Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cade Highhill 01-22-07, 02:05 PM	I am running a monster campaign, and have a character with the burrowing ability. I have read the burrowing description, but I have some questions: 1. Are creatures assumed to have tremor-sense to detect other nearby diggers? 2. Does their burrow allow enough space for the creature to cast spells while buried (perhaps a concentration check required)? 3. Can they hear or detect surface walkers with the listen skill? Text says they stalk creatures from below, but nothing says how they detect their prey. This is specifically in reference to the Asabi monster (Monsters of Faerun). Thanks, Cade
Cade Highhill 01-22-07, 07:56 PM	Please help...
dok 01-22-07, 08:02 PM	1. Are creatures assumed to have tremor-sense to detect other nearby diggers? No. Tremorsense is a seperate ability, and has nothing to do with Burrowing as a movement speed. 2. Does their burrow allow enough space for the creature to cast spells while buried (perhaps a concentration check required)? If the creature can move its arms and legs to burrow, I see no reason why it cannot do so to cast spells. However, a burrowed creature will have problems with Line of Effect for any spells not affecting themselves. I see no reason for a Concentration check; you don't have to roll Concentration checks for spellcasting while swimming. 3. Can they hear or detect surface walkers with the listen skill? Text says they stalk creatures from below, but nothing says how they detect their prey. They would use Listen if they lacked Tremorsense; note that Listen takes a very heavy penalty for doors & walls; it's probably a safe assumption that burrowing creatures stalk at a very shallow 'depth'.
TheDavisChanger 01-24-07, 10:28 AM	I wonder if Tremorsense and Surface-listening are implied abilities. The campaigns that I have always run were dominated by these implied abilities -- a real if-it-doesn't-say-I-can't-do-it-then-I-can philosophy. Casting is a confusing one. If your character is fully immersed in dirt, then he might have a hard time gesturing for his spells. Maybe if he could dig himself some sort of cavity in the dirt it would work. If you played Shadowrun, you wouldn't have to worry about this stuff...
Cade Highhill 01-24-07, 12:29 PM	Additional question, what about breathing. Considering this may limit their time while burrowed in addition to limiting the casting capability.
Cade Highhill 01-26-07, 11:08 AM	Thoughts anyone?
TheDavisChanger 01-27-07, 12:23 AM	I apologize for getting off-subject, but how dangerous are dragons?
Rerecros 01-27-07, 01:13 AM	creatures hiding inside solid objects get a +2 circumstance bonus on Listen checks, because solid objects carry sound well. Pinpointing an opponent from inside a solid object uses the same rules as pinpointing invisible opponents (see Invisibility). This is for incorporeal creatures, but the same principal should still apply. Unless it says otherwise in their stats, a creature with a burrow speed can breath underground. Though I believe they could still drown in mud.
Cade Highhill 02-16-07, 11:49 AM	Any thoughts on gear? I assume it takes a bit of time to go from geared up on land to stowing your gear and burrowing. After all, your backpack isn't digging itself through the dirt. I kind of figure gear would encumber digging like it does when walking.
NerdNumber1 02-16-07, 06:22 PM	For listen checks act as though there is a dirt wall between you and your target (well there kind of is). Many burrowers have blindsense or tremorsense, but only those that say that they do. To simplify things I'd only worry about drowning when below the water line (no digging out of a lake for air).