"Lightning Rod" idea. (bad name) [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Lightning Rod" idea. (bad name) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RancorClaw
04-23-07, 01:23 AM An idea I had, based off of a real-life Lightning Rod. You stick a magic pole into the ground (probably about the size of a quarterstaff,) and activate it via command, causing it to generate the electric equivilent of a Silence spell. That is, all electric attacks and effects are nullified, out to a certain radius. (The reasoning is that all the electricity gets attracted to the "rod," and then passes harmlessly into the ground before it can do any harm.)

Similar effects for fire, cold, and acid are easily made, too. (A heat-sink to suck in all excess heat, a heater to counter all cold, and an alkaline aura to counter acid. Or something.) Sorta like an anti-magic field, but specific to only a single type of energy damage.

At the moment, I'm thinking they'd only be usable from the specific "rods" (I need a better name, as most rods would be too small for what I'm thinking of, but they aren't exactly staffs, either,) and you'd have to have it in the ground to aid with dispersing the energy effect, but that can simply be magiclly caused by its activation, (although you'd have to at least place the butt of it on the ground, first.)

What do you all think? (I'm not sure how much they'd cost, though.)
Man-Rata
04-23-07, 09:05 AM I think I know why you would want a Silence spell, but that would just generate an extra benefit, since you would be immune to Sonic.
And since non-mage could use it, there wouldn't be any point in letting it generate silence.

Good idea though.
RancorClaw
04-23-07, 09:59 AM I think I know why you would want a Silence spell, but that would just generate an extra benefit, since you would be immune to Sonic.
And since non-mage could use it, there wouldn't be any point in letting it generate silence.

Good idea though.

The Lightning Rod doesn't generate Silence; I just used Silence as an example of the area and effect. Instead of blocking out all sonic effects, it blocks out all electric effects.
Seeker95
04-23-07, 11:11 AM I like the concept. Energy Nullification, for a specific type of energy, out ot a certain radius.

How's this for the first one:

Lightning Rod
This short metal rod expands to three feet when a command word is spoken. When planted into the ground, it effectively "becomes the target" of any electrical attacks that are targeted within 30' of the rod. Nobody within the 30' radius can be harmed by electrical attacks, whether they originate inside or outside the radius. Nor can anyone within the radius successfully target anyone with an electrical attack, whether the intended target is inside or outside the rod's radius of effect. The rod is not harmed in the process.

This nullification affects ranged and touch attacks with the [electrical] tag. Even melee weapons with the [electrical] energy damage enhancement are affected. Scholars and sages alike have yet to understand exactly how this aspect functions, but it does.

Holding the rod in your hand at the time an electrical attack is generated within the 30' radius will serve a similar effect, except that the holder is automatically targeted, with no saving throw permitted. (An awakened flesh golem once acquired one of these rods and used it to his advantage.)

It is rumored that similar rods exist for other energy types.

Prerequisites: Antimagic Field, Lightning Bolt.
Market Price: 10,000gp

I have chosen the price arbitrarily, and the spell requirements for flavor.
RancorClaw
04-24-07, 12:54 AM I like it a lot, Seeker. You even fixed the problem of it being called a Rod. You've got the basic effect down perfect, and the required spells are great. (Lightning Bolt is pretty much the archetype of all electric spells, afterall.) The cost might be a little low, but I'm not very good with costs. The only other thing, would be a possible limit on the number of times per day it could be used, (probably only 1 or 3,) as well as a duration of the effect.

As for the drawback of holding onto it while it's activated, I'm now thinking there might be even more to it. (I doubt many people would just stand there and hold onto the activated rod, unless they had a very good reason to, like a Flesh Golem would.) When not activated, but being held, it still attracts electricity. Either a bonus to damage done to you (maybe +1 per die of damage,) and/or a +1 bonus to any attack rolls made against you with an electric attack, (such as touch-attack spells, and standard melee attacks with Shocking weapons.)

But imagine if you had such an item, when you went to attack a dragon. :D His breath weapon suddenly has no effect, within that little area.
groveborn
04-24-07, 04:56 AM I like it. Grounding Pole perhaps?
Seeker95
04-24-07, 10:06 AM The cost might be a little lowAs with any very-specialized item, I priced it based on utility. I concede that this cost may not fit every campaign, and should be adjusted by any DM as fits his or her gaming group and environment.
would be a possible limit on the number of times per day it could be used, (probably only 1 or 3,) as well as a duration of the effect.I purposely made it a "continuous item". I picture this also being used as an honest to goodness lightning rod by the wealthy, or by an exotic animal handler training blue dragons to serve as mounts. Etc. That it needs to be "set" is sufficient limitation for me.
(I doubt many people would just stand there and hold onto the activated rod, unless they had a very good reason to, like a Flesh Golem would.)I was viewing the command word only being used to lengthen it. The risk is there not for intentional holding, but accidental:
Move to position, and then retrieve it from your bag. (end of turn)
Enemy casts lightning bolt at your companion.
You're holding the rod still, until your next turn.
You get zapped.
Next round you say the command word and plant the rod in the ground.
(Assuming you survived.)
When not activated, but being held, it still attracts electricity. Either a bonus to damage done to you (maybe +1 per die of damage,)I like this. I even toyed with having the "caught holding the rod" effect to be automatically maximized.

I'm glad you like, and recommend you continue to play with it until it fits your campaign needs. Lastly, I see no reason to NOT call it a lightning rod. Sometimes the most obvious name is the best one.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RancorClaw 04-23-07, 01:23 AM	An idea I had, based off of a real-life Lightning Rod. You stick a magic pole into the ground (probably about the size of a quarterstaff,) and activate it via command, causing it to generate the electric equivilent of a Silence spell. That is, all electric attacks and effects are nullified, out to a certain radius. (The reasoning is that all the electricity gets attracted to the "rod," and then passes harmlessly into the ground before it can do any harm.) Similar effects for fire, cold, and acid are easily made, too. (A heat-sink to suck in all excess heat, a heater to counter all cold, and an alkaline aura to counter acid. Or something.) Sorta like an anti-magic field, but specific to only a single type of energy damage. At the moment, I'm thinking they'd only be usable from the specific "rods" (I need a better name, as most rods would be too small for what I'm thinking of, but they aren't exactly staffs, either,) and you'd have to have it in the ground to aid with dispersing the energy effect, but that can simply be magiclly caused by its activation, (although you'd have to at least place the butt of it on the ground, first.) What do you all think? (I'm not sure how much they'd cost, though.)
Man-Rata 04-23-07, 09:05 AM	I think I know why you would want a Silence spell, but that would just generate an extra benefit, since you would be immune to Sonic. And since non-mage could use it, there wouldn't be any point in letting it generate silence. Good idea though.
RancorClaw 04-23-07, 09:59 AM	I think I know why you would want a Silence spell, but that would just generate an extra benefit, since you would be immune to Sonic. And since non-mage could use it, there wouldn't be any point in letting it generate silence. Good idea though. The Lightning Rod doesn't generate Silence; I just used Silence as an example of the area and effect. Instead of blocking out all sonic effects, it blocks out all electric effects.
Seeker95 04-23-07, 11:11 AM	I like the concept. Energy Nullification, for a specific type of energy, out ot a certain radius. How's this for the first one: Lightning Rod This short metal rod expands to three feet when a command word is spoken. When planted into the ground, it effectively "becomes the target" of any electrical attacks that are targeted within 30' of the rod. Nobody within the 30' radius can be harmed by electrical attacks, whether they originate inside or outside the radius. Nor can anyone within the radius successfully target anyone with an electrical attack, whether the intended target is inside or outside the rod's radius of effect. The rod is not harmed in the process. This nullification affects ranged and touch attacks with the [electrical] tag. Even melee weapons with the [electrical] energy damage enhancement are affected. Scholars and sages alike have yet to understand exactly how this aspect functions, but it does. Holding the rod in your hand at the time an electrical attack is generated within the 30' radius will serve a similar effect, except that the holder is automatically targeted, with no saving throw permitted. (An awakened flesh golem once acquired one of these rods and used it to his advantage.) It is rumored that similar rods exist for other energy types. Prerequisites: Antimagic Field, Lightning Bolt. Market Price: 10,000gp I have chosen the price arbitrarily, and the spell requirements for flavor.
RancorClaw 04-24-07, 12:54 AM	I like it a lot, Seeker. You even fixed the problem of it being called a Rod. You've got the basic effect down perfect, and the required spells are great. (Lightning Bolt is pretty much the archetype of all electric spells, afterall.) The cost might be a little low, but I'm not very good with costs. The only other thing, would be a possible limit on the number of times per day it could be used, (probably only 1 or 3,) as well as a duration of the effect. As for the drawback of holding onto it while it's activated, I'm now thinking there might be even more to it. (I doubt many people would just stand there and hold onto the activated rod, unless they had a very good reason to, like a Flesh Golem would.) When not activated, but being held, it still attracts electricity. Either a bonus to damage done to you (maybe +1 per die of damage,) and/or a +1 bonus to any attack rolls made against you with an electric attack, (such as touch-attack spells, and standard melee attacks with Shocking weapons.) But imagine if you had such an item, when you went to attack a dragon. :D His breath weapon suddenly has no effect, within that little area.
groveborn 04-24-07, 04:56 AM	I like it. Grounding Pole perhaps?
Seeker95 04-24-07, 10:06 AM	The cost might be a little lowAs with any very-specialized item, I priced it based on utility. I concede that this cost may not fit every campaign, and should be adjusted by any DM as fits his or her gaming group and environment. would be a possible limit on the number of times per day it could be used, (probably only 1 or 3,) as well as a duration of the effect.I purposely made it a "continuous item". I picture this also being used as an honest to goodness lightning rod by the wealthy, or by an exotic animal handler training blue dragons to serve as mounts. Etc. That it needs to be "set" is sufficient limitation for me. (I doubt many people would just stand there and hold onto the activated rod, unless they had a very good reason to, like a Flesh Golem would.)I was viewing the command word only being used to lengthen it. The risk is there not for intentional holding, but accidental: Move to position, and then retrieve it from your bag. (end of turn) Enemy casts lightning bolt at your companion. You're holding the rod still, until your next turn. You get zapped. Next round you say the command word and plant the rod in the ground. (Assuming you survived.) When not activated, but being held, it still attracts electricity. Either a bonus to damage done to you (maybe +1 per die of damage,)I like this. I even toyed with having the "caught holding the rod" effect to be automatically maximized. I'm glad you like, and recommend you continue to play with it until it fits your campaign needs. Lastly, I see no reason to NOT call it a lightning rod. Sometimes the most obvious name is the best one.