Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Warforged Goblin 07-10-07, 09:50 AM	Like the title suggests, I'm playing an artificer in an Age of Worms campaign. I like the campaign, the DM's great, and our party consistency rocks. FOr the most part, I'm having a blast. However, I'm running into some problems with using the artificer's main ability: creating magic items. Right now we're deep under a mine clearing out temples to Hextor, Erythnul, and Vecna and I'm running low on scrolls I had before we entered the mine. I have the ink, parchment, and the gp to scribe new scrolls, but the DM says I can't scribe any new ones without buying the proper reagents and what-not, which I completely understand and respect, but it's kind of hurting my character. Secondly, I have Craft Wondrous Item, which would normally be a sweet boon, but again, no proper materials to make anything with. In addition, we just hit 4th level which normally would mean time for a homunculus, but I don't have any of the materials to make it, despite having approximately 4.5K gp in gems and art objects. And, to top it all off, I maxed out my ranks in Craft (alchemy) hoping to make some useful alchemical items. However, I wasn't able to afford a lab right away, and we've been underground for the past two levels. Admittedly, the DM isn't familiar with the artificer class (I let him borrow a copy of my Eberron Campaign Setting this past friday), so that might also have something to do with it. Am I being unjustly annoyed, or do I have a right to feel somewhat slighted? I'm very tempted to let the character die off, but myself and the other party members have a really good chemistry going on. I'm going to speak with the DM about my concerns soon, I just wanted some other input beforehand. Thanx in advance.
Viperninja 07-10-07, 01:35 PM	I had an artificer in my group (the player tirelessly changes classes so I thought why not?) Well, (no offense here.) He was tirelessly whinging about his inablitity to do anything. I had given him scrolls and loot. (since i suggested the artificer class to him, i thought it was only fair to give him some equipment.) Speak to your DM. Artificers need alot of preparation, simalarly to wizards. But you need to learn that all classes have weaknesses and your weakness is having less options than many other characters. But you have great assets being a class that can disable traps. You have awesome armour proficiency! You can't blast your enemies with an armoury of spells because you dont have those capabilities. Ask the DM if there is a chance to return to a settlement or somthing in the not so distant future, He is sure to understand also explain that you are able to take out traps and not many can do that :) and a homunculous is cool, and you will enjoy playing an artificer. Just hit the higher levels so you have more money and stuff to spend on an awesome construct!
Warforged Goblin 07-10-07, 01:48 PM	I will indeed talk to him about my 'ficer's shortcomings. Granted, there's been treasure for him to use so far, but wands of enlarge person, cure light wounds, and unseen servant can only go so far. I also brought up the issue of scribing scrolls/crafting items when I was on the cusp of hitting 3rd level to burn through my Craft Reserve now that I had some cash. It was at this point when I learned (I missed the previous session) that there really was no way back up to the surface at this point and that the party would be in the underground temples for the next couple of levels. He's thinking about houseruling that I can keep half of my unused Craft Reserve to add to the next level's worth, but that's not gonna help my character right now. In addition, some of my better infusions require some type of expensive, "buy in town" component, which bones me again. Sure, I can bane my morningstar, but with a Strength of 10, it's really not gonna help much when I could've baned the paladin's greataxe. The real problem is that the party lacks a rogue AND an arcane spellcaster. Our makeup is myself (human artificer), human paladin, human ranger, human cleric of Pelor, and an elven psion. I've only been able to make one item, and that was a belt of healing for the cleric. I was thking about taking a level or two in wizard, but then that'd just leave me with a broken character. I honestly have no idea what to do at this point to bring the artificer back up to viability.
Taureus_Drakken 07-10-07, 02:05 PM	For now all you can really do is act as support. I know losing your craft reserve hurts. But having already played through most of the AoW campaign you will get opportunities later on to make items. I will admit, the member of my party weren't all that concerned with crafting items. When we finished playing the party was the following: Human Warlock/Wizard/Eldritch Theurge, Killoren Druid/Wizard/Arcane Heirophant, Changeling Rogue/Chameleon, Fire Hobgoblin Druid/Psion/Psychic Theurge, Human Fighter/Warblade/Dervish, Dwarf Dragon Shaman/Divine Mind/Deepwarden/Cyran Avenger. <We had originally had a Human Cleric/Fighter/Bard that was replaced with a Pixie Warmage upon dying, and replaced again with a Human Paladin.> The problem I guess wasn't that we didn't have the want to craft our own items...at times it would have been easier to do so...but we were trying to finish the campaign arc in a set period of time. Our DM told us that an artificer that dual-wielded wands could be quite powerful...Just something to think about.
Rerecros 07-10-07, 02:11 PM	I can't understand the scroll thing. You'd think some of these temples would have writing equipment. The parchment is probably made out of human flesh, and the ink out of demon blood, but it'll have to do :P
Taureus_Drakken 07-10-07, 02:13 PM	And, to top it all off, I maxed out my ranks in Craft (alchemy) hoping to make some useful alchemical items. However, I wasn't able to afford a lab right away, and we've been underground for the past two levels. Don't quote me on this, but you will be rewarded soon enough for this. I don't know how far you are in the complex, but just stick it out and you won't be disappointed.
StevenO 07-10-07, 09:10 PM	If I recall the campain correctly one complaint is that it starts feeling rushed toward the end. That's to say that after a big social adventure it seems the last four or five adventures really don't allow much time for item creation of any kind. Not that an Artificier can't work but it could be a factor to consider.
Warforged Goblin 07-11-07, 10:00 AM	Well, I finally found something to fix my feelings of uselessness; a feat from Magic of Eberron called Cull Wand Essence. Now, any wand I pick up can be used to deal damage as a ranged touch attack, which turns my near-useless wand of unseen servant into 14 charges of 1d6 untyped damage :D StevenO, The work-around I have in the future for crafting constraints is ging to be this: A Dedicated Wright homunculus, my workshop, and a portable hole. Stuff the wright and shop into the hole and poof, item making on the go. Just out of curiosity, how high will the campaign take us in levels? I'd like to try and plan out some PrCs if I can...
Sunic_Flames 07-11-07, 10:03 AM	Well, I finally found something to fix my feelings of uselessness; a feat from Magic of Eberron called Cull Wand Essence. Now, any wand I pick up can be used to deal damage as a ranged touch attack, which turns my near-useless wand of unseen servant into 14 charges of 1d6 untyped damage :D StevenO, The work-around I have in the future for crafting constraints is ging to be this: A Dedicated Wright homunculus, my workshop, and a portable hole. Stuff the wright and shop into the hole and poof, item making on the go. Just out of curiosity, how high will the campaign take us in levels? I'd like to try and plan out some PrCs if I can... I believe it's a full 1-20 campaign, but this doesn't necessarily mean the DM will run it that far.
StevenO 07-11-07, 01:07 PM	Although some may consider this a spoiler you'll can make it to level 21+ by the time you face the Worm God. There are no guarentees when your campain will end but I certainly would plan character for all 20 normal levels.