Artificer & Eldritch Machines - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Artificer & Eldritch Machines

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
revvecor
May 25, 2008 16:48:02 One thing I have allows wondered is can an Artificer "Retain Essence" on an Eldritch Machine or other ancient artifact that they do not understand the principle of. For example an Artificer is going through a giants' city ruins and comes across an object of obvious great magic power and trys to use Retain Essence on it, what would happen?

I understand in the end it comes down to the GM's decision, I was just wondering what your thoughts were, and what you did in your games. In my game I had the Artificer become "Dazed" after he attempted to to use retain essence on ancient artifact.
#2
guyrtheadamantineone
May 25, 2008 19:16:55 As much as I like the idea of ''draining away'' a plot device, it shouldn't be possible, as an Eldritch Machine has no cost, therefore no experience value.
#3
Edymnion
May 25, 2008 19:40:10 Also, IIRC, you can only use Retain Essence on something you have the crafting feat for. So, unless your Artificer has "Craft Eldritch Machine" as a feat, no, they can't suck the xp out of them.
#4
revvecor
May 25, 2008 20:25:37 That is what I thought thanks
#5
ornito
May 25, 2008 20:35:21 I think you were far too kind with the dazed effect. Something like draining the arcane essence off of a Xen'drik Eldritch Machine strikes me as something people should know not to just try. I'd have done something like tell the player that their character no longer has a sense of taste. Or if I felt like playing with some fun rules no sense of touch. Something off the wall that I could use for an adventure hook in the future.

Plus the whole idea of the artificer strikes me as someone who's playing with fire. And if they try to play with a fire that's too big they should end up a littled burnt.
#6
revvecor
May 25, 2008 20:43:08 Actually it was the last session we were doing in that game before starting someone else's. So everyone was going to die or retire anyway. His character triggered a trap that transformed him into a Drow that the party killed before they realized it was him.;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 revvecor May 25, 2008 16:48:02	One thing I have allows wondered is can an Artificer "Retain Essence" on an Eldritch Machine or other ancient artifact that they do not understand the principle of. For example an Artificer is going through a giants' city ruins and comes across an object of obvious great magic power and trys to use Retain Essence on it, what would happen? I understand in the end it comes down to the GM's decision, I was just wondering what your thoughts were, and what you did in your games. In my game I had the Artificer become "Dazed" after he attempted to to use retain essence on ancient artifact.
#2 guyrtheadamantineone May 25, 2008 19:16:55	As much as I like the idea of ''draining away'' a plot device, it shouldn't be possible, as an Eldritch Machine has no cost, therefore no experience value.
#3 Edymnion May 25, 2008 19:40:10	Also, IIRC, you can only use Retain Essence on something you have the crafting feat for. So, unless your Artificer has "Craft Eldritch Machine" as a feat, no, they can't suck the xp out of them.
#4 revvecor May 25, 2008 20:25:37	That is what I thought thanks
#5 ornito May 25, 2008 20:35:21	I think you were far too kind with the dazed effect. Something like draining the arcane essence off of a Xen'drik Eldritch Machine strikes me as something people should know not to just try. I'd have done something like tell the player that their character no longer has a sense of taste. Or if I felt like playing with some fun rules no sense of touch. Something off the wall that I could use for an adventure hook in the future. Plus the whole idea of the artificer strikes me as someone who's playing with fire. And if they try to play with a fire that's too big they should end up a littled burnt.
#6 revvecor May 25, 2008 20:43:08	Actually it was the last session we were doing in that game before starting someone else's. So everyone was going to die or retire anyway. His character triggered a trap that transformed him into a Drow that the party killed before they realized it was him.;)