Designing a House Rule [Archive] - Wizards Community

Designing a House Rule [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
wjliii3
12-12-07, 08:50 PM Ok, so theres a feat in Hordes of the Abyss which allows casters to drain demons to halve the XP cost for items or spells, the only penalty to the demon mentioned is that it takes 1d6 temporary Con damage. If the character has designed a way to trap a demon indefinitely, how do I deal with this? Do I just let him use the demon forever and never pay a full cost again? Or should I impose some sort of drain on the demon so that he "runs out" so to speak.
Tiefling_Warlock
12-12-07, 09:02 PM Greed is all-overpowering. If someone finds out it'll get out. A thief will try to steal it or wizards or one of his demon friends. Also, keeping pet demons isn't a great idea. If it breaks out... You also need to guard against it's spell like abilities.
Krusk
12-13-07, 12:44 AM Eventually the demon will die from con drain. But if he rations it sure, let him get a bonus for his efforts. That said a good bit of good aligned people are not fans of trapped demons, "just kill it what if it breaks free, oh crap i let it free trying to kill it". A lot of evil people are not fans of you keeping demons trapped either, "hey thats Lord Vielajktghakl;jn the third, you can't keep his nobleness trapped like this!" Then you also have the other demons who might try to free him through some form of loyalty -doubtful- or because they might want him owing them a favor.

Generally someone will find out and come to try and spoil the fun, but let the player have at it for a bit. Maybe a month or so in game, and then someone might find out? All depends on how careful they are about it.
ragoftag
12-15-07, 10:58 AM A general rule of thumb, storyline wise, is to let them get away with it once. Maybe twice. Then let complications set in. Competition. Revenge. Rivals. Intrigue. Re-watch Dragonheart and note that the second 'slay the Dragon' scam goes awry real fast. After a couple of trips to the west Indies, Columbus had major league competition. I barely remember Sputnik's launch, but now near-space is a frickin' junkyard! Know what the doctor said after delivering the very first 'baby boomer'? "Next!" Unique often means that there is a reason folks do not do this...

As GM, I would rule that the victim wills itself not to heal and 'kills' itself that way, perhaps over 'donating' to speed things along. When it gets home, guess what the conversation around the water cooler is going to be? Ever heard of 'Vigilance Committees'? Oh, the MM is only a vaguely reliable tome in my game, and everybody knows it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
wjliii3 12-12-07, 08:50 PM	Ok, so theres a feat in Hordes of the Abyss which allows casters to drain demons to halve the XP cost for items or spells, the only penalty to the demon mentioned is that it takes 1d6 temporary Con damage. If the character has designed a way to trap a demon indefinitely, how do I deal with this? Do I just let him use the demon forever and never pay a full cost again? Or should I impose some sort of drain on the demon so that he "runs out" so to speak.
Tiefling_Warlock 12-12-07, 09:02 PM	Greed is all-overpowering. If someone finds out it'll get out. A thief will try to steal it or wizards or one of his demon friends. Also, keeping pet demons isn't a great idea. If it breaks out... You also need to guard against it's spell like abilities.
Krusk 12-13-07, 12:44 AM	Eventually the demon will die from con drain. But if he rations it sure, let him get a bonus for his efforts. That said a good bit of good aligned people are not fans of trapped demons, "just kill it what if it breaks free, oh crap i let it free trying to kill it". A lot of evil people are not fans of you keeping demons trapped either, "hey thats Lord Vielajktghakl;jn the third, you can't keep his nobleness trapped like this!" Then you also have the other demons who might try to free him through some form of loyalty -doubtful- or because they might want him owing them a favor. Generally someone will find out and come to try and spoil the fun, but let the player have at it for a bit. Maybe a month or so in game, and then someone might find out? All depends on how careful they are about it.
ragoftag 12-15-07, 10:58 AM	A general rule of thumb, storyline wise, is to let them get away with it once. Maybe twice. Then let complications set in. Competition. Revenge. Rivals. Intrigue. Re-watch Dragonheart and note that the second 'slay the Dragon' scam goes awry real fast. After a couple of trips to the west Indies, Columbus had major league competition. I barely remember Sputnik's launch, but now near-space is a frickin' junkyard! Know what the doctor said after delivering the very first 'baby boomer'? "Next!" Unique often means that there is a reason folks do not do this... As GM, I would rule that the victim wills itself not to heal and 'kills' itself that way, perhaps over 'donating' to speed things along. When it gets home, guess what the conversation around the water cooler is going to be? Ever heard of 'Vigilance Committees'? Oh, the MM is only a vaguely reliable tome in my game, and everybody knows it.