Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 amperage Aug 29, 2010 20:38:43	So I thought it would be cool to hear other peoples ideas for how to use the Wild Talent known as Mental Tools which says:  You create a simple tool you can hold in one hand. The object appears in your hand or at your feet. You can not use the object to attack or hinder another creature. The object lasts until the end of the encounter or until you use this power again. 1)  a cup to drink from 2)  a compass(assuming this would be allowed) speaking of mental....I'm having a mental block right now...I think this power could be pretty interesting. Any additions?
#2 tallric_kruush Aug 29, 2010 20:48:47	I thought of the toolkits such as Thieves' Tools, Crowbars and the like. Perhaps the thieves' tools are a bit to complex for some, but I'd allow it. A warrior might create a whetstone to keep his blade keen. You may fashion an all-purpose knife to prepare and eat your supper. With enough time in a cell, maybe you manage to fashion a key that will open the lock on the door. Maybe you fashion a heavy ball of threads/fibers (or rubber, if Athas has it) to throw down a corridor and check for traps. Or, if your DM is feeling generous, maybe a reasonably sized pole to check for the same. The compass idea is cool, and I'd allow it for certain. The whole idea, after all, is to encourage players to use these simple powers in creative ways. I'd likely give a small bonus to Nature or Perception checks to navigate.
#3 Duke5150 Aug 29, 2010 21:57:50	I doubt I'd allow a compass as that isn't really "simple." What I would allow: 1. a grappling hook (not with rope) 2. a small hammer 3. a piton 4. a crowbar 5. a drum (not sure about this, as it's not really "simple") 6. a flask 7. a piece of flint or a piece of steel (again, not completely sure about this) 8. a flute (not sure as it's not very simple) 9. a footpad (not sure) 10. a glass cutter (not sure) 11. a horn 12. a small knife 13. a brush 14. a single pair of tweezers 15. a pick 16. a probe 17. a magnifying glass (not sure, probably not) 18. a quill (not sure, I'd allow a very basic writing quill) 19. a key (not sure if i'd allow a skeleton key) 20. a single pair of simple clamps 21. a woodwind. (maybe) 22. a small waterskin (maybe) Those are the items I'd allow to be created from the adventuring gear in the CB. I'm not sure I would allow implements like orbs, but I might allow a wand or rod. No staff or tome. As for other items like a small shovel or a water dish or a cooking pan, I'd probably allow that stuff.
#4 amperage Aug 29, 2010 22:06:08	that's pretty cool.  You never know what you might need.  I just thought of a signaling mirror(or if not mirror then some other reflective object that can be used in the same way)
#5 edwin_su Aug 30, 2010 12:34:26	lockpicks!
#6 tavitin Aug 30, 2010 12:58:26	If you're really horny, and a woman, you can figure something out.
#7 Knight_Marshal Aug 30, 2010 17:02:14	If you're really horny, and a woman, you can figure something out. You implying that men are simple tools? I resemble that remark!
#8 angelus_obscura Aug 30, 2010 17:07:00	If you're really horny, and a woman, you can figure something out. You implying that men are simple tools? I resemble that remark! No, simply that we are replaceable by ... a tool. Here's a hint, it rhymes with Bilbo.
#9 rothe Aug 31, 2010 4:14:16	This thread went south quite fast... Anyway, regarding the phrase "cannot be used to attack or hinder a creature", what does the "hinder" mean? For instance, if I make a piton and use it to wedge a door shut, is this "hindering a creature" and thus I'd fail? I don't think it is. Any opinions? I'd allow making thieves tools, but without the +2 to skill rolls. Instead, I think you get a penalty if you try to use thievery for lockpicking without any tools (such as if you were imprisoned without your equipment). Regarding the "simple" part, I'd not allow delicate moving parts. A compass would be out. Scissors would be ok. What is a tool exactly, for this purpose? 50' of rope is a tool I can hold in one hand? I guess so.
#10 mastyrial Aug 31, 2010 5:26:27	Anyway, regarding the phrase "cannot be used to attack or hinder a creature", what does the "hinder" mean? Any opinions? IMHO, these wild talents are not meant to be used against monsters like your attack powers and your other utilities may be. I interprete "hindering" as "create difficult terrain", "slow" and other effects. You can create a shovel, but you have to dig the earth yourself. You can't create wire to have an instant difficult terrain. Your created knive can be used in every way - but not to attack. You can create a net to hold items, but not to throw it on an enemy. You can create spikes, or a scalpel, or a nice looking thorn-monster-statue; but you can't use these things as caltrop. asf. Everything that result in an attack or in a status effect or in a penalty is not allowed (imho).
#11 angelus_obscura Aug 31, 2010 11:41:33	Actually, there is one wild talent that can be used in conjunction with any attack power: sensing eye. As a minor action, a spellcaster or psion can use any square within 5 as the point of origin for line of sight powers. I.e. sustaining an effect, etc.
#12 patdragon Sep 02, 2010 8:04:42	Just manage to get this abilty in a game i'm about to play, and i was thinking of an odd usefull item  for darksun might be as a parasol, or simply as some shade. Plus it can be used (i think) to make a rock that you could use as a distaction for stealth ideas, or even be used to set off traps (sort of) if you throw the "rock" into the trapped area (if that would trigger it)
#13 OskarOisinson Sep 02, 2010 15:06:42	The mainstay of trap-averse adventurers everywhere: the x-foot wooden pole!
#14 CoarseDragon Sep 02, 2010 16:13:38	Open your toolbox. Everything with out moving parts should be creatable. Also candlestick holder but probably not a candle, chalk, I would allow a torch sized stick but not a ten foot pole. A single lockpick but not a set of them. A blank key that could be formed into a key by other means. How about a file?