A curious problem - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

A curious problem

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
werebat
Mar 29, 2008 10:25:00 So, in one of the games I play in, we have only one diplomat in the party. This is a relatively inexperienced youth who isn't what I would call "comfortable" with the role. He did fairly well on his first info gathering foray into a dangerous bar, but blew it at the last moment due to poor tactics and ended up starting a huge bar fight.

I am playing a goblin artificer (Eberron campaign). What I am thinking is that this player needs a way to communicate in a hidden way with at least one other more experienced player during diplomacy type negotiations. I'd like to keep this from being cheesy, though, by keeping it legit in-game.

My first idea is some sort of telepathy such as mindlink or Rary's Telepathic Bond. Ideally I would like a cheap, low-level item that I can craft that will enable myself or another character to communicate with our diplomat during negotiations in order to "remind" the player of his objective, offer suggestions on what to ask next, etc. No one wants to turn his character into a marionette but he really does need some guidance.

Any suggestions for how to do this? Low-level spells would be nice to know about but my ideal is an item or some way to do it long-term.

Thanks,

- Ron ^*^
#2
bozwevial
Mar 29, 2008 11:38:52 Theoretically, a hat of mindlink would cost 2000 gp. However, the downside is that if I'm not mistaken, you'd have to establish the mindlink from within 25 feet, and I'm unsure if it would last 10 minutes or as long as you wanted. Still, it's not too bad.
#3
stickboy2323
Mar 29, 2008 11:40:54 1 level dip into mindbender for telepathy.
#4
aiden_bautista
Mar 29, 2008 12:35:01 Ring of communication allows conversation for up to a mile, but I think you actually have to speak. Seems like I remember an ear ring of communication?
#5
eldritch_lord
Mar 29, 2008 14:07:34 What class is the diplomat? There might be a way to improve his character at the same time as giving him telepathic help, like the Mindbender dip already mentioned.
#6
werebat
Mar 29, 2008 20:18:52
What class is the diplomat? There might be a way to improve his character at the same time as giving him telepathic help, like the Mindbender dip already mentioned.

Good questions and good idea about Mindbender. IIRC the party is:

1. Human Sorcerer variant (the Diplomat) -- essentially a Sorc with more skill points and the Diplomatic skills added as class skills

2. Goblin Artificer (Me)

3. Human Dread Necromancer

4. Shifter Druid

5. Halfling Cleric

6. Elf Ranger

As I see it, the ones really capable of pulling this off with spells would be the Sorceress herself, myself (with a crafted item), and maybe the cleric or druid. Of course the Sorc could eventually get Rary's Telepathic Bond but that's not available until later and it's a bit of a waste for a Sorc spell choice. I'm thinking it's probably going to be myself or the cleric who puts this plan into action.

For me, the best solution is a clever item that will enable me to be linked to the sorc's mind. I could work with the DM about designing such and item but I'm not sure he'll go for it if it isn't in print. Right now he's accepting MIC but lately he's made noises about banning it as some stuff looks overpowered to him -- the best counter so far is that most of what I want to make in it is not that powerful, it's character concept stuff like a Troll Gut Rope and other things you'd expect a goblin artificer to make.

Hope this helps.

(Edit: the BEST choice may be to have the Sorc take that Mindbender level. I'll look into the possibility.)

(Edit: Damn, she's Lawful Good. May not work.)

- Ron ^*^
#7
eldritch_lord
Mar 30, 2008 10:58:19
1. Human Sorcerer variant (the Diplomat) -- essentially a Sorc with more skill points and the Diplomatic skills added as class skills

2. Goblin Artificer (Me)

3. Human Dread Necromancer

4. Shifter Druid

5. Halfling Cleric

6. Elf Ranger

Well, I doubt the Dread Necro or Ranger can help with this, so let's see what telepathy the others have...
Rary's telepathic bond is Sor 5;
the only mindlink I know of is psionic;
status doesn't allow communication;
detect thoughts requires concentration;

and that's about it.

However...if you can get a wand of whispering wind to send messages, that could work. 2nd level spell (thus cheap) and is hard to hear except for the target. I think that's the best cheap, low-level solution you can get.

(Edit: the BEST choice may be to have the Sorc take that Mindbender level. I'll look into the possibility.)

(Edit: Damn, she's Lawful Good. May not work.)

- Ron ^*^

Mmm...Lawful good does put a crimp in things. Perhaps you could get that waived? Mindbender is definitely the best solution possible for this.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 werebat Mar 29, 2008 10:25:00	So, in one of the games I play in, we have only one diplomat in the party. This is a relatively inexperienced youth who isn't what I would call "comfortable" with the role. He did fairly well on his first info gathering foray into a dangerous bar, but blew it at the last moment due to poor tactics and ended up starting a huge bar fight. I am playing a goblin artificer (Eberron campaign). What I am thinking is that this player needs a way to communicate in a hidden way with at least one other more experienced player during diplomacy type negotiations. I'd like to keep this from being cheesy, though, by keeping it legit in-game. My first idea is some sort of telepathy such as mindlink or Rary's Telepathic Bond. Ideally I would like a cheap, low-level item that I can craft that will enable myself or another character to communicate with our diplomat during negotiations in order to "remind" the player of his objective, offer suggestions on what to ask next, etc. No one wants to turn his character into a marionette but he really does need some guidance. Any suggestions for how to do this? Low-level spells would be nice to know about but my ideal is an item or some way to do it long-term. Thanks, - Ron ^*^
#2 bozwevial Mar 29, 2008 11:38:52	Theoretically, a hat of mindlink would cost 2000 gp. However, the downside is that if I'm not mistaken, you'd have to establish the mindlink from within 25 feet, and I'm unsure if it would last 10 minutes or as long as you wanted. Still, it's not too bad.
#3 stickboy2323 Mar 29, 2008 11:40:54	1 level dip into mindbender for telepathy.
#4 aiden_bautista Mar 29, 2008 12:35:01	Ring of communication allows conversation for up to a mile, but I think you actually have to speak. Seems like I remember an ear ring of communication?
#5 eldritch_lord Mar 29, 2008 14:07:34	What class is the diplomat? There might be a way to improve his character at the same time as giving him telepathic help, like the Mindbender dip already mentioned.
#6 werebat Mar 29, 2008 20:18:52	What class is the diplomat? There might be a way to improve his character at the same time as giving him telepathic help, like the Mindbender dip already mentioned. Good questions and good idea about Mindbender. IIRC the party is: 1. Human Sorcerer variant (the Diplomat) -- essentially a Sorc with more skill points and the Diplomatic skills added as class skills 2. Goblin Artificer (Me) 3. Human Dread Necromancer 4. Shifter Druid 5. Halfling Cleric 6. Elf Ranger As I see it, the ones really capable of pulling this off with spells would be the Sorceress herself, myself (with a crafted item), and maybe the cleric or druid. Of course the Sorc could eventually get Rary's Telepathic Bond but that's not available until later and it's a bit of a waste for a Sorc spell choice. I'm thinking it's probably going to be myself or the cleric who puts this plan into action. For me, the best solution is a clever item that will enable me to be linked to the sorc's mind. I could work with the DM about designing such and item but I'm not sure he'll go for it if it isn't in print. Right now he's accepting MIC but lately he's made noises about banning it as some stuff looks overpowered to him -- the best counter so far is that most of what I want to make in it is not that powerful, it's character concept stuff like a Troll Gut Rope and other things you'd expect a goblin artificer to make. Hope this helps. (Edit: the BEST choice may be to have the Sorc take that Mindbender level. I'll look into the possibility.) (Edit: Damn, she's Lawful Good. May not work.) - Ron ^*^
#7 eldritch_lord Mar 30, 2008 10:58:19	1. Human Sorcerer variant (the Diplomat) -- essentially a Sorc with more skill points and the Diplomatic skills added as class skills 2. Goblin Artificer (Me) 3. Human Dread Necromancer 4. Shifter Druid 5. Halfling Cleric 6. Elf Ranger Well, I doubt the Dread Necro or Ranger can help with this, so let's see what telepathy the others have... Rary's telepathic bond is Sor 5; the only mindlink I know of is psionic; status doesn't allow communication; detect thoughts requires concentration; and that's about it. However...if you can get a wand of whispering wind to send messages, that could work. 2nd level spell (thus cheap) and is hard to hear except for the target. I think that's the best cheap, low-level solution you can get. (Edit: the BEST choice may be to have the Sorc take that Mindbender level. I'll look into the possibility.) (Edit: Damn, she's Lawful Good. May not work.) - Ron ^*^ Mmm...Lawful good does put a crimp in things. Perhaps you could get that waived? Mindbender is definitely the best solution possible for this.