:37 PM	Vampires go into gaseous form when reduced to very low hit points or when he needs to make a getaway through cracks in the floor (or something). These (http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=bellows&btnG=Search+Images) are fireplace bellows. They suck gas. The sequence of events roughly goes: *pssh* *SHOOMPFH* *cork*. Need I say more?lol! Clever. Will have to remember that one.
stargate525 01-25-07, 09:29 PM	Vampires go into gaseous form when reduced to very low hit points or when he needs to make a getaway through cracks in the floor (or something). These (http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=bellows&btnG=Search+Images) are fireplace bellows. They suck gas. The sequence of events roughly goes: *pssh* *SHOOMPFH* *cork*. Need I say more? That is beautiful.
Zephania 01-25-07, 09:35 PM	4: True story from a few sessions ago. Wineskin cork + a bit of string + fireplace bellows + readied action = escaping vampire trap. The DM's told me that it's the last villain I defeat that easily; any further MacGyver solutions will have to involve at least a lawn mower. I'm working on that. i had my players go something like that before...now i have the vamp escape as bats or something before he gets gassed
Sajek 01-25-07, 09:42 PM	Excellent! Loved #4! Keep 'em coming!
Magetastic 01-25-07, 10:16 PM	14. Gnome expert with longspoon thieves tools tied/glued to a 10 foot pole.
zzakk2to2 01-26-07, 09:55 AM	15. goblin tied to a 10 foot pole = trap detector
Sajek 01-26-07, 12:53 PM	16. Tie a spyglass to a crossbow. Instant sight! (if I were DM, I would rule that you would treat the target as if one increment closer) 17. An old soldier trick: if you are hiding behind a wall with enemy snipers or spellcasters on the other side, take off your helt. Put it on the end of your sword or whatever, and poke it up above the wall. The snipers/spellcasters should jump at the opportunity and fire at it, thus revealing their position. 18. Cast mage hand on a pair of boots and walk them down a corridor to distract enemies looking for you.
stargate525 01-26-07, 09:16 PM	18. Cast mage hand on a pair of boots and walk them down a corridor to distract enemies looking for you. Ah yes, the old 'invisible man' trick... 19. Strap a crossbow to a pole and place a mirror above the shaft at a 45 degree angle. Use another stick to be able to press the firing mechanism. Stick your contraption around the corner to see enemy, and you can even shoot him!
Leo 01-27-07, 12:50 PM	Meh, if the vampire was so weak that it allowed you to fight with a readied fireplace bellow, then it deserved to die an hummiliant death.
night_shadow 01-30-07, 12:28 PM	18. Cast mage hand on a pair of boots and walk them down a corridor to distract enemies looking for you. instead of using one of your spells, you can also use a automated footpad. it's only 30 gp and weighs only 0,5 lb. from the book: song and silence (ps. this is my first post ever)
VrecknidjX 01-30-07, 01:53 PM	Dropping tanglefoot bags behind the doors that you close is a pretty effective way of slowing down advancing opponents. If they're rushing through doors, they're trying to throw them open, likely using enough force to pop open the bag. Enough bags, I suppose, would increase the DC to open the door by enough to dramatically increase the odds of escape. Of course, a tanglefoot bag with a couple of alchemist fire flasks tied to it could prove to be a sticky, smelly mess for the target. Dave
VrecknidjX 01-30-07, 01:54 PM	Speaking of tanglefoot bags, was it over on these boards that I read about a DM who enjoyed having necromancers stuffing skeletal rib-cages with tanglefoot bags? Whack the skeleton, get stuck. Dave
Robert_Fox_Kitsune 01-30-07, 02:53 PM	Stormwind? I love you My Swashbucklers party has been chasing a vampire for a while And his gaseous form keeps getting away.... I'll be buying bellows next time I am in town
elporko 01-30-07, 03:20 PM	The fireplace bellows thing is from The Cleric Quintet- by RA Salvatore What msot people don't realize however is that in most bellows the air is drawn in through small holes on the side of the membrane, which seal when you press it together- thus forcing the air outward. If not, it woudl be similar to squeezing a pop bottle really hard- you'd force air out but you wouldn't pull very much back in. I have had 3 separate players put bellows on their list after eading that book- and despite loving Salvatore I want to punch him in the ear.
Tempest Stormwind 01-30-07, 05:01 PM	The fireplace bellows thing is from The Cleric Quintet- by RA Salvatore What msot people don't realize however is that in most bellows the air is drawn in through small holes on the side of the membrane, which seal when you press it together- thus forcing the air outward. If not, it woudl be similar to squeezing a pop bottle really hard- you'd force air out but you wouldn't pull very much back in. I have had 3 separate players put bellows on their list after eading that book- and despite loving Salvatore I want to punch him in the ear. I've actually never read the Cleric Quintet. I've heard of it, though -- after a friend heard how I made a flashlight, and said that the same stunt had been done there (I heard he used a tube for it, though, whereas I used a coin pouch. I'd used similar tricks in earlier games, although there I typically just used my pocket). Seems now I really have to stomach my general dislike of Salvatore's writing style (unless he wrote those books differently than he wrote his Icewind Dale books) and read them, though. Robert: I'd love to hear how it goes.
woodwalker 01-30-07, 06:47 PM	What msot people don't realize however is that in most bellows the air is drawn in through small holes on the side of the membrane, which seal when you press it together- thus forcing the air outward. actually, thats only half right. what you are thinking abut is great-bellows. as you pump them, due to their doubled up design, it allows a steady stream of air. as a result, they are really big and heavy. fireplace bellows, on the other hand are small, light, and one way. go to the library and check out The Art of the Blacksmith. it should clear it up. anvilfire.com might have a writeup on on bellows.