Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Yaeri 04-07-05, 03:02 PM	In the upcoming chapter of my campaign, my players may run into an encounter with a mage on a giant eagle. The mage has a few necromantic spells and a few wands. I have several questions about the mechanics of such an encounter. First of all, if he's flying above them and they try to shoot at him, (if I try to picture it they can't even see the mage from that position) what's the to hit penalty or the AC bonus for the mage? Nothing prevents them to aim at the eagle ofcourse. Secondly, if he is flying and they shoot at him, do they receive an aiming penalty because their target is moving very quickly? I found no penalty in my 3.0 books for shooting at moving targets but it seems logical to me. Third: If the eagle covers the mage, does he cover the PC's? I know the mage will have spellcasting penalties for being on a moving mount (Assuming those penalties are the same as with a horse) Will he also have spelcasting/wandcasting penalties for aiming at the PC's because his eagle is in the way? Fourth: By how much would you increase the CR for having the mage in such an advantageous position?
Darazel 04-07-05, 04:51 PM	1. I would not grant him cover, unless he suceeds on a DC 15 Ride-Check (no action; described on page 80 of the Player's Handbook). If he suceeds, he can make a hide-check (because he has cover). If he beats the PCs Spot-Checks, they do not see him, otherwise they do. AC-bonus for cover is usually +4 (you may rule it higher or lower, depending on the cover, but in this case I would take the +4). No to-hit-penalty. 2. No, no penalty. Consider the range-increments of the PCs weapons, depending on how high the eagle is flying. But in this case, also consider the range of the mage's spells. 3. No, the mount does not grant cover for the riders opponents. Also, the DCs on the concentration-checks should be the same as with a horse. 4. I would not increase the CR. Give them the XP for the mage and the eagle and maybe add 10% for the tactical advantage. Or you could think, that the ability to fly is included in the CR of the eagle, and no extra-XP is needed.