"Here buddy, drink this". Force feeding healing pots in the unconcious and dying. [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Here buddy, drink this". Force feeding healing pots in the unconcious and dying. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Neofish
11-24-06, 11:04 PM Do you allow your players to do so?

I only ask because I just recently ran a game in which I kinda overwhelmed my PC's and their fate rested in the hands of the partie's halfing rogue rummiging through the other PC's bags and then pouring healing potions down their throats in order to get them back into combat.

I was wondering, now that I look back on it, is that even possible to do?

Edit- the title should read "and" the unconcious and dying. Also, the PCs were not already dead, merely within negative hp (and well on their way to death).
Tharivol_Nailo
11-24-06, 11:19 PM As a DM myself i wouldnt have any problems with that so long as they arent dead. You should ask more experienced people though.
dmjacques
11-24-06, 11:20 PM Uhh talking mechanics ( I dunno im new) talking life , then yes
Regular_K
11-24-06, 11:31 PM If they arn't dead, then yes. You can force feed people, you just have to rub their throats when you do it, or they choke/drown.

Well, this brings up a better question... Could you drown by drinking a healing potion?
Pandaemoni
11-24-06, 11:40 PM The rules on activation of potions say:

A character can carefully administer a potion to an unconscious creature as a full-round action, trickling the liquid down the creature’s throat. Likewise, it takes a full-round action to apply an oil to an unconscious creature.

So long as the character is merely unconscious and not dead, there should not be a problem.
Millennium
11-24-06, 11:46 PM If they arn't dead, then yes. You can force feed people, you just have to rub their throats when you do it, or they choke/drown.
Exactly. I consider this to be basic first aid that most adventurers would be expected to know, so no rolls are required.
Well, this brings up a better question... Could you drown by drinking a healing potion?
I suppose you could. I wouldn't allow for the possibility when a PC was deliberately trying to feed an unconscious person, though; no sense in using a roll for that. It would make an interesting way for a villain to try and cover up a murder, though: knock someone out, pretend to arrive on the scene and administer aid, but "he got there just too late" when he actually drowned the person with a healing potion. Great alibi.
Thubby
11-25-06, 12:29 AM mechanicaly, yes, you can do this.
and as to choking, you could, but it would take a butt load of potions. seriously, if you read the full description, potions are tiny, with little liquid.
you might have a coughing fit, but nothing serious.
Neofish
11-25-06, 01:05 AM The rules on activation of potions say:

So long as the character is merely unconscious and not dead, there should not be a problem.

Sweet! I'm glad there is an official ruling on the matter.

Thanks everyone for the hasty replies aswell and sorry I wasn't clearer on the subject as to whether they were dead or not (I did say unconcious, though I suppose you could be considered unconcious when your dead no?). Anyway, they were most certainly not dead, merely within negative hps.

At least I know it's a full-round action to administer the potion aswell, I ruled as standard, good to know.

Thanks again everyone.
AntiDjinn
11-25-06, 04:38 AM Healing potions are not drugs, they are healing magic. There are not many drugs that have their full effect within 6 seconds of being taken orally (they haven't even completed their trip to the stomach in that time). The pharmacokinetics on potions would be pretty interesting; talk about a steep curve.

So don't try to deal with them as medicines that have to be swallowed; they are healing spells in liquid form. If you friend has a gaping hole in his throat, just pour the potion in. It is not like he is going to drown in a fluid that is magically infusing his tissues with the essence of life.

I generally also allow potions to be poured directly into wounds (not much will get it into the bloodstream faster) until the patient is conscious enough to drink.
Free1983
11-25-06, 06:03 AM I think this thread has been handled really well. No more questions about that, but when I read the situation Neofish described the following question came up to me:

How does the halfling decides who to give the first potion, who to give the second potion and so on? It seems to me that if all his buddies are dying and he knows that it takes a while to pour the potion into his friend (full round action) AND he doesn't know which friend is nearest to death, he could have a hard time deciding who to help first.

Do you guys tell the surviving player who is at -9 and who is only at -5 and -3? Do you give some kind of description who is hurt the most (and how do you do that. They are all totally messed up. They are going to die)? Or do you just tell the other players to shut up and let the surviving player choose himself (based on luck or in character reasons)? It would seem that this is a huge choice-making encounter that you even didn't plan for :D . On the other hand of course one of the characters could die in the proces (Good! You just rescued your best barbarian buddy, but when you reach the sorceress you secretly fell in love with, you notice that she stopped breathing. *auch*)

Anyway, how would you do it?
Crystal Monk
11-25-06, 10:31 AM So don't try to deal with them as medicines that have to be swallowed; they are healing spells in liquid form. If you friend has a gaping hole in his throat, just pour the potion in. It is not like he is going to drown in a fluid that is magically infusing his tissues with the essence of life.
wow. not only is that excellent reasoning, that's a bloody (no pun intended) hilarious visual. you, sir/ma'am/both/neither, get a :cookie:
crowclub
11-25-06, 12:13 PM We allow it but our DM is tight so we only get half of whatever is rolled!
JerBar
11-25-06, 12:48 PM mechanicaly, yes, you can do this.
and as to choking, you could, but it would take a butt load of potions. seriously, if you read the full description, potions are tiny, with little liquid.
you might have a coughing fit, but nothing serious.

Actually you can drown with as little as a tablespoon of water in your lungs. If you were awake you could easily force it back out, but being unconcious is a different matter.

I, however would NEVER even have someone make a roll for this in the game for two reasons:

1: as someone else said, these are magic potions of healing
2: how gimped would it be to kill off a character just because someone who was using up a healing potion to save the life of a fallen friend rolled a one on a check that is not even part of the rules.
High Octane
11-25-06, 12:50 PM Potions are magical. Who says they have to be taken orally? They may be able to be apllied to a wound directly.
Zherog
11-25-06, 01:37 PM Who says they have to be taken orally?

Other than the rules, you mean? ;)

Activation: Drinking a potion or applying an oil requires no special skill. The user merely removes the stopper and swallows the potion or smears on the oil.
High Octane
11-25-06, 01:49 PM Rules Schmules.
Neofish
11-25-06, 01:59 PM How does the halfling decides who to give the first potion, who to give the second potion and so on? It seems to me that if all his buddies are dying and he knows that it takes a while to pour the potion into his friend (full round action) AND he doesn't know which friend is nearest to death, he could have a hard time deciding who to help first.

She just went for the one that was closest to her at the time due to the fact that she was she in combat and any assitance would be of great use.

Do you guys tell the surviving player who is at -9 and who is only at -5 and -3? Do you give some kind of description who is hurt the most (and how do you do that. They are all totally messed up. They are going to die)? Or do you just tell the other players to shut up and let the surviving player choose himself (based on luck or in character reasons)? It would seem that this is a huge choice-making encounter that you even didn't plan for :D . On the other hand of course one of the characters could die in the proces (Good! You just rescued your best barbarian buddy, but when you reach the sorceress you secretly fell in love with, you notice that she stopped breathing. *auch*)

Damn... I totally let the metagmaing flow on that one, my players just tend to bark out what they are at when they get hit, so she knew what they were at (metagaming I know, gonna have to fix that next time). Also, thanks to action points, a character can spend one just to auto-stabilize to prevent unexpected character death.

Anyway, how would you do it?

Alot better next time, definatly gonna put your advice to good use to help heighten the suspense.
Nom
11-25-06, 02:37 PM Nothing in the rules stops you knowing another character's exact hit points (but nothing enshrines that you must, either). If you think it will add to the game, ask for a DC 15 Heal check. Be aware that if this takes longer than a free action you've just made it significantly more difficult to save a fallen friend (one hit for the check, one for the time to make it).
AntiDjinn
11-25-06, 03:14 PM When tending to downed party members, I generally try to revive the ones with healing first. Once you get the party cleric or druid up then both of you can be working on the remainder who are down. If that isn't applicable, I go for whoever else has healing potions or salves (because they know exactly where such things are stowed and can begin using them upon revival, I would have to waste time searching through packs).

If you have a psion or wilder who is up then, when in doubt, Time Hop the fallen so you can take your time getting into position to tend to each one.
Salla
11-25-06, 04:47 PM We allow it but our DM is tight so we only get half of whatever is rolled!

Your DM is in dire need of a hammergunning.
High Octane
11-25-06, 04:51 PM Your DM is in dire need of a hammergunning.

Not too rough! A few slaps with a herring should do.
Pandaemoni
11-25-06, 05:06 PM Being able to pour potions directly on the wounds suggests a new tactic...when your buddy falls and you can't get to him in time, just throw the potion at him hard enough to shatter the vial. Just don't confuse the healing potions with the alchemist's fire (though I suppose that's always good advice).

If you could just pour it on the wound, it probably wouldn't need to take a full round action.
Crystal Monk
11-25-06, 05:15 PM Being able to pour potions directly on the wounds suggests a new tactic...when your buddy falls and you can't get to him in time, just throw the potion at him hard enough to shatter the vial. Just don't confuse the healing potions with the alchemist's fire (though I suppose that's always good advice).okay, that's hilarious, and definitely something an adventurer would say.
If you could just pour it on the wound, it probably wouldn't need to take a full round action.I'd disagree with the second part of that, though - the "healing another with a potion" thing should still take a full-round action for balance's sake. otherwise anyone could play healer, so long as they had a big enough supply of potions and a party that was willing to have those potions regularly broken over their heads in the middle of battle.

can you imagine that? some barbarian or monk with their faster movement rates, running around battle hitting people with healing potions to keep them going? or even worse, a halfling with a sling and a bandolier full of potions?

..okay, I know my next character concept now. :D :D :D
Salla
11-25-06, 05:24 PM I'd disagree with the second part of that, though - the "healing another with a potion" thing should still take a full-round action for balance's sake. otherwise anyone could play healer, so long as they had a big enough supply of potions and a party that was willing to have those potions regularly broken over their heads in the middle of battle.

On the other hand, I kind of like this idea BECAUSE it lets anybody play healer. One of the things that irks me a bit about D&D is the 'who's going to play the tank/blaster/healer/trapmonkey' game that often crops up at the start of new games; the idea that you can't succeed without that particular foursome represented.

Admittedly, the fate of the cleric in 3rd Edition isn't as bad as it was in 2nd, and if I wind up 'destined' to always be the cleric in games I play, I'm pretty darned happy with that. "My god is Thor, and he decrees that you're gonna be a whole lot thorer!" *WHAM!!* But I'm a fan of letting people play what they want, rather than what 'the system' dictates.
aelryinth
11-25-06, 05:58 PM Quote from the Guardian of the Flame series...

"Just give him the potion. It's a healing potion, for God's sake. The only way you can hurt him with it is to hit him with the bottle!"

So, drown in healing potions? maybe if you were at full hit points.

===Aelryinth
DmMagnus
11-25-06, 06:09 PM I have always allowed this to make it a bit easyer on my players ( Im pretty much and hard ass.. and when the healer is down, I dont wanna 100% doom my players).

If you think it`s to easy that way you can call for a heal check dc 10 or 15 to make the unconcious target drink it.
Crystal Monk
11-25-06, 08:55 PM On the other hand, I kind of like this idea BECAUSE it lets anybody play healer. One of the things that irks me a bit about D&D is the 'who's going to play the tank/blaster/healer/trapmonkey' game that often crops up at the start of new games; the idea that you can't succeed without that particular foursome represented.okay, you have an excellent point. you've also inspired me to work on a prestige class called the Slingshot Healer. :evillaugh

in truth, the whole "who's the healer?" bit isn't something I've had a problem with in my own group, but that's mostly 'cause my group has a Blue Mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596) in it, and he can play backup healer 'cause he knows the spells. funny thing is, my group has a Swashbuckler, Blue Mage, Favored Soul, and Beguiler in it... so they actually form the classic foursome in a really weird way. but that's neither here nor there.

Admittedly, the fate of the cleric in 3rd Edition isn't as bad as it was in 2nd, and if I wind up 'destined' to always be the cleric in games I play, I'm pretty darned happy with that. "My god is Thor, and he decrees that you're gonna be a whole lot thorer!" *WHAM!!* But I'm a fan of letting people play what they want, rather than what 'the system' dictates.oh, dear gods, that's funny. even moreso 'cause I've got an NPC cleric of Thor that the party traveled with at one point ('twas just the Swashbuckler and Beguiler then), and he was great to play. I might have to have him say that when he's drunk sometime. bwa ha ha.

I swear, I'm getting a lot more laughs and interesting possibilities out of this thread than I ever thought I would.
Eled_the_Worm_Tamer
11-25-06, 09:09 PM 'Potion down the throat' is a vital campeghn extender in our games. In a solo campeghn [With 1 DM ran 'side kick' cleric] My Psion, dispite having an 18 con, andpsionic body for fighter grade hp has, in the run up to 6th level, hit the negitaves twice, Died to be rased via benevolent plot device once, my Side kick has hit the negitaves 3 times. We see it as the moast basic first aid, If you are inteligent enough to know what a mouth is you can tip it back, hold an unconsious persons nose, and tricke potion down it. So far thats been the main use for potions.
alecthemad
11-25-06, 10:05 PM Wasn't there a thread on just this topic last week?

There was a big discussion about how the potion would drown them and much real world information on drowning was posted showing they would not drown in the real world and then someone said it MAGIC for the sake of the gods and then there was more discussion.

Then I brought up that pouring the potion down the throat of an unconscious person has been a mechanic since first edition. Then more discussion.

Damn this forum needs a search function again.
DarthMarasmus
11-25-06, 10:22 PM Potions are magical. Who says they have to be taken orally?

Since nobody else has gone there yet...

I hope you don't mean the other end...
Millennium
11-25-06, 10:45 PM Potions are magical. Who says they have to be taken orally?
Whoever it is that defined 'potion', that's who. However, custom form factors for potions do exist: oils, ointments, and unguents follow the same rules. Make a few ointments of cure light wounds, and you're golden. DMGII has a few other suggested custom form factors.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Neofish 11-24-06, 11:04 PM	Do you allow your players to do so? I only ask because I just recently ran a game in which I kinda overwhelmed my PC's and their fate rested in the hands of the partie's halfing rogue rummiging through the other PC's bags and then pouring healing potions down their throats in order to get them back into combat. I was wondering, now that I look back on it, is that even possible to do? Edit- the title should read "and" the unconcious and dying. Also, the PCs were not already dead, merely within negative hp (and well on their way to death).
Tharivol_Nailo 11-24-06, 11:19 PM	As a DM myself i wouldnt have any problems with that so long as they arent dead. You should ask more experienced people though.
dmjacques 11-24-06, 11:20 PM	Uhh talking mechanics ( I dunno im new) talking life , then yes
Regular_K 11-24-06, 11:31 PM	If they arn't dead, then yes. You can force feed people, you just have to rub their throats when you do it, or they choke/drown. Well, this brings up a better question... Could you drown by drinking a healing potion?
Pandaemoni 11-24-06, 11:40 PM	The rules on activation of potions say: A character can carefully administer a potion to an unconscious creature as a full-round action, trickling the liquid down the creature’s throat. Likewise, it takes a full-round action to apply an oil to an unconscious creature. So long as the character is merely unconscious and not dead, there should not be a problem.
Millennium 11-24-06, 11:46 PM	If they arn't dead, then yes. You can force feed people, you just have to rub their throats when you do it, or they choke/drown. Exactly. I consider this to be basic first aid that most adventurers would be expected to know, so no rolls are required. Well, this brings up a better question... Could you drown by drinking a healing potion? I suppose you could. I wouldn't allow for the possibility when a PC was deliberately trying to feed an unconscious person, though; no sense in using a roll for that. It would make an interesting way for a villain to try and cover up a murder, though: knock someone out, pretend to arrive on the scene and administer aid, but "he got there just too late" when he actually drowned the person with a healing potion. Great alibi.
Thubby 11-25-06, 12:29 AM	mechanicaly, yes, you can do this. and as to choking, you could, but it would take a butt load of potions. seriously, if you read the full description, potions are tiny, with little liquid. you might have a coughing fit, but nothing serious.
Neofish 11-25-06, 01:05 AM	The rules on activation of potions say: So long as the character is merely unconscious and not dead, there should not be a problem. Sweet! I'm glad there is an official ruling on the matter. Thanks everyone for the hasty replies aswell and sorry I wasn't clearer on the subject as to whether they were dead or not (I did say unconcious, though I suppose you could be considered unconcious when your dead no?). Anyway, they were most certainly not dead, merely within negative hps. At least I know it's a full-round action to administer the potion aswell, I ruled as standard, good to know. Thanks again everyone.
AntiDjinn 11-25-06, 04:38 AM	Healing potions are not drugs, they are healing magic. There are not many drugs that have their full effect within 6 seconds of being taken orally (they haven't even completed their trip to the stomach in that time). The pharmacokinetics on potions would be pretty interesting; talk about a steep curve. So don't try to deal with them as medicines that have to be swallowed; they are healing spells in liquid form. If you friend has a gaping hole in his throat, just pour the potion in. It is not like he is going to drown in a fluid that is magically infusing his tissues with the essence of life. I generally also allow potions to be poured directly into wounds (not much will get it into the bloodstream faster) until the patient is conscious enough to drink.
Free1983 11-25-06, 06:03 AM	I think this thread has been handled really well. No more questions about that, but when I read the situation Neofish described the following question came up to me: How does the halfling decides who to give the first potion, who to give the second potion and so on? It seems to me that if all his buddies are dying and he knows that it takes a while to pour the potion into his friend (full round action) AND he doesn't know which friend is nearest to death, he could have a hard time deciding who to help first. Do you guys tell the surviving player who is at -9 and who is only at -5 and -3? Do you give some kind of description who is hurt the most (and how do you do that. They are all totally messed up. They are going to die)? Or do you just tell the other players to shut up and let the surviving player choose himself (based on luck or in character reasons)? It would seem that this is a huge choice-making encounter that you even didn't plan for :D . On the other hand of course one of the characters could die in the proces (Good! You just rescued your best barbarian buddy, but when you reach the sorceress you secretly fell in love with, you notice that she stopped breathing. auch) Anyway, how would you do it?
Crystal Monk 11-25-06, 10:31 AM	So don't try to deal with them as medicines that have to be swallowed; they are healing spells in liquid form. If you friend has a gaping hole in his throat, just pour the potion in. It is not like he is going to drown in a fluid that is magically infusing his tissues with the essence of life. wow. not only is that excellent reasoning, that's a bloody (no pun intended) hilarious visual. you, sir/ma'am/both/neither, get a :cookie:
crowclub 11-25-06, 12:13 PM	We allow it but our DM is tight so we only get half of whatever is rolled!
JerBar 11-25-06, 12:48 PM	mechanicaly, yes, you can do this. and as to choking, you could, but it would take a butt load of potions. seriously, if you read the full description, potions are tiny, with little liquid. you might have a coughing fit, but nothing serious. Actually you can drown with as little as a tablespoon of water in your lungs. If you were awake you could easily force it back out, but being unconcious is a different matter. I, however would NEVER even have someone make a roll for this in the game for two reasons: 1: as someone else said, these are magic potions of healing 2: how gimped would it be to kill off a character just because someone who was using up a healing potion to save the life of a fallen friend rolled a one on a check that is not even part of the rules.
High Octane 11-25-06, 12:50 PM	Potions are magical. Who says they have to be taken orally? They may be able to be apllied to a wound directly.
Zherog 11-25-06, 01:37 PM	Who says they have to be taken orally? Other than the rules, you mean? ;) Activation: Drinking a potion or applying an oil requires no special skill. The user merely removes the stopper and swallows the potion or smears on the oil.
High Octane 11-25-06, 01:49 PM	Rules Schmules.
Neofish 11-25-06, 01:59 PM	How does the halfling decides who to give the first potion, who to give the second potion and so on? It seems to me that if all his buddies are dying and he knows that it takes a while to pour the potion into his friend (full round action) AND he doesn't know which friend is nearest to death, he could have a hard time deciding who to help first. She just went for the one that was closest to her at the time due to the fact that she was she in combat and any assitance would be of great use. Do you guys tell the surviving player who is at -9 and who is only at -5 and -3? Do you give some kind of description who is hurt the most (and how do you do that. They are all totally messed up. They are going to die)? Or do you just tell the other players to shut up and let the surviving player choose himself (based on luck or in character reasons)? It would seem that this is a huge choice-making encounter that you even didn't plan for :D . On the other hand of course one of the characters could die in the proces (Good! You just rescued your best barbarian buddy, but when you reach the sorceress you secretly fell in love with, you notice that she stopped breathing. auch) Damn... I totally let the metagmaing flow on that one, my players just tend to bark out what they are at when they get hit, so she knew what they were at (metagaming I know, gonna have to fix that next time). Also, thanks to action points, a character can spend one just to auto-stabilize to prevent unexpected character death. Anyway, how would you do it? Alot better next time, definatly gonna put your advice to good use to help heighten the suspense.
Nom 11-25-06, 02:37 PM	Nothing in the rules stops you knowing another character's exact hit points (but nothing enshrines that you must, either). If you think it will add to the game, ask for a DC 15 Heal check. Be aware that if this takes longer than a free action you've just made it significantly more difficult to save a fallen friend (one hit for the check, one for the time to make it).
AntiDjinn 11-25-06, 03:14 PM	When tending to downed party members, I generally try to revive the ones with healing first. Once you get the party cleric or druid up then both of you can be working on the remainder who are down. If that isn't applicable, I go for whoever else has healing potions or salves (because they know exactly where such things are stowed and can begin using them upon revival, I would have to waste time searching through packs). If you have a psion or wilder who is up then, when in doubt, Time Hop the fallen so you can take your time getting into position to tend to each one.
Salla 11-25-06, 04:47 PM	We allow it but our DM is tight so we only get half of whatever is rolled! Your DM is in dire need of a hammergunning.
High Octane 11-25-06, 04:51 PM	Your DM is in dire need of a hammergunning. Not too rough! A few slaps with a herring should do.
Pandaemoni 11-25-06, 05:06 PM	Being able to pour potions directly on the wounds suggests a new tactic...when your buddy falls and you can't get to him in time, just throw the potion at him hard enough to shatter the vial. Just don't confuse the healing potions with the alchemist's fire (though I suppose that's always good advice). If you could just pour it on the wound, it probably wouldn't need to take a full round action.
Crystal Monk 11-25-06, 05:15 PM	Being able to pour potions directly on the wounds suggests a new tactic...when your buddy falls and you can't get to him in time, just throw the potion at him hard enough to shatter the vial. Just don't confuse the healing potions with the alchemist's fire (though I suppose that's always good advice).okay, that's hilarious, and definitely something an adventurer would say. If you could just pour it on the wound, it probably wouldn't need to take a full round action.I'd disagree with the second part of that, though - the "healing another with a potion" thing should still take a full-round action for balance's sake. otherwise anyone could play healer, so long as they had a big enough supply of potions and a party that was willing to have those potions regularly broken over their heads in the middle of battle. can you imagine that? some barbarian or monk with their faster movement rates, running around battle hitting people with healing potions to keep them going? or even worse, a halfling with a sling and a bandolier full of potions? ..okay, I know my next character concept now. :D :D :D
Salla 11-25-06, 05:24 PM	I'd disagree with the second part of that, though - the "healing another with a potion" thing should still take a full-round action for balance's sake. otherwise anyone could play healer, so long as they had a big enough supply of potions and a party that was willing to have those potions regularly broken over their heads in the middle of battle. On the other hand, I kind of like this idea BECAUSE it lets anybody play healer. One of the things that irks me a bit about D&D is the 'who's going to play the tank/blaster/healer/trapmonkey' game that often crops up at the start of new games; the idea that you can't succeed without that particular foursome represented. Admittedly, the fate of the cleric in 3rd Edition isn't as bad as it was in 2nd, and if I wind up 'destined' to always be the cleric in games I play, I'm pretty darned happy with that. "My god is Thor, and he decrees that you're gonna be a whole lot thorer!" WHAM!! But I'm a fan of letting people play what they want, rather than what 'the system' dictates.
aelryinth 11-25-06, 05:58 PM	Quote from the Guardian of the Flame series... "Just give him the potion. It's a healing potion, for God's sake. The only way you can hurt him with it is to hit him with the bottle!" So, drown in healing potions? maybe if you were at full hit points. ===Aelryinth
DmMagnus 11-25-06, 06:09 PM	I have always allowed this to make it a bit easyer on my players ( Im pretty much and hard ass.. and when the healer is down, I dont wanna 100% doom my players). If you think it`s to easy that way you can call for a heal check dc 10 or 15 to make the unconcious target drink it.
Crystal Monk 11-25-06, 08:55 PM	On the other hand, I kind of like this idea BECAUSE it lets anybody play healer. One of the things that irks me a bit about D&D is the 'who's going to play the tank/blaster/healer/trapmonkey' game that often crops up at the start of new games; the idea that you can't succeed without that particular foursome represented.okay, you have an excellent point. you've also inspired me to work on a prestige class called the Slingshot Healer. :evillaugh in truth, the whole "who's the healer?" bit isn't something I've had a problem with in my own group, but that's mostly 'cause my group has a Blue Mage (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=137596) in it, and he can play backup healer 'cause he knows the spells. funny thing is, my group has a Swashbuckler, Blue Mage, Favored Soul, and Beguiler in it... so they actually form the classic foursome in a really weird way. but that's neither here nor there. Admittedly, the fate of the cleric in 3rd Edition isn't as bad as it was in 2nd, and if I wind up 'destined' to always be the cleric in games I play, I'm pretty darned happy with that. "My god is Thor, and he decrees that you're gonna be a whole lot thorer!" WHAM!! But I'm a fan of letting people play what they want, rather than what 'the system' dictates.oh, dear gods, that's funny. even moreso 'cause I've got an NPC cleric of Thor that the party traveled with at one point ('twas just the Swashbuckler and Beguiler then), and he was great to play. I might have to have him say that when he's drunk sometime. bwa ha ha. I swear, I'm getting a lot more laughs and interesting possibilities out of this thread than I ever thought I would.
Eled_the_Worm_Tamer 11-25-06, 09:09 PM	'Potion down the throat' is a vital campeghn extender in our games. In a solo campeghn [With 1 DM ran 'side kick' cleric] My Psion, dispite having an 18 con, andpsionic body for fighter grade hp has, in the run up to 6th level, hit the negitaves twice, Died to be rased via benevolent plot device once, my Side kick has hit the negitaves 3 times. We see it as the moast basic first aid, If you are inteligent enough to know what a mouth is you can tip it back, hold an unconsious persons nose, and tricke potion down it. So far thats been the main use for potions.
alecthemad 11-25-06, 10:05 PM	Wasn't there a thread on just this topic last week? There was a big discussion about how the potion would drown them and much real world information on drowning was posted showing they would not drown in the real world and then someone said it MAGIC for the sake of the gods and then there was more discussion. Then I brought up that pouring the potion down the throat of an unconscious person has been a mechanic since first edition. Then more discussion. Damn this forum needs a search function again.
DarthMarasmus 11-25-06, 10:22 PM	Potions are magical. Who says they have to be taken orally? Since nobody else has gone there yet... I hope you don't mean the other end...
Millennium 11-25-06, 10:45 PM	Potions are magical. Who says they have to be taken orally? Whoever it is that defined 'potion', that's who. However, custom form factors for potions do exist: oils, ointments, and unguents follow the same rules. Make a few ointments of cure light wounds, and you're golden. DMGII has a few other suggested custom form factors.