Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bhu 01-20-06, 04:41 AM	Someone I know is thinking of joining my campaign, and she wants to play an Awakened Animal Druid. I dont have a problem with this (depending on the animal), but the issue of not having hands raises a few questions. Such as where does said animal keep spell components, and how does she use them? The lack of hands thing in general might mean I have to do some Racial substitution levels or something irregardless of what class she plays. After all if she plays a fighter, its pointless for her to have weapon proficiencies, because she cant use them. But what would you substitute for them other than a Feat? Playing an awakened animal sounds neat, but the more I think about it the more certain options are nerfed for her because of her body (how do you hold and use magic items without hands). At the very least, all of her gear would have to be special made and cost more. Anyone ever ran a campaign with an animal pc?
Neverwrong 01-20-06, 05:21 AM	Give the bastard the anthropomorphiv template. Savage species talks about this problem in it's first chapters, so maybe you should check there. Otherwise, make her strictly spellcaster. Or let her shapecahnge in to a human, making a, werehuman template. The spell component thing isn't that difficult, as long as you can reach it with a claw and just grasp it, it should be alright. May my knowledge(Or lack thereof) guide you safely
Andorxor 01-20-06, 05:26 AM	Allow her to wildshape in one humanoid form,that should solve your no hands problem.
anandak 01-20-06, 07:30 AM	Most druid spells use either small, cheap and easy to accuire components, so why not just allow the character to cast spells without them, have his/her holy symbol appear as a natural mark on his/her skin as a natural birthmark of some kind, and instead of needing spell components other than the holy symbol have the character add 2 to his/her initiative whenever casting a spell, explaining that the spell could take longer to cast without them as the spellcaster needs to intone a few more syllables or make a few more wriggling motions to cast it.
bhu 01-20-06, 10:11 PM	Most druid spells use either small, cheap and easy to accuire components, so why not just allow the character to cast spells without them, have his/her holy symbol appear as a natural mark on his/her skin as a natural birthmark of some kind, and instead of needing spell components other than the holy symbol have the character add 2 to his/her initiative whenever casting a spell, explaining that the spell could take longer to cast without them as the spellcaster needs to intone a few more syllables or make a few more wriggling motions to cast it. Was considering something similar but another DM's argument is that cheap or not, spell components are required. Steal them and the Druid cant use those spells till he gets more. And thats the equivalent of a free feat basically
Warboss Morgrum 01-21-06, 03:38 AM	If she's going to play a spell caster, just have her take Eshew Materials at first level. There are other feats in Savage Species that might help too, like Non-Verbal Spell.
Serin Ghar 01-21-06, 03:43 AM	Guide the player into playing a raccoon or a primate, then you get around the no hands problem.