Dnd Flamethrower [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dnd Flamethrower [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Greener9900
02-15-06, 09:08 PM I have a level 2 half orc barbarian. At the end of our last adventure we got aboard a boat that is loaded with alchahol. Thog purchased a large barrel of whiskey from the boat and is now toating it on its back. I plan on using it with my torch as a flamethrower. The Dm has o.ked it on one condition. I need to find a way to realiticly get the alchohol to his mouth. I am stumped please help.
Ashok_Lal
02-15-06, 10:12 PM A straw
Rumple_Cragstan
02-15-06, 10:26 PM I would say like a hose. put it in the bottom of the barrel, have a small hole in the top of the barrel to allow you to suck it into your mouth easier.

I think the harder part is finding a way to light it in combat. I mean how silly is that going to look in combat? A barbarian with a Keg on his back and a tube in his mouth (which he only opens to spew flaming booze at his foes). Might as well change his class to 'Frat Boy'.
Greener9900
02-15-06, 10:40 PM well my character is already a closet alcholic so it seemed like a way to combine his hobbies with combat.
Pandaemoni
02-16-06, 08:37 AM The hose wasn't invented until 1652 for use as a fire hose...so the DM would have to decide whether such a device exists in his own campaign. The original hoses were made of linen, too, which is not ideal for alcohol (the original inventors weren't so concened about leaks). The "rubberized" hose wasn't invented until the 19th century.

The drinking straw is much harder to pin down. While the modern popularization of it is definitely a 20th century phenomenon (with the original, paper, straws dating from the late-19th century), there is some evidence that hollow reeds may have been used in ancient times as drinking straws. Potential ancient use notwithstanding, the device wouldn't be a common one in the traditional medieval European campaign and there might be some question of how a PC could rediscover such a thing.

The easiest way I can see to move the alcohol (without straining medieval technology beyond its limits) is to get a barrel fixed with a tap, and carry a cup with you. Presumably though filling the cup would not be a free action, it might be a move action...though more likely it's a full-round action. You'd likely be able to shorted it up by using a covered flagon or wineskin, prefilled with alcohol outside of combat.
Free1983
02-16-06, 08:47 AM perhaps you could make an iron or steel tube to suck the alcohol into your mouth. You could also smoke a pipe to have a flame at hand. I'm sure your DM can come up with some substance that makes the flame in your pipe big enough to light the alcohol.

You could also try some gnome mechanics if your DM allows it.

have fun spraying everyone
GiantSlor
02-16-06, 09:12 AM I don't think that ignited whiskey would be a good weapon. First even a half orc can't keep much in his mouth. Second alcohol burns very fast. At best it would be a good trick to maybe dazzle an opponent for one round, and maybe like 1d4 AT MOST of damage.

If you want a real flamer thrower, just use Greek Fire. Hellenistic and Roman tech was in many ways far superior to medival Europe, so it would not be illogical to see such techs in D&D. Replace Greek Fire with Alchemists Fire and you have a nasty weapon. One that sticks and burns for quite a while.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/flamethrower1.htm (Byzantine Flamethrower)
Pandaemoni
02-16-06, 09:20 AM You could always pay a wizard to create a magic barrel for you, if your DM allows it. One that, upon a command word, instantly fills the mouth of all touching it with whatever the cask contains.

If you invoke gnomish technology, then I wouldn't see why you'd even need get the alcohol in your mouth. Just have them invent a a nozzle and spray the alcohol directly from the cask like a real flamethrower (albeit with a much shorter range and lower damage--unless the gnomes also invent napalm or Greek fire for you).
Balor von Balorvitch
02-16-06, 09:26 AM OK thog aready has rocket skates! Does he need a straw? :rofl:

http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript?SK=257

(Sorry i had to do it!)
Kiklio
02-16-06, 06:13 PM A very cool way to do this would be with a suit. You're in the equivalent of plate mail, with a tank on your back. Gravity or pump-action (possibly in the feet) distributes the alchemist's fire through fabricated hoses mounted on your wrists, or through several small hoses on your fingers, where magic propels it at high velocity towards your opponents at a fixed range. It would like you're casting burning hands!
SilverFoxKnows
02-16-06, 07:12 PM Use a pump and copper tubing. Look at the Byzantine fire ships. They heated the oil but it should work without being heated. Just watch out for incoming fire, a flame strike would really ruin his day.
Greener9900
02-16-06, 08:06 PM A very cool way to do this would be with a suit. You're in the equivalent of plate mail, with a tank on your back. Gravity or pump-action (possibly in the feet) distributes the alchemist's fire through fabricated hoses mounted on your wrists, or through several small hoses on your fingers, where magic propels it at high velocity towards your opponents at a fixed range. It would like you're casting burning hands!

That is a realy cool idea. I am going to talk to my Dm to see if I can ever get something like that.
Capt. Pixel
02-16-06, 09:41 PM Are you nuts? DRINK THE WHISKEY!

and then start hitting the enemy with your torch.

sheesh! ;)
tharivol266
02-17-06, 08:00 AM in the arms and equipment book i think there is a sprayer. it'd be an easy mod. from there

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Greener9900 02-15-06, 09:08 PM	I have a level 2 half orc barbarian. At the end of our last adventure we got aboard a boat that is loaded with alchahol. Thog purchased a large barrel of whiskey from the boat and is now toating it on its back. I plan on using it with my torch as a flamethrower. The Dm has o.ked it on one condition. I need to find a way to realiticly get the alchohol to his mouth. I am stumped please help.
Ashok_Lal 02-15-06, 10:12 PM	A straw
Rumple_Cragstan 02-15-06, 10:26 PM	I would say like a hose. put it in the bottom of the barrel, have a small hole in the top of the barrel to allow you to suck it into your mouth easier. I think the harder part is finding a way to light it in combat. I mean how silly is that going to look in combat? A barbarian with a Keg on his back and a tube in his mouth (which he only opens to spew flaming booze at his foes). Might as well change his class to 'Frat Boy'.
Greener9900 02-15-06, 10:40 PM	well my character is already a closet alcholic so it seemed like a way to combine his hobbies with combat.
Pandaemoni 02-16-06, 08:37 AM	The hose wasn't invented until 1652 for use as a fire hose...so the DM would have to decide whether such a device exists in his own campaign. The original hoses were made of linen, too, which is not ideal for alcohol (the original inventors weren't so concened about leaks). The "rubberized" hose wasn't invented until the 19th century. The drinking straw is much harder to pin down. While the modern popularization of it is definitely a 20th century phenomenon (with the original, paper, straws dating from the late-19th century), there is some evidence that hollow reeds may have been used in ancient times as drinking straws. Potential ancient use notwithstanding, the device wouldn't be a common one in the traditional medieval European campaign and there might be some question of how a PC could rediscover such a thing. The easiest way I can see to move the alcohol (without straining medieval technology beyond its limits) is to get a barrel fixed with a tap, and carry a cup with you. Presumably though filling the cup would not be a free action, it might be a move action...though more likely it's a full-round action. You'd likely be able to shorted it up by using a covered flagon or wineskin, prefilled with alcohol outside of combat.
Free1983 02-16-06, 08:47 AM	perhaps you could make an iron or steel tube to suck the alcohol into your mouth. You could also smoke a pipe to have a flame at hand. I'm sure your DM can come up with some substance that makes the flame in your pipe big enough to light the alcohol. You could also try some gnome mechanics if your DM allows it. have fun spraying everyone
GiantSlor 02-16-06, 09:12 AM	I don't think that ignited whiskey would be a good weapon. First even a half orc can't keep much in his mouth. Second alcohol burns very fast. At best it would be a good trick to maybe dazzle an opponent for one round, and maybe like 1d4 AT MOST of damage. If you want a real flamer thrower, just use Greek Fire. Hellenistic and Roman tech was in many ways far superior to medival Europe, so it would not be illogical to see such techs in D&D. Replace Greek Fire with Alchemists Fire and you have a nasty weapon. One that sticks and burns for quite a while. http://science.howstuffworks.com/flamethrower1.htm (Byzantine Flamethrower)
Pandaemoni 02-16-06, 09:20 AM	You could always pay a wizard to create a magic barrel for you, if your DM allows it. One that, upon a command word, instantly fills the mouth of all touching it with whatever the cask contains. If you invoke gnomish technology, then I wouldn't see why you'd even need get the alcohol in your mouth. Just have them invent a a nozzle and spray the alcohol directly from the cask like a real flamethrower (albeit with a much shorter range and lower damage--unless the gnomes also invent napalm or Greek fire for you).
Balor von Balorvitch 02-16-06, 09:26 AM	OK thog aready has rocket skates! Does he need a straw? :rofl: http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript?SK=257 (Sorry i had to do it!)
Kiklio 02-16-06, 06:13 PM	A very cool way to do this would be with a suit. You're in the equivalent of plate mail, with a tank on your back. Gravity or pump-action (possibly in the feet) distributes the alchemist's fire through fabricated hoses mounted on your wrists, or through several small hoses on your fingers, where magic propels it at high velocity towards your opponents at a fixed range. It would like you're casting burning hands!
SilverFoxKnows 02-16-06, 07:12 PM	Use a pump and copper tubing. Look at the Byzantine fire ships. They heated the oil but it should work without being heated. Just watch out for incoming fire, a flame strike would really ruin his day.
Greener9900 02-16-06, 08:06 PM	A very cool way to do this would be with a suit. You're in the equivalent of plate mail, with a tank on your back. Gravity or pump-action (possibly in the feet) distributes the alchemist's fire through fabricated hoses mounted on your wrists, or through several small hoses on your fingers, where magic propels it at high velocity towards your opponents at a fixed range. It would like you're casting burning hands! That is a realy cool idea. I am going to talk to my Dm to see if I can ever get something like that.
Capt. Pixel 02-16-06, 09:41 PM	Are you nuts? DRINK THE WHISKEY! and then start hitting the enemy with your torch. sheesh! ;)
tharivol266 02-17-06, 08:00 AM	in the arms and equipment book i think there is a sprayer. it'd be an easy mod. from there