Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DMMagic 01-06-05, 05:52 PM	I'm making a campaign with brand-new players, and one of them wants her ferret familiar to be able to play a drum. I'm of the opinion that despite the human intelligence of the ferret (weasel) familiar, and its high dex, it simply wouldn't have the physical capability to play. I'm trying to figure out whether I should just allow it to keep the player interested in her character, or if I should say no to keep things from getting ridiculous. If the latter, how should I explain it since in D&D terms there isn't really anything saying a ferret can't play drums? My best explanation would be that Dexterity doesn't always mean dexterity of individual limbs, it can be the dexterity of the body as a whole, as is likely the case with the ferret. Whaddya think? Should I allow it?
Scaer_Vieliss 01-06-05, 06:02 PM	I don't see a problem with a ferret playing drums, mechanics-wise In my opinion, the only thing limiting a ferret's drum skills is the equipment available for the animal, i.e. is the ferret using normal-sized drums or its own specially sized one? And it's not really a matter of dexterity, either; the ferret can just jump up and down on a drum, producing a beat. That said, you need to know the player's motives for a drum-playing ferret. If she wants it for humorous purposes, you may want to say no, unless this is a mature player and you know it won't derail things.
DMMagic 01-06-05, 06:12 PM	It seemed to me that its limbs are simply too small to do anything more than a slight tap (unless, as you said, it jumps on the drum). Anyway, I think my hunch is that it's being used for humor, so I'm being cautious. As a compromise, I might suggest that her familiar is simply fascinated by beats and loves to flick its tail to an invisible beat or smack its lips, etc. Thus, when it had access to a drum, it likely would do its best to play with it, but may or may not be incredibly successful. If the drumming got out of hand, I'd be sure a few monsters would get some listen checks, and charge the party. That would make the player be a little more cautious about giving it access to a percussive instrument. Also, is it more customary for the DM or the player to play the familiar (or both?). I know it's sort of DM preference, but is one typically favored over the other?
Lincoln Hills 01-06-05, 06:30 PM	I need specifics. Is this a tympani, or a big slave-driver's drum, or a set of bongos? Are cymbals involved in this array or is it more medieval? How does the ferret feel about members of the xylophone family? In general, you need arms to play most drums. And ferrets - which are marvels of nature and have many sterling qualities, so the FADL can just get off my back - have these little wiggly paws which just can't get a whole lot of leverage on a drum-stick. So - a consistent rhythm is going to involve a lot of effort, and probably fatigue the ferret within a few rounds (Fortitude saves). Why am I even offering advice? Good lord, what's next? A familiar octopus which wants to play (or, possibly, marry) a set of bagpipes?
The Happy Gank 01-07-05, 08:30 AM	Why am I even offering advice? Good lord, what's next? A familiar octopus which wants to play (or, possibly, marry) a set of bagpipes? Heh, heh, heh, an octopus and a set of bagpipes, that's priceless... 10 Experience Points to anyone who knows where that line comes from... Honestly, I think the Dex of a ferret refers to its entire body. So, unless you want the ferret playing the drum by jumping up and down on it, I'd say...well, I think you know what I'm going to say...
CzarGarrett 01-07-05, 08:43 AM	I definitely concur with the ferret being too small. However, if there was some way or another for enough force to be made by the ferrett to actually beat a drum, I'd allow it. It's just a matter of physics.
Keenath 01-07-05, 03:34 PM	He could smack the drum with his tail, I suppose. Or if you had a couple drums set on their sides, like Taiko drums for instance, he could bodily carom off the drumheads. I rather like that mental image, of a little ferret flinging himself and bouncing between drums...
The Happy Gank 01-07-05, 08:44 PM	Or if you had a couple drums set on their sides, like Taiko drums for instance, he could bodily carom off the drumheads. I rather like that mental image, of a little ferret flinging himself and bouncing between drums... That's kind of what I imagined might be happening...it's a cute image, but the question is, does the DM want it in the game...?