Pixie arrows [Archive] - Wizards Community

Pixie arrows [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
groveborn
02-25-08, 02:46 AM Pixie arrows are difficult for a player to figure out. I understand their functions well enough, but how to make them?

In Savage Species the arrows are under magic weapons, and require both a spell, and craft magic arms and armor. Pixies get an extraordinary ability to create them, but no mechanics were mentioned. Since they're created by extraordinary means, they're not magical, and thus aren't magic weapons. This then means that the typical crafting rules wouldn't apply here.

Since it's an EX ability to make them, and no cost is given, does it even cost money? If it doesn't, what guideline must be followed then to determine how many per period of time can be made? No other EX ability that I'm aware of costs anything, nor requires any particular amount of time to utilize.

So being that all this is so convoluted, I'm inclined to think a pixie may simply fire normal arrows and change them on the fly. No crafting at all.

Does this seem right?

Also, the arrows deal no damage. Does this mean it deals no weapon damage, or it deals absolutely no damage whatsoever, regardless of the bow being used? Can a +1 magic bow bestow +1 damage to a 0d6 arrow? The energy damage would seem reasonable to keep.
X0_Lt_0X
02-25-08, 02:51 AM Shouldn't this be in the arms and equipment thread
Captain_Kobold
02-25-08, 02:56 AM I would run it that any pixie can craft these arrows as if they had the spellcasting ability and the relevant feats required. Gold and XP must still be spent as per usual crafting rules.

The the pixie's ability to overcome the usual crafting requirements is the Extraordinary part. I believe the arrows themselves are still magical.
the_dark_one_of_twilight
02-25-08, 08:49 PM magical
its created from an supernatural ability(emphasis on the super)
i havent heard of the arrow but it is still crafted it is just that the pixie has a different way to get to the end result of the arrow
i would say that they need to give up gold, time and xp because they still need to make it magical
so its magical they have same requirements except for the feats
groveborn
02-26-08, 12:17 AM Since pixies are the only creatures with the ability, EX I might add, to create pixie arrows, I figured this was the appropriate thread.

Without the Savage Species there is no source to stat creation of such arrows, which do not have the same description as the Pixie's entry. Those particular arrows do damage, and provide the memory or sleep effects. The regular pixie arrows in the DMG do not deal damage, and do not provide any other information. I can't believe that they'd have to be crafted like regular magic arrows (conflicting terms) as the ability is not supernatural, but extraordinary.

Since the ability is Ex, it can be used in non magical areas, and would indicate the arrows could be too.

That being said, it would be nice if anyone had a good answer, with some sort of source. I'm just full of theories.

I think I'm pretty well convinced at this point that it's an at will, on the fly usage.
Saefal
02-26-08, 01:37 AM There was a Dragon mag article on this. Any arrow a pixie fires can be one of these they just are that way from fey magic, no crafting or anything. A perfectly normal arrow in anyone else's hands is suddenly a sleep arrow when fired by a pixie, voila. Its Ex. and I don't know why, so yes it functions in an anti-magic field but it just is the way it is. In my games I made it there spittle that dosed the arrow. Lick and fire all as part of the same movement was alwasy my thought.
groveborn
02-26-08, 09:26 AM There was a Dragon mag article on this. Any arrow a pixie fires can be one of these they just are that way from fey magic, no crafting or anything. A perfectly normal arrow in anyone else's hands is suddenly a sleep arrow when fired by a pixie, voila. Its Ex. and I don't know why, so yes it functions in an anti-magic field but it just is the way it is. In my games I made it there spittle that dosed the arrow. Lick and fire all as part of the same movement was alwasy my thought.

That works for me. You wouldn't know which Dragon had it do you?
ashendar
02-27-08, 04:25 AM Actually, the Savage Species says that pixies can craft the arrows as if "having all prerequisites" (Including the CL 11 for the memory arrows). The Sleep arrows have a market cost of 207 gp while the Memory arrows have a market cost of 607 gp. With that in mind, Sleep arrows cost 103.5 gp and 8 XP to make while the Memory arrows cost 303.5 gp and 24 XP to make. Each arrow, regardless of type, takes 1 day to craft since it's market value is under 1,000 gp.
groveborn
02-27-08, 12:06 PM Actually, the Savage Species says that pixies can craft the arrows as if "having all prerequisites" (Including the CL 11 for the memory arrows). The Sleep arrows have a market cost of 207 gp while the Memory arrows have a market cost of 607 gp. With that in mind, Sleep arrows cost 103.5 gp and 8 XP to make while the Memory arrows cost 303.5 gp and 24 XP to make. Each arrow, regardless of type, takes 1 day to craft since it's market value is under 1,000 gp.

Sadly that makes no sense, as those particular arrows (in SS) are magical, and still deal damage. That means that I'd have to pay for a +1 bonus, which makes little sense. Also, the ability is EX, implying that the arrows are not magical. Furthermore, they're an EX special attack, meaning polymorph grants the ability to use them.

I'm thinking 3.0 sources may not be the way to go.
ashendar
02-27-08, 01:10 PM Actually, I don't see anywhere in SS that damage is shown for the arrow. Also, just because it's in the magic items section doesn't mean it's magical. The Mithral Chainshirt and Cold Iron Long Sword are in the DMG under magic items but they are not magic.

Third, if you look up the Pixie section in SS (pg. 190-191), you will see that it's the Pixie's ability to meet the prerequisites for crafting the arrows that's EX, not the actual act of firing the arrows.
groveborn
02-28-08, 12:28 AM Actually, I don't see anywhere in SS that damage is shown for the arrow. Also, just because it's in the magic items section doesn't mean it's magical. The Mithral Chainshirt and Cold Iron Long Sword are in the DMG under magic items but they are not magic.

Third, if you look up the Pixie section in SS (pg. 190-191), you will see that it's the Pixie's ability to meet the prerequisites for crafting the arrows that's EX, not the actual act of firing the arrows.

You're right that it doesn't show damage for the arrow, as the arrow's damage is based off the bow. What it lacks is the Pixie Arrows (EX) line that states it DOESN'T deal damage. And, I guess I need to mention again, this is a 3.0 book, meant to make certain things easier for monster classes in 3.0. The rule mechanics it shows convert a nonmagical ability into a magical one, and thus don't work.

If a pixie can craft magical arrows in a magic-null area, and still use them normally outside said magic area, then all rules on magic magic items are blown.

Also, the DC of the arrows is static in the description in SS, but the MM states that they are Cha based, with a +2 racial bonus. This would make the DC scalable for pixies, but not for any other race. The DC on the magic pixie arrows is static, and cannot be changed, aside from raising the price.

Magic items are always created with the minimum requirements, and so the arrows would always use the lowest possible score, making it always DC 15. The above mentioned inconsistencies don't account for that.

Since the 3.5 Monster Manual has rules that conflict with the 3.0 Savage Species on this, and a few other things I have no doubt, then I have to assume that the SS book is no longer a definitive rule source for these arrows as used by Pixies.

Finally, from a flavor stand point, pixies don't naturally go around collecting money. They wander carefree and footloose in their glades. They tease and annoy passerbys, but otherwise would have no means to craft arrows. They would have no forge or workspace to manipulate the arrows in peace.

Finally, as the arrows are magical in the SS book, they must have a +1 enhancement, which pixies can't accomplish naturally. This would imply that they could do so, and just stop shy of finishing the arrows to create +1 arrows without extra abilities.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
groveborn 02-25-08, 02:46 AM	Pixie arrows are difficult for a player to figure out. I understand their functions well enough, but how to make them? In Savage Species the arrows are under magic weapons, and require both a spell, and craft magic arms and armor. Pixies get an extraordinary ability to create them, but no mechanics were mentioned. Since they're created by extraordinary means, they're not magical, and thus aren't magic weapons. This then means that the typical crafting rules wouldn't apply here. Since it's an EX ability to make them, and no cost is given, does it even cost money? If it doesn't, what guideline must be followed then to determine how many per period of time can be made? No other EX ability that I'm aware of costs anything, nor requires any particular amount of time to utilize. So being that all this is so convoluted, I'm inclined to think a pixie may simply fire normal arrows and change them on the fly. No crafting at all. Does this seem right? Also, the arrows deal no damage. Does this mean it deals no weapon damage, or it deals absolutely no damage whatsoever, regardless of the bow being used? Can a +1 magic bow bestow +1 damage to a 0d6 arrow? The energy damage would seem reasonable to keep.
X0_Lt_0X 02-25-08, 02:51 AM	Shouldn't this be in the arms and equipment thread
Captain_Kobold 02-25-08, 02:56 AM	I would run it that any pixie can craft these arrows as if they had the spellcasting ability and the relevant feats required. Gold and XP must still be spent as per usual crafting rules. The the pixie's ability to overcome the usual crafting requirements is the Extraordinary part. I believe the arrows themselves are still magical.
the_dark_one_of_twilight 02-25-08, 08:49 PM	magical its created from an supernatural ability(emphasis on the super) i havent heard of the arrow but it is still crafted it is just that the pixie has a different way to get to the end result of the arrow i would say that they need to give up gold, time and xp because they still need to make it magical so its magical they have same requirements except for the feats
groveborn 02-26-08, 12:17 AM	Since pixies are the only creatures with the ability, EX I might add, to create pixie arrows, I figured this was the appropriate thread. Without the Savage Species there is no source to stat creation of such arrows, which do not have the same description as the Pixie's entry. Those particular arrows do damage, and provide the memory or sleep effects. The regular pixie arrows in the DMG do not deal damage, and do not provide any other information. I can't believe that they'd have to be crafted like regular magic arrows (conflicting terms) as the ability is not supernatural, but extraordinary. Since the ability is Ex, it can be used in non magical areas, and would indicate the arrows could be too. That being said, it would be nice if anyone had a good answer, with some sort of source. I'm just full of theories. I think I'm pretty well convinced at this point that it's an at will, on the fly usage.
Saefal 02-26-08, 01:37 AM	There was a Dragon mag article on this. Any arrow a pixie fires can be one of these they just are that way from fey magic, no crafting or anything. A perfectly normal arrow in anyone else's hands is suddenly a sleep arrow when fired by a pixie, voila. Its Ex. and I don't know why, so yes it functions in an anti-magic field but it just is the way it is. In my games I made it there spittle that dosed the arrow. Lick and fire all as part of the same movement was alwasy my thought.
groveborn 02-26-08, 09:26 AM	There was a Dragon mag article on this. Any arrow a pixie fires can be one of these they just are that way from fey magic, no crafting or anything. A perfectly normal arrow in anyone else's hands is suddenly a sleep arrow when fired by a pixie, voila. Its Ex. and I don't know why, so yes it functions in an anti-magic field but it just is the way it is. In my games I made it there spittle that dosed the arrow. Lick and fire all as part of the same movement was alwasy my thought. That works for me. You wouldn't know which Dragon had it do you?
ashendar 02-27-08, 04:25 AM	Actually, the Savage Species says that pixies can craft the arrows as if "having all prerequisites" (Including the CL 11 for the memory arrows). The Sleep arrows have a market cost of 207 gp while the Memory arrows have a market cost of 607 gp. With that in mind, Sleep arrows cost 103.5 gp and 8 XP to make while the Memory arrows cost 303.5 gp and 24 XP to make. Each arrow, regardless of type, takes 1 day to craft since it's market value is under 1,000 gp.
groveborn 02-27-08, 12:06 PM	Actually, the Savage Species says that pixies can craft the arrows as if "having all prerequisites" (Including the CL 11 for the memory arrows). The Sleep arrows have a market cost of 207 gp while the Memory arrows have a market cost of 607 gp. With that in mind, Sleep arrows cost 103.5 gp and 8 XP to make while the Memory arrows cost 303.5 gp and 24 XP to make. Each arrow, regardless of type, takes 1 day to craft since it's market value is under 1,000 gp. Sadly that makes no sense, as those particular arrows (in SS) are magical, and still deal damage. That means that I'd have to pay for a +1 bonus, which makes little sense. Also, the ability is EX, implying that the arrows are not magical. Furthermore, they're an EX special attack, meaning polymorph grants the ability to use them. I'm thinking 3.0 sources may not be the way to go.
ashendar 02-27-08, 01:10 PM	Actually, I don't see anywhere in SS that damage is shown for the arrow. Also, just because it's in the magic items section doesn't mean it's magical. The Mithral Chainshirt and Cold Iron Long Sword are in the DMG under magic items but they are not magic. Third, if you look up the Pixie section in SS (pg. 190-191), you will see that it's the Pixie's ability to meet the prerequisites for crafting the arrows that's EX, not the actual act of firing the arrows.
groveborn 02-28-08, 12:28 AM	Actually, I don't see anywhere in SS that damage is shown for the arrow. Also, just because it's in the magic items section doesn't mean it's magical. The Mithral Chainshirt and Cold Iron Long Sword are in the DMG under magic items but they are not magic. Third, if you look up the Pixie section in SS (pg. 190-191), you will see that it's the Pixie's ability to meet the prerequisites for crafting the arrows that's EX, not the actual act of firing the arrows. You're right that it doesn't show damage for the arrow, as the arrow's damage is based off the bow. What it lacks is the Pixie Arrows (EX) line that states it DOESN'T deal damage. And, I guess I need to mention again, this is a 3.0 book, meant to make certain things easier for monster classes in 3.0. The rule mechanics it shows convert a nonmagical ability into a magical one, and thus don't work. If a pixie can craft magical arrows in a magic-null area, and still use them normally outside said magic area, then all rules on magic magic items are blown. Also, the DC of the arrows is static in the description in SS, but the MM states that they are Cha based, with a +2 racial bonus. This would make the DC scalable for pixies, but not for any other race. The DC on the magic pixie arrows is static, and cannot be changed, aside from raising the price. Magic items are always created with the minimum requirements, and so the arrows would always use the lowest possible score, making it always DC 15. The above mentioned inconsistencies don't account for that. Since the 3.5 Monster Manual has rules that conflict with the 3.0 Savage Species on this, and a few other things I have no doubt, then I have to assume that the SS book is no longer a definitive rule source for these arrows as used by Pixies. Finally, from a flavor stand point, pixies don't naturally go around collecting money. They wander carefree and footloose in their glades. They tease and annoy passerbys, but otherwise would have no means to craft arrows. They would have no forge or workspace to manipulate the arrows in peace. Finally, as the arrows are magical in the SS book, they must have a +1 enhancement, which pixies can't accomplish naturally. This would imply that they could do so, and just stop shy of finishing the arrows to create +1 arrows without extra abilities.