Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bedlamtom 07-29-07, 02:48 AM	Hello nice gamer folks. I haven't found any official rulings but I am curious... How do folks feel about using the hide skill while ioun stones are circling a characters head? Do you assume that the char takes those into account when choosing their hiding spot? Do you give them a penalty? What about somebody using hide in plain sight? These questions keep me up at nights. Thank you gentle gamer folk.
Metafictional 07-29-07, 02:55 AM	Basically, the stones do not normally glow, and they orbit your head. Since you need cover or concealment to Hide, I would assume that your hiding space must accomodate your head. A DM could rule a -2 circumstance penalty, as per the "DM's secret rule" since the stones may make your head harder to Hide, but this is a house ruling, the RAP (Rules as Presented) does not grant any penalty for this. I would personally house rule against the use of Hide in Plain Sight when using Ioun Stones, however, for logic reasons. I should point out that the rules do not generally penalize a character for using magical items unless the item specifies a penalty. Players should only be "screwed" for using items if that's a stated part of the item's opportunity cost. The easiest way to apply logic to magical items, and give them whatever penalties you think they should have WITHOUT going against the RAP, would be to make all such items have unique quirks (rules for which exist in the DMG) that specifically penalize the player. For example, if you do not want a player to be able to Hide with Ioun Stones, it is not hard to say their Ioun Stones are defective, and constantly cover the character with Hot Pink Faerie Fire. This would reduce the value of the item, but is a balanced solution that forestalls any arguments with your players.
Kouk 07-29-07, 08:45 AM	I think most of the time a character would be aware of himself and any strange floating things he placed on his head. He should be able to Hide normally with cover and concealment. There is a weapon augmentation, either in Dungeonscape or Cityscape I think, that lets you pretty much mount an ioun stone on the hilt or pommel of the weapon and it still functions but without flying around. You may look into that too.
Bedlamtom 07-29-07, 11:49 AM	There is a weapon augmentation, either in Dungeonscape or Cityscape I think, that lets you pretty much mount an ioun stone on the hilt or pommel of the weapon and it still functions but without flying around. You may look into that too. Unless I have missed something major I think you are confusing weapon and armor augmentation crystals with ioun stones. They are a new breed of magic item. I'm uncertain where they came from but I've seen them in the big book o' magic item.
Dheran 07-29-07, 02:43 PM	Invisibility on objects is one of the suitable candidates for the Permanancy spell. You can avoid this issue by having your Ioun stones made permanently invisible.
Banatine 07-29-07, 02:47 PM	I think most of the time a character would be aware of himself and any strange floating things he placed on his head. He should be able to Hide normally with cover and concealment. There is a weapon augmentation, either in Dungeonscape or Cityscape I think, that lets you pretty much mount an ioun stone on the hilt or pommel of the weapon and it still functions but without flying around. You may look into that too. I'm sure there is, it's called the ioun sword. However, i think its in the arms and equipment guide.
Kouk 07-29-07, 07:03 PM	Unless I have missed something major I think you are confusing weapon and armor augmentation crystals with ioun stones. They are a new breed of magic item. I'm uncertain where they came from but I've seen them in the big book o' magic item. No, I do not mean augment crystals.
ArcTan 07-29-07, 08:40 PM	Most DMs would rule a circumstance penalty for moving (even just moving in place) while Hiding. It would also apply here.