Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ShadowDragon8685 11-23-04, 11:56 PM	Okay. We all know players are prone to being the most Darwinian creatures in existance sometimes. I was posed the following situation by another DM who had it happen to him, and I'm 100% stumped. The entire party is waay too heavy on loot. They totally ransacked the dungeon, and have no way to get all of it back. (Or no ways they think of. Dolts they are, heh.) They know that they can't leave some there, haul the rest to the town, come back and get the rest, because the enemy will have returned to the dungeon by then. So, instead of risking 'letting them fall into the hands of the enemy,' one genious player decides to lighten his load by swigging back a grand total of 32 potions of CLW, 4 Barkskin, 3 Stoneskin, 12 Virtue, two Owl's Wisdom, a Cat's Grace and a bless. Then he proceeds to smash the bottles up and sprinkle the glass shards into the beds that the enemy might potentially want to use... Now, we're in agreement that swigging back that many potions like he's a frat boy chugging beer can't be healthy. But what do we DO to this clown?
Antigone 11-24-04, 12:05 AM	A long, long time ago, way back in 2d edition, there was a chart that you could roll on for the result of mixing potions. As I recall, they were quite amusing, but I haven't an earthly where you could find a copy. Not a lot of help, am I?
Sildatorak 11-24-04, 12:05 AM	It would take him five and a half minutes to drink all of those. If a potion is about 1 ounce, then he only drank less than a quart of fluid. It's a pretty good chug, but it isn't horribly unreasonable. Of course there is always the theory that potions cause cancer. In that case he is boned.
Lxarth 11-24-04, 12:07 AM	Well, thats almost 2 quarts of liquid he just drank. I know in second edition they had a chart of what would happen (if anything) if more then one potion was drank at a time, or one right after the other. Why didn't the PC just destroy the potion? Maybe the DM wants to roll on a random magic surge chart. Or use the Rod/Wand of Wonder results for a limited time.
eshadowe 11-24-04, 12:07 AM	I'd make him glow of magic,,,,,nice beckon for trying to get out of the dungeon,,,,,,,that and feel a little 'power drunk', (convince him he has a special power, he'll try to use it, and it'l be funny, cause there isn't one or it's something silly) noting dangerious, but funny I'd think
Maniacal_Cackle 11-24-04, 12:08 AM	Find a random magic chart. Roll on that to see the effect. Once for each 5 or so potions he drank, rounded up. I calculate rolling seven times, things will get interesting...
BloodGod 11-24-04, 12:10 AM	Modify the "Use Magic Device" screw up chart. I recall there being some kind of a chart that when you roll a '1' or some such thing there's an ill effect. Just need to perhaps modify it a bit. Or, his heart explodes. The potions were high in sodium. -BG
DM Zoc 11-24-04, 12:12 AM	From what I can recall the chart was split pretty evenly between "one potions works; other doesn't," "both work at half effectiveness," and "instant death," with something like a 1% chance for discovering a new potion. Eh, apparently 3 parts Cure Light Wounds and 1 part Stoneskin causes you to grow wings -- fascinating.
ShadowDragon8685 11-24-04, 12:31 AM	Potions only one ounce? I dunno, it seems to me like they'd be heftier - at least 6 - 8, if not a nice 12 fluid ounces each. And as to why he did it... :nonono: It's one of those things. He just did..
delroland 11-24-04, 12:46 AM	Remind him that he just drank 9000 gp worth of potions, three of which are quite irreplaceable, being that they are 4th level potions (the potions of stoneskin). And then give the character the perpetual diahhretic flaw: whenever he is in a stressful situation, he needs to make a Fort save DC20 or suffer from the quite urgent need to shoot liquid fire from his arse. He will need to make a DC 10 Con check (+1 DC per extra round) every round to avoid messing himself until he fails or relieves the pressure. To relieve himself, he needs to partially disrobe (hillarity ensues for fighter/paladin types wearing FP) and spend 3d20 minus Constitution rounds doing the deed. If he fails his Con check, he must make a DC20 fort save vs. the effects of stinking cloud, with the following adjustments: the helplessness only lasts for one round, but he will be nauseated until he can clean himself up, and until then he needs to make another Fort save every round to avoid becoming helpless again as a result of the pain and stench. Wheeee!
ShadowDragon8685 11-24-04, 12:54 AM	The trots, permenantly? o.O Holy cow. I'm mean, but not THAT mean... The guy who's player did it, though...
Sildatorak 11-24-04, 04:16 AM	To relieve himself, he needs to partially disrobe (hillarity ensues for fighter/paladin types wearing FP) I believe that most plate mail has access to the nether regions. It would be exceedingly difficult to ride a horse while wearing it if it didn't. That aside, it isn't unreasonable for him to have regular diarrhea. He did just drink nearly half a gallon of something that is probably going to do nasty osmosis things once it hits the intestines. From what I can recall the chart was split pretty evenly between "one potions works; other doesn't," "both work at half effectiveness," and "instant death," with something like a 1% chance for discovering a new potion. Eh, apparently 3 parts Cure Light Wounds and 1 part Stoneskin causes you to grow wings -- fascinating. 1-8 were things that were actually harmful for you (ranging from death to stat drain), 9-15 was both fail to work, 16-35 were reduced effectiveness, 36-90 was that both work normally. 91-99 resulted in a 150% boost in effectiveness to one potion, and 100 meant that one potion was cancelled, but the other became permanent. Well, thats almost 2 quarts of liquid he just drank. Ah, math, my eternal friend and nemesis. We meet again. Potions only one ounce? I dunno, it seems to me like they'd be heftier - at least 6 - 8, if not a nice 12 fluid ounces each. In 3e, potions are described as coming in vials rather than in flasks like they often were in 2e. IIRC it specifically mentions that they are around an ounce each someplace in the DMG. Physical Description: A typical potion or oil consists of 1 ounce of liquid held in a ceramic or glass vial fitted with a tight stopper. The stoppered container is usually no more than 1 inch wide and 2 inches high. The vial has AC 13, 1 hit point, hardness 1, and a break DC of 12. Vials hold 1 ounce of liquid
Naeron 11-24-04, 06:36 AM	It was hardly the act of a genius player as he has just wasted massive amounts of money to get himself a whole 5 and half pounds of encumbrance back (the equipment table lists it "Vial, ink or potion 1 gp 1/10 lb."). He would have been better off dropping some rarely used weapon, some rations or even burying/hiding the loot outside the dungeon and coming back for it. In 3e potions manifest spell effects, there is no penalty for drinking multiple potions just as there is no penalty for having multiple spells cast on the PC. The PC's stupidity is the only penalty that is needed.
Bluebrush 11-24-04, 07:27 AM	In 3e potions manifest spell effects, there is no penalty for drinking multiple potions just as there is no penalty for having multiple spells cast on the PC. The PC's stupidity is the only penalty that is needed. True, but added hilarity from side effects could be welcome.
Primal 11-24-04, 07:34 AM	How about the character wakes up the following day to discover that his skin has taken on a permanent bark-like texture, he has grown a cat's tail and occasionaly makes owlish noises when he tries to speak. He suffers a CHA penalty (-6 sounds good) and has developed an taste for mice, preferable alive. None of these mutations provide any benefit and the character is unable to communicate periodically since Speak with Animals doesn't work either. The condition could persist indefinetely until another condition is met, perhaps drinking the same potions in reverse order. :)
Shard of Suzail 11-24-04, 09:24 AM	I would just ignore it and get on with other things. The player has wasted a lot of cash, all for unusable limited duration bonuses. Rewarding that kind of attention seeking, even with a bad response, is never a good thing. Best to carry on with the game.
Phrennzy 11-24-04, 10:20 AM	Remind him that he just drank 9000 gp worth of potions, three of which are quite irreplaceable, being that they are 4th level potions (the potions of stoneskin). It was hardly the act of a genius player as he has just wasted massive amounts of money to get himself a whole 5 and half pounds of encumbrance back. The PC's stupidity is the only penalty that is needed. I would point that out, and then laugh at him because he's probably carrying a bunch of gold - 9000gp = 90 lbs. He would have been better off dumping gold on the floor and keeping the potions. 32 CLW. Be sure to remind him of that when he is screaming about needing a medic. But yeah The PC's stupidity is the only penalty that is needed. about covers it.
Taralist 11-24-04, 11:22 AM	I think I would make him roll multiple fort and will saves until the potions wear off, to avoid overdosing. Although 3.5 rules don't really support this, if you interject a little logic; A potion is an alchemical/herbal mixture. The mortal form isn't capable of withstanding this much without divine intervention. If someone were to take this many different drugs at once, they would be laying on the floor, convulsing, foaming at the mouth, with thier eyes rolling back in thier head. Keep in mind that whatever you rule here could set precedence for the same kind of "stupidity" in the future. Something very bad should happen.
Dreaming_in_the_void 11-24-04, 11:44 AM	32 potions of CLW, 4 Barkskin, 3 Stoneskin, 12 Virtue, two Owl's Wisdom, a Cat's Grace and a bless. Sounds like he set up a retributive strike in his stomach to me ;) Excuse the pun, but the player wasted massive amounts of a highly liquid asset. Those potions could have been sold, at a premium, for much more than a weight equivalent amount of gold (as has already been mentioned) if not used by the party in a pinch. I can't think of an instance I wouldn't want my character to have a lineup of potions similar to your list. Point this out to the rest of the party. They'll make sure things like this don't happen again. If the party has four members, the potion chugger just wasted 67,500 gp of THIER LOOT! Social regulation requires no effort on your part; the other players will monitor stupidity for you. They will now be well behind the average npc on the wealth tables.
Feriin 11-24-04, 11:59 AM	So the best thing one of the platers could do was drink a minimal amount of the treasure.. I hope the rest of the group members let him die. Those viles would only take up a very minimum space in any backpack..
Phrennzy 11-24-04, 12:00 PM	Be careful. Example: I am a Cleric/Wizard. I am going into battle. I cast Stoneskin. I cast Barkskin. I cast Bull's Strength. I cast Bear's Endurance. I cast Cat's Grace. I cast Aid. I cast Mage Armor. What's wrong with that? :confused: I am a Rogue. I am going into battle. I read a scroll of Stoneskin. I put on my Amulet of Natural Armor (Barkskin). I put on my Gauntlets of Ogre Power (Bull's Strength). I drink a potion of Bear's Endurance. I put on my Gloves of Dexterity (Cat's Grace). I cast Aid from a wand. I cast Mage Armor from a ring of spell storing. What's wrong with that? :confused: I am a fighter. I am going into battle. I drink a potion of Stoneskin. I drink a potion of Barkskin. I drink a potion of Bull's Strength. I drink a potion of Bear's Endurance. I drink a potion of Cat's Grace. I drink a potion of Aid. I drink a potion of Mage Armor. What's wrong with that? :confused: Answer: Nothing. All three are perfectly allowable with no negative consequences.
ShadowDragon8685 11-24-04, 12:10 PM	Phrenzy: That's one of each, in reasonable amounts. This genious knocked back a grand total of 55 potions. I did not know that potions were described as being an ounce in 3e - especially when all the art in the book seems to indicate otherwise. I always figured potions were like, the size of a mountain dew. So did my friend who had this boneheaded player, and that's how he described them to the players. And while it was true that this was this players' accumulation over two dungeon crawls and two churches of pelor cleaned out of inventory... Yeah. That's still a pretty boneheaded manuver. He came up with it after playing NWN with, ironically, myself, because when I'm overloaded in a dungeon (because I tend to lack a Bag of Holding, or enough Bags of holding, and play a 10 STR elf,) that's exactly what my first response to lighten my load is; chug every potion. I never use 'em anyway. So I'll chug every grace, wisdom, Lore, etcetera, in my backpack. I guess he never heard the bits where I said "Y'know, I just chugged back about two hundred an' forty fluid ounces of liquid magic. That can't be healthy."
Uratoh 11-24-04, 12:14 PM	On drinking things they shouldent... My PCs were in a dungeon owned by a group of fanatical assassins. The party starts charging down the hall to a literal dead end with one lone assassin...he knows hes outmatched, and doesnt trust himself not to squeal, so he pulls out a vial of ;poison to drink it and kill himself...however, the party barb runs up, grabs the vial and quaffs it HIMSELF....he fails the fort save, he's just lucky I rolled crap on the con loss @_@
ShadowDragon8685 11-24-04, 12:16 PM	:eek: Was he TRYING to get killed?! :confused: :nonono:
psionichamster 11-24-04, 12:19 PM	you really want to mess with this person? show em this! (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=4780448&postcount=32).... but its empty, and on the person of the real owner of all these chugged potions... i'd also use some of the simple mutations...maybe some big yellow owl eyes, or feathers, or a tail...perhaps a rough textured twig beard... something simple and potentially coverable, but definitely something "off" about him. or, give him something really tricky... the other pc's make spot checks when awakening or first being exposed to this dude. they smell something strange and memorable each time, possibly different...coffee, bananas, orc sweat, fine oil...something incongrous but not immediately threatening. what they're really smelling is this chugger's new BO...custom "come get me" pheremones for the monster/race/insect/outsider/etc. of your choice... applies to both male and female versions (if you wanna be nice, only one, or extra mean, the opposite gets violently aggressive and wants to challenge for courtship rights) think elk mating season, but the PC's are walking around with displacer beast attracting scent-boy... just a thought the hamster
Uratoh 11-24-04, 12:19 PM	Nah, just insane. To his credit, none of the assassins had managed t oget to the 'kill themselves' phase...greataxes can quickly turn 'winning' into 'dead'. They had several vials of the stuff, just didnt know what it was yet.
ShadowDragon8685 11-24-04, 12:28 PM	psionichampster: BWAAAAHAahahaaaaahaaaaahhaaaaaaaah! :plotting: :evillaugh :clap: :schemes: :bow: :pile: :bounce: That is so freaking HILARIOUSLY AWESOME!!! I would *so* do that! :P
Taralist 11-24-04, 12:48 PM	barkskin: natural armor bonus does not stack with any other enhancement bonuses to natural armor.....this includes more barkskin. The character just ingested 3-Barkskin potions for no reason and all of the chemicals/herb that go into thier creation. Stoneskin: Dr:10/adamantite...max(150 points of damage absorbsion) Why would it have max 150? Would casting it twice give you a max 300 or Dr:20/adamanitite with max 150?.....DM's option, I'd say. I'd never penalize for combo's of spells(pure magic)or items(again, pure magic)or even a few potions(pure magic tainted by a mortal hand so that it can be stuck in a bottle and used by anyone).....but 55 freakin potions should at least be toxic if not lethal. Two aspirin are great for a headache, but try 55 and see what happens.
Phrennzy 11-24-04, 12:53 PM	Phrenzy: That's one of each, in reasonable amounts. This genious knocked back a grand total of 55 potions. I did not know that potions were described as being an ounce in 3e - especially when all the art in the book seems to indicate otherwise. I always figured potions were like, the size of a mountain dew. So did my friend who had this boneheaded player, and that's how he described them to the players. And while it was true that this was this players' accumulation over two dungeon crawls and two churches of pelor cleaned out of inventory... Yeah. That's still a pretty boneheaded manuver. He came up with it after playing NWN with, ironically, myself, because when I'm overloaded in a dungeon (because I tend to lack a Bag of Holding, or enough Bags of holding, and play a 10 STR elf,) that's exactly what my first response to lighten my load is; chug every potion. I never use 'em anyway. So I'll chug every grace, wisdom, Lore, etcetera, in my backpack. I guess he never heard the bits where I said "Y'know, I just chugged back about two hundred an' forty fluid ounces of liquid magic. That can't be healthy." Well, of course, your DM is free to do what he wants. Including making all potions 12 ounces - like a soda. Drinking 55 would require a Fort save for sure. In fact, I doubt the human (or humanoid) body could contain that much liquid. If he continued to drink after being full, his body would reject the fluid and he'd vomit it all up. Even at 1 ounce each, 55 ounces is like 4 and a half sodas. In quick succession - gross. Possible but talk about bloated. I would have him immediately vomit all over himself. What was everyone else doing for the 5 and a half minutes it took him to swig the stuff down? Did no one want to save one of those Stoneskins?
Airsucker 11-24-04, 12:59 PM	Dragon 302 has a list of magical side-effects. They were pretty funny, and mostly harmless. :evillaugh
Feriin 11-24-04, 03:32 PM	Be careful. Example: I am a Cleric/Wizard. I am going into battle. I cast Stoneskin. I cast Barkskin. I cast Bull's Strength. I cast Bear's Endurance. I cast Cat's Grace. I cast Aid. I cast Mage Armor. What's wrong with that? :confused: I am a Rogue. I am going into battle. I read a scroll of Stoneskin. I put on my Amulet of Natural Armor (Barkskin). I put on my Gauntlets of Ogre Power (Bull's Strength). I drink a potion of Bear's Endurance. I put on my Gloves of Dexterity (Cat's Grace). I cast Aid from a wand. I cast Mage Armor from a ring of spell storing. What's wrong with that? :confused: I am a fighter. I am going into battle. I drink a potion of Stoneskin. I drink a potion of Barkskin. I drink a potion of Bull's Strength. I drink a potion of Bear's Endurance. I drink a potion of Cat's Grace. I drink a potion of Aid. I drink a potion of Mage Armor. What's wrong with that? :confused: Answer: Nothing. All three are perfectly allowable with no negative consequences. Well sure nothing wrong with taking 7 rounds before you enter a fight, it might tick off the rest of your group though. Generally the groups I am in fights last maybe 8 rounds max. (unless we are fighting a small army or something equally od).
FirePhoenix 11-24-04, 04:46 PM	<SNIP> I would have him immediately vomit all over himself. <SNIP> Yeah, and then his vomit could like glow a neon blue. And it would stain. Then he would have a big neon blue spot on his armor or clothes. My group would love to have something like that happen.
OmiKapSi 11-24-04, 05:18 PM	Well, be sure to thank the drinking player for me. This thread make me laugh so hard I got the hiccups. I'm going to cast my votes for the following: 1. Inform him of the amount of GP he just wasted. 2. Inform him of the normal consequences of drinking three and a half pints of liquid. That's approximately one and a half litres of liquid, for the metric minded. You know those two litre milk cartons that are almost universal? It's three quarters of that. I'm just covering all bases here, some people (myself included) can have difficulty visualizing amounts. How quick did he drink them? In one sitting, that's a fort save vs nausea. (Do potions still affect one if they are thrown up? The ramifications of the answer are interesting.) Over the course of an hour or three, he'd feel bloated. Any longer, and he shouldn't have any health issues. 3. Impose a minor magical change on him that has roleplaying effects only (I like the owls eyes and cat tail idea).
Arcen 11-24-04, 07:09 PM	Heh What I want to know is did the Potion's of Owl's Wisdom give him any insight as to how stupid that was? :p Have the potions have a multiplying effect: Starts sprouting leaves due to the Barkskin. Suffers from Flesh to Stone due to the Stone skin, etc.