Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rhomphaia 10-24-06, 10:46 AM	I had an idea for a robe that had padding on the torso similar to that of padded armor, but was otherwise free of any sort of armoring. Yes, I do realize there may be something equivilent in some book somewhere, but seeing as I do not have a book that lists anything similar, I am going to use the following stats or something similar. Padded Robe This robe has dense quilting sewn into the main torso portion of the garment to help protect against blows. The robe's sleeves and lower portions, though devoid of the padding, are sewn so that they flow with movement to confuse an attacker as to the exact location of the wearer's limbs. These folds and hems do not interfere with casting, but they do interfere with other sorts of movement, including sneaking and attacking with weapons. The robe also has pouches and pockets distributed throughout that also enable it to act as a spell component pouch. Padded Robe- Light Armor Armor Bonus: +1. Maximum Dexterity Bonus: None. Armor Check Penalty: -2. Arcane Spell Failure: 0%. Speed: 30 ft medium, 20 ft small. Cost: 10 gp.
tarkin 10-24-06, 10:59 AM	So for an extra 5 gp and a -2 to skills (which mages don't care about) you want to take padded leather and do the following: 1) Remove th max dex of 8, making it infinite 2) lose the 5% arcane failure chance 3) Put in pockets Nope, too much. I figure, being a wizard you really want to lose the 5% arcane failure chance. This is what I would offer you: Padded Robe- Light Armor Armor Bonus: +1. Maximum Dexterity Bonus: 6 Armor Check Penalty: -1. Arcane Spell Failure: 0%. Speed: 30 ft medium, 20 ft small. Cost: 50 gp. Now, we have a real max dex, have not given a ridiculously high armor check penalty without a max dex, let you get the extra +1 armor and still let you avoid the Arcane spell failure chance, for a reasonable cost of 50 gp. Note, as always, a masterwork version reduces the armor check penalty by 1, making it 0. This means no proficiency is really needed for masterwork/magical versions.
Chrono Nexus 10-24-06, 11:07 AM	That seems like a perfectly fair and balanced item, Tarkin. It just went in my toybox, thanks for it.
Rhomphaia 10-24-06, 11:30 AM	Tarkin, this item was intended to be on the cheap side for a couple of reasons. First, it was intended as a sort of 'newbie mage's robe' of sorts. Second, It was meant to provide a useful item that beginning casters could buy without completely emptying their pockets. However, on second thought, a price of 15 gp does seem reasonable. As for the MDB, I don't see any reason not have no maximum on it. The armor, other than the torso, is effectively clothing. Armor plates inhibiting limb movement is the biggest factor in MDB and this robe has none of it. Thus, no MDB. I may consider making a MDB of around +10 if someone comes up with a good argument as to why there should be one. The armor check penalty was established because of the way the robe moves, especially around the legs (the vast majority of skills that suffer from ACP deal greatly with leg movement). Also, the exact number was established because this robe, as light armor, can be enchanted. Thus, it first has to be made masterwork and still having a -1 penalty as a masterwork item gives the robe a little 'ouch' on the way to having an enchanted robe. This robe would also interefere with attack rolls because the padding (which is like a vest sewn into the robe) does restrict the torso a bit. Try stabbing something while wearing a tight leather vest and you will get the idea. As I said before, hand movement is all but unrestricted and so there is no Arcane Spell Failure and some DMs may want to do away with the ACP for Open Lock and similar checks (I wouldn't just to be simple).
Tony Vargas 10-24-06, 12:33 PM	The logic you're using doesn't quite work. A chain shirt, for instance, doesn't impede 'hand movement' at all, either, yet has an ASF. I'd say go for padded (and describe it as a robe) - you'll face no ACP, so proficiency isn't an issue, it's cheap, and you'll only blow one in twenty spells.
PolasKasDorion 10-24-06, 12:33 PM	So, why exactly would a mage ever want a +1 Armor bonus? Just grab a scroll of Mage Armor... or learn it... or buy some bracers of armor. I guess if you really want to save the spell slot.... but I'd much rather use such a low level spell to get a +4... then take up that armor bonus slot with such a crappy bonus. Would be cheaper than scrolls... and permenant... so that's nice, but hmmm.
aziraphale60 10-24-06, 01:35 PM	So, why exactly would a mage ever want a +1 Armor bonus? Just grab a scroll of Mage Armor... or learn it... or buy some bracers of armor. I guess if you really want to save the spell slot.... but I'd much rather use such a low level spell to get a +4... then take up that armor bonus slot with such a crappy bonus. Would be cheaper than scrolls... and permenant... so that's nice, but hmmm. you can't put armor enhancements on mage armor since it's not an item. this let's them.
risner 10-24-06, 04:22 PM	spell component pouch. Padded Robe- Light Armor Armor Bonus: +1. Maximum Dexterity Bonus: None. Armor Check Penalty: -2. Arcane Spell Failure: 0%. Speed: 30 ft medium, 20 ft small. Cost: 10 gp. The item already exists without the spell component pouch ability: Thistledown Padded (RotW p168) +1 AC +10 Max Dex 0 ACP 0% ASF 405 gp 5 lbs So you need to do the following to your item: 1) Set Max Dex to +10 2) Up the price to 410 gp or so to include spell component pouch ability. I know you don't like having a Max Dex or a cost above 15 gp, but if you don't do both you are making an item that is a "must have" item without any negative.
Chrono Nexus 10-24-06, 04:48 PM	Tarkin, this item was intended to be on the cheap side for a couple of reasons. First, it was intended as a sort of 'newbie mage's robe' of sorts. Second, It was meant to provide a useful item that beginning casters could buy without completely emptying their pockets. However, on second thought, a price of 15 gp does seem reasonable. A robe that allows a caster to enjoy the benefits of even wearing armor at low levels should have a mark-up to it's price. Having 0 spc on any form of non-magic armor is unheard of, so these armor-robes would obviously be of a finer cut then normal padded armors. As for the MDB, I don't see any reason not have no maximum on it. The armor, other than the torso, is effectively clothing. Armor plates inhibiting limb movement is the biggest factor in MDB and this robe has none of it. Thus, no MDB. I may consider making a MDB of around +10 if someone comes up with a good argument as to why there should be one. Because padded has a +8 max bonus. That's why. No armor has an unlimited max dex, none of them do. You'd be making a big exception to typical armor if the robes had no mdb.
Rulebook 10-24-06, 05:33 PM	A chain shirt, for instance, doesn't impede 'hand movement' at all, either, yet has an ASF. it might not impede hand movement, but it sure as heck impedes [U]shoulder[U] movement, not to mention back and some arm motion.
Necropolitan 10-24-06, 05:40 PM	it might not impede hand movement, but it sure as heck impedes [U]shoulder[U] movement, not to mention back and some arm motion. ... If your a bloody 98lb weakling pissant. Perhaps. Otherwise I doubt a chain shirt would give a moderatly athletic or toned person much trouble. Personal experience here.
DrMorganes 10-24-06, 05:45 PM	And the stereotypical wizard is a) a 98 pound weakling pissant b) moderatly athletic or toned
Necropolitan 10-24-06, 05:47 PM	And the stereotypical wizard is a) a 98 pound weakling pissant b) moderatly athletic or toned Pissant Mages make me laugh. Sure they can blow stuff up and make things die with a word; but that ONE failed save, and they're done. Pfft. If you can't handle a chain shirt, you shouldn't be adventuering period; but that's pure personal opinion there.
runestar 10-24-06, 10:11 PM	Pfft. If you can't handle a chain shirt, you shouldn't be adventuering period; but that's pure personal opinion there. You might be able to wear it for 2-3 hours without problem, lets see if you wear it for an entire day without complaining of shoulder aches...;) The chainshirt desc mentions that it can make for uncomfortable long-term wearing because most of the weight hangs off the shoulders.:(
Errean 10-25-06, 01:49 AM	Padded Robe- Light Armor Armor Bonus: +1. Maximum Dexterity Bonus: None. Armor Check Penalty: -2. Arcane Spell Failure: 0%. Speed: 30 ft medium, 20 ft small. Cost: 10 gp. As for the MDB, I don't see any reason not have no maximum on it. The armor, other than the torso, is effectively clothing. Armor plates inhibiting limb movement is the biggest factor in MDB and this robe has none of it. Thus, no MDB. I may consider making a MDB of around +10 if someone comes up with a good argument as to why there should be one. I'm sorry but what you have designed here isn't wizard robes, it's rogue armor. All armor, EVERYWHERE, in D&D has a max dex. To take that away is leaving some important part of the rules out. I also agree with everyone else that's said that this item is a waste when you can cast mage armor. For that reason, your item is either for endgame and heavily enchanted or for rogues. There's no need for low-level armor for mages.
Zariell 10-25-06, 02:51 AM	As people have said before, intended for mages or not, people with legendary dex would end up wearing it for a cheap solution on another bonus AC.
Gahread 10-25-06, 10:05 AM	If you want some easy no-hindrance armor for a mage, get some mithril chain shirt, then apply the twilight property from BoED via your friendly spellslinger. 0% hindrance, lightweight +4 armor.
crimsonwolf 11-14-06, 02:20 AM	blah screw all that lol get armored spellcaster feat lol Armored Casting: This ability allows the spellcaster to cast spells while still wearing armor because he has trained himself to do so. All arcane spell failure percentages are reduced by 5% and 5% more for every three levels.